By Celani Sikhakhane
KZN is facing a crisis of the collapse of missionary schools due to the dramatic decrease of enrolment and donors.
This week, one of the prominent Catholic schools that was founded 149 years ago has announced its decision to close its doors, with effect from 1 January 2025.
On Tuesday, the Board of Governors of the Holy Family College in Durban sent letters to parents to inform them that it will close its primary phase, which will affect Grade 000 to Grade 7 learners.
“It is with a sense of deep sadness and regret that we inform you of the decision to cease the operation of the Primary School Phase at Holy Family College with effect from the beginning of next year.
“Our decision is the result of the diminishing enrolment of learners in the Pre-Primary and Primary phases of the school over the past few years,” the letter reads.
The Board said the current enrolment figures have resulted in those phases of the school no longer being financially viable; it is thus not feasible to continue with their operation.
The missionary schools were established to educate black children that had been converted to Christianity after the arrival of Europeans in KZN, ahead of the 1879 Battle of Isandlwana.
But the Holy Catholic Family College was founded by the Sisters of the Holy Family Congregation, who came to Durban from Bordeaux, France in 1875.
Their trek to Durban was in response to a request from Bishop Jolivet, who asked them to establish a “school for young ladies” in the town.
KZN is facing a crisis of many missionaries that are closing their schools.
The Anglican Church has already closed its famous St Augustine School in Nquthu, North of KZN.
About 10 years ago, the Catholic Church decided to close its boarding school in Nongoma, northern KwaZulu-Natal, due to a lack of funding.
However, the Inanda Seminary under the United Congregational Church, Adam’s College, and Domino Servite in KwaSizabantu Mission are among the few missionary schools that are still fully operational and offering quality education.
Governors of the Holy Catholic Family College said that although the closure of the primary phase is marked with a deep sense of loss and sadness, it does also present them with a new opportunity: to focus their attention on the continued development of the secondary phase into a specialised and desirable high school.
Pictured above: The junior phase of the Holy Catholic Family College in Durban is closing its doors after 149 years.
Source: Holy Catholic Family College
