School development through partnership in education with parents as community members
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Date
2004
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Abstract
Previously in the early fifties, education was based on racial inequality and segregation. The perspective on school development through partnership in education with parents as a community changed after the democratization of S.A in 1994. Previously in 1984, parents were not fully involved in the education system. After 1994 election the culture of learning and teaching was launched, Parents, educators, non-educators and learners were involved in education. School Governing bodies were elected. They were formed by all stakeholders i.e. parents, educators, non-educators and learners. This partnership was designed to improve the quality of education for all South Africans.
School development through partnership in education empowers schools to take responsibility for their own development. Development of schools is now the responsibility of all South Africans who have a stake in the education system. Tensions frequently exist between educators and parents. Many problems result from societal influences, values, assumption, ignorance and inadequate information.
Since the democratization of the country in 1994 the emphases in education focused on educational rights for all.
Democratization of education includes the idea that stakeholders such as parents must participate fully in the activities of the schools, regulations relating to the election of the school governing bodies in public schools. Regulation should suit all levels of communities, rural or urban areas.
Schools in rural areas could benefit from community members who may have the useful contribution to the performance of the school.
The process of school development reflects the values and the beliefs of the community. Educators, together with parents can organize different activities to bring about the bond among three pillars i.e. educators, parents and learners. In the partnership in education, parents and educators cater for the general welfare of the learners. Educators could also take a leadership role in learner counseling, guidance and discipline.
For partnership in education to be successful all the stakeholders should be involved in the decision making in school matters. Both parents and educators should sometimes sacrifice their time in order to promote good partnership. Educators need to be exposed to more cognitive and co-operative learning and teaching styles. The study further reveals that parents have a very crucial role to play in education. Parents play an integral part in moulding and educating a child. Formal and informal education should work hand in hand. It is this reason that parents are involved through the school governing bodies.
Parents should take a lead in the education of their children. Through their partnership in education, parents are involved in many activities at school. Activities like the maintenance of the school buildings, facilities, resources and the management of the funds.
Research has shown that successful and quality improvements are most likely to be achieved when individual school takes responsibility for their own quality standards. The stakeholders should align with the goals of organization and should take initiative.
They should persue goals despite obstacles and setbacks. When community are well developed, they have pride and sense of ownership for their schools.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Arts in fulfillment of the requirements of the Masters Degree in the Department of Sociology at the University of Zululand, 2004.
Keywords
Parent-teacher relationships--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Education--Parent participation--South Africa--KwaZulu-Natal., Parent involvement in school