Education

­­Since 1994, education policy making in South Africa has focused on the transformation of education to improve access, quality, equity and redress for learners in line with Constitutional principles. The six key policy reform areas are the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) and skills development, curriculum reform, educator education, school governance, improving the quality of education and education financing.

This document collection o­n education policy is being developed to provide information support to those working within the South African education policy community

Policy briefs

• Decisive action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals 
  
  An HSRC policy brief on Millennium Development Goals relating to water, sanitation, education and health challenges facing the Southern African Development Community.
  
  Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC), January 2011
• Evidence informed policy in education in Europe 
  
  Information on the different types of brokerage activities and mechanisms that are used to link research evidence to policy in Europe ­with the broad aim of raising awareness of evidence informed policy in education. The full report and an executive summary are available.­
  Institute for Effective Education , June 2011
• From Evidence to Action: a newsletter of the Policy > Action Network 
  
  Issue 4 of the newsletter focuses on the issue of violent crime in South Africa. The newsletter aims to stimulate debate around evidence-based policy-making. To contribute to future editions plesae send your submissions to pan@hsrc.ac.za­.
  Policy > Action Network, August 2011
• From Evidence to Action: Issue three: Child-centred policy 
  
  Issue Three of the PAN newsletter focuses on the interface between child-centred evidence and related policy. It features a range of resources that illustrate how child-focused data and research evidence can contribute to and inform better outcomes for children when formulating social policy.
  Human Sciences Research Council and the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development, June 2011
• Gender equality in the mathematics and science school curriculum  
  
  This policy brief focuses on the extent to which gender equality policies and interventions impact on teachers’ commitment to MDG3. It investigates South African educators’ perceptions, attitudes and beliefs regarding girls’ access to, participation and success in mathematics and science in high schools.
  Human Sciences Research Council, March 2011
• High university drop-out rates: a threat to South Africa's future? 
  
  Reflects on implications of South Africa's low university graduation rate. Recommends steps to address income and racial disparities in higher education including a voucher system for lower-income students.
  Human Sciences Research Council, March 2008
• Issues in education policy series 
  
  A series of ­booklets on key issues in education and training policy in South Africa.
  Centre for Education Policy Development (CEPD), July 2010
• Low quality education as a poverty trap 
  
  Summarises some of the main findings from a research project undertaken by the Social Policy Research Group in the Department of Economics at Stellenbosch University.
  Social Policy Research Group, Department of Economics, Stellenbosch University, March 2011
• Nursing in a new era: policy brief 1 
  
  Examines the shifts in training and employment patterns between 1997 and 2007.
  Education, Science and Skills Development Programme, Human Sciences Research Council, November 2009
• Poverty, race and children's progress at school in South Africa 
  
  This briefing is based on the analysis of the 2008 National Income Dynamics Survey (NIDS).
  It aims to explore the inequalities in children’s schooling in South Africa.
  School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu/Natal, September 2011
• Research brief on educator leave in the South African ordinary public schooling system 
  
  New research brief from the Education and Skills Development unit at the Human Sciences Research Council.
  Human Sciences Research Council, December 2010
• Research findings to support effective educational policymaking: Evidence and action steps for state, district and local policymakers 
  
  Research findings and action steps drawn from policies and practices that have been critical to the success of educational reform­s in the US.
  Wallace Foundation, September 2009
• University of Stellenbosch policy briefs: Education 
  
  ­Download the following policy briefs from the University of Stellenbosch's Departrment of Economics:

  ­For richer, for poorer? Can lessons learnt from wealthy schools be applied to help poor schools deliver better results?
  The role of educational attainment and quality schooling in reducing racial earnings inequality
  Identifying policy priorities to improve outcomes for poor primary school learners
  The vital role of good school management in improving primary school outcomes
  New evidence in the case for improving the quality of secondary school learning outcomes­­

  Department of Economics, 2011
• Vacancy: Head: Research Use and Impact Assessment (RIA) (Deputy Executive Director) 
  
  The Research Use and Impact (RIA) programme at the HSRC wishes to appoint a suitable candidate to lead the programme. The successful candidate will be based in Pretoria on a 5 year contract. The closing date for applications is 18 November 2011.­­
  Human Sciences Research Council, November 2011
• What is the impact of the Bolsa Familia programme on education? 
  
