School feeder zones MUST include students from poorer areas – Dr Lisa Draga

Clarence Ford speaks with Dr Lisa Draga, Doctor of Philosophy studies at the UWC Department of Public Law and Jurisprudence

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

Current legislation allows schools to establish ‘feeder zones’ for primary and high school applications.

When looking at applications, most students accepted to the school will be those who live in these feeder zones.

ALSO READ:

Private school fees in arrears? Beware the consequences, parents warned

Grade R applications: WC Education Department answers your questions

These zones disadvantage black and poor students who do not live near the ‘good’ public schools.

Draga says that most schools that choose to use feeder zones are historically white and privileged schools, in historically white areas.

She adds that only 25% of our students have access to functional public schools while the rest are stuck at dysfunctional spaces.

She is calling on these feeder zones to be revised to include students from underprivileged areas.

“These well-functioning schools have a role to play in rendering the system slightly more equitable.”

- Dr Lisa Draga, Doctor of Philosophy studies at the UWC Department of Public Law and Jurisprudence

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.