Optimal demographic information for policy development in the South African education system

After ten years of a democratic education system in South Africa , the demographic realities should be better understood in educational planning. The fragmented nature of the predemocratic education system has led to undesirable perceptions about quality education and has subsequently influenced the demographic imperatives present in the South African school system of today. Further investigation is needed to understand the complexities of learner numbers and enhanced consideration of the components and elements of the concept of demography in educational planning is necessary. Keywords : demography, determinant, educational planning, education system, educational policies, post provision, quartiles South African Journal of Education Vol. 26(2) 2006: 295–304