The right to basic education for all in South Africa: Implications for school principals

It is now globally accepted that all children have the right to basic education as a fundamental human right. This right must not only be guaranteed, but also fulfilled holistically to meet all children's educational needs. This occurs when its three dimensions, namely, access, quality and safe...

Full description

Saved in:  
Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Marishane, Ramodikoe N. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
Check availability: HBZ Gateway
Journals Online & Print:
Drawer...
Fernleihe:Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste
Published: South African Publ. 2017
In: Koers
Year: 2017, Volume: 82, Issue: 3, Pages: 1-8
IxTheo Classification:KBN Sub-Saharan Africa
NCC Social ethics
ZF Education
Further subjects:B collective purpose
B leadership theory
B school dropout
B Empowerment
Online Access: Volltext (kostenfrei)
Volltext (kostenfrei)
Description
Summary:It is now globally accepted that all children have the right to basic education as a fundamental human right. This right must not only be guaranteed, but also fulfilled holistically to meet all children's educational needs. This occurs when its three dimensions, namely, access, quality and safe conditions are equally addressed. In other words, the right to basic education is fulfilled when all children have access to quality education in a safe school environment. For this reason, the state has a duty to promote and protect this right entirely. In South Africa, the state has put in place a legislative and policy framework to meet its obligation in this regard. However, despite the state's efforts in creating child-friendly school conditions, children in schools still experience challenges that negatively impinge upon their educational rights. Such challenges include school dropout, grade repetition together with poor academic performance and achievement. The problem is rooted in the disconnection between access to education, school safety and quality education, putting the spotlight on the school principal's leadership. This paper concludes that refocusing on the application of the school leadership theory has the potential to reduce the problem.
ISSN:2304-8557
Contains:Enthalten in: Koers
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.19108/KOERS.82.3.2331