How to secure your child’s education in uncertain times

Even as the cost of living rises and public education comes under pressure, you can still give your child a stable learning path – with the right tools in place, says Arno Jansen van Vuuren, Managing Director at Futurewise

Raising kids has never been simple, but today’s economic landscape is adding extra layers of challenge. Even though interest rates have held steady for a while, families are still feeling the squeeze. From groceries to school supplies, the cost of living keeps climbing, leaving many households stretched just trying to keep up, let alone plan ahead.

In the middle of it all, education remains a top priority. We all want to give our children the best possible start in life. But as learning becomes more expensive and public resources strain under pressure, it’s clear: the old approach to education planning no longer fits the times.

Relief now – but pressure later?

When the government scrapped the proposed VAT increase, parents across the country breathed a sigh of relief. In an economy where every cent counts, avoiding another cost hike felt like a win. But that short-term relief comes with a longer-term cost.

Less tax revenue means tighter government budgets, and education, already under pressure, is feeling it. Thousands of teachers – burnt out, disillusioned, underpaid – are expected to leave the public school system over the next two years, according to recent reports. As classrooms grow more crowded and experienced educators walk away, the impact on learning is significant and deeply worrying. This means more parents are being pushed to shoulder the responsibility – and the cost – of a quality education.

Education costs more than just school fees

If you’re a parent, you already know this: education is about way more than school fees. It’s the transport, the device for digital learning, the school shoes, the sports kits, the aftercare. It’s the extra lessons when things fall behind. And every year, those costs keep rising, even if your salary doesn’t. At the same time, high youth unemployment means many families are supporting more than just their kids. Grandparents, siblings, adult children… when everyone’s leaning on one income, saving for school starts feeling near impossible.

Still, many parents are turning to private education or dreaming of university for their kids. Why? Because we all want a bright future for our children. But those dreams come with rising price tags that often outpace inflation. In calmer times, putting aside a little each month might have been enough. Today, it takes a more intentional plan to stay ahead. Life throws curveballs – unexpected bills, job loss, health issues – and suddenly that education fund takes a hit. That’s why education planning today needs structure. You need a strategy that doesn’t just hope for the best, it prepares for the worst and plans for the long haul.

How do you inflation-proof your child’s future?

The answer lies in planning with the future in mind, especially when it comes to inflation. The longer your child’s learning journey, the more those rising costs compound.

Education insurance is one of the smartest tools for this. At Futurewise, we’ve designed our policies to grow with inflation, so your cover keeps pace with rising fees. You’re not just saving – you’re securing. As a policyholder, you also get access to our Learning Hub – a powerful value-added platform offering free online academic resources, including tools from leading partners like TopDog Education. These benefits are worth up to R8,000 and help support your child throughout their schooling.

What’s more, our savings component, powered by Nedbank, is flexible and invested, so you can grow your funds toward key education goals, with the ability to withdraw when you need it most.

It’s this combination of cover, support tools, and investment flexibility that sets Futurewise apart – giving you real value beyond just insurance.

Invest in stability, not just schooling

In tough times, it’s tempting to just “get through this month.” But education is a long game. The decisions you make today – how you plan, save and protect – will shape the opportunities your kids have down the line.

You can’t control the economy. But you can take control of your approach. With the right tools, a smart plan and the right support, you can turn uncertainty into opportunity – and give your children the future they deserve.