In the new democratic dispensation, the Gauteng Education and Training Council (GETC)
is the first statutory council instituted in South Africa, allowing civil society to participate
in education policy-making. Against this background, this study explored the policy process and the
participation of stakeholders. A literature study investigated the theory on policy and the
participation of civil society in the policy process. The inception of the GETC was fully
documented and a qualitative study undertaken to determine the role of the GETC in education
policy-making. Data gathering was done mainly through semi-structured interviews with
GETC members. The data was analysed, discussed and synthesised. The major findings were that
stakeholders valued the opportunity to participate and members had high expectations of the
contribution they could render in the policy-making process. Although most members had a good grasp
of the policy process, lack of administrative resources and participative skills founded in the
exclusion of large segments of society from partaking in such consultative structures in the
past, was evident in some organisations. The function of the Administrative Secretary is
deemed important in facilitating the functions of the GETC and training for this incumbent was
emphasised. The lines of communication between the GETC and the Member of the Executive Council
(MEC) need to be clearly structured in order to expedite the movement of documents between them.
The I'vfEC needs to be more visible to GETC members. The GETC, MEC and the Gauteng Department of
Education (GDE) have to explore ways and means of establishing a sound relationship to serve the
cause. Consensus between the GETC and the GDE should be reached regarding the role and
place of the GETC in the GDE Policy Route. Areas for further investigation that would enhance the
role of the GETC in the policy-making process have been identified. The study concluded that the
GETC renders a valuable contribution empowering citizens to become involved in formal participative
structures which will contribute towards broadening the basis of acceptance of responsibility for
education, by society. This will assist in attaining its declared vision to improve the level of
education in South Africa / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/16927 |
| Date | 07 1900 |
| Creators | Heckroodt, Annétia Sophia |
| Contributors | Van Wyk, Joan Noleen |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | 1 online resource (xiii, 338 leaves) |
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