Education Decentralisation in South Africa: Equity and Participation in the Governance of Schools
Contributor Name:
Kavita
Education decentralization in South Africa
Equity and redress have been the major drivers of education transformation in South Africa.
The author examines the extent to which policies of education decentralization promote equity and redress. He states that while post-apartheid education policy has made significant strides in de-racializing education, deep seated and endemic inequities in society and in education are yet to be tackled. The South African case indicates that:
- Decentralization is not a panacea for enhancing participation, effecting equity and/or improving quality;
- Policies of education decentralization cannot easily affect equity in societies with a high degree of social inequity;
- Ambitious education programs are only effective to the extent that institutions are able and committed to engage with processes of change;
- Charging fees at the school level is not a policy that has engendered greater equity in South Africa.