Education Act in South Africa
The Schools Act was introduced in 1996 and the law places the regulation of South Africa’s education system in the hands of the Department of Education. The act requires the education of all children under age 15 and children from poor families.
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Needy Families
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The Schools Act guarantees that needy families can send their children to school for free. This aspect of the law was created to address the continuing consequences of decades of apartheid that left many minorities impoverished.
Failure to Pay Fees
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If a parent fails to pay their child's school fees, the school can sue but cannot prevent poor students from attending.
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Compulsory Education
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According to the act, education is compulsory for children between ages 7 and 15. Children must attend school from the first to the ninth grade.
Matriculation Year
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All students are required to take a year of matriculation courses that will allow them to graduate from secondary school. Once completed, students must take the Senior Certificate Examinations to receive a Senior Certificate.
Government-Funded Universities and Institutes
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As of July 2010, the South African government funds 11 universities, five universities of technology and six comprehensive institutes. Hundreds of privately operated universities are also in existence.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit South Africa image by bluefern from Fotolia.com
