Angola Schools: Iot Costs And Benefits

The cost of education in Angola varies depending on the type of school. The standard of education in public schools is well below what expats may be used to, with decaying infrastructure and outdated teaching methods. As a result, many expat parents opt for international schools, which can cost upwards of $40,000 USD per year. These schools offer foreign curricula and are often sponsored by companies or embassies. Security and facilities are generally good, with classrooms being air-conditioned and equipped with modern technology. However, the availability of qualified teachers is a challenge, and the quality of education can be inconsistent. For expats considering a move to Angola, it is important to negotiate a schooling allowance as part of their employment contract to help cover the high cost of international schools.

International schools in Angola

Cost of Attendance

Curriculum

Application Process

Due to the limited number of international schools in Angola, spaces fill up quickly, and expat parents are advised to apply as early as possible. The admissions process can be extensive, with some schools requiring tests and portfolios.

Transportation

Traffic congestion in Luanda is severe, so it is recommended to find accommodation close to the school. Most children commute to school by private car or buses provided by their parent's employer.

Notable International Schools in Angola:

• American School of Angola: The only USA-accredited international school in Angola, offering a US High School Diploma. It has a technology-driven classroom approach and blends learning.
• Escola Portuguesa de Luanda: Funded by the Portuguese government, this school offers pre-school, primary, and secondary education following the Portuguese curriculum.
• Luanda International School (LIS): One of the oldest and most popular international schools in Angola, offering the full International Baccalaureate programme. LIS has two campuses, one in central Luanda and the other in Cacuaco.
• Lycée Français Alioune-Blondin Bèye: Established in 1993, this school offers instruction in French with English as a second language. Students graduate with the French Baccalaureate, enabling access to various higher education institutions worldwide.
• Cedars International School of Angola (CISA): Located in Luanda, CISA offers a unique student-centred environment and is recognised by UNESCO, the World Bank, and the African Development Bank.
• Grand International School (GIS): Angola's first school to offer a dual curriculum in English and French, providing a well-rounded education.
• English School Community of Luanda Angola (ESCOLA): Located within the city, ESCOLA offers a British/South African programme with instruction in English from pre-primary to Grade 9.
• Cambridge Home School: A selective independent online school offering a full British curriculum taught by top teachers, including lecturers from Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

Cost of international schools in Angola

The cost of international schools in Angola varies, with fees depending on the school's location, curriculum, and accreditation. Most international schools are located in the capital city of Luanda, where the cost of living is high.

Tuition fees for international schools in Luanda can range from $17,600 to $40,000 USD per year. For example, the English School Community of Luanda Angola (ESCOLA) charges between $17,600 and $30,000 USD annually, while the Luanda International School (LIS) charges between $25,200 and $33,600 USD. LIS also charges a facility fee of $15,000. The American School of Angola, the only USA-accredited international school in the country, costs around $40,000 USD per year.

Some international schools in Angola charge different fees based on the student's status. For instance, Luanda International School has different rates for new and returning families, with fees also varying according to the student's nationality. For the 2023/24 academic year, new certificate applicants paid AOA 31,556,106.00, while new corporate applicants paid AOA 41,639,358.00, and nationals/resident cardholders paid AOA 21,571,565.00.

The Cedars International School of Angola (CISA) in Luanda charges the following fees: K1-3 (2,700,000 AOA), Grade 1-5 (3,000,000 AOA), Grade 6-10 (3,300,000 AOA), and Grade 12 (4,050,000 AOA).

The Lycée Français Alioune-Blondin Bèye, a French school in Luanda, charges between €211 and €877 per quarter.

The high cost of international schools in Angola is often offset by expat employers, who usually cover some or all of the expenses. However, parents should carefully consider the costs and weigh their options, especially if they are relocating for work.

Public schools in Angola

The standard of education in Angolan public schools is reportedly far below what expats may be used to. The country's education system is still recovering from the effects of almost three decades of civil war, and a sense of normalcy has only returned to public schools in the last few years.

The first phase of education in Angola is primary school, which lasts four years and is the only compulsory stage of schooling. However, under the Angolan Education Law (13/01) of 31 December 2001, six years of compulsory education is required. In large cities like Luanda, there are secondary schools that typically offer an education for another seven years. After this, children can go into vocational training or university, which is less common.

