South Africa

In South Africa, it is not uncommon for high schools to be separated by gender. Students begin their high school education at grade 8 and end at grade 12. During the Apartheid era, a time when the segregation of the non-white population was put in place, African students were forced to learn the Afrikaans language while the government took away almost all financial aid of religious schools that tried to teach African children in that of the same manner of European children. After the end of Apartheid in 1994, education became a top priority to the welfare of children. Students of all races and cultural backgrounds were welcomed into equal opportunity schooling.
Westering High School is a co-ed high school located in Port Elizabeth, South
Africa. It was founded in January 1970 under Peter Blackbeard, with the Latin motto of Optima Petamus, or “We strive for the best.”
A daily schedule at Westering includes seven 44 minute periods per day. For grades 8 to 9, students are required to take English and either Afrikaans or Xhosa, a Bantu language, as an additional language. Mathematics, History, Geography and Natural Sciences are also mandatory. Students also take classes in Economics, Arts and Culture and Technology.
Older students in grades 10 to 12 must also take English and another language with the addition of Life Orientation and Math.
Because Westering believes that physical exercise plays a “vital role in the school curriculum,” it is mandatory for each student to participate in a minimum of one winter or summer sport per year. Sports include track and field, lacrosse, rugby, cricket, netball, swim, tennis and squash.
Despite once being part of a culture that encouraged segregation and racism, Westering stands as a uniquely diverse high school with prestigious education available for students of all backgrounds. Just like AHS,
Westering ensures the welfare of teenager through thorough education and connection to the community.
By Staff Writer Shannon Ho