The development of secondary education, 1970-1990

Abstract

This dissertation looks at the development that took place in the secondary sector during the years 1970-1990. These were years of expansion in a sector that had hitherto been somewhat neglected because of the country's dire need to establish its primary education infrastructure. The major innovations in this sector began with the introduction of secondary education for all. This was followed by the attempt to go comprehensive leading to the abolition of the selective examination in an effort to ensure greater access to further education to as large a number of students as possible. The decision to abandon the comprehensive system and re-introduce selectivity is also described and examined. The above mentioned reforms were accompanied by sometimes parallel reforms in the technical sector with the establishment of trade schools as well as efforts to render technical education available at tertiary level. Unfortunately these reforms and innovations often took place against a background of poor industrial relations which meant that the usual resistance to innovation took on an extra and harmful dimension. The above changes and their consequences are carefully detailed, examined and evaluated in this dissertation.