Race was a dominant factor in accessing quality education during apartheid, but in post-apartheid Umlazi, class has become a primary determinant for securing educational opportunities. Research reveals that families in both formal and informal settlements in Umlazi navigate a competitive local educational market, with their choices shaped by concerns such as affordability, safety, and cultural preservation. Schools themselves further influence access by selecting or excluding students based on these factors, resulting in the exclusion of poorer children from better-resourced schools. Parents in Umlazi perceive education as critical for securing better futures for their children, but the current system often replicates inequalities rooted in financial means[1].
South Africa’s increasingly market-driven education system has a significant impact on social bonds within Umlazi. While nearly all children now enter school, access to higher-quality education often depends on a family’s ability to pay school fees, intensifying the role of extended families in supporting a child’s education. The Zulu term ‘ukufundisa’ reflects this complexity, meaning both ‘to teach’ and ‘to cause to learn’, illustrating the collective family effort required. Those without sufficient resources experience a weakening of traditional bonds, especially for mothers who cannot ensure their children’s access to prestigious schools. Educational inequalities are thus not only seen in academic results but also in shifting family dynamics and community relationships[2].
The Umlazi Education District has also faced a notable increase in teacher attrition since 2012, with more than a thousand teachers leaving, often without replacement. This exodus is attributed to various factors, including challenging working conditions, political interference, and insufficient policy support. The resulting instability can negatively affect the quality of education and learner performance in the district[5].
Recent studies of learner perceptions in Umlazi high schools highlight the broader challenges facing South Africa’s education system, including resource disparities and the persistent struggle to facilitate holistic learner development[7].