• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

THE TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA SINCE 1994. A HISTORICAL-EDUCATIONAL SURVEY AND EVALUATION by MAPULA ROSINA LEGODI submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION in the subject HISTORY OF EDUCATION at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA PROMOTER: DR S A COETZEE November 2001 ********************* DEDICATION This thesis is dedicated to my late brother POLICE INSPECTOR, GODFREY KOTI KGOPOTSO MOFYA who liked studying and his work very much. (i) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank God, through my Saviour, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, who at all times has made it possible for me to undertake this research. The love of God and His everlasting blessings upon me will forever be acknowledged through the presentation of this thesis. To God be all the glory and praise for He is indeed the Almighty, for He can do anything. Special thanks to my promoter Dr SA Coetzee for her expert advise, enthusiasm, motivation and encouragement to perserve, even in difficult times. Her sincere interest, assistance and clear insight in this investigation have made it possible for me to complete this thesis. Her guidance, from the very beginning and up to the completion of this thesis, has made a great difference in my life. May God bless her and her family. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to Dr G Reeler for editing and proof-reading the manuscript of this work. Her guidance and encouragement have made a great contribution towards this work. The final typing of this thesis was accurately and professionally done by Mr Solomon Mudau. I wish to extend my gratitude to him. I wish to thank the staff of the Unisa library both in Pretoria and Pietersburg, for their support in this venture, particularly Mrs D Motsatsi, for her efforts in making all relevant sources available to me. To Professor Marcus Ramogale and Dr S K Matseke for generously making it possible for me to have access to their writings. Ke a leboga. (ii) My appreciation to the Northern Province Department of Education for the privilege I have been given to study and complete this thesis. In particular I wish to thank the retired Polokwane District Manager Mr FM Tladi and Messrs SRM Mashao and SJ Mohlala and the rest of the staff at Polokwane District Office. To my son Jeoffrey and my two daughters Shoki and Lebogang. I wish to express my gratitude for their endless efforts in typing the drafts of this investigation. My most heartfelt gratitude to my wonderful husband, Albert Mankwana, without whose support I would not have been able to reach the finalisation of this study. He has always stood by me and our family. May God bless him and forever be with him. To my Mother Jubilee, my Granny Serumula Mofya and my Mother-in-law Anna Matshelane Legodi, who encouraged me to work hard and persevere, even when the difficulties seemed insurmountable. I also wish to thank Fannie and Dinah Mokau who offered me accommodation when I visited Unisa. Galang! To my friends and co-students Mrs Sejeng Caroline Mamabolo, Messrs Peter Letlodi Mafokoane and Sariel Matlala with whom I have been sharing the common sentiments and hardships of being adult students. I thank you for your comradeship. (iii) Declaration Student Number: 459 - 210- 7 I declare that THE TRANSFORMATION OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA SINCE 1994. A HISTORICAL-EDUCATIONAL SURVEY AND EVALUATION is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. V7 \...__ ----- - ( ' ... W .. ~....... ©. 4.-.. -~-~~~~tj ~ Ot> "- SIGNATURE DATE Mrs MR Legodi (iv) SUMMARY In order to understand the dynamics of transformation taking place in South Africa today and its impact on teaching and learning, it is essential that the concept of transformation be well understood within the context of South African history of education. This country had an unpleasant history of discrimination and inequality for over three centuries. Through literature study, the past of education prior to the 1994 democratic elections was revealed. Through this revelation, it became possible to gain insight into the present and to plan for the future. The major political break-through that was achieved in 1994 demanded that fundamental changes be implemented in education. The Government of National Unity (GNU) ruled the country from May 1994 to 1999. It focussed mainly on changing the education policy from being discriminatory and racist to a democratic and non-racist one. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and many other Acts were legislated. On several occasions, the effectiveness of the new Constitution was tested. This study has indicated that transformation is a process that cannot be achieved overnight. A historical research method was applied to gather information, gleaned from primary and secondary sources, to follow the process of transformation. The new legislation and its implementation were not realised at its best during the first five years of democracy. The five year period of the GNU was hampered by excessive crime and practices that eroded the culture of teaching and learning at institutions of learning, such as faking certificates, cheating during the Grade 12 (Std 10) examinations, strikes by educators for better salaries, poor matric results and class-boycotts for financial assistance. Another area that received attention is strategies for education transformation. The following were evaluated: the influx to private and previously White schools, (v) affirmative action, gender equality and the quality of education at farm schools. To speed up education transformation there is a need for all stakeholders in education (educators, the government, learners, the private sector, parents and the community) to join hands. It is hoped that complete education transformation will eventually be achieved. (vi) Key Terms Transformation Education transformation Survey Evaluation Culture The Government of National Unity (GNU) Multicultural education Democracy Africanisation African Renaissance Strategies for change Transformation resistance Liberalist theory of change The culture of teaching and learning Affirmative action Gender equality Farm schools The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (vii) LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ABB Afrikaner Broederbond AIDS Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ANC African National Congress ATASA African Teachers' Association of South Africa AZAPO Azanian People's Organisation AWB Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging CATA Cape African Teachers' Association CCMA Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration CEM Council of Education Ministers CGE Commission on Gender Equality CNE Christian National Education CODE SA Convention for Democratic South Africa COLTS Culture of Learning, Teaching and Service CO SAS Congress of South African Students COSATU Congress of South African Trade Unions CTPA Cape Teachers' Professional Association DEIC Dutch East Indian Company DET Department of Education and Training ONE Department of National Education DP Democratic Party ELRA Education Labour Relations Act 146 of 1993 ELRC Education Labour Relations Council EPU Education Policy Unit ERS Education Renewal Strategy FAGBSAS Federation of Association of Governing Bodies of South African Schools FF Freedom Front GEAR Growth Employment and Redistribution (viii) GNU Government of National Unity HEDCO Heads of Education Departments Committee HIV Human Immune-deficiency Virus HRC Human Rights Commission HSRC Human Science Research Council IFP lnkatha Freedom Party LRA Labour Relations Act 66 of 1995 LRC Labour Relations Council MAPEP Macmillan Primary English Project MEG Member of the Executive Council MEDUNSA Medical University of South Africa NAPTOSA National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa NDF National Defence Force NECC National Education Crisis Committee NED LAC National Economic Development and Labour Council NEF National Economic Forum NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NEPI National Education Policy Investigation NIA National Intelligence Agency NP National Party NNP New National Party NTUF National Teachers Unity Forum OAU Organisation of African Unity QBE Outcomes-Based Education PEU Professional Educators' Union PSCBC Public Service Co-ordinating Bargaining Council RDP Reconstruction and Development Programme RSA Republic of South Africa SABC South African Broadcasting Corporation (ix) SABRA South African Bureau of Racial Affairs SACE South African Council of Educators SACP South African Communist Party SAD TU South African Democratic Teachers' Union SAFCERT South African Certification Council SAHRC South African Human Rights Commission SAIRR South African Institute of Race Relations SAOU Suid-Afrikaanse Onderwysersunie SAPS South African Police Service SASA South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 SASS South African Secret Service SATA South African Teachers' Association SATU South African Teachers' Union SCA Soweto Civic Association SRC Students' Representative Council TATA Transvaal African Teachers Association TFA Teachers' Federation Association TUATA Transvaal United African Teachers' Association UCT University of Cape Town UK United Kingdom UNESCO United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organisation UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund Unisa University of South Africa UP United Party USA United States of America UTASA Union of Teacher's Association of South Africa WC OTP World Confederation of Organisation of the Teaching Profession (x) TABLE OF CONTENTS Dedication .

Load more

  369

Copy Link