School choice and christian education

The concept of educational choice is relatively new in South Africa. The majority of South African parents have in the past not been actively involved in making choices regarding the schools their children will attend. The choice of school was usually determined by legislation and most South African parents adhered to the law. Children were enrolled in schools geographically or racially assigned to them. The only choice that could have been exercised was the choice of attending a school where the language of instruction was the language that the child spoke at home. This choice was limited to white children. Families who had the option to exercise school choice, primarily exercised their right because they could afford to do so financially. In the past choice was a limited option, mainly reserved for the wealthy. Democracy opened the door to many possibilities in South Africa. One of these possibilities is the right to choose – also the right to choose where your child will be educated. School choice has become a reality in the South African education system. Christian parents are also exercising this choice and as a result South Africa is currently experiencing a substantial increase in the number of faith based schools. Christian schools form part of this increase. True Christian Education requires every action performed by the school to be based on a Christian philosophy of life, it requires that children are educated in a Biblical Worldview. Personal belief in Jesus Christ is one of the foundations of a Christian philosophy of life and this philosophy that is lived and taught by parents and educators is the philosophy children are educated within Christian schools. Parents and educators thus take hands in shaping the learner’s philosophy of life, equipping them to stand independently in the world and not independent of the world. The aim of Christian education is to make disciples of Christ, to equip children with knowledge and skills and in Spiritual Formation and Biblical Worldview to realise their full potential in Christ. The reasons why and motivation for Christian parents making the choice of Christian education for their children is the motivating factor for this research. The reasons for parents exercising this choice are evident and explained in this report based on empirical data. Literature strongly supports findings. Christian parents in South Africa are now making decisions and choices keeping their children’s best interests at heart. No longer are they sitting back comfortably being prescribed to by government; they are exercising their right to choose Christ Centered Education for their children.Professor Tom Bischoff Dr. Ishwarie Hariprasa