Understanding integration and policy challenges facing multicultural schools in South Africa/ Pertunia R. Machaisa

This article reports on research that investigated integration challenges in multicultural schools. The inquiry followed a qualitative approach, using interviews, focus groups and open-ended questionnaires. The understanding of the integration of multicultural challenges in schools was done through the lens of critical race theory (CRT). Individual interviews were conducted with eight principals, followed by focus groups with 34 teachers, together with open-ended questionnaires which were administered to 82 participants. The findings revealed that policies on school integration present opportunities for integration but do not address the challenges of diversity in schools. The research highlighted the problem that integration is not recognised in schools although it is mandated by government policy. The research conducted highlighted the fact that it is not easy to implement a policy on integration because some schools do not see so-called “colour” in the learners. Schools alone cannot deal with and remedy the inequalities and segregation in multicultural schools, and communities should help at all levels to achieve positive transformation in schools.