Education Entrepreneurs – Big And Small
South Africans have always been a tough bunch, and it is great to see educator entrepreneurs coming up with inventive ways of providing our young people with a quality education.
Written By: Michael Caplan
This article will continue to investigate some of the lesser known and innovative private schools.
By the way
Recently, I have been doing some extra lessons with a National Senior Certificate matric student. Looking at several History past papers, I was horrified to discover the same essay appearing every year with only changes in wording; just a taste of what sort of education is being dished out at public schools.
South Africans have always been a tough bunch, and it is great to see educator entrepreneurs coming up with inventive ways of providing our young people with a quality education.
Educational entrepreneur
One such entrepreneur is Nadya Katz, who has founded and built up a highly successful medium sized business called the Sandton School Group (SSG). Located in Bryanston, it has a Junior Campus (Grade 0-7) and a Senior Campus (Gr 8-12) situated not far apart.
On the SSG website a couple of unusual things stick out. At the bottom is Nadya’s direct email address. Most schools have a general email or, at best, that of the Head’s PA. Similarly, when calling the school, one is given the option of being put through directly to the CEO, Nadya – not a PA or receptionist.
These illustrate what I found when meeting Nadya. Not only is she directly accessible, but she is seldom in her office. Unlike most CEOs, she is usually to be found engaging with students and teachers at one of the campuses – doing stuff most, in her position, would delegate.
Unusual added extras
Indeed, many other things make this school innovative and unusual. Full school transport is provided – from as far as Fourways children are picked up in the morning and brought safely home each afternoon.
In addition, the school also offers full boarding. And that’s not all. Aftercare ends at around 6pm, including a full meal.
With so many parents working full time, this particularly suits them – being able to have kids transported, being able to fetch them after work or opt for full boarding.
All excellent, creative services – cleverly supporting just what these clients need.
CEO’s backstory
Nadya started her first school at age 19 – Smiley Kids – a nursery school that grew to several branches.
“The success of a student cannot be measured only by their academic success alone, but also by the development of their social and interpersonal skills and contribution to school life….We help our students to develop existing interests and to find new ones that will stay with them for life,” said Katz.
SSG has all the usual sports facilities fitted into compact grounds. Happily, it also includes a library. Sadly, many schools are dispensing with these – thinking online can replace them.
All this for very reasonable fees. High school full boarding comes in at significantly below the tuition fees alone of most “elite” private schools. Unlike the usual practice, fees do not increase from Grade 8 to 12.
We have here an excellent, and ever-improving successful business, creatively designed to fit a specific gap in the market.
A little-known school group – ISDO
Most have not heard of the International School Development Organisation (ISDO), but on investigation, it became clear that it is fairly large and extremely diverse.
The ISDO is headed up by another educational entrepreneur, James Moir, who works in partnership with Uxi Education Group. They own both secondary and tertiary educational institutions.
ISDO secondary schools
Ruimsig Academy – essentially a high school for students with learning challenges.
Eagle House School – a very interesting High School which uses a hybrid system. About 70% of students attend classes normally, but the remainder attend online. A large screen is in every classroom so that students at home can interact with the lesson.
Frankly, this sounds like a recipe for chaos. Nevertheless, according to James Moir, it has worked surprisingly well. He admits he is not sure why. Eagle house was a failing school when it was bought by the ISDO, and it is now highly profitable and receives good reviews from students, staff and parents.
In addition, as a philanthropic venture, Eagle House broadcasts lessons to an under-privileged public school based on a mine several kilometres away.
Alma mater
This ISDO school is one of the top Cambridge International Schools in the country. Situated on a beautiful country campus in Krugersdorp, it is fully conventional and has a tough entrance exam to ensure top quality students. Those who do not make the cut are referred to either Eagle House or Ruimsig.
Alma Mater also has a full boarding house, with students coming from all over Africa. It has also won multiple international awards, with extremely impressive results on their externally assessed international exams.
ISDO tertiary institutions
Corporate Training Unlimited (CTU): Provides Higher Diplomas in a wide range of disciplines including HR, Management, Engineering and Graphic Design
Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) – Provides Bachelor of Arts and Commerce degrees in various fields.
University while still at high school
ISDO cleverly leverages their Secondary and Tertiary ownership. They allow strong senior High School students to begin tertiary qualifications while still at High School. They can then leave with a significant part of a tertiary course already completed. This is highly innovative and unique.
Lastly the ISDO has several other educational institutions, including the Bramble Hill Golf Academy and the Open Window Institution, which focuses on a range of design degrees and is widely regarded as the finest of its kind in the country.
We have then two very different but highly innovative educational entrepreneurs doing fascinating things in the private education space.
Michael Caplan, an Associate of the Free Market Foundation, is a History and English teacher with 26 years’ experience in mostly private schools in Johannesburg. He holds an MA in History and has a strong interest in libertarianism and the free market.