Education and Child Friendly Schools

Girls' Education

© UNICEF/South Africa/2006/Pirozzi

Enrollment of girls in South Africa is much better than that found in other regions on the African continent

A better South Africa

In today's South Africa, girls and boys stand a better chance to develop and prosper. Since the birth of the new democracy in 1994, the country’s economy has grown significantly at an average of 4.5 percent and individual freedom and liberties have been vastly expanded. South Africa is now a middle-income economy with a strong emerging market, an abundant supply of natural resources, well-developed financial, legal, communications, energy and transport sectors and a stock exchange that ranks among the ten largest in the world. The South African Constitution, built on an acute awareness of the injustices of the past, is widely regarded as the most progressive in the
world.

Dashed hopes for many

The prospect of a bright future is however out of reach for many of South Africa’s children. The country’s economic growth has not been able to tame unemployment, which was estimated at 25.2 percent in 2005. Daunting problems remain from the apartheid era – especially poverty and the lack of economic empowerment for South Africans from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Resources have been poured into schools in order to ensure equal treatment. However, resources are not enough…research indicates that we are not seeing the outcomes in terms of quality education that were anticipated.”

Government schools grapple with many challenges including a poor quality of education, high attrition rates, low teacher morale, the devastating impact of HIV and AIDS, poor infrastructure, inadequate water and sanitation and poor mechanisms for inclusive education particularly for children with disabilities. Many learners from poor families go to school hungry. Girls and young women still report high levels of sexual abuse, harassment, exploitation and murder in their schools.

Key challenges to girls’ education

Gender Inequality: South African society is to a large extent patriarchal. Girls and women are accorded lower social status and find themselves under the control and authority of men. The high levels of gender-based violence and the higher HIV infection rates among girls and women are tragic consequences of female disempowerment. Girls are socialised to become home keepers and child-bearers, placing less value on their educational attainment. When girls perform well in subjects such as maths or science, they are not encouraged nor do they have the confidence to pursue careers that rely on these skills.

Safety and Security: Many schools are not child or girl friendly. Some are situated far from homes, exposing girls to danger when they walk to and from school. Girls are at risk of being sexually harassed and exploited in schools by teachers and fellow students.

The Report of the Public Hearing on the Right to Basic Education states: “Of great concern were the accounts of teachers taking advantage of their positions of authority and coercing sex from girls. An example was given of a learner coming late and having to exchange sex with a teacher in order to be allowed onto the school premises that had been locked.”

The lack of separate school toilets for boys and girls increases girls’ vulnerability to sexual violence. Teenage pregnancies, which are said to be on the rise, are still stigmatised, making it difficult for young mothers to continue their studies despite legislation that protects their right to education.

Impact of HIV and AIDS: Almost a million children under the age of 15 have lost their parents or caregivers to AIDS. Girls often drop out of school to look after sick family members and younger siblings. Many teachers are succumbing to HIV and AIDS.

Sexually active children and young people do not have sufficient access to testing, counseling and treatment because of the lack of access to child and youth friendly health services. A culture of taboo and silence revolves around matters such as sexuality, sex and reproductive health, making it difficult for children to get accurate knowledge to protect themselves.

 Read more about Girls’ Education and GEM

I am my sister's & brother's keeper: Girls & Boys Education Movement Clubs - A guidebook for schools

UNICEF South Africa brief on the Girls' Education Movement

The Girls' Education Movement: We make the difference: Booklet by SAGCA, SACE, with technical support by UNICEF

The United Nations Girls' Education Initiative website: The UNGEI 2005 GAP (Gender Achievements and Prospects in Education) Project is a yearlong, multimedia assessment of achievements, challenges and new directions in girls' education. The Project takes stock of programmes in the field along with campaigns to mobilize support for the right of every girl and boy to complete their basic education.

Partners

National and provincial Departments of Education in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Eastern Cape
Gender Equity Unit
CRISP Crime Reduction in the Schools Project