Abstract
M.Ed.
This research provides an analysis and critique of post 1994 election legislation
and policies affecting public school funding. In particular the research focuses on
the recently promulgated National Norms and Standards for School Funding,
which becomes policy for schools from January 2000. The aim of this research is
to explore the implementation of the Norms and Standards for School Funding in
public schools and the implication thereof for school-based financial decisionmaking.
The literature study revealed that an apparent disparity exists between the
intended results of policy implementation and the actual implications thereof for
public schools. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of this
phenomenon the research design is qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and
contextual (Mouton & Marais, 1991:43-44,51 ). The following research methods
were employed to gather the empirical research data: Literature Study, Focus
Group Interviews and Site Analysis.
Three major categories emerged from the data analysis, namely: Policy Related
Issues, Financial Implications and Capacity. Sub-categories emerged under
each of these broad categories:
• Policy Related Issues
Elitist schools will appear to emerge along class/financial lines rather than
race.
The Resource Targeting List appears to disadvantage certain schools
serving the needs of previously disadvantaged learners.
School governing bodies appear to fail to interact timeously with education
law and policy, resulting in the status quo being perpetuated.
• Financial Implications
Schools appear not to have a resolution as contemplated in section 39 of
the Schools Act to charge school fees.
School fee exemption criteria appear to exacerbate the task of the school
governing body to draw up their budgets, and hinder the collection of
school fees. This could result in the decline of certain schools as feepaying
parents leave the school.
A disparity exists in the financial skills between former advantaged and
former disadvantaged schools' school governing bodies.
• Capacity
Financial and human resource capacity are two essential aspects required
for self-managing schools to survive.