Education ‘failing to address inequality’

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New study suggests SA’s education system reinforces patterns of inequality and privilege

THE Department of Basic Education has welcomed a study released on Friday which suggests SA’s education system reinforces patterns of inequality and privilege, saying that the study confirms its efforts were focused on the right areas.

The research, conducted by Stellenbosch University’s Social Policy Research Group, examined the link between low-quality education and poverty.

It concluded that although the department spent disproportionately more on poor schools by subsidising fees and providing additional resources, this was still insufficient to close the quality and inequality gap.

The department’s Annual National Assessments released last month showed grade 6 pupils achieved an average of 28% in languages and 30% in mathematics. Pupils in poorer provinces such as Mpumalanga and Limpopo had the worst results.

The report said that with staff spending totalling 80% of the education budget, the extent to which expenditure could be redistributive was limited. Better qualified teachers also preferred being at more affluent schools.

read more at the link: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/Content.aspx?id=149082

I've been saying it feels like no matter what black people do, unless you are an athlete or entertainer you are standing in quicksand.