The role of civil society organisations in litigating the right to basic education in South Africa : Lessons for Nigeria

Abstract

The thesis examined civil society organisations’ use of public interest litigation as a tool to promote and protect the right to basic education of children in South Africa, and considered what learning can be extrapolated for possible application in Nigeria. The thesis undertook a comparative analysis of the constitutional and legal environment that enables or impedes strategic litigation in the selected counties, and determined optimal conditions for such work to be undertaken. It also demonstrated that for public interest litigation to be successful, it needs to be complemented by other strategies such as engaging the media and mobilising stakeholders. The thesis illustrates the effectiveness of civil society activism through strategic litigation in South Africa, and indicates opportunities for its use in Nigeria to advance the struggle for equal access to quality basic education for every child.