  Considers whether the Bolsa Família programme increases school enrolment, reduces dropout rates and improves grades.
  International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth , March 2010
• Women's participation in industrial science, engineering and technology 
  
  Policy brief which argues that while women’s entry into higher education in South Africa over the past decade has increased, they remain under-represented within the science, engineering and technology ­sector.
  Human Sciences Research Council, March 2011

Research reports & papers

• Poverty, race, and children's progress at school in South Africa 
  
  This article investigates inequalities in children’s schooling in South Africa in 2008 using community-based data collected by the National Income Dynamics Study (NIDS). ­
  School of Development Studies, University of KwaZulu/Natal, September 2011
• Towards better use of evidence in policy formation: A discussion paper 
  
  A report intended as an initial high-level paper to stimulate discussion amongst New Zealand policy advisors and policy makers.­
  Gluckman, P., May 2011
• A global compact on learning: Taking action on education in developing countries 
  
  Aims to help set the agenda for a proposed new Global Compact on Learning. Identifies three key priorities and suggested actions, ­based on a careful review of the latest evidence as well as extensive input from a wide range of global actors.
  Brookings Institution, June 2011
• An overview of research, policy and practice in teacher supply and demand, 1994 - 2008 
  
  Provides an overview and synthesis of the interventions, research and consequences of initiatives related to the demand for and supply of teachers since 1994.
  Human Sciences Research Council, 2009
• Assessing progress in Africa toward the Millennium Development Goals 
  
  Highlights policy innovations including expanded social protection programmes in Africa that are facilitating progress toward at­tainment of the Millennium Development Goals.
  United Nations Development Programme, September 2010
• At arm's length - the relationship between research & policy in arts & culture 
  
  Examines how the SA­ Department of Arts and Culture and some provinces have conceived of and used research in the formulation of arts and culture policy since 1994.
  Deacon, H., October 2009
• Beyond basic skills 
  
  Describes six state strategies to better connect basic skills education to postsecondary education and careers.­
  Center for Postsecondary and Economic Success, March 2011
• Citizens' engagement in policymaking and the design of public services 
  
  Citizen participation in policymaking and service design has been debated or attempted, but too infrequently realised. Considers current reform initiatives in the Australian Public Service (APS) and examines the implications of citizen-centric ideals for the processes and structures of government agencies.­
  Australian Public Service (APS), July 2011
• Do better schools lead to more growth?: Cognitive skills, economic outcomes, and causation 
  
  Investigates whether a causal interpretation of the association between cognitive skills and economic growth is appropriate, and whether cross-country evidence supports a case for the economic benefits of effective school policy.
  IZA, November 2009
• Education roadmap: Focus on schooling system 
  
  Proposals for a policy on schools­ from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.
  Development Bank of Southern Africa, November 2008
• Higher education in Africa: crises, reforms and transformation 
  
  Guidelines for policy formulation to reconceptualise higher education as a tool for social progress in Africa.
  CODESRIA, June 2006
• Implementing the APRM: Views from civil society  
  
  Assembled collaboratively over the past year by several South African civil society organisations (CSOs), this report scrutinises the country’s track record in fighting corruption, managing diversity, addressing xenophobia and racism, managing elections, consolidating democracy and upholding the rule of law, as well as confronting social exclusion and effective service delivery. ­­
  APRM Monitoring Project (AMP), June 2011
• Knowledge, networks and nations: Global scientific collaboration in the 21st century 
  
  Reviews the changing patterns of science, and scientific collaboration, in order to provide a basis for understanding such ongoing changes. Aims to identify the opportunities and benefits of international collaboration, to consider how they can best be realised, and to initiate a debate on how international scientific collaboration can be harnessed to tackle global problems more effectively.
  Royal Society, March 2011
• Links between poverty, matriculation and the child support grant: a review of the evidence 
  
  Reviews evidence on whether child support grants positively influence schooling outcomes.
  Centre for the Study of South African Social Policy, October 2008
• Mother or motherland: Can a government have an impact on educational attainment of the population?: Preliminary evidence from India 
  
  Examines the ­impacts of personal-household and state-level characteristics (including government policy) on the li­kelihood of transition from one educational level to the next.
  IZA, May 2010
• Nursing in a new era: The profession and education of nurses in South Africa 
  
  Considers the profile, image and status of nursing and the nature and role of nursing education.
  Human Sciences Research Council, 2009
• OECD innovation strategy: getting a head start on tomorrow 
  
  Offers a cross-government approach to ­sustainable growth and improved social welfare. Offers rigorous data and evidence-based analysis for updating policies across government.
  OECD, May 2010
• Opportunities and challenges for teacher education curriculum in South Africa 
  
  One in a series investigating the dynamics shaping the professional development of educators.
  Human Sciences Research Council, 2008
• Report of the task team for the review of the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement: Final report 
  
  Report of an expert panel which focused specifically on ­policy and guideline documents for the National Curriculum Statement.
  Department of Education, October 2009
• Responding to the educational needs of post-school youth 
  
  Outlines the scope and extent of the current post-school educational crisis, ­to explore possible solutions through collaboration in the higher education sector.
  Cloete, N., November 2009
• Reviews of national policies for education - South Africa 
  
  Reviews progress made in education legislation, policy development, curriculum reform and the implementation of new ways of delivering education.
  
