Die invloed van infrastruktuur op die gehalte van onderwys in die BRICS-organisasie

Abstract

The infrastructure of education systems plays a significant role in die functioning of the education system and the provision of quality education. The provision of sufficient educational infrastructure ensures the academic success of learners through the implementation of the necessary structures to improve the quality of education. The social and emotional skills of learners, along with their creativity and critical thinking skills, are enhanced by the provision of quality education. Globalisation places pressure on the education systems of the world to train their citizens in order to increase their global competitiveness. Education is, therefore, a significant driver of sustainable development and economic growth. The problem that has been identified in the study is that the quality of education in the member countries of the BRICS organisation (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) is significantly influenced by the provision of the educational infrastructure of the various education systems. The study investigated the influence of infrastructure on the quality of education in the BRICS organisation. The purpose of the study was to determine the state of education-related infrastructure in the BRICS member countries, along with the challenges associated with the provision of quality education, caused by infrastructure. Furthermore, best practices were identified to serve as guidelines to ensure quality education. A qualitative approach led the research, as it is appropriate for social research. An interpretivistic paradigm was used accordingly in conjunction with document analysis to gather data. Documents were selected by using the purposeful sampling method. The state of infrastructure in each of the BRICS member countries was examined using eight categories, as classified by the NEIMS report. Data regarding the state of infrastructure in each country were analysed by means of content analysis and compared using various tables. For the purpose of the study, data relating to the BRICS organisation obtained from government publications, journals and research conducted by international organisations were used. The investigation found that the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene facilities, electricity, internet access, sport facilities, laboratories and libraries has a significant influence on the quality of education. The state of the abovementioned categories of educational infrastructure differs among the member countries of the BRICS organisation. The annual national education budget is a strong indicator of the importance of education for each government and has a bearing on the provision of capital for infrastructure development and maintenance in the education system. The New Development Bank of the BRICS organisation provides the funds for general infrastructure development projects within the member countries. The provision of sufficient educational infrastructure has the ability to improve the quality of education and, thus, empower learners to escape their poor socio-economic conditions.

Lastly, the study identified best practices in order to provide guidelines to the BRICS organisation that could lead to the improvement of the state of educational infrastructure. The research aims to serve as a basis for further investigation regarding the state of infrastructure in the education systems of the BRICS organisation and the improvement thereof.