What is an international, world-class school?

Rabbi Ricky Seeff, general director, King David Schools

Maybe it was the COVID-19 pandemic. Maybe it was the intense loadshedding. Maybe it’s a world that’s getting smaller with each passing year, but there seems to have been a surge in parents and students looking to study overseas.

This has created the necessity for local private schools to be “world-class” or “international” schools. Schools have needed to offer parents and children a plethora of opportunities and excellent academic programmes with the promise of creating an opening, or at least keeping the door open, to international study.

The world is a more competitive place, and there’s no question that a rigorous and innovative approach to academics and multi-disciplinary extracurricular participation will enhance a student’s chances of getting accepted at foreign universities. Therefore, schools need to maintain excellent standards. However, that’s not the whole story and definitely not for Jewish students.

In an article titled, “Over a million South Africans eyeing universities abroad”, Rebecca Pretorius from Crimson Education writes that the goal posts to admission into foreign universities have moved over the years. One incredible example is how universities are particularly interested in students developing mastery in their own areas of interest. She says, “Establishing and organising their own clubs or social movements aimed at solving a real-life problem can highlight leadership skills and a passion for making an impact. Students can also compete in local or global competitions. You don’t need to be the top academic. You need to be driven. You need to compete, and have a passion to contribute to the world.”

She also points out that understanding the admissions process enhances the chances of international study.

Good schools will ensure that children work hard and strive to be the best. World-class schools will help ignite fire in a child to work hard at making a difference. To work hard at solving the world’s problems. World-class schools will produce leaders.

In the Jewish context, I believe a world-class school is one that gives children a sense of belonging and a grounding in their identity. The events of 7 October have shone a light on Jewish peoplehood. We are connected. There’s no longer the South African Jew; the Israeli Jew; the American Jew; or any other brand. There’s just a Jew. Jewish students need to know who they are, that they belong to an amazing people. They belong to something bigger than themselves. They are part of a community, not just in their locale, but around the world. If they don’t have this sense of belonging and Jewish pride, they run the risk of being reminded who they are when they arrive on foreign university campuses.

A world-class Jewish school builds leaders and builds Jewish identity, and this strong grounding helps children to understand that no matter where they end up and no matter where they study, they have a proud identity, they have a people.