  OECD, February 2009
• South Africa's children: A review of equity and child rights 
  
  ­This report reflects an analysis of key indicators to assess the fulfi lment of children’s rights in South Africa. Most of the data is derived from Statistics South Africa’s General Household Survey (GHS) which covers six broad areas, education, health, social development, housing, household access to services and facilities, food security and agriculture. Download part one and part two.
  South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC), March 2011
• South African child gauge 2008/2009  
  
  Annual review of the status of South Africa’s children focusing on access to education.
  Children's Institute, University of Cape Town, June 2009
• South African Development Index (SADI) 
  
  An initiative by the South African Institute of Race Relations which aims to track development trends in South Africa, and will be released on a quarterly basis. ­
  South African Institute of Race Relations, February 2011
• State of the cities report: Towards resilient cities 
  
  Assesses the progress made by South African cities over the last decade in relation to key development outcomes and reviews strategic problems and opportunities relating to planning and management­
  South African Cities Network (SACN), April 2011
• Teaching mathematics: Using research-informed strategies 
  
  A review of research into aspects of mathematics teaching focusing on issues relevant to mathematics teachers, to those who support them, and those who make policy decisions about mathematics teaching.
  Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), July 2011
• The developmental state and educational advance in East Asia 
  
  Attempts to illustrate a link between educational development and the formation of developmental states in East Asia. Presents evidence that education systems contributed to nation-building.
  Abe, M., January 2006
• The effects of education and health on wages and productivity 
  
  A staff working paper using a human capital earnings function and data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey to estimate the effects of education and health status on wages.
  Productivity Commission, March 2010
• The PhD study: An evidence-based study on how to meet the demands for high-level skills in an emerging economy: Consensus report 
  
  Evidence-based advice for policy-makers to improve the quantity and quality of PhD students in the South Africa.
  The Council of the Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAF), September 2010
• The state of the world's children 2011: Adolescence - an age of opportunity 
  
  Examines the global state of adolescents, outlines the challenges they face in health, education, protection and participation, and argues that investing in them now is our best hope of breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty and inequity and laying the foundation for a more peaceful, tolerant and equitable world.
  UNICEF, March 2011
• The university in development case studies of use-oriented research 
  
  This analysis provides new understandings of current concepts of 'globalisation', 'use-oriented' research, 'knowledge society and economy', and 'national system of innovation'.
  HSRC Press, November 2011
• Towards a common future: Higher education in the SADC region: Research findings from four SARUA studies 
  Southern African Regional Universities Association, December 2008
• Trends 2010: A decade of change in European higher education 
  
  Analyses the implementation of the Bologna Process and its impact over a decade on higher education across 46 European countries and broader reform processes affecting European higher education.
  European University Association , March 2010
• Universities and economic development in Africa: Pact, academic core and coordination: Synthesis report 
  
  Draws together evidence and synthesises the findings from eight African case studies that formed part of the HERANA project.
  CHET, February 2011
• We can't afford not to: Costing the provision of functional school libraries in South African public schools 
  
  Makes the case for a national policy on school libraries and costs a national roll-out ­to show how this could be paid for over 10 years.
  Equal Education, January 2010

Case studies

• Call for proposals: To conduct a series of case studies on the policy influence of impact studies 
  
  Call for proposals to conduct a series of case studies to identify factors that contribute to or impede evidence from rigorous impact evaluations to influence policy(deadline is 28 February 2011).
  International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), February 2011
• Change and transformation in Ghana's publicly-funded universities: a study of experiences, lessons and opportunities 
  Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, 2007
• Gender in the making of the Nigerian university system 
  Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, 2007
• Opportunity NYC: a performance-based conditional cash transfer programme: a quantitative analysis 
  International Poverty Centre, Columbia University, November 2008
• Public & private universities in Kenya: new challenges, issues & achievements 
  Partnership for Higher Education in Africa, 2007
• Systematic review database 
  
  ­This database provides policymakers and practitioners with easy access to systematic reviews that examine evidence on the effects of social and economic development interventions in low- and middle-income countries. It draws together systematic reviews from a range of sources and covers all sectors.
  International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), September 2011
• Taking leadership, innovating change: Profiles in family, school, and community engagement 
  
