School desegregation trends in Gauteng Province

Abstract

This study utilized 2003 to 2006 school enrollment data from the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to examine school desegregation trends and interracial exposure among learners from different race groups. Descriptive analyses revealed findings consistent with the literature wherein a majority of schools served mainly homogeneous populations. African and White learners experienced limited or no opportunity for interracial contact at school level, whereas Coloured learners experienced moderate levels of interracial contact. The exception was the Indian learner group whose migration from schools formerly reserved for Indian learners into schools formerly reserved for White learners as well as independent schools contributed to increased diversity albeit in a relatively small group of schools. New schools are emerging as a preferred destination for African learners.