Managing cultural diversity within Education Celebrate, Tolerate BUT not Discriminate

Government of National Unity - country moving towards establishing a non-racial society based on a constitution that embodies equal rights for every person Government of National Unity - country moving towards establishing a non-racial society based on a constitution that embodies equal rights for every person The need to establish an equitable and effective education system becomes a top priority. The need to establish an equitable and effective education system becomes a top priority. Redressing historical imbalances relating to staff appointments and student access is an imperative for Redressing historical imbalances relating to staff appointments and student access is an imperative for South African education institutions. South African education institutions. One of the strategies – been applied to accelerate change process is affirmative action – this on its own is not the whole answer. One of the strategies – been applied to accelerate change process is affirmative action – this on its own is not the whole answer. It is essential that the diversity created by affirmative action be effectively managed, by using a strategic management approach. It is essential that the diversity created by affirmative action be effectively managed, by using a strategic management approach.

SEGREGATED EDUCATION Education in SA - segregated along racial lines - apartheid system of social engineering ensured denial of equal access to white institutions & education of quality. Education in SA - segregated along racial lines - apartheid system of social engineering ensured denial of equal access to white institutions & education of quality. Education system in SA is currently in a stage of transformation - will for the foreseeable future be under pressure to provide access & quality education for all. Education system in SA is currently in a stage of transformation - will for the foreseeable future be under pressure to provide access & quality education for all. Much needs to be done in redressing the imbalances caused by the apartheid education system. Much needs to be done in redressing the imbalances caused by the apartheid education system. Most education institutions - changed their admission and recruitment policies, they still do not reflect the demographics of South African society. Most education institutions - changed their admission and recruitment policies, they still do not reflect the demographics of South African society.

Managing diversity Managing diversity does not mean controlling or containing diversity, it means enabling every member...to perform to his or her potential. Managing diversity does not mean controlling or containing diversity, it means enabling every member...to perform to his or her potential. Diversity starts with a realization of diverse interests Diversity starts with a realization of diverse interests Unlike affirmative action (process for creating diversity) - the very essence of the organization and its culture must be re-negotiated and re-conceptualized. Unlike affirmative action (process for creating diversity) - the very essence of the organization and its culture must be re-negotiated and re-conceptualized. For diversity to succeed, it must form part of an institution’s strategic management process. For diversity to succeed, it must form part of an institution’s strategic management process.

ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE Accepting the challenge of diversity implies :  changing the organizational culture  re-conceptualizing appropriate leadership styles styles  restructuring organizations  reformulating what constitutes good teaching  developing staff and students to work and learn in an organization that is very different from what it used to be

There are 3 development stages that an organization traverses 1. Mono-cultural - characterized by either implicit or explicit exclusion of racial minorities or women. 2. Non - discriminatory - characterized by a sincere desire to eliminate the majority group’s unfair advantage - done without organization significantly changing its dominant culture - but ensuring that the climate of the organization is not a hostile place. 3. Multi-cultural - organization that is either in the process of becoming or has become diverse - reflects contributions and interests of the diverse cultural and social groups in the organization’s mission, operations, products, or services – eradication of all forms of social discrimination and shares power and influence so that no one group is put at an exploitive advantage.

These three stages can be related to the transformation process that SA is now facing & will have to grow thro’ These three stages can be related to the transformation process that SA is now facing & will have to grow thro’ The mono-cultural stage - compared to the apartheid ethos - the dominant culture was ‘white-eurocentric’ and open discrimination was practiced. The mono-cultural stage - compared to the apartheid ethos - the dominant culture was ‘white-eurocentric’ and open discrimination was practiced. This stage has now been left behind with the dismantling of apartheid & the election of a democratic Government. This stage has now been left behind with the dismantling of apartheid & the election of a democratic Government. SA now entering the non-discriminatory stage – can be linked to the implementation of affirmative action interventions - put in place to redress past imbalances. SA now entering the non-discriminatory stage – can be linked to the implementation of affirmative action interventions - put in place to redress past imbalances.

Finally - country will enter last stage - multi-culturalism - can only be brought about by acceptance of a diverse nation and the eradication of all forms of discrimination. Finally - country will enter last stage - multi-culturalism - can only be brought about by acceptance of a diverse nation and the eradication of all forms of discrimination. When this stage is reached that a ‘new’ culture built on the country’s diversity may emerge. When this stage is reached that a ‘new’ culture built on the country’s diversity may emerge. This emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in attitudes and behaviour. This emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in attitudes and behaviour. The need for attitude change underlies much of the change in organizations today. The need for attitude change underlies much of the change in organizations today. If one can change or enhance a person’s understanding and ensure that the environment supports that change - it is likely that attitude and behavior change will follow. If one can change or enhance a person’s understanding and ensure that the environment supports that change - it is likely that attitude and behavior change will follow.