  Gives twelve examples of leading innovations in family engagement as an integral and effective strategy in systemic education reform.
  Harvard Family Research Project, March 2010

Country studies

• Africa Capacity indicators 2011: Capacity development in fragile states 
  
  This report introduces a unique and unprecedented series of data on the state of capacity in Africa. It also examines key issues and challenges confronting in-country and cross-border capacity development.
  African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF), February 2011
• Assessing progress in Africa towards the Millennium Development Goals 
  
  The third in a series which discusses what needs to be done further in reaching the MDGs,  an abridged version of a much more comprehensive joint Economic Commission for Africa, African Union Commission, and African Development Bank report.
  United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, February 2009
• Civil society and the governance of basic education: Mali country field study 
  
  Outlines challenges relating to a civil society role in nati­onal educational policymaking.
  Comparative and International Development Education Centre, October 2007
• Diagnostic overview 
  
  Aims to identify the main challenges confronting the country and examine their underlying causes. Serves to advance the discussion about the major issues confronting South Africa.
  National Planning Commission (NPC), June 2011
• Education exclusion and inclusion: policy and implementation in South Africa and India 
  
  Addresses the persistence of education exclusion in countries where there is an explicit commitment to inclusion. Focuses on the qualitative experiences of these excluded groups.
  Department for International Development, 2007

Toolkits & guidelines

• Call for submissions: Terms of reference for an online course on how to build a policy influence plan 
  
  Call for the development of a course which will improve  organizational capacity to influence public policies in developing countries - deadline 23 January 2011
  Global Development Network (GDNet), January 2011
• Data strategies for policymaking: Identifying international good practice 
  
  Reviews international good practice for using data in policymaking and develops a conceptual framework for characterising and classifying the different elements of a data strategy for public sector orga­nisations.
  RAND Corporation, 2010
• e-Atlas of global development 
  
  A free, online, interactive tool, which maps and graphs more than 175 indicators from the World Bank’s development database.
  World Bank, March 2011
• Econometric methods for causal evaluation of education policies and practices: A non-technical guide 
  
  Explains the main idea and intuition of leading empirical strategies devised to identify causal impacts and illustrates their use with real-world examples. ­
  IZA, January 2010
• From Evidence to Action: Issue 6: Evaluating our way to better government performance 
  
  In the final issue of the PAN newsletter for 2011 ­we look at how the evaluation of government programmes can be invaluable in improving performance and service delivery.
  Policy > Action Network, Human Sciences Research Council, December 2011
• From Evidence to Action: P>AN Newsletter 1/2010 
  
  This is the first edition of the Policy > Action Network newsletter, From Evidence to Action, published with support from the Programme to Support Pro-Poor Policy Development (PSPPD), a partnership between the Presidency and the Eu­ropean Union.­
  Policy > Action Network, November 2010
• Handbook on monitoring, evaluating and managing knowledge for policy influence 
  
  The main purpose of this handbook is to facilitate the investment process of a public research institute in developing a system (from the simplest to the most sophisticated) of monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and knowledge management (KM) of the impact of research on public policy.
  CIPPEC, February 2011
• Magenta book 
  
  Sets out the key issues to consider when designing and managing evaluations, and the presentation and interpretation of evaluation results. Describes why thinking about evaluation before and during the policy design phase can help to improve the quality of evaluation results without needing to hinder the policy proce­ss.
  HM Treasury, April 2011
• Managing for development results: A focus on Africa 
  
  A case book aimed at ensuring­ that managers are using evidence to make decisions and development stakeholders are able to keep track of progress.
  African Community of Practice on Managing for Development Results, 2010
• Research as a tool for advocacy 
  
  A presentation outlining approaches to achieving research-based­ policies.
  Institute for Security Studies (ISS), 2010
• Sound expectations: From impact evaluations to policy change 
  
  A conceptual framework to be used in the production of case studies which identify factors that help or hinder rigorous impact evaluations from influencing policy.
  International Initiative for Impact Evaluation (3ie), April 2011
• Tools and resources 
  
  Aims to provide analytical tools and resources to assist analysts and managers with policy development or service-planning projects.
  Population and Sustainable Development, New Zealand, March 2011

Conference & seminar papers

• Call for papers: South African early childhood development conference 
  
  The Department of Social Development will be hosting a multi stakeholder conference on early childhood develpment (ECD) from 24 to 26 January in East London. The aim is to take stock of progress made on ECD in South Africa and to promote provisioning of quality ECD services for children from birth to school going age.Abstracts should reach the Department by 18 November 2011. ­
  Department of Social Development, November 2011
• Does higher education produce the knowledge, skills, competencies and people needed for South Africa's development? 
  
