PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS - A SOLUTION TO SA'S NATIONAL EDUCATION CRISIS

South Africa's basic educational system is in crisis mode, but it is not for want of funding. South Africa spends more on education, about 7% of GPD, than any other African country. If it was simply a question of money, the educational system would be riding the crest of a wave. The education system is dysfunctional for a multiplicity of reasons ranging from a bureaucratically bloated Basic Education Department, poorly trained and unmotivated teachers, incompetent school management to socio-economic factors. Year after year the system churns out an assembly line of dysfunctional children lacking in the 3 basics R's of education. The Education Department, unions and teachers disavow responsibility for their roles in creating and perpetuating decades of dysfunctional learners. Each contribute to the cycle of inter-generational poverty. Fanciful strategies has been introduced by government to turn education around. None of them, such as outcomes-based education have, or will succeed, because they are simply intended to serve as band aids to protect the special interests of bureaucrats and unions. One need look no further than Sadtu's refusal last year to administer annual assessment tests. One reason advanced by some for its refusal was that the tests would demonstrate an unacceptable level of substandard teaching. Not an outlandish conclusion as unions exist to protect its members rather than society as a whole. Millions of children are trapped in a system lacking in accountability, inferior training of teachers and bureaucrats. Those who have the financial means are increasingly sending their children to private schools. Fundamental change in a system that deprives millions of children to quality education is paramount. The solution is the establishment of charter schools which have dramatically improved the quality of education in under-performing urban and rural schools in North America and elsewhere. Charter schools are public schools operating under a charter between the school and government. Schools are independently run in their operations in return for greater accountability for performance. Although publicly funded a charter school is established by teachers, parents, or community groups. In return for public funding charter schools must demonstrate performance in the areas of academic achievement, financial management and organisational stability. To this end, charter schools have the ability to recruit and retain high quality teachers. Charter schools foster a partnership between parents, teachers and learners, creating an environment in which parents can be involved, teachers are encouraged to innovate, and learners are provided the structure needed to learn. Under-performing schools that have been transformed into public charter schools are decidedly closing the achievement gap. They are raising the bar of what is possible - and what should be expected in public education. In fact, those who sought academic refuge in private schools are returning in greater numbers to public charter schools. In doing so, they are contributing to an inclusive, positive and growing multi-racial environment for learners from all socio-economic backgrounds. Every child in South Africa deserves real opportunity to succeed in school, career and life. Public charter schools will provide the opportunity. Surely it deserves serious consideration by government in partnership with the education community. We owe it to the millions of South Africa's children.