People’s Education (for People’s Power) — a promise unfulfilled

Abstract

The central feature of Athenian citizens’ rights, that is, people’s participation in government, is also enshrined in the South African Constitution. This article argues for the Athenian style of participatory democracy as a viable model of participation in governing South African schools. The author claims that ‘people’s education’, which had its origins in the principles of the Freedom Charter¹ — was diluted during the negotiations for South Africa’s new democratic government. As a result, the political and educational ideal of ‘people’s education for ‘people’s power’ has given way to democratic elitism in post-apartheid South African schools.

Keywords: democracy; education; elitism; Freedom Charter; participation; people’s education; Representative Councils of Learners; School Governing Bodies