Educational Disparity Among South African Children

In South Africa, the 2012 Child Gauge Report was recently released. Findings indicated great disparity in education among whites and blacks within the country, a potent reminder of the inequality that still exists among South African’s citizens. According to the findings, two thirds of African children live below the poverty line, compared to two percent of white children in South Africa, though overall poverty has decreased (AFP). About half of these impoverished children live in former homelands, remnants of the apartheid regime. Although Africa spends a high portion of its budget on education, results still tend to be unequal among blacks and whites when viewed by income (AllAfrica).

            Although South Africa has taken great strides since the ending of the apartheid in 1994 and the beginning of nonracial democratic norms, the racial inequality is still a persistent reminder of what once was. In September, a report by the World Bank noted that inequality and joblessness pose serious risks to South African stability (NYTimes). This issue of child inequality remains important because racial divides, though not occurring on the political level, are still happening on the economic level. Though South Africa has effectively ended the apartheid political system in its society, economic divides still tend to segregate along racial lines. This economic disparity, particularly in the up and coming generation, poses concern for the stability of the country as well as continued strides away from the apartheid.

            As a leader of the Africa continent, and largely a success story, South Africa stands as an example to other countries on the continent. The progress of South Africa can do much to influence the general outlook of the continent, and addressing children’s inequality, especially in education, is a major hurdle for the country. Strikes throughout the country in recent months have pointed to the tensions that have been brewing, and if not addressed may result in even more unrest (NYTimes). Based on what we have learned about South Africa, the ANC remains in a stable position of power, and if reforms were to be made, they would happen under the ANC.

Policymakers need to come up with a better ID and birth certificate system, especially in former homelands. This will allow government healthcare expenditures to reach the poor newborn children, especially in their critical first year of life. Government expenditures on education need to be reevaluated, with more (and more efficiently allocated) money going to the poorer regions. Money should be spent on cash transfer systems, where families are given money every year their child stays in school, as well as other incentives like a lunch program or afterschool activities. Mostly importantly, the ANC cannot afford to ignore this report, but rather take it seriously and work to address the educational inequalities that still persist. 

Sources 

Polgreen, Lydia. “A Murder Sentence Underlines South African Inequality. NY Times.22 August 2012. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/23/world/africa/conviction-of-chris-mahlangu-in-terreblanche-case-underscores-south-africa-inequality.html?_r=0

Stassen, Wilma. “South Africa: Great Disparity in the Lives of SA Children”. All Africa. 18 October 2012. http://allafrica.com/stories/201210180997.html

“S. Africa's children still face apartheid-like inequality”. AFP. 17 October 2012. http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5i2lY455I6yN3_HCfTOk4mONdAe9A?docId=CNG.c87c030182d8aa078508c64fcad776ba.3b1

“SA has lost its compass”. The Times. 18 October 2012. http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2012/10/18/sa-has-lost-its-compass