ABSTRACT
The curriculum is written with the three most popular dance forms in South Africa in mind, namely African dance, classical ballet and contemporary dance, and improvisation and choreography modules take into account the styles referred to above and the emerging fusion of these styles. Western Cape policy has been to locate as many dance programmes as possible in areas regarded as previously disadvantaged. For every school where one despairs and teachers wail, there is one where dance is happening and alive and well, where children are dancing and dancing with joy. According to Senior Education Specialist Nicola Schorn, the changes wrought by dance education are extraordinary and headmasters have noted that not only do the dance students shine with energy and enthusiasm, but absenteeism is lower on days when dance is on the programme. In the schools, as in the work of professional choreographers, there is a continuing attempt to move towards developing a unique South African cultural expression.
