Independent schooling

Abstract

This chapter examines the contribution of independent schooling to human resources development (HRD) in South Africa. Fuelled by liberal opposition to apartheid, the sector had grown to 1 per cent of total schooling provision by 1988, and since 1990, has grown to approximately 3.2 per cent. The sector is dominated by schools with low-to-average fees and those with a majority of African learners. Girls outnumber boys across all provinces, but the racial integration of learners has been slow in predominantly Indian and white schools. On indicators such as pass rates and mathematics and physical science participation rates, the performance of independent schools (often known as "private schools") is varied, but generally better than the performance of public schools. The chapter shows that the sector has changed dramatically since the 1990s. With historically disadvantaged learners now constituting more than 70 per cent of enrolments, and with more than half of independent schools charging affordable fees, the sector reflects the profile of the South African population more closely.