How good are schools here?

The federal government just took over the provincial department of education:

OFFICIALS from Pretoria are preparing to take control of the Eastern Cape Education Department following years of poor academic results. The move shocked provincial administrators, who admitted yesterday they had no idea of the impending takeover by Pretoria.

In other news, our little school up the hill just received a letter saying it has been designated a "fee-free" school. Great news, right? Except the principal reports there is no corresponding effort to make up the lost revenue so he still wants people to pay fees this year.