Caught between educational accountability reforms, compliancy and political interference: perspectives of school principals in South Africa

ABSTRACT In this article, we examine the tension between external educational accountability demands and other [political] forces of interest and possible ways to ensure that schools can still succeed in performing their daily duties and achieving educational goals. We draw from interviews undertaken with school principals in South Africa. Our analysis suggests that the current education accountabilities in South Africa, as a constitutional prescript are not out of place with the rest of the world. However, the approach to these accountability reforms is questionable, riddled with political interference and has mostly led to compliancy at the schools’ own peril. We conclude that education reforms must be accompanied by strong legal accountability, that is balanced with the capacity to improve and better the system that would yield desired results.