Investment choices for South African Education was conceived between 2003 and 2007, the heady days of high economic growth in South Africa. However, since 2008, new trends have been set in motion by the global economic slowdown. The threat of slower growth compounded by the brake that South Africa’s earlier under-investment in infrastructure placed on development are likely to make investment choices in education and skills development that much more complex. This presents a conundrum to South African policy-makers: neglect education, the foundation of a highly-skilled population, and set in place long-term conditions for broader social and economic failure. Or set in place stronger investment patterns in education, alongside infrastructural investment, and provide for the preconditions of long-term sustainable growth and development.

This book is a plea not only for more thought to be given to these questions, but also more investment in education to encourage sustainable development. In a set of thoughtful and well-researched essays and reflections, Investment Choices for South African Education opens the issues for discussion and debate.

Graeme Bloch is an education specialist at the DBSA (Development Bank of Southern Africa)

Linda Chisholm is director of the Education, science and Skills Development research program at the Human Sciences Research Council in Pretoria and is visiting professor of Education at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Brahm Fleisch is an associate professor in the Division of Education Leadership and Policy Studies at the Wits School of Education, Johannesburg.

Mahlubi Mabizela works in the Directorate or Higher Education Policy and Development in the Department of Education.