From Dormancy to Growth.

Overview & Synopsis

Inhibitors of growth in education and training in South Africa include the past isolation from the rest of the world, failure to keep up with the rapid development of explosion of knowledge, compulsory dependency on bureaucracy, and disregard of the diverse needs of learners. Various initiatives have been undertaken that reflect the enormous need for growth in South Africa. Areas of provision that need urgent attention are adult basic education, alternative access to tertiary education, incomplete secondary education, vocational education, skills improvement, and retraining. The winning recipe for growth is a combination of distance education with a difference and technology for the masses. Distance education must combine and modify the best features of different models to suit South Africa's unique needs: its vast number of learners and the lack of technology. To overcome the drawbacks of lack of electricity and educational aids at learners' homes, the recommended model uses community learning centers. Three possible approaches are the television model for self-study, the study center model, and the dual mode model. Relevant and appropriate local support could be provided through community learning centers. All approaches would involve partnerships among at least three parties: appropriate study materials, the provider of telecommunications, and the dormant partner, the sponsor. (YLB)