Abstract
M.Phil. (Adult and Community Education)
The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa (1996: 13) stipulates that everyone has
the right to Basic Education and Training and to Further Education and Training, which
the state through reasonable measures must make progressively available and accessible
to all citizens. It has often been acknowledged that a well-developed Adult Basic
Education and Training sector in the country could make a major contribution to South
Africa's economic growth and general social development.
The Adult Basic Education and Training Sector is meant to address the transformation of
"night schools" into meaningful Adult Basic Education and Training centres. In 1997 the
Department of Education adopted a framework for the implementation of Adult Basic
Education and Training. This multi-year plan, informed the development of Adult Basic
Education and Training plans at provincial level.
Therefore, the Gauteng Department of Education's Adult Basic Education and Training
plan set out a multi-level programme of action for four years, (1997-2000), which plan
has now been strengthened by the promulgation of Adult Basic Education and Training
Act No. 52 of 2000. The plan strategy as stipulated by the Department of Education
(1997:4) sought to provide strategic direction for the transformation of Adult Basic
Education and Training Centres in order to respond to the Education and Training needs
of the citizens of this country. The plan also identified priorities, including timeframes
that guide the restructuring of the sector.
The policy framework as stated above, is quite clear in terms of what needs to be done to
restructure and transform Adult Basic Education and Training centres. However these
centres remain untouched by the envisaged developments. The pace at which change is
happening is very slow.
Therefore, this study sought to establish what are the stumbling blocks to the
reorganisation of these Adult Basic Education and Training centres.