Democratising Educational Governance in South Africa-Policy Problems and Prospects

in South Africa Policy Problems and Prospects Yusuf Sayed In current policy debates in South Africa there is continuous reference to the democratisation of the educational system. Central to the notion of educational democracy in South Africa is the idea that democracy entails, and should enhance, greater participation. This paper critically examines educational policies in South Africa regarding the moves toward greater democracy and participation in the education system. It does so by examining key policy texts focusing on key recommendations pertaining to school governance, highlighting, inter alia, the tensions and contradictions in them and the different and contradictory notions of participation. The paper argues that current policy texts do not necessarily enhance greater participation and may, in fact, contradict moves towards equity and that policy development in South Africa essentially represents a compromise between white privilege and black redress that is precarious and likely to rupture.