- An American family is surprised by how intense and fast-paced their children's new SA school experience is
- His honest opinions on the course lead to heated debates online, with strong opinions on both sides
- The comments section reveals a larger conversation about education standards, access and reality in South Africa
Source: TikTok
American couple, Jamondo and Lenny Leno, reflected on what their children were experiencing in South African schools and started an online conversation about it. Education Standard in the South African system.
In the video shared by @blueprintsandbloodlines on April 17, 2026, parents explain that their children are not only being socially established, but they are also being challenged academically more than they expected. She talked about how her children's South African school covers a range of subjects from the start, including things like coding, robotics, public speaking and additional languages, all as part of the normal curriculum, not extra. And parents were pleased, saying children expressed a need to lock-in.
“The curriculum here is much more advanced than the curriculum in America.”
Despite the intensity, families say their children are adjusting well to the changes. The mother feels grateful for the opportunity and says the experience has been eye-opening.
Comparing education systems and showing key differences
However, the comparison of education systems made by national leader Presents a different picture. This suggests that the United States generally performs better. South Africa Key indicators include average years of schooling (about 12 vs. 6.1), literacy rates (about 99% vs. 86%), enrolment, and resources, including lower student-teacher ratios and higher spending per student, while South Africa, despite spending a slightly higher share of its GDP on education, faces challenges such as larger class sizes, fewer teachers per capita and proportionately more children out of school. This highlights differences in access and infrastructure between the two systems.
Source: Getty Images
mzansi is divided
His comments immediately got South Africans talking, with many agreeing that local schools can be academically demanding and build a strong foundation from the start. But others did not agree that the same level of education is not available to all learners in South Africa.
to see instagram video Here:
SA debated on this @BlueprintsandBloodlines Page:
1_dimplebeauty said:
“We have a good foundation for our education system. Ask yourself why our doctors, engineers and accountants are in demand around the world?
jade_from_joburg added:
“Very true, when I went to college in the USA, these were the same things I learned at the beginning of high school. I became a high honors student in the US 😅”
pinkyngc replied:
“I am very disappointed by these comments that our education standards have declined. No, it has not; it is the pass mark that has been removed. We used to have a minimum pass of 50%, now it has dropped to 30% in some subjects.”
mantsi91 added:
“Before anything else. People who are negative here need to understand the American curriculum first. It's very simple. The exams at universities here are mostly multiple choice.”
gug_lam said:
“Being a student at the school, a tertiary cum laude, what our kids are learning now is hectic; I can't even help with homework. True story, say what you want about our curriculum, it's world class, but we've been brainwashed to believe otherwise. Congratulations on your acceptance👏 🔥🙌”
Sheenslabert noted:
“It's crazy 😳 because the quality of our curriculum has dropped drastically. Glad to hear your kids are loving it ❤️”
Hernemis_Lainey said:
“They are adjusting well 🙏🏽🙌🏾… The curriculum is completely gas, no breaks ???… Coding and robotics, public speaking, and an additional language are all required. 🇿🇦✔🏾”
More brief news on South African education
- Inspired Education Group has opened Apply for its fully-funded Nsoli Scholars Programme, offering talented South African learners the chance to study at top international schools with all costs covered.
- Some? Gauteng Pupils were temporarily placed in alternative schools as the Gauteng department Education had to struggle with overcrowding And due to lack of capacity, thousands of learners in Grades 1 and 8 were left without placement.
- SANDF graduates impress Mzansi Marching across the stage in uniform during graduation and giving a disciplined salute turned that moment into a powerful display of pride, education, and military excellence.
Source: News in Brief