The Implications of the National Norms and Standards for Funding Policy on Equity in Public Schools

• In Event: 33.079 - Roundtable Session 12
  In Roundtable Session: 33.079-5 - The Influence of Social and Organizational Context on the Work of School Leaders: International Perspectives

Abstract

The government’s educational reforms since 1994 have focused on equity and redress. Redressing historical imbalances and achieving equity are fundamental policy mechanisms in attempts to restructure South African education. This aspiration is demonstrated in many education policies including the National Norms and Standards for School Funding (NNSSF) policy. While inequalities in resource allocation from the state have been removed, inequalities persist due to the inability of the state to provide free education to all, parents’ inability to pay user-fees, the unavailability of qualified teachers in rural schools and unfavourable learner-teacher ratios. A quantitative research was conducted to investigate the implications of the NNSSF policy on equity in public schools in the Tshwane West District of the Gauteng Province.

Author

• Raj Mestry, University of Johannesburg