Skip to main content

Abstract

The aim of the chapter is to provide a review and assess how sociologists in South Africa (SA) have studied racial and ethnic inequalities in education from 1980 to 2010. There is at present no documented review on research carried out on race, ethnicity, and educational inequality in South Africa. The sociopolitical nature of education in the country has generated a plethora of empirical and policy studies on race and educational inequality, although research from a sociological perspective is limited.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmed, R. and Sayed, R. 2009. Promoting Access and Enhancing Education Opportunities? The Case of ‘no-fees schools’ in South Africa. Compare 39(2): 203–218.

    Google Scholar 

  • Alexander, N. 1990. Education and the Struggle for National Liberation in South Africa. Braamfontein: Skotaville Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Amin, N. and Ramrathan, P. 2009. Preparing Students to Teach in and for Diverse Contexts: A Learning to Teach Approach. Perspectives in Education. 27(1): 69–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baloyi, R. 2004. The Role of the State in the Establishment of a Culture of Learning and Teaching in South Africa (1910–2004). UNISA: DEd Dissertation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bantwini, B.D. 2010. How Teachers Perceive the New Curriculum Reform: Lessons from a School District in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. International Journal of Educational Development. 30(2010): 83–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beckett, D. 1990. No Black and White Solutions. Optima. 37(3): 112–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bekisizwe, N. 2004. (Re) Anglicising the Kids: Contradictions of Classroom Discourse in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Research Article. Perspectives in Education. Special Issue 4. 22(4): 47–57.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bot, M. and Schlemmer, L. 1986. The Classroom Crisis: Black Demands & White Reforms. Indicator Project South Africa. Durban: Centre for Applied Social Sciences, University of Natal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brubacher, J.S. 1969. Modern Philosophies of Education. New York: McGraw Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carrim, N. 2001. Democratic Participation, Decentralisation and Educational reform. In Implementing Education Policies: The South African Experience, editors Y. Sayed and J. Jansen, Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press, 98–109.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carter P., Caruthers, J. and Foster, J. 2009. Knowing Their Lines: How Social Boundaries Undermine Equity-Based Integration Policies in United States and South African Schools. Perspectives in Education. 27(4): 351–364.

    Google Scholar 

  • Case, A. and Deaton, A. 1999. School Inputs and Educational Outcomes in South Africa. The Quarterly Journal of Economics. X(x): 1047–1084.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chisholm, L. 2004. The Quality of Primary Education in South Africa. Background Paper Prepared for the Education for All Global Monitoring Report 2005, The Quality Imperative. Retrieved 27 May 2007 http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001466/146636e.pdf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chisholm, L. 2005. The Making of the South African National Curriculum Statement. Journal of Curriculum Studies. 37(2): 193–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chisholm, L. 2006. South Africa’s New Education System: Great Intentions — Harsh Realities. In At the End of the Rainbow?: Social Identity and Welfare State in the New South Africa, editors G. Gunnarsen, P. Mac Manus, M. Nielsen, and H.E. Stolten, [n.p.] 143–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Christie, P. 1991. The Right to Learn: The Struggle for Education in South Africa. New expanded edition: Braamfontein: Ravan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Claassen, J.C. 1995. The Education System of South Africa. In Modern Education Systems, editors Elise Dekker and O.J. Van Schalkwyk. Durban: Butterworths, 447–496.

    Google Scholar 

  • Crouch, L. and Vinjevold, P. 2006. South Africa: Access before Quality, and What to Do Now? Unpublished Paper, RTI, North Carolina.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deacon, R. and Parker, B. 1998. Education, Development and Democracy in South Africa, in South Africa in Transition: New Theoretical Perspectives, editors D.R. Howarth and Aletta J. Norval. Hampshire: Macmillan Press Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Clercq, F. 1997. Effective Policies and the Reform Process: An Evaluation of South Africa’s New Development and Education Macro Policies. In Kallaway, P. Kruss, G, Fataar, A. and Donn, G. Education after Apartheid. Cape Town: University of Cape Town Press, 145–155.

