Abstract
M.Ed.
The creeping and continuing disintegration of the learning environment in the schools that
belonged to the formerly disadvantaged communities, bodes ill for the future, whatever
the political dispensation that inherits this problem. In general Educators are demoralised,
dispirited and demotivated. The continuously bad matriculation results and the exodus of
learners from township schools to suburban schools serve as evidence of this state of
affairs.
Hartshorne (1992:339) contends that learners are restless and angry and frustrated by
what is going on around them and also by the slow change. He goes on to say that the
learners are living in a general environment in which regular habits and values are
breaking down. On the other hand the African National Congress (1994:59) asserts that
the educational challenges of the democratic South Africa is to achieve higher levels of
learning for all children. The ANC goes further to argue that, to attain that goal, school
leaders should ensure effective learning.