As the year draws to an end, many South African parents are making the decisions on new schools for their children.
According to research, when it comes to choosing the ‘right’ school, three key factors stand out above the rest: Affordability, safety and the quality of education, says Nonkululeko Mahlangu, a public relations consultant from a local private school.
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This research also suggests that some parents will pay up to 20 per cent of their disposable income to secure the best possible schooling for their children.
Other factors influencing the choice of a school include proximity to home or work, the availability of extra-mural activities, and a positive culture and values.
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And while most parents care about academic achievement as part of a quality education, they also want an education that develops real-world skills, such as social and emotional skills which will prepare their children for a life beyond school.
There are four key factors that sometimes make parents take their children out of a school in the middle of the school year: relocation or emigration; extreme bullying or abuse; an unsafe environment; and any decline in educational standards.