    Google Scholar 

  • de Lange, J.P. 1981. Report of the Main Committee of the HSRC Investigation into Educational Provision in South Africa. Pretoria: Human Sciences Research Council.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dempster, E.R. and Reddy, V. 2007. Item Readability and Science Achievement in TIMSS 2003 in South Africa. Science Education. 91: 906–925.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • DoE. 2006e. Monitoring and Evaluation Report on the Impact and Outcomes of the Education System on South Africa’s Population: Evidence from Household Surveys. Pretoria: DoE.

    Google Scholar 

  • Enslin, P. 1988. The State of Pedagogics. Perspectives in Education, 10(1): 67–74.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fiske, E.B. and Ladd, H.F. 2004. Elusive Equity: Education Reform in Post-Apartheid South Africa. Washington DC: Brookings Institution Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Francis, D. 2010. Editorial. Perspectives in Education. 28(3): i–ii.

    Google Scholar 

  • FRD (Foundation for Research Development). 1993. SA Science and Technology Indicators. Pretoria: FRD.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gustafsson, M. and Patel, F. 2006. Undoing the Apartheid Legacy: Pro-poor Spending Shifts in the South African Public School System. Perspectives in Education. 24(2): 65–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hartshorne, K. 1986. The Boycott Classes of 1980 to 1984. Indicator SA, 3(3). Centre for Applied Social Sciences. University of Natal.

    Google Scholar 

  • Harsthorne, K. 1992. Crisis and Challenge: Black Education 1910–1990. Oxford: Oxford University.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heugh, K. 2010. When a School Principal does not Believe in the Impossible: From Multilingual Explorations to System-Wide Assessment. Multilingualism from Below. Pretoria: Van Schaik Publishers, 117–133.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holtman, Z., Louw, J., Tredoux, C. and Carney, T. 2005. Prejudice and Social Contact in South Africa: A Study of Integrated Schools Ten Years after Apartheid. South African Journal of Psychology. 35(3): 473–93.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J. 1998. Curriculum Reform in South Africa: a Critical Analysis of Outcomes-Based Education. Cambridge Journal of Education. 28(3): 321–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J. 2001. “Image-ining Teachers: Education Policy & Teacher Identity in South Africa”. South African Journal of Education. 21(4): 242–246.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J. 2004. Race and Education After Ten Years: Conversations. Perspectives in Education. Special Issue 4. 22(4): 117–128.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, M. 1993. Building the Base: Report on a Sector Study of Science and Mathematics Education. Pretoria: Commission of the European Communities.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kahn, M. 2005. A Class Act — Mathematics as Filter of Equity in South Africa’s Schools. Perspectives in Education. 23(3): 139–152.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kallaway, P. 2002. The History of Education under Apartheid. New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kanjee, A. and Prinsloo, C. 2005. Quality Learning Project: Summative Evaluation. Paper presented at the Business Trust Offices at Woodlands Business Park, Woodlands on 14 June to the Business Trust and Project Steering Committee.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruss, G. 2009a. Introduction. In Opportunities and Challenges for Teacher Education Curriculum in South Africa. Teacher Education in South Africa Series, editor G. Kruss. Cape Town: HSRC Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kruss, G. 2009b. From Bureaucratic Compliance to Creating New Knowledge: Comparative Patterns of Curriculum Change. In Opportunities & Challenges for Teacher Education Curriculum in South Africa, editor G. Kruss, Cape Town: HSRC Press, 157–174.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, D., Ardington, C. and Leibbrandt, M. 2008. Schooling as a Lottery: Racial Differences in School Advancement in Urban South Africa. A Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit Working Paper Number 18. Cape Town: SALDRU, University of Cape Town.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lam, D., Ardington, C., Branson, N., Goostrey, K., Leibbrandt, M. 2010. Credit Constraints and the Racial Gap in Post-Secondary Education in South Africa. Prepared for the 2010 Meeting of the Population Association of America, Dallas, TX.

