Orient Islamic School

Orient Islamic School (commonly “Orient” or O.I.S.) is an independent Muslim school in Greyville, Durban, governed by the Orient Islamic Educational Institute. Its origins lie in the 1940s, when members of the Orient Club, responding to the dire shortage of schools for children of colour in the Durban area, set out to build a school despite enormous obstacles placed in their way by the racism of the day. The school opened in 1959 as a state-aided institution, and in 1998 – after the community successfully asserted its legal autonomy in the KwaZulu-Natal High Court – became fully independent. Today it educates around 1,075 learners from Grade RR to Grade 12.

Orient is committed to providing a holistic education compatible with Islamic principles and practices, enabling young learners to live harmoniously in a multicultural society while retaining their Islamic identity. Alongside the national CAPS curriculum, leading to the National Senior Certificate, the school delivers a full Islamic programme – including Qur’an studies, Hifdh, Tajweed, Arabic, Fiqh, Aqeedah and Seerah, with daily Salah – and is a member of the Association of Muslim Schools of South Africa.

Academically, Orient has a sterling record, with an average pass rate of around 99.5% and roughly 94% of matriculants achieving university-exemption passes, regularly placing learners among the top achievers in KwaZulu-Natal’s independent-school sector. Modern facilities, including computer and Engineering Graphics & Design labs, support a vibrant school life with debate, science and robotics clubs. Recent fees range from roughly R17,000 to R50,000 a year; full fee and admissions details are available directly from the school.