Discourses of the policy of educational decentralisation in South Africa since 1994: An examination of the South African Schools Act [1][2]

Abstract

The policy of educational decentralisation has in recent times become a key aspect of educational restructuring in the international arena. The decentralisation of educational control and decision‐making is also evident in discussions surrounding educational restructuring in South Africa and has been expressed in the call for greater community and parental participation in schooling. This move towards greater devolution and participation in schooling increased in momentum after the elections of 1994 and was sanctioned with the passing of the South African Schools Act (SASA) in November 1996. In an attempt to understand the move towards educational decentralisation, this paper examines the rationale and likely implications behind such a policy in the South African context. The paper argues that educational decentralisation in the South African context may result in greater educational inequities along the lines of class rather than race. The paper cautions against unqualified commitment to educational decentralisation in countries in transition.