The National Norms and Standards for School Funding (Department of Education, 2006), the Learner Transport Policy, Northern Cape (Department of Education, 2010) and
the National School Nutrition Programme (Department of Education, 2004) are three of
the policies promulgated in South Africa to make education more affordable and accessible
to poor learners since 1994. This study examined the three education poverty alleviation
policies in relation to learners’ capabilities and was grounded in the Capability Approach as
a conceptual framework pioneered by the economist and philosopher, Amartya Sen.
The study posits the view that the policies investigated and evaluated are essential in terms
of contributing to the well-being of learners, particularly those living in poverty, as well as
offering opportunities for every child, irrespective of social and/or economic background. The theoretical framework which conceptualise the dimensions of poverty, re-imagines the
South African case.