Literacy and Democracy in South African Primary Schools

This book provides results from two extensive qualitative studies in South African primary school classrooms—the first on leadership qualities and voting, and the second from a project on writing to read. The authors discuss the studies’ central themes of transformation in teaching practice with an emphasis on the role of context.

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Literacy and Democracy in South African Primary Schools presents findings based on two research projects conducted in South African primary schools during the same time frame. Working from the South African Foundation Phase curriculum that was introduced in 2009, the first project focused on the introduction of leadership qualities and the election of classroom representatives in 3rd grade classes in four elementary schools. The other introduced process-based writing to teachers and researched the process and products of children’s stories. The book describes research experiences from the field, provides a brief overview of the history of the South African education system, and looks ahead to the future transformation of global educational systems.