Transforming education in South Africa

During apartheid the education system was a§cornerstone in reproducing and legitimising§oppression. When the new government came to power in§1994 transforming the education sector had high§priority and the need to empower those deprived by§apartheid was emphasised. This book reflects on a§number of issues related to transforming the§education system. What role do schools play in§empowering marginalized, urban youth? What is the§linkage between educational transformation and§socio-economic structures? The analysis indicates§that the role schools could play depends on a number§of factors. Firstly, a general transformation of the§socio-economic structures in the society must run§parallel, and is prerequisite to, transforming the§education system. Secondly, there is a need for§improved strategies for implementing policy reforms.§Thirdly, it depends on reculturing the individual§schools. The particular implications in a§marginalized, urban community, and the everyday§problems experienced by learners and teachers at a§township school, are emphasised. The book should be§of interest to anyone interested in the role of§education in development in general, and in South§Africa in particular.