    Google Scholar 

  • Landman, R. 1992. Facts and Figures. In South Africa — The Education Equation: Problems, Perceptions and Prospects, editors C. Heese and D. Badenhorst. Pretoria: JL van Schaik, 36–42.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lemon, A. 2004. Redressing School Inequalities in the Eastern Cape. Journal of Southern African Studies. 30(2): 269–290.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Levin, R. 1991. People’s Education and the Politics of Negotiations in South Africa. Perspectives in Education. 12(2): 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lodge, T. 1987. Black Politics in South Africa since 1945. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maistry, S. 2010. Using Cultural Capital as a Resource for Negotiating Participation in a Teacher Community of Practice: A Case Study. Perspectives in Education. 28(3): 46–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maluleka, J.S. 2001. Socio-Educative Implications of Children’s Rights. UNISA: MEd Dissertation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mathonsi, P. 1988. Black Matriculation Results: A Mechanism of Social Control. Braamfontein, South Africa: Skotaville.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mbonambi, P. 1998. Sunday Times. August 30, p. 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mncwabe, M.P. 1993. Post-apartheid Education: Towards Non-racial and Democratic Socialization in the New South Africa. Lanham: University Press of America.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moll, I. 1991. The South African Democratic Teachers Union and the Politics of Teacher Unity in South Africa, 1985–1990. In Apartheid Education and Popular Struggles, editors S. Badat, T. Botha, T. Dlamini, B. Khotseng, E. Unterhalter and H. Wolpe, Johannesburg: Raven Press, 185–202.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motala, E and Pampallis, J. 2001. Education and Equity: The Impact of State Policies on South African Education. Johannesburg: Heinemann.

    Google Scholar 

  • Motha, C. 2010. Improving the Quality of Education in South African Schools: The Case of Orphaned Learners. Paper Presented at the Research Indaba, Faculty of Education, University of Pretoria, 17 September 2010. PhD thesis, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-09252010–141318.

    Google Scholar 

  • Muller, J. 1992a. The Three R’s: Reform, Renewal or Construction. In South Africa — The Education Equation: Problems, Perceptions and Prospects, editors C. Heese and D. Badenhorst, Pretoria: JL van Schaik, 9–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naidoo, D. 2010. A Discursive Formation that Undermined Integration at a Historically Advantaged School in South Africa. Perspectives in Education. 28(2): 19–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nkomo M. 1990. Pedagogy of Domination. Johannesburg: Africa World Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ntshoe, I.M. 2009. Hidden and Subtle Effects of Racism in Law and School Policy in Post-apartheid South Africa. Southern Africa Review of Education. 15(2): 85–104.

    Google Scholar 

  • OECD Report. 2008. Reviews of National Policies for Education. Paris: OECD Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Olivier, T., De Lange, N. and Wood, L. 2009. Using Participatory Video to Explore Teachers’ Lived Experience. Perspectives in Education. 28(4): 43–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paterson, A.N.M., Kanjee, A., Moore, A., Prinsloo, C.H. and Kivilu, J.M. 2001. Quality Learning Project: Results of the Baseline Study. Paper presented at the Quality Learning Project Indaba 3, 27 June 2001. Misty Hills Country Hotel, Muldersdrift.

    Google Scholar 

  • Paton, C. 2008. Why Free Education Is Bad for the Country. Financial Mail. 10 October 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pendlebury, S. and Enslin, P. 2004. Social Justice and Inclusion in Education and Politics: The South African Case. Journal of Education, 34: 31–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, V. 2005a. Math Schools are Not Equal: State of Math and Science Education. Tracking Development Progress. Keynote Plenary Presented at the HSRC Winter Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reddy, V. 2005b. State of Mathematics and Science Education: Schools are Not Equal. Perspectives in Education. 23(3): 125–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reeves, C. 1994. The Struggle to Teach. Cape Town: Maskew Miller.

