The main purpose of this review is to examine the literature on school
governance in South Africa. While it focuses on the literature specific to South
Africa, it attempts to locate it within a wider international context, in particular
the debates around decentralisation and how it relates to democracy. Since the
research project seeks specifically to examine issues around school governing
bodies, the review will pay particular attention to governance at the school level.
The review begins with a examination of the origins of the South African school
governance system, with a historical survey of developments before 1994. This
is followed by a review of policy reforms with regard to school governance since
demise of apartheid and the establishment of democracy in 1994. The review
then examines the theoretical debates around decentralisation and democracy,
looking at both international and some South African literature. Finally it
examines the functioning of the South African school governance system.