Local Schools
Queen’s College Boys’ High School in Komani Defies National Education Challenges
South Africa’s education system continues to face significant hurdles, with Grade 5 pupils ranking last globally in mathematics and science, and an alarming 81% of children unable to read for meaning by age 10. Yet, amid these national challenges, Queen’s College Boys’ High School in Komani is setting a striking example.
In a recent interview with BizNews, Headmaster Janse van der Ryst highlighted how the school, where 94% of students are Xhosa-speaking, has achieved academic and extracurricular success in a province that lags behind its neighbour, the Western Cape.
Van der Ryst attributes Queen’s College’s achievements to six core pillars:
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Daily Excellence – encouraging consistent high standards in academics and behavior.
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Upholding Identity – fostering pride in personal and cultural heritage.
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Active Participation – ensuring every student engages fully in school life, from classrooms to sports, with no one allowed to “sit out.”
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Mutual Support – cultivating a culture of collaboration and encouragement among peers.
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Community Service – instilling a sense of responsibility toward the broader community.
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Solution-Finding – teaching students to address challenges proactively rather than passively.
A former Boland cricketer, Van der Ryst emphasizes that this blueprint is not only transformative for Queen’s College but could also be replicated in other rural areas of the Eastern Cape, including the Transkei, to improve outcomes for under-resourced schools.
A new video released by the school showcases how the principal’s leadership is making a tangible difference, highlighting students thriving academically, socially, and in sports under this holistic approach.
Queen’s College stands as a beacon of hope, demonstrating that even in regions struggling with systemic challenges, a structured, values-driven approach can produce remarkable results.
