This study, in the main, focuses on the racial imbalances and inequities that characterised South African education between 1965 and 1992. A historical background of the South African educational system as well as an account on the apartheid ideology and its impact on education is presented. For the four principle racial groups in South Africa, namely, the Africans, Indians, Whites and Coloureds, a historicaleducational survey of the imbalances and inequities prevalent in pre-primary, school-based and post-secondary education in respect of access to education, financing of education, and human and physical resources is given. As a way forward, some recommendations for the redressing of the imbalances and inequities identified in this study are presented. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

This thesis is dealing with the issues associated with the transition from pre-primary to primary education, with the understanding and cooperation of the family, which results in a trouble free admission of a child to primary school. The theoretical part of this thesis focuses on the aspects affecting the transition of a child from pri-primary to primary school, primarily the schools readiness and experience. Also focusing on the topic diagnosis, communication and types of cooperation between all participants involved. The practical part is produced on research of regional surveys, which reveal which actives are offered by primary schools for future entry students. How those activities are guiding and supporting the parents prepare their child for the start of compulsory school attendance which is seen as prevention of school failure. The aim of this thesis is to analyze the usual forms of activities offered by primary schools supporting cooperation between primary, pre-primary schools and the family. It Also presents how parents evaluate activities supporting trouble free admission of a child to first class primary school.

The dissertation focuses on the parental attitudes about education of their children during transition from pre-primary to primary education. The study focused on families without identified socio-economic disadvantage whose children were not enrolled in kindergarten. The research design was a longitudinal multiple case study of seven families located in the Liberec region. Data was gathered at multiple points during the children's transition from the kindergarten to primary school. The study focused on the reasons that led parents gave for deciding that their children would either participate in non-regular pre-primary education within nursery schools or not attend the pre-primary classes at all. The study inquired about: parents' general attitudes about pre-primary education; their views on the right educational path for their children; and their self-reported approach to their children's overall development. The study also examined the parents' feelings about the introduction of an obligatory pre-school year and their process of making the enrollment decisions. The results showed that although these families did have some common characteristics, the reasons given for opting not let their children attend preschool, were diverse. Mothers of these children were passionate about doing what's best...