Abstract
M.Ed. (Multiculturalism and Education)
When this special school opened its doors to all races in 1995, it was the first time this
exclusively white school was confronted with racial conflict. Both teachers and pupils found
themselves in a situation totally new to them. This led the researcher to question whether
exposure of groups would, over a period oftime, reduce prejudice and stereotyping.
The literature pertains that social contact between members of different racial and ethnic groups
as a method of reducing tension is beset with a great many problems. Under certain conditions
social contact can increase tension rather than reduce it. According to some studies done in South
Africa contact between whites and blacks have had no effect on reducing negative stereotypes
and prejudice and in many cases contact between these groups has increased stereotyping and .
prejudice.
The findings of this study indicate that at this school exposure between children of different
racial groups led to an improvement in tolerance and acceptance of one another. The findings
also indicate that inter group relations did not improve. The children formed homogeneous groups
and kept their social distance.
A recommendation for further research is that research should be focused on the problems of
inter group relations between pupils at schools.