Abstract
M.Ed.
The emergence of the new era in South Africa brought about by the elections of April 1994, resulted in revolutionary change in the Constitution of the country, with a view to restructure the social, economic, political and educational structures of the country. A brief overview of the above-mentioned structures may be summarized as follows:
Social structures - Chapter 2 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, which stipulates the Bill of Rights, refers to the social structure by outlining aspects such as: freedom of association, freedom of movement and residence, protection of persons' property and other social issues (RSA, Constitution 1996:10). Economic structures - The Bill of Rights, contains an outline that every citizen has the right to choose his/her own trade, occupation or profession freely (RSA, Constitution 1996:10). Political structure - With regard to this structure, as stipulated in the South African Constitution, Act 108 of 1996, it is stated that every citizen is free to make political choices which include the right to: - form a political party; - participate in activities of, or recruit members for a political party and - campaign for a political party. All of the above structures, are given certain
degree of freedom which was not given in the past. It is therefore on the basis of the above explanations that revolutionary changes took place after the elections of April 1994. Since the changes in these structures have been outlined, it is important to have an overview of those that bear relevance to education. * Changes in the education system - The concept of restructuring of the education system of South Africa, as stated in the constitution of the Republic of South Africa, is marked by the rights that are given to all citizens of the country. These rights are: * Everyone has the right to:
basic education, including basic adult education; further education which the state, through reasonable measures, must make progressively available and accessible; to receive education in the official language or language of their choice in public educational institutions; equitable education; non-discriminatory education on the basis of race and colour and redress the results of the past injustices and racially discriminatory laws and
practices (RSA, South African Schools Act 1996:14).