Abstract
D.Ed.
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996 (RSA, 1996(a): 14) requires that
school education be transformed and democratised in accordance with fundamental
values and principles. These include human dignity, non-racism, non sexism, the rule of
law, accountability and transparency. The democratisation of education includes
participation by parents, educators, learners and the community at large. The Governing
bodies are also expected to make critical decisions on behalf of the school and to ensure
that the school is managed and administered effectively and efficiently. The provisions of the Department of Education's White Paper 1 and 2 (RSA, 1996(b)), the report of the Review Committee on School Organisation, Governance and Funding, new legislation including the South African School Act (SASA) of 1996(RSA, 1996(c)) as well as provincial policy directions point South Africa firmly towards a decentralised school based system of education management and governance with substantial decision making authority at the school level. However, while the policy framework attempts to transform education, the legacy of the past education system characterized by fragmentation and inequity in provisions, a crisis of legitimacy in many schools, the demise of a culture of learning and teaching, the relevancy of the curriculum as well as resistance to change has created substantial managerial problems at schools leading to a deterioration in the standard of education. According to Ramphele (1997:25) attempts by the government to transform the inequitable and inadequate schooling system is characterised by a failure to translate good policies into sound practice. This is further confirmed by the poor matric results of the past two years. Table 1.1 (Perkins, 1998:11) and Table 1.2 (Gauteng Department of Education, 1998:37) reflect the poor state of education in South Africa.