School Systems - Equity and Excellence

School systems in the cape of Africa, located in North West Africa, are very diverse.  My personal contact,  Nicky, owner and director of an early childhood center, describes the situation as improving!  On the cape of South Africa, there are three distinct groups of people, living in three distinct neighborhoods.  Therefore, there are three levels of quality in South African schools, which are inequitable. 

 

The schools in the poorer black areas are very overcrowded.  There is standing room only for many students.  Books and supplies are sparse, and must be shared by students.  Teachers are often illiterate, and provide a poor quality of education for the children enrolled.  The children in these schools come from very poor neighborhoods, often living in homes made of cardboard and plastic.  Health benefits, food, and basic necessities are lacking. 

The schools in the coloured (mixed race) neighborhoods, are overcrowded, however every child will usually have a place to sit.  Books and supplies are often outdated, but are available.  Teachers are usually literate, and provide a mediocre quality of education for the children enrolled.  The children in these schools come from low income neighborhoods, often living in run down homes.  Basic necessities are usually available, as are basic health benefits.

The schools in the white neighborhoods are not overcrowded.  Classrooms are adequately provided with supplies, and class sizes are small.  Teachers are well qualified, and provide a quality education.  Children living in these areas live in nice homes, have all basic necessities, and good health care.   

In the past 20 years, some families have chosen to move between neighborhoods.  There have been some coloured and black families move into the more affluent neighborhoods, and a few white and coloured families move to the less affluent neighborhoods!  Schools are becoming more racially mixed.  The school systems in most areas have not changed, and are still offering very unequitable educations to the children of Western Africa.

On another note, I have been discussing the Australian school system with Susan D., who describes a much different picture!  Australian schools are much more equitable than those in the cape of Africa.  Each state in Australia has different, yet similar standards.  Education is well funded by the government, class sizes countrywide are small, supplies are abundant, and teachers are well qualified.

In the United States, the school system is NOT equitable.  In my local area, families compare school districts prior to settling in an area.  One school district will have a great reputation, while another is known for failing students and low quality teachers.  The favored school district offers two swimming pools, music instruments, art classes, computer access, and much more.  The lower quality school is cutting out all art and music classes due to a budget shortfall.  Often, teachers who are new graduates will work in the poor school district to gain experience, and then move on to a better job.  Some teachers in the area will not even accept a job in the lower class school districts because of the increased violence.  Police walk the halls, and metal detectors are at each entrance in the lower class school district.       

 

References

Teachers College, Columbia University. (2009). Early childhood care and education: Worldwide challenges and progress. Current Issues in Comparative Education, 11, 1–44. Retrieved from http://www.tc.edu/cice/Issues/11.00/PDFs/11_Introduction.pdf

Kagan, S. L. (2009). American early childhood education: Preventing or perpetuating inequity? (Equity Matters: Research Review No. 3). Retrieved from Campaign for Educational Equity website: http://www.equitycampaign.org/i/a/document/9833_EquityMatters_Kagan_Final.pdf