Parents' expectations of public schooling in the Northern Province of South Africa

The social landscape in South Africa has changed drastically since 1990, and more so after 1994. Not only have residential areas become largely mixed but also schools. This is, of course, a result of the abolishing of apartheid-era policies and legislation that enforced racial segregation. However, the phenomenon sketched above was accompanied by parents moving children from public schools to independent schools which immediately mushroomed all over South Africa, particularly in urban areas. It is as if parents have passed a motion of no confidence in the public schooling system. This study determined the extent of parents' expectations in the Northern Province and attempted to come up with measures to help public schools measure up to the expectations of parents, as identified in the research. Also, parents' expectations were assessed against sound educational practices. (South African Journal of Education: 2002 22(1): 14-15)