Without exception, the principals, teachers and pupils interviewed showed a zealous commitment to their roles and a focused sense of purpose. Principals differed vastly in their management styles, but they all showed vision, leadership and a willingness to explore new directions. They were capable of enforcing strict discipline, and many pupils cited this as a reason for liking their school. Teachers were all committed and united as a body, often working beyond the call of duty, staying late to give extra tuition or running extramural activities. In trying to define why her school was an oasis of learning in the midst of a down-trodden community, one teacher put it down to the dedication of the teachers.
Pupils are all the same.
A strong spiritual or moral ethos was evident at most of the schools, where most of the children belong to Christian and other religious societies. Recognition must be given to the Catholic schools, many of which feature in our top 100 list. They are shining examples of what can be achieved, often with limited resources, in a learning environment enriched by the co-existence of discipline and spirituality. Recognition must also be given to the many excellent public schools offering value-added education, despite difficult financial circumstances. Many provide as good an education as some of the most costly private schools, at a tenth of the cost.