BROKEN AND UNEQUAL - Amnesty International

BROKEN AND UNEQUAL

THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

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First published in 2020 by Amnesty International Ltd Peter Benenson House, 1 Easton Street, London WC1X 0DW, UK

Index: AFR 53/1705/2020 Original language: English



Learners at an Eastern Cape school make the most of a break in their school day. ? Amnesty International

BROKEN AND UNEQUAL

THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

BROKEN AND UNEQUAL

THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

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Amnesty International

CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

6

ABBREVIATIONS

13

1. METHODOLOGY

14

2. BACKGROUND

16

2.1 Inequality and education

16

2.2 The Legacy of colonialism and apartheid

18

2.3 The Right to quality education

20

3. SOUTH AFRICA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM

22

3.1 Legal framework

22

3.2 Policy, plans and strategy

23

3.3 Organizational structure

25

4. SOME KEY CHALLENGES FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

28

4.1 Poverty and inequality

28

4.2 Poor educational outcomes

30

4.3 Multiple languages

33

5. POOR INFRASTRUCTURE

35

5.1 Struggling to overcome apartheid's legacy

37

5.2 Continued use of poor and dangerous infrastructure

39

5.3 Gauteng: failings in South Africa's wealthiest province

47

5.4 Eastern Cape: difficulties in overcoming the toxic legacy of apartheid

49

5.5 Sanitation: unacceptable and dangerous

54

5.6 Government responses: resources failing to meet need

61

5.7 Conclusions

64

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THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

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6. OTHER BARRIERS TO THE RIGHT TO EDUCATION

65

6.1 Inadequate school transport to and from school

67

6.2 Unsafe learning environments

70

6.3 Overcrowded classes

72

6.4 Teacher shortages

74

6.5 Excessive teacher workloads

76

6.6 Teacher capacity and training

78

6.7 Conclusions

81

7. FUNDING FOR EDUCATION

82

7.1 Levels of funding: keeping pace with needs?

85

7.2 Dysfunctional funding formula

87

7.3 Fees versus no fees: the need to ensure all schools are adequately funded

90

7.4 Conclusions

91

8. GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY GAPS

93

8.1 Governance and School Governing Bodies

93

8.2 Monitoring and inspection

96

8.3 Conclusions

98

9. INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL STANDARDS

99

9.1 Key provisions of international and regional law

101

9.2 Content of the right to education

101

9.3 Scrutiny

102

10. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

107

10.1 Conclusions

107

10.2 Recommendations

108

Annex A: Survey questionnaire sent to School Governing Body representatives

110

Annex B: Results of NASGB survey

112

Annex C: Responses from the South African Department of Basic Education

114

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THE STATE OF EDUCATION IN SOUTH AFRICA

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