LCP4809
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO. 762990
DUE DATE: 26 MARCH 2025
, Developing Strong and Effective Spheres of Government in Education
Management in South Africa: A Critical Analysis of Bray’s Statement
Introduction
South Africa's system of government is built on the principles of cooperative
governance, where national, provincial, and local governments must work together to
ensure efficient service delivery. The education sector is one of the most important
areas where this cooperation is crucial. Bray (2002:530) states that "developing strong
and effective spheres of government and ensuring that each one fulfils its
constitutionally assigned role in a system of cooperative governance may be one of the
greatest challenges facing government in South Africa." This statement holds significant
weight, as education management in the country has faced numerous difficulties related
to governance, accountability, and coordination. In this essay, I will critically analyze this
statement by discussing the roles of different spheres of government in education, the
challenges they face, and the ways in which cooperative governance can be
strengthened to improve education outcomes.
The Three Spheres of Government in Education
South Africa operates under a constitutional framework that divides government
responsibilities into three spheres: national, provincial, and local. Each has a specific
role to play in education:
1. National Government: The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the
Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) set the overall policy
direction, develop curricula, determine national standards, and allocate budgets
to provinces.
2. Provincial Government: Each province has its own education department that
is responsible for implementing national policies, managing schools, and
ensuring the effective delivery of education services.
ASSIGNMENT 2 SEMESTER 1 2025
UNIQUE NO. 762990
DUE DATE: 26 MARCH 2025
, Developing Strong and Effective Spheres of Government in Education
Management in South Africa: A Critical Analysis of Bray’s Statement
Introduction
South Africa's system of government is built on the principles of cooperative
governance, where national, provincial, and local governments must work together to
ensure efficient service delivery. The education sector is one of the most important
areas where this cooperation is crucial. Bray (2002:530) states that "developing strong
and effective spheres of government and ensuring that each one fulfils its
constitutionally assigned role in a system of cooperative governance may be one of the
greatest challenges facing government in South Africa." This statement holds significant
weight, as education management in the country has faced numerous difficulties related
to governance, accountability, and coordination. In this essay, I will critically analyze this
statement by discussing the roles of different spheres of government in education, the
challenges they face, and the ways in which cooperative governance can be
strengthened to improve education outcomes.
The Three Spheres of Government in Education
South Africa operates under a constitutional framework that divides government
responsibilities into three spheres: national, provincial, and local. Each has a specific
role to play in education:
1. National Government: The Department of Basic Education (DBE) and the
Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) set the overall policy
direction, develop curricula, determine national standards, and allocate budgets
to provinces.
2. Provincial Government: Each province has its own education department that
is responsible for implementing national policies, managing schools, and
ensuring the effective delivery of education services.
