Abstract: | This paper attempts to determine a rational economic basis for the allocation of resources to education in South Africa. The following aspects are examined seriatim: 1) the volume of resources to be devoted to each level and type of education; 2) the achievement of maximum internal efficiency within educational institutions; 3) the distribution of education in accordance with the perceived obj ective of equity. It is concluded that it is almost impossible for planners to achieve optimal resource allocation in education given the present framework in South Africa. An alternative paradigm based on the extensive application of free market principles is proposed, which might prove more successful in achieving the objectives of equity and efficiency. Notes, ref., tab. |