SMEs can drive inclusion and growth in South Africa’s education system
Katlego Sekhu
The education sector in South Africa remains one of the country’s major challenges. Many public schools struggle to achieve positive results, while private schools are too costly for many households to afford.
This challenge signals a gap in the market and creates an opportunity for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the private education sector to grow, while also contributing to improvements in the sector.
The opportunities for SMEs entering the education space are extensive, ranging from private pre-primary schools to support services and innovative educational products.
If SMEs seize these opportunities, the education sector can be improved and made more inclusive, giving South Africa’s children the best possible prospects. This could one day help them contribute to a stronger economy, reduced inequality, and improved quality of life.
David Morobe, Regional General Manager at Business Partners Limited, recently joined Kaya Biz with Gugulethu Mfuphi to discuss the requirements for starting a business in the education sector.
Morobe emphasised the importance of regulatory compliance.
“There are a number of laws, including the South African Schools Act and others that have been introduced to regulate how education is provided, particularly in formal, basic, and higher education.”
He explained that regulation around pre-school education is more authority-driven, to ensure the safety of children.
“We encourage our entrepreneurs to familiarise themselves with what regulatory authorities require in order to operate in this space and provide the much-needed education,” he added.
Listen to the podcast for the full discussion and further insights from Business Partners Limited’s David Morobe.
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