ABSTRACT
This chapter traces the emergence of the present educational policy in South Africa by focusing on the dominant ideologies which have shaped educational thought and practice. In particular, Calvinism and nationalism as they emerged in the policy of Christian National Education, and more latterly, the forces which have brought about an evolution in that policy will be looked at. Since much has been written on the origins of a system of Christian National Education, the aim of this brief exposition is not to contribute original research on a wide ranging topic, but to provide a sense of perspective. The influence of Afrikaner educational theory and philosophy, commonly called Fundamental Pedagogics, has been much debated in South Africa. The South African government responded to the crisis which Buckland pointed out by launching The Human Sciences Research Council, de Lange Investigation into the state of education.
