Education decentralisation in South Africa:equality and participation in the governance of schools - Paper commissioned for the EFA Global Monitoring Report 2009- Overcoming Inequality: why governance matters

The author examines the extent to which policies of education decentralization promote equity and redress. He states that while post-apartheid education policy has made significant strides in de-racializing education, deep seated and endemic inequities in society and in education are yet to be tackled. The South African case indicates that: Decentralization is not a panacea for enhancing participation, effecting equity and/or improving quality; Policies of education decentralization cannot easily affect equity in societies with a high degree of social inequity; Ambitious education programs are only effective to the extent that institutions are able and committed to engage with processes of change; Charging fees at the school level is not a policy that has engendered greater equity in South Africa.