South Africa, its historical challenges and its unique demographics has
always provided a fascinating social canvass from which to study valuable
lessons in social engineering. The writer, a psychologist and social scientist,
has been extremely interested in studying the social forces that impact
upon the way our society unravels and in the process create fascinating
outcomes. It is therefore no accident that the author identifies the
schooling system as the driving nucleus of societal energy. By studying
the way schooling institutions operate, social scientists across the globe
have developed valuable insights into what makes such systems work;
what's promising and what’s not. This paper is based on the careful study
of schooling systems across the globe. Many of the points mentioned
in this paper are not new and unique and will often be instantly
recognised by members in the education fraternity across the world.
In this case the information is meant to validate and solidify certain points
of view, while promoting an on-going debate towards a better life for all.
The content outlined in this paper is also meant to stimulate a
process of introspection and re-examining of current institutional
and educational paradigms. It is therefore the writer's vision that
this paper should be read with an open mind and should be seen
as adding to the constructive discourse in building a positive culture of
education in South Africa...