An education activist has expressed concern over the escalation of fees charged by some private schools. Picture: iStock As the clock counts down to the end of the school holiday and the start of the 2026 academic year, an education activist has expressed concern about the escalation of fees charged by some private schools across the country. The Department of Basic Education (DBE) confirmed that public schools will reopen on 14 January 2026, while most private schools are also scheduled to open for the first term on the same date.
This will put pressure on parents who splurged cash during the festive season and will now have to dig deep in their pockets for uniforms, school fees, and stationery. In August 2025,The Citizenreportedthat the disparity in resources between government schools and private for-profit education businesses was creating a gulf in opportunities. “Two private education giants at the time reported a combined R1.3 billion in operating profit, while the DBE struggled to make its R35 billion budget count.
Experts warned that, while the perceived differences in outcomes between private and public education are not guaranteed, a large portion of South Africa’s children are being left behind. Education activist Hendrick Makaneta said private school fees are concerning. “There are schools that are now charging more than R400 000 per learner.
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These levels of increase raise serious questions about affordability and access to quality education. “While private schools are entitled to set their own fee structures, recent increases have significantly outpaced inflation and wage growth. As a result, many families are being placed under severe financial strain, and many parents will be excluded from schools they were previously able to afford,” Makaneta said. NOW READ:Money is there but ‘political will is lacking’: Not enough schools being built in South Africa
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