Small Schools

EDUCATION IN RURAL AREAS

Michael Gardiner

Issues in Education Policy Number 4

Centre for Education Policy Development

Education in Rural Areas

Michael Gardiner

Issues in Education Policy Number 4

Centre for Education Policy Development

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Published by Centre for Education Policy Development (CEPD) PO Box 31892 Braamfontein 2017 Johannesburg South Africa Tel: +27 11 403-6131 Fax: +27 11 403-1130

Copyright © CEPD 2008

ISBN: 978-0-9814095-5-9

Series editor: John Pampallis

Typesetting and design by Mad Cow Studio

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without prior written permission of both the copyright holder and the publishers of the book.

Contents

Preface Abbreviations and Acronyms Introduction What do urban and rural mean? What is the relationship between schools and their communities in rural areas? What is the situation of schools in rural areas? What is the impact of curriculum, language and teacher education on rural education? Curriculum Language Teacher education Early Childhood Development Adult Basic Education and Training Farm Schools Conclusion Further Reading 4 5 7 8 10 13 17 17 20 21 23 25 27 29 31

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P re f a c e

The series Issues in Education Policy consists of a number of booklets on key issues in education and training policy in South Africa. Each booklet deals with one such issue and aims to give the reader, in plain English, an overview of the topic and its implications for various stakeholders. The intended readership includes a wide range of people with an interest in the education and training system – members of Parliament or of provincial legislatures, teachers, trade unionists, employers, student and community activists, education department officials, journalists, governors of...