The availability of qualified teachers in Angola is a challenge for all schools. There are few local staff members, and most teachers are expats themselves. The quality of education can be inconsistent as teachers tend to change from year to year. Teachers are also often underpaid, inadequately trained, and overworked.

Although primary school construction has received significant support from donors, many of these newly constructed schools lack qualified teachers, curricula, staff, and resources.

The Angolan government is working towards tackling illiteracy in the country, but the public education system is still marred by decaying infrastructure and outdated teaching methods. Basic adult literacy continues to be low, with a rate of 71.1% in 2015 (82% male and 60.7% female).

As a result of these issues, many expat parents moving to Angola enrol their children in private international schools, where they can continue learning their home country's curriculum and language. These schools are typically sponsored by a company or embassy and can be extremely expensive.

Private schools in Angola

The standard of education in Angola is far below what expatriates (expats) may be used to, so many expat parents enrol their children in private schools. The private school sector in Angola is small and largely made up of international schools, which are mostly located in Luanda. These schools are typically sponsored by a company or embassy with a presence in the country and teach a foreign curriculum such as the British, French, or International Baccalaureate.

International schools in Luanda offer a range of curricula, including American and French, while some offer the International Baccalaureate. These schools are generally supported by the companies and embassies that founded them. Tuition is expensive, so expats moving to Angola with children should attempt to negotiate a schooling allowance as part of their employment contract.

Security is tight at all schools, so safety is not a concern. They generally have decent facilities and classrooms are usually air-conditioned. Some schools offer cafeteria lunches, while others end the day early so that students can eat lunch at home.

The availability of qualified teachers in Angola is a challenge across all schools. There are few local staff members, and most teachers are expats themselves. The quality of education can be inconsistent as teachers tend to change from year to year.

Angolan law requires international schools to ensure that both expats and local students (usually the children of high-ranking government officials) are allowed to apply. Some schools give preference to the children of employees from their sponsoring companies, so expats should contact their employer to check which schools are recommended.

• Luanda International School (LIS) – the most popular private, non-profit, coeducational day school. Annual tuition rates: $25,200 - 33,600 USD, plus a facility fee of $15,000.
• English School Community of Luanda Angola (ESCOLA) – an inter-denominational school located within the city that offers a British/South African program. Annual tuition rates: $17,600 - 30,000 USD.
• Lycée Français Alioune-Blondin Bèye – located in the city centre, the school is open to students from Angola and international students from ages 3 to 18. Instruction is in French, with English taught as a second language. Annual tuition rates: €211-877 per quarter.
• American Schools of Angola – private, grades Pre-Kindergarten - 12 accredited schools, (day and boarding) with American teachers and curriculum. Annual tuition rates: inquire at the school.
• Escola Portuguesa de Luanda – caters to Brazilian and Portuguese families. It is co-educational and English is taught as a second language. Annual tuition rates: inquire at the school.

Angola's education system

The public education system in Angola is characterised by decaying infrastructure and outdated teaching methods. Primary education, which lasts four years, is the only compulsory phase of education. However, even at this level, there is a shortage of qualified teachers, with many instructors lacking the necessary qualifications to teach. The secondary school system offers an additional seven years of education in large cities like Luanda.

The university system in Angola has been developing over the last decade, but enrolment rates remain low, with less than 0.7% of Angolan youth attending university in the country. The Universidade Agostinho Neto, founded soon after independence, has expanded to over 40 facilities across the country. There are also several private and religious universities in Luanda, linked to European institutions.

International schools in Angola are largely concentrated in Luanda and offer foreign curricula, including American, British, French, and the International Baccalaureate. These schools are typically sponsored by companies or embassies and cater mainly to expat children as local families often cannot afford private schooling. Security is tight at these schools, and they generally offer decent facilities, including air-conditioned classrooms and reliable utilities.

The Angolan government has implemented various initiatives to improve the education sector, such as the National Development Plan 2018-2022, which aims to expand access to quality education and improve teacher training. The government has also prioritised vocational training to support the country's industrialisation goals. Despite these efforts, challenges remain, including high dropout rates, inadequate teacher training, and a lack of resources and infrastructure in many schools.

Frequently asked questions