ABSTRACT

It is unlikely that democratic values alone would be worthwhile if there were no opportunity to exercise them; that is, no context and conditions for the exercise of individual freedom. The social democratic state perhaps is best able to ensure that all children have equality of access to education and the right to equal treatment. It is possible to see three aspects of school structure and function that potentially generate contradictions for the realization of democratic ideals. The first is the administrative structure of the school itself. The second aspect concerns the instructional plan and style of teaching practised in the school. The third aspect is that of the functional role of the school in directly promoting democratic values and a sense of rights and individual freedom. The child would likely come to see the school as a more benevolent institution, or at least one where his or her interests were foremost.