    Google Scholar 

  • Republic of South Africa (RSA) 1996a. Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. Pretoria: Government Printing Works.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAHRC. 2006. A Report of the Public Hearing on the Right to Basic Education. Johannesburg; South African Human Rights Commission

    Google Scholar 

  • Samuel, J.C. 1990. Education: From Poverty to Liberty. Cape Town: David Phillip.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soudien, C. 2010. The Reconstitution of Privilege: Integration in Former White Schools in South Africa. Journal of Social Issues. 66(2): 352–366.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • South Africa Government Online. 2013. Education. http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/education.htm.

    Google Scholar 

  • SouthAfrica.info. 2013. The Languages of South Africa. http://www.southafrica.info/about/people/language.htm#ixzz1UdCsMRLf.

    Google Scholar 

  • South African Schools Act (SASA), Act No. 84 of 1996.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sujee, M. 2004. Deracialisation of Gauteng Schools — A Quantitative Analysis. In Reflections on School Integration: Colloquium Proceedings, editors M. Nkomo, C. Mckinney and L. Chisholm, Cape Town: HSRC Press, 46–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tlhapi, T.J. 2006. Secondary School Learner’s Experience of Citizenship in a Democratic South Africa. UNISA: MEd Dissertation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Berg, S. 2001. Resource Shifts in South African Schools after the Political Transition. Development Southern Africa. (18): 405–421.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Berg, S. 2004. Enduring Inequality. An Economic Perspective on Public School Education in South Africa, with Special Focus on the Western Cape. Africa Insight. 34(2/3): 73–81.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Berg, S. 2006. The Targeting of Public Spending on School Education, 1995 and 2000: Research Article. Perspectives in Education. 24(2): 49–63.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van der Berg, S. 2007. Apartheid’s Enduring Legacy: Inequalities in Education. Journal of African Economies. 16(5):849–880.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Der Berg, S. 2008. How Effective are Poor Schools? Poverty and Educational Outcomes in South Africa. Studies in Educational Evaluation. 34: 145–154.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Van Zyl, C. 1991. The De Lange Report: Ten Years On: An Investigation into the Extent of the Implementation of Recommendations of the 1981 HSRC Investigation into Education. Pretoria: HSRC Publishers.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vithal, R. and Gopal, N. 2005. What Mathematical Learners Say About the New South African Curriculum. Perspectives in Education. 3(23): 45–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weber, E., Nkomo, M. and Amsterdam, C. 2009. Diversity, Unity and National Developments: Findings from Desgregated Gauteng Schools. Perspectives in Education. 27(4): 341–350.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webber, M. 1992. The English Liberal Education Tradition, in South Africa. In The Education Equation: Problems, Perceptions and Prospects, editors C. Heese and D. Badenhorst, Pretoria: JL van Schaik, 20–23.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wieder, A. 2002. South African Teacher Stories. The Past Speaks to the Present and Future: Research Article. Perspectives in Education: Identity and Difference in Education: Special Issue 4 22(1): 29–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpe, H. 1988. Race, Class and the Apartheid State. London: James Currey.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolpe, H. And Unterhalter, E. 1991. Introduction: Reproduction, Reform and Transformation: Approaches to the Analysis of Education in South Africa, In Apartheid Education and Popular Struggles, editors S. Badat, T. Botha, T. Dlamini, B. Khotseng, E. Unterhalter and H. Wolpe, Johannesburg: Raven Press, 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yamauchi, F. 2003. Race, Equity, and Public Schools in Post-Apartheid South Africa: Is Opportunity Equal for All Kids? Discussion Paper BRIEFS. International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2014 Shaheeda Essack and Duncan Hindle

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Essack, S., Hindle, D. (2014). Republic of South Africa. In: Stevens, P.A.J., Dworkin, A.G. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Race and Ethnic Inequalities in Education. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137317803_17

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics