Civil society and policy-making on education: the Gauteng Education and Training Council

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Date
2005
Authors
Heckroodt, Annetia
Van Wyk, Noleen
Lemmer, Leanor
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: The Gauteng Education and Training Council (GETC) is the first statutory council instituted in South Africa’s new democratic dispensation which allows civil society to participate in policy-making on education. This article looks at the policy process and the role played by civil society in the development of education policy and legislation. It discusses the institution of the GETC and the role accorded to it in policymaking, as well as the factors which could prevent it from playing a significant role. These include the representivity of stakeholders; the participation of representatives in policy debates; the lack of consensus on the role of the Council; the relationship of the Council with government structures, and the role and place of the Council in the policy route of the Gauteng Department of Education. The article also includes recommendations on improving the role played by civil society in policy-making at the provincial level.
Afrikaans: In die nuwe demokratiese bestel is die Gautengse Onderwys- en Opleidingsraad die eerste statutêre raad in Suid-Afrika wat die burgerlike samelewing toelaat om aan die opstel van onderwysbeleid deel te neem. Hierdie artikel ondersoek die beleidsproses en die rol wat die burgerlike samelewing in die ontwikkeling van onderwysbeleid en -wetgewing speel. Die instelling van die Gautengse Onderwys- en Opleidingsraad en die rol wat daaraan toegeken is in die opstel van onderwysbeleid word bespreek, asook die faktore wat kan verhinder dat die Raad ’n betekenisvolle rol speel. Dié faktore behels onder meer die verteenwoordigendheid van die belanghebbers, die deelname van verteenwoordigers aan beleidsdebatte, ’n gebrek aan konsensus oor die rol van die Raad, die verhouding van die Raad met owerheidstrukture en die rol en plek van die raad in die beleidsroete van Gautengse Departement van Onderwys. Aanbevelings om die rol te vergroot wat die burgerlike samelewing in die opstel van onderwysbeleid op provinsiale vlak kan speel, word ook gedoen.
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Keywords
Gauteng Education and Training Council, Policy-making, Education, Civil society
Citation
Heckroodt, A., Van Wyk, N., & Lemmer, L. (2005). Civil society and policy-making on education: the Gauteng Education and Training Council. Acta Academica, 37(1), 202-221.