The Real Cost Of Education: A Reality Check For Parents

As families prepare for the new school year, many parents are feeling the financial pressure that comes with giving their children the best possible start in life. While new stationery, uniforms and school fees may dominate January budgets, the long-term cost of education goes far beyond back-to-school shopping. It is a reality that is rising each year, and one that parents need to plan for with intention and care.

Brigid McCleary, Financial Planner at Designed Wealth, believes that education is one of the most meaningful investments a parent can make. “The true value of education lies in who your child becomes, not in what you buy for them today. Your role is not to impress them with things, but to equip them with the skills, resilience and imagination they will need to shape their future with confidence,” she says.

Brigid adds that a child’s foundation is built long before they step into a classroom. Reading to them, asking for their opinions, listening without judgement and encouraging their ideas are all simple daily actions that build emotional strength and curiosity. Allowing them to make choices, even when it takes longer, teaches confidence and independence. “Decision-making grows through practice, not age. A child who is too afraid to choose the colour of a popsicle may struggle to choose subjects later in school or even a career as an adult,” she explains.

While nurturing their minds is essential, nurturing their financial future is just as important. South Africa’s education costs continue to rise faster than normal inflation. The numbers are sobering. Putting one child through the public school system can now cost around R655 000, excluding extras such as uniforms, transport or extracurricular activities. University fees add a significant layer, with a single year costing between R90 000 and R150 000 depending on the institution, the course and the city. A full qualification can range from R300 000 to more than R600 000.

“These are not scare tactics. This is the financial reality families face,” says McCleary. “When parents do not prepare, their children often end up paying the price, both financially and emotionally. A child with potential, but without the means to pursue it, learns very early that dreams come with limits. Many end up choosing cheaper subjects, safer options or starting adulthood with loan repayments that may follow them for years.”

The good news is that parents have options and time is their greatest asset. There is no single perfect product for every household, but there is a suitable strategy for every family’s circumstances. Education policies can provide long-term stability, especially for parents in higher tax brackets who benefit from the internal tax structure and tax-free payouts. Tax-free savings accounts offer flexibility and significant long-term advantages for households with lower tax rates. Unit trusts provide freedom to adjust contributions over time and may be more tax-efficient for parents in lower to moderate income brackets.

“The point is not to find a one-size-fits-all solution. The point is to start. Small, consistent contributions, even something like R200 or R500 a month, can grow into meaningful opportunities over time,” says McCleary. She encourages parents to seek advice early to understand which products align best with their tax profile, risk level and long-term goals. “Expert guidance can be the difference between a child stepping into adulthood with options or stepping into adulthood already in debt.”

Children do not need perfection or every new gadget. What they do need are parents willing to plan for a future they will one day have to navigate on their own. “A future is built quietly and consistently,” says McCleary. “It begins in the small moments, the ordinary savings and the decisions made long before a child is old enough to understand their value. Time waits for nobody, and your child’s future is coming. The best gift you can give them is preparation.”

Mzansi Pulse

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The Real Cost of Education: A Reality Check for Parents

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