  Captures the speakers’ inputs and discussions at an Isandla Institute development dialogue.
  Isandla Institute, June 2009
• Education and poverty reduction strategies: colloquium proceedings 
  
  Investigates links between education and poverty reduction, cross-sectoral co-ordination and policy coherence.
  Human Sciences Research Council, November 2008
• Gender equity in South African education 1994 - 2004: conference proceedings 
  
  Explores research and social action dimensions related to gender equity in education.
  Human Sciences Research Council, 2005
• Presentation: Evaluation as a key source of evidence for policy-making 
  
  Presentation from a seminar which reviewed evidence-based policy-making and the potential role of evaluation as a key, and a systematic, source of evidence. Presented by Dr Ian Goldman, Deputy Director General, Evaluation and Research, DPME,­ The Presidency.­
  Goldman, I., January 2012
• Producing knowledge syntheses that are both rigorous and relevant to policy makers 
  
  Workshop report where participants were enabled to apply a knowledge synthesis ­method including: choosing a relevant policy for study, analysing it, performing a literature review (in a way that differs from literature reviews on simple interventions) and organising deliberative processes.
  National Collaborating Centre for Healthy Public Policy, June 2011
• Public policy: Why ethics matters 
  
  Essays based on a conference which aimed to ­encourage and facilitate debate about the ethical basis for policy making.
  Australian National University, October 2010
• Shareholder summit on higher education transformation 
  
  Read presentations and background documents from the Summit as well as various forums set up by CEPD­ to discuss related issues.
  Centre for Education Policy Development, April 2010
• South Africa: national report on the development of education 
  
  A paper from the 48th International Conference on Education, 25-28 November 2008, which reviews progress made in developing the South African education system since 1994.
  November 2008
• Stakeholder Summit on Higher Education Transformation 
  
  University World News(Africa edition) coverage of the Stakeholder Summit on Higher Education Transformation held from 22 to 23 April 2010.
  University World News (Africa Edition), April 2010

Reading lists

• Literature reviews on knowledge and policy 
  
  Extensive literature review on kno­wledge and policy in the health and education sectors.
  Know&Pol, June 2007

Advocacy initiatives

• African Community of Practice on Managing for Development Results 
  
  A community of over 1,000 practitioners managing for development results (MfDR) from 37 different African countries and regions across the world.
  March 2011
• Education rights: A guide for practitioners and activists 
  
  Presents ideas and methods­ to implement a human rights-based approach to education.
  ActionAid International, 2007
• Equal Education 
  
  ­A social movement working for quality and equality in South African education, through analysis and activism.
  2009
• From evidence to action: Issue 5: Education 
  
  Issue five of the newsletter ­From Evidence to Action looks at the education system in South Africa, ­in particular how­ evidence informed policies can be implemented to address many of the problems it faces.­
  Research Use and Impact Assessment, Human Sciences Research Council, November 2011
• From Evidence to Action: the Policy > Action Network newsletter 
  
  Download the second issue of the Policy > Action Network newsletter and email pan@hsrc.ac.za if you would like to make comments or submissions for the next issue.
  Human Sciences Research Council, February 2011
• Herana Gateway: Higher Education Research and Advocacy Network in Africa 
  
  This network is being developed to distribute research-based information to experts and decision-makers.
  2009
• IPC-IG Internship Programme  
  
  This internship offers outstanding graduate-level students the opportunity to acquire direct exposure to IPC-IG’s work as a global forum for policy dialogue and South-South learning on development innovations.
  International Poverty Centre, January 2011
• National Planning Commission (NPC) Jam 
  
  If you have some ideas on building a better South Africa, please register for and participate in the National Planning Commission (NPC)­ Jam (an online brainstorming event from noon on 28 September until noon on 1 October). Additional information can also be found here. ­
  National Planning Commission (NPC) , September 2011
• Online training: How to build a policy influence plan 
  
  CIPPEC, a leading think tank in Argentina will award 12 scholarships to participate in the third edition of this online training programme developed jointly with Global Development Network (GDN)­ which will start by the end of August 2011.­
  
  CIPPEC, August 2011
• Public Participation in Education Network 
  
  This campaign calls for greater public participation in education in South Africa.
  
  2008
• September National Imbizo 
  
  A new Facebook forum for a national citizens' dialogue, currently working against xenophobia and planning for ­a National Indaba in September 2010.
  July 2010