SA OUTLOOK
EDUCATION
Phoenix College makes its mark! Founded in 1994, Phoenix College has provided quality education at an affordable cost. Today it is one of the best “low fee independent schools” serving the lower socio economic group of previously disadvantaged learners. It was recently mentioned in “Hidden Assets”, a report by the “Centre for Development and Enterprise” sponsored by the Templeton Foundation in the U.S.A. Phoenix College has made its mark as a valuable and integral part of the community by obtaining many remarkable achievements academically, athletically and recreationally, including obtaining 100% matric pass rate since 2008.
It has also been pointed out at meetings of the Gauteng Education Portfolio Committee held at
The need for Independent Education
the Gauteng legislature that not only do indepen-
Both the Constitution of the Republic of South
what they would have paid to educate a learner
Africa 1996, as well as the South African Schools
in a public school, while costing parents less to
Act 84 of 1996, identified the essential role that
send their children to these schools than to former
independent schools would need to play in order
model ”C” schools, but that independent schools
for the national education strategy to be achieved.
in the province have during the period 2009 to
As it is foreseen that the state would not be able
2017 often achieved a higher average matric pass
to provide the total education needs of the coun-
rate than that achieved by public schools.
dent schools cost the state less than one third of
try at the required level for the foreseeable future, independent schools will continue to play an important role in providing quality education. Many independent schools were started during
The Founding and Development of Phoenix College
the previous dispensation in order to assist with the
Fred Boltman, a retired engineer, used his sav-
education of disadvantaged learners who were not
ings, insurance payouts and pension payout to
catered for at that time. Beyers Naude High School,
found Phoenix College in order to empower the
previously located in Braamfontein, was an exam-
community by supplying quality education at an
ple of an independent school that was established
affordable cost to historically disadvantaged learn-
to respond to this need. When Beyers Naude High
ers from the poorer socio economic classes. The
School closed, the learners were accommodated
Phoenix in Greek mythology was a bird that died
by Phoenix College as a result of a recommenda-
in flames. Out of the ashes, a baby bird was born.
tion by the Gauteng Department of Education.
In 1994, the name Phoenix College was chosen to
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