A1 Journal article (refereed)
Data practices and inequality in South African early childhood development policy : Technocratic management versus social transformation (2019)
Rudolph, N., Millei, Z., & Alasuutari, M. (2019). Data practices and inequality in South African early childhood development policy : Technocratic management versus social transformation. South African Journal of Childhood Education, 9(1), Article a756. https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v9i1.756
JYU authors or editors
Publication details
All authors or editors: Rudolph, Norma; Millei, Zsuzsanna; Alasuutari, Maarit
Journal or series: South African Journal of Childhood Education
ISSN: 2223-7674
eISSN: 2223-7682
Publication year: 2019
Volume: 9
Issue number: 1
Article number: a756
Publisher: AOSIS Publishing
Publication country: South Africa
Publication language: English
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v9i1.756
Publication open access: Openly available
Publication channel open access: Open Access channel
Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/65956
Additional information: Corrigendum: Data practices and inequality in South African early childhood development policy: Technocratic management versus social transformation
Norma Rudolph, Zsanna Millei, Maarit Alasuutari
South African Journal of Childhood Education | Vol 9, No 1 | a834 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajce.v9i1.834
130120 MaL
Abstract
Aim: This article explores how policy texts based on and with the use of certain data practices establish ‘truths’ about childhoods and society, construct families and communities, and determine forms of provision to address inequality.
Setting: In 2015, the South African government published the National Integrated Early Childhood Policy (NIECDP) to continue to address poverty and inequality. Its implementation increasingly draws on data practices that measure and inform solutions. The use of data practices, while also providing needed information, prioritises solutions that proceed in technocratic ways instead of facilitating social change.
Methods: With a critical discourse analysis of policy texts and the introduction of alternatives, the analysis seeks to highlight the power and knowledge hierarchies that construct the policies of NIECDP.
Results: This article demonstrates how discourses and data practices prioritise ‘the government of poverty’ instead of helping to eliminate it and silence the voices of those living with poverty. This form of government through data also undermines the policy’s potential to respond to the different life chances resulting from the diverse conditions in which young children live in South Africa.
Conclusion: This article seeks to re-open a debate that the NIECDP successfully silenced, specifically who benefits, who speaks and who is silenced.
Keywords: early childhood education and care; poverty; inequality; equality (values); social justice; power structures; apartheid; education policy; technocracy
Free keywords: data practices; policy analysis; South Africa; early childhood; social justice
Contributing organizations
Ministry reporting: Yes
Reporting Year: 2019
JUFO rating: 1