The Role of Resources in Promoting Teaching and Learning in South Africa

Abstract

This chapter provided a brief discussion on the allocation or availability of the school resources in sampled public secondary schools in South Africa. It further identified the three basic components of school resources, which are material resources, physical facilities, and human resources. It showed how the provision of basic resources could contribute or not to improvement in learner achievement. The study has looked at both international and national experience on the availability of school resources in public schools. The literature review has revealed contrasting views from different studies on the relationship between provision of resources and learner achievement in public schools. Some studies confirmed the view that regards resources as determinant in promoting teaching and learning in public secondary schools. Resource availability in most cases in developing countries was found to improve attendance of learners in public schools. Most of the studies reviewed acknowledged the critical role played by a functional school library and the professional librarian in enhancing effective learning and teaching in public secondary schools. A strong school library