A balancing act: Assessing the quality and financial viability of low-fee Independent schools
- Low-fee independent schools are engaged in endless balancing act between keeping fees low to allow access for the poor and providing quality education for high learner achievement.
- Low-fee independent schools that provide quality education are more likely to attract a growing number of learners, achieve economies of scale and have a better chance of becoming financially sustainable.
- CDE identifies six indicators of quality education and financial viability: school governance and financial management; school leadership; infrastructure; health, safety and security; teaching, learning and attainments; and community and stakeholder involvement.
- A good school evaluation instrument should be designed to elicit enough information in order to make a judgement on whether a low-fee independent school has the essential systems in place to ensure its financial survival while delivering quality education.