Hanssen, H: Transforming education in South Africa

During apartheid the education system was acornerstone in reproducing and legitimisingoppression. When the new government came to power in1994 transforming the education sector had highpriority and the need to empower those deprived byapartheid was emphasised. This book reflects on anumber of issues related to transforming theeducation system. What role do schools play inempowering marginalized, urban youth? What is thelinkage between educational transformation andsocio-economic structures? The analysis indicatesthat the role schools could play depends on a numberof factors. Firstly, a general transformation of thesocio-economic structures in the society must runparallel, and is prerequisite to, transforming theeducation system. Secondly, there is a need forimproved strategies for implementing policy reforms.Thirdly, it depends on reculturing the individualschools. The particular implications in amarginalized, urban community, and the everydayproblems experienced by learners and teachers at atownship school, are emphasised. The book should beof interest to anyone interested in the role ofeducation in development in general, and in SouthAfrica in particular.