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 MEC 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.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:uir.unisa.ac.za:10500/831 |
| Date | 31 July 2002 |
| Creators | Heckroodt, Annétia Sophia |
| Contributors | Van Wyk, Joan Noleen |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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