A DIVERSITY MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK It is declared policy of the South African Government to make access to a quality education a reality for all. It is declared policy of the South African Government to make access to a quality education a reality for all. Two major factors are propelling the process forward. Two major factors are propelling the process forward. Firstly- internal pressures exerted on institutions to change and reflect the demographics of the country. Firstly- internal pressures exerted on institutions to change and reflect the demographics of the country. Secondly, external pressures to effect change are being brought to bear on institutions by the community in which an institution operates & thro’ new legislation eg. Employment Equity Act which requires equity targets. Secondly, external pressures to effect change are being brought to bear on institutions by the community in which an institution operates & thro’ new legislation eg. Employment Equity Act which requires equity targets.

6 factors form part of strategic management process : 1. Organisational culture (OC) Historical ‘white-eurocentric’, male dominated culture that still exists in many institutions of edu. portrays assimilation or ‘melting pot’ syndrome Historical ‘white-eurocentric’, male dominated culture that still exists in many institutions of edu. portrays assimilation or ‘melting pot’ syndrome This is where the organization remains the same and the minorities are expected to change. This is where the organization remains the same and the minorities are expected to change. OC will have to change to reflect a diverse culture with revised beliefs and value systems OC will have to change to reflect a diverse culture with revised beliefs and value systems

2. Organisational/environmental change Critical to mgt. of diversity - org. to accommodate diversity of academic, administration staff, students. Critical to mgt. of diversity - org. to accommodate diversity of academic, administration staff, students. This entails becoming a learning organization in which the appropriate culture is one which is capable of constant adaptation as needs of stakeholders change. This entails becoming a learning organization in which the appropriate culture is one which is capable of constant adaptation as needs of stakeholders change. Both organizational and environmental change need to be addressed simultaneously. Both organizational and environmental change need to be addressed simultaneously. As it brings about changes in one, it will cause a ripple effect and require changes in the others. As it brings about changes in one, it will cause a ripple effect and require changes in the others.

3. Total quality management Need to remove fears that increasing diversity - lead to a lowering of standards. Need to remove fears that increasing diversity - lead to a lowering of standards. Total quality management (integral to the organization’s beliefs and value systems) - must become part of the strategic mgt. process within education institutions in SA Total quality management (integral to the organization’s beliefs and value systems) - must become part of the strategic mgt. process within education institutions in SA

4. Participative management/decision making The issue of institutional leadership is addressed by this factor. The issue of institutional leadership is addressed by this factor. Indicates that institutions will have to adopt a participative management style - involves all the stakeholders in decision making process. Indicates that institutions will have to adopt a participative management style - involves all the stakeholders in decision making process. Traditional ‘top-down’ decision making is no longer acceptable - will have to give way to participative and negotiated decision making. Traditional ‘top-down’ decision making is no longer acceptable - will have to give way to participative and negotiated decision making.

5. Resource development This is regarded as the key element in providing a well educated and trained workforce in the new South Africa. This is regarded as the key element in providing a well educated and trained workforce in the new South Africa. Within institutions of education these resources refer to students, staff, and other support systems such as bureaus of staff development, departments of public relations, human resources departments. Within institutions of education these resources refer to students, staff, and other support systems such as bureaus of staff development, departments of public relations, human resources departments.

6. Strategic planning This factor provides direction for the institution and is future oriented. This factor provides direction for the institution and is future oriented. Should never be regarded as more important than other factors in strategic management process, and should not be applied on its own. Should never be regarded as more important than other factors in strategic management process, and should not be applied on its own. The process of strategic management, on which the management of diversity is dependent, requires interaction with the other factors, to operate successfully. The process of strategic management, on which the management of diversity is dependent, requires interaction with the other factors, to operate successfully. A change in one factor, or a factor which is not addressed, will result in changes in the other factors, and affect the process of strategic management as a whole. A change in one factor, or a factor which is not addressed, will result in changes in the other factors, and affect the process of strategic management as a whole.

Summary : Diversity management Without regard to race, gender, religion and national origin – inconvenience yourself to show someone else the way. Without regard to race, gender, religion and national origin – inconvenience yourself to show someone else the way. Unleash someone’s potential. Unleash someone’s potential. Full utilization of people of different background and experiences. Full utilization of people of different background and experiences. This leads to higher productivity, better quality service, less absenteeism, lower staff turn over and lower recruitment and training costs. This leads to higher productivity, better quality service, less absenteeism, lower staff turn over and lower recruitment and training costs.