Schools as learning organisations LO19083

Brian O' Connell (boconnell@wced.wcape.gov.za)
Thu, 03 Sep 1998 17:41:59 +0200

I am the head of the Western Cape Education Department, a provincial
education department in South Africa. As you might know, education in
South Africa until 1994 was segregated and fragmented. As a consesequence
about 10% of South Africa's schools are comparable with the best in the
world, while the rest are "third world" in every respect.

The democratic government does not have the resources to wipe out these
backlogs, and is hard-put simply to provide the basics necessary for
schooling. Schools were rigidly controlled in the old order and were not
encouraged to develop into autonomous confident institutions capable of
managing their own growth.

The TIMMS results placed our country last of the 42 participants, and it
is clear that we have a mountain to climb if we are to realise the promise
of our political miracle.

I am convinced that unless each school accepts fully its responsibility
for development, and acquires the habits and skills to manage its growth,
our national vision of a vibrant country capable of holding its own
internationally, will be doomed.

I am attracted to the idea that schools should be assisted to become
learning organisations, capable of self directed activity in the interest
of the nation. I have found very little literature on schools as learning
organisations, and I am looking for help and guidance.

Please write.

Brian O'Connell
<boconnell@wced.wcape.gov.za> 

-- 


"Brian O' Connell" <boconnell@wced.wcape.gov.za>


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