ABSTRACT
The democratic movement in South Africa has been systematically involved in developing policy for school governance since 1990. This chapter attempts to gain insight into the larger problem by examining school governance and funding policies as a case study. It deals with a short examination of the concepts of decentralisation and centralisation of educational organisation and governance. This is followed by an overview of the policy development process in South Africa. The chapter examines the debates leading to the adoption of the South African Schools Act. It reviews the process and problems associated with the establishment of school governing bodies. The impact of policy formulation and application on achieving equity is also examined. Turning to the issue of equity, groups seeking greater equity generally tend to favour more centralised systems. The process of policy formulation leading to the South African Schools Act was marked by sharp differences of opinion and conflict as well as by areas of consensus.
