School Year

Sugar Daddies Animated Film

This is why South African schoolgirls say 'yes' to sex with sugar daddies

For years, high schools in South Africa have warned female students about the risks of dating older men. But for one girl in poverty, it is hard to say "no" to a sugar daddy.

This is why South African schoolgirls say 'yes' to sex with sugar daddies
The World

Video: Learning to Succeed

Video: Learning to Succeed
SiveAnders

Three lessons from my year reporting on a South African high school

Three lessons from my year reporting on a South African high school
crf

School Year Blog: South African high school students learn radio reporting

School Year Blog: South African high school students learn radio reporting
Bahle

When graduating from high school, even top students need guidance

When graduating from high school, even top students need guidance
Sive (SEE-vay), a South African high school student, enjoys his new couch.

A South African teen receives an unexpected gift from America

An American radio listener heard the story of an impoverished South African high school student and raised $1,000 to help him. How would he respond?

A South African teen receives an unexpected gift from America
Cooper

Meet the woman behind a South African high school's success

COSAT is a science and technology high school teaching some of South Africa's poorest kids. Yet it has one of the highest graduation rates of any public high in the country. Its principal, Phadiela Cooper, is one reason why.

Meet the woman behind a South African high school's success
Somila and Bayanda are students at COSAT, a Cape Town high school

South African teens — those 'born free' — talk about Mandela

As president of South Africa, Mandela pushed for equality between blacks and whites in the nation's schools. Anders Kelto of PRI's The World went to a school he's been following for a year to find out what teenagers were feeling after Mandela's death.

South African teens — those 'born free' — talk about Mandela
COSAT student

School Year Blog: What do South African kids think it's like in America?

Some people think life in America is wonderful. Others think it's terrible. What do high school students in South Africa think?

School Year Blog: What do South African kids think it's like in America?
School Year Blog: Watch this eighth-grader do math ridiculously fast

School Year Blog: Watch this eighth-grader do ridiculously fast math

Students at COSAT are encouraged to practice mental math on their own and one student has taken that challenge to heart.

School Year Blog: Watch this eighth-grader do ridiculously fast math
COSAT student

School Year Blog: What do South African kids know about JFK?

We recently asked high school students in Cape Town, South Africa, this question: Who was JFK? Here is what they said.

School Year Blog: What do South African kids know about JFK?
NASA scientist speaks at COSAT

School Year Blog: South African students meet a NASA scientist

What happens when students from a low-income high school in Cape Town meet a NASA scientist? Let's just say the scientist may have been a little caught off guard.

School Year Blog: South African students meet a NASA scientist
Students at COSAT shave each other's heads

School Year: A dress code to keep the 'gangsters' away

Boys at COSAT often spend a lot of time on their hair. But what happens when teachers decide their hairstyles are a threat to student safety?

School Year: A dress code to keep the 'gangsters' away
Three seniors perform a song at COSAT.

School Year Blog: Students celebrate Senior Day with musical performances

Two girls sing a cute duet, the choir performs an African song (with dancing), and a trio of boys does some a capella.

School Year Blog: Students celebrate Senior Day with musical performances
Two seniors at COSAT

School Year Blog: For low-income students, life after high school can be daunting

The end of the school year is always an emotional time for seniors. For poor students, fear and anxiety can be the dominant emotions.

School Year Blog: For low-income students, life after high school can be daunting
COSAT students sing national anthem.

Can you create a national anthem from a mashup? Here's why South Africa did it

When South Africa ended apartheid and held free elections nearly 20 years ago, it needed a song that would heal the rift created by segregation. Its choice, the country's new national anthem, is part-hymn, part-march, and all mashup. Instead of rejecting the past, it embraced both parts of it.

Can you create a national anthem from a mashup? Here's why South Africa did it
School Year Blog: Why South African students are afraid to cut class

School Year Blog: Why South African students are afraid to cut class

Reporter Anders Kelto travels to the mall with some COSAT students during school hours, and is surprised by what he sees.

School Year Blog: Why South African students are afraid to cut class