By Lebone Rodah Mosima
Several no-fee and low-fee schools in the Western Cape have received “good” or “outstanding” ratings in independent school evaluations.
This is according to the province’s Schools Evaluation Authority (SEA) 2024/25 annual report, which was presented to the Standing Committee on Education in the provincial legislature this week.
The province’s education department said the SEA’s six lead evaluators and 10 evaluators undertook 90 school evaluations and three monitoring visits during the year under review.
“The SEA, which is unique to the Western Cape, seeks to improve school quality by increasing school accountability,” the department said.
“The purpose of the SEA is to conduct independent evaluations of schools, identify areas for improvement, and make recommendations to the school so that they can focus their efforts accordingly.”
The SEA said its independence reassures parents and schools that its findings and recommendations are aimed at improving the quality of teaching and learning.
The SEA evaluates schools across five key areas: learner achievement, quality of teaching and learning, behaviour and safety, leadership and management, and governance, parents and community.
“Schools are allocated a rating for each area, as well as overall, with detailed comments provided on the school’s performance. The rating categories are “inadequate” (1), “requires improvement” (2), “good” (3), and “outstanding” (4),” SEA said.
The evaluation reports are published on the SEA website, allowing parents to access information about their child’s school performance.
“One of the biggest takeaways from the SEA’s report is that there is excellence to be found throughout our province’s school system, across geographical areas and school quintiles,” SEA said.
Among the schools highlighted was the Centre of Science and Technology, known as COSAT, a no-fee quintile 3 school in Khayelitsha, which was recognised for outstanding learner achievement and its strong emphasis on language proficiency across grades.
The evaluation found that the school benefited from a strong foundation of skilled teachers, contributing to high levels of learner engagement.
Spine Road High School, a low-fee quintile 5 school in Mitchell’s Plain, was recognised for strong leadership and consistently strong learning outcomes.
“The school’s Grade 12 teaching was highlighted as outstanding, ensuring learners at Spine Road are well prepared for matriculation and future careers,” SEA said.
Steenberg’s Cove Primêre Skool, a no-fee quintile 2 school in St Helena Bay, was also acknowledged for providing a safe and stable environment that offers hope and opportunity to the surrounding rural community.
“The school sets clear and consistent expectations, valuing respect and positive problem-solving,” the organisation said.
“There are countless other examples that show that, while there is still much work to be done, our schools can achieve quality learning outcomes no matter what challenges they face.”
SEA Chief Evaluator David Millar said the reports strengthened accountability by giving school management teams, districts, and school governing bodies shared reference points to monitor progress and hold one another accountable.
“SEA reports offer actionable recommendations: specific, practical next steps (not vague advice) which enable schools to translate findings into real improvement,” Millar said.
“Of course, SEA reports focus on what matters most. By prioritising key issues, our reports show schools what to focus on instead of spreading improvement efforts too thinly.”
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