Past and present ideologies in South African schooling: towards a framework of ethics

Abstract

A general climate of inertia, low teacher morale and a lack of accountability are dominant features of the current South African education system. This article argues that the root cause of the problem lies in underlying entrenched mindsets and attitudes derived from ideologies and value systems. An in-depth investigation of past and present ideologies revealed mindsets such as a culture of entitlement and a victim mentality directly related to a lack of accountability. This article aims to inform and empower educators to become change agents in their classrooms. It is recommended that a framework of ethics be adopted by all stakeholders in education to make a difference to education and society.