The purpose of this research was to investigate the structure and function of a
prefect system in primary schools predominantly attended by black learners. It is
the wish of learners to partake fully in school governance to bring about desirable
changes within the education system. The riots that broke out in 1976, proved
beyond doubt that learners no longer wished to be onlookers in the system, but to
actively take part in stabilising it for their own future.
In the past, learners who served in the prefect council were randomly chosen and
elected by the principal and the staff. This was done in isolation of the learners in
the school. Favouritism and popularity were the main features for a learner to be
elected. At any given moment during the course of the year, a member of the
council who did not perform according to the principles as set out by staff
members, was sacked and replaced by anybody who they felt would do a better
job.
The democratic government that was voted for in 1996 brought about drastic
changes within the education system. Unlike in the past, where learners were
omitted as part of education stakeholders, the present government gives due
consideration to learners' inputs and ideas.
Legislative Acts such as the South African Schools Act (Act No. 84 of 1996) were
passed to accommodate the needs and aspirations of learners. In terms of
section 10 (3) of Act No. 84 of 1996, public schools are allowed to institute a
prefect system where necessary. The latter statement urged the compilation of
this research to bring primary schools predominantly attended by black learners
on par with their white counterparts who still make use of the prefect system.
The procedure for establishing an effective structure for SRC's in secondary
schools is applicable in primary schools as well. The system for the election,
nomination and voting in secondary schools can be applied in primary schools as
well. The functions of a prefect system that included, among others, monitoring of
both educators and learners outside the school premises, have been replaced by
functions that lead to the creation of an educative environment within the school. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2005.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:nwu/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/840 |
| Date | January 2005 |
| Creators | Boweni, Gaopotlake Puxley |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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