For many years now, education experts have been stressing the need for a holistic approach to teaching when it comes to the education system in South Africa. There have been a number of schools – new and old – that have already started experimenting with this approach in the classroom. SPARK Schools is one of the leaders when it comes to the holistic learning approach.
The 11 schools in the chain are based in transition zones between previously disadvantaged areas and affluent areas.
The schools recognise that one-size does not fit all and because of this, they have put in place structures that best cater to each child individually while still keeping all the children on the same pace.
“There are many factors to be cognisant of during this process,” explained Dee Moodley, director of academics at SPARK Schools. “This includes understanding that every learner has individual needs and that they learn differently. Personalising learning in schools allows children to be successful on their own terms.”
SPARK prides themselves in providing high quality education at an affordable rate to the many, not the elite few.
SPARK Schools is a South African chain of high-quality, low-cost schools, created to meet a desperate need in the market for parents who might not be satisfied with the current education offering (both private and government), but are unable to place their children in elite private schools.
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According to SPARK Schools, their annual fees are approximately equivalent to government’s total cost to educate at a national level proving that world-class education can be delivered at an affordable rate, if the right systems are in place.
Stacey Brewer, the co-founder and CEO of SPARK Schools said, “SPARK prioritises producing emotionally mature students, growing up in an inclusive environment, where [there’s] respect for different races, cultures and economic circumstances. SPARK Schools use a variety of teaching methods to empower learners to develop their creative and practical thinking, with classroom sessions, personalised learning and collaboration in small groups, again fostering mutual respect.”
According to Moodley, education is allocated the largest budget in the South African fiscus, yet results are still poor. “There is a need for education as a sector to employ frugal innovation, which involves taking what you have and working with it the best you can. Without this kind of strategic efficiency, the more money you throw at a problem, the more problems you get back.”
Brewer said the overall vision is to produce children that are real-world ready, with globally-recognised academic qualifications and a personal maturity and healthy attitude to equality for all.
SPARK Schools is working towards being the radical transformation that South Africa’s education sector needs.
