Debate Ignites Over Private Schools: Is High Cost Worth Building Connections?

A financially savvy content creator has set the internet ablaze with her compelling argument against the sky-high fees of private schools. Her viral TikTok video, posted on January 7, 2026, has garnered over 212K views and ignited a heated discussion surrounding the true value of expensive education versus financial savvy in building wealth for the next generation.

In the video, the woman, known as @thefinanceghost, highlights that South African private day schools can cost families up to R441,000 for a combined schooling and boarding experience. In contrast, she notes that average daily schooling costs about R275,000, whereas public education is only R78,000 annually. She argues that, despite these costs, there is minimal difference between the university performances and career earnings of students from different educational backgrounds.

Investing Wisely for Your Child's Future

The finance enthusiast passionately illustrates how the R200,000 savings from opting for public education could be better invested. Over five years of high school, she claims, this sum could accumulate to a whopping R3 million by age 30, allowing children to purchase homes, start businesses, or even have a generous monthly allowance.

South Africa Divided on Education Choices

The response to her video has been overwhelming, racking up 980K comments, with a large portion of social media users supporting her financial insights. Viewers pointed out the reality that all students eventually find their way to the same universities and share the same syllabi, regardless of the high school they attended. Nonetheless, some maintain that private education is invaluable for networking opportunities that could be essential later in life.

For instance, user @KingProTheGreat commented:

"Private boys' schools are the best for networking. I got my first corporate job from a Facebook post by an alumnus without even completing my degree at the time. I subsequently bought my first car within a year and lived well for my age. Private schools are worth the networks you build. That being said, results may vary."

Others voiced their experiences, highlighting the challenges faced in securing spots in quality public schools, driving them towards private education as the only viable alternative.

User @Ntebo shared:

"We opted to take our daughter out of a Cambridge school to a public boarding school in another province. The school she is in is in the Sunday Times Top 100 performing public schools in SA. We have zero regrets."

Watch the eye-opening TikTok video embedded below: