Author Description

This booklet introduces some of the issues involved in local government provision of schooling. It discusses four models concerning the form such provisions might take, and each model is then considered in relation to the financial and administrative practicalities involved. To this end, local government officials from metropolitan, town, and rural councils, as well as economists, educationists, and experts in local-government affairs were interviewed in 1995 and 1996. Those interviewed were asked to comment on the past situation with regard to local government finance in general and the provision of schooling in particular. Although the paper draws together research and perspectives relating to both local government and education, it is written with primarily an educational audience in mind. It opens with a brief history of local-government finance in South Africa, followed by an account of previous and existing forms of local government involvement in education. Some key considerations concerning local government provisions are suggested and four models of possible future provision are critically discussed. The paper concludes by making some general recommendations concerning local-government finance for schooling. (Contains 21 references and a list of those interviewed for the study.) (RJM)