Some thoughts on the search for just and democratic schools in South Africa - Gertie Pretorius

This article posits an intervention in the education system which integrates the theories of justice as fairness and deliberative democracy. The aim is to honour every child's right to learn in freedom, and to ensure that every child becomes a responsible and democratic South African citizen. The education system and the schools in that system are described as a workplace where adults and children can work together as educators and learners towards achieving the goal of justice by practising the principles of democracy. This includes the author's conception of the constructs of ubuntu, solidarity, and an existential awareness of interrelationships. In addition the author explicates her conceptions of justice and democracy and argues that a circular relationship between these concepts exists that is relevant to the South Africa context. Secondly, the author attempts to search for justice and democracy in South African schools. This goal is achieved through portraying the unjust and undemocratic current scenario in South African schools. In response to this scenario, the intervention provides a vision of hope for just and democratic schools in South Africa.
From: Perspectives in Education, Vol. 25 (4), December 2007