Educational Attainment in Post-apartheid South Africa

• In Event: 435 - Section on Sociology of Education Roundtables (one-hour)
  In Refereed Roundtable: Table 19. Race and Ethnicity: International Perspectives

Abstract

South Africa consistently ranks as one of the most unequal countries in the world. Income, life expectancy, health status, housing, and other key social outcomes vary widely, and education is no exception. In this paper I examine the extent to which both the distribution of education and the process of educational attainment have changed since the democratic transition of 1994. I find that there are increases in education overall, particularly in attending secondary school. However, graduation from secondary school is becoming less common. In addition while differences across race are declining, the difference between Whites and others remains a crucial divide in attaining the most important levels of education.

Author

• Matthew R. McKeever, Mount Holyoke College