Living under a government ruled by apartheid, Harold Herman watched bulldozers destroy house after house in his South African neighborhood. His family and others were then forced to move to an area specific to their race.
Progressive changes began immediately after South African voters adopted a democratic government in 1994. A new constitution and bill of rights were approved, but according to Herman, some scars from the past are still visible.
Herman is a visiting professor from the University of the Western Cape in Cape Town, South Africa. Along with teaching Grand Valley State University courses in multicultural education and diversity, Herman lectures about South African history and politics to groups on- and off-campus.
GVSU's relationship with University of the Western Cape dates back four years. Bob Hagerty, dean of the school of education, traveled to South Africa with People to People, a national organization established to enrich cultural ties between the two countries. Hagerty was introduced to Herman, who is dean of the faculty of education, in 1996.
Since that time, we've developed a good relationship over the years, Hagerty said.And when he indicated he was taking a sabbatical leave, I talked to President Lubbers and asked if we could bring him here.
The exchange extends beyond Herman's visit. In the winter semester, two GVSU students will complete their student teaching in Cape Town. More education students will travel there next year and Herman is hoping to establish similar exchanges with other academic departments.
During his tenure at GVSU, Herman, 57, plans to author a paper on education reform detailing school choice and vouchers. As a member of the Comparative and International Education Society, he will deliver the paper in March during a conference in Washington, D.C.
There are inequities in your schools, particularly in the rural and urban poor districts, Herman said.The key question to an outsider is: can these inequities be addressed without some form of central intervention?
Harold and Marcia Herman have two children: Kurt is a sophomore in the Seidman School of Business, majoring in information systems and computer science and Hayley is a senior at Jenison High School. She has relayed the numerous differences between secondary education in South Africa and the U.S., Herman said.
Under your system, you're more laid-back here and the kids breeze through school without recognizing that you have to perform, Herman said.The thought of being 'left behind' is not as strong here.
In South Africa, if you don't succeed in school, you're going to fall way back. Education is a way to get upward.
Problems and issues in education are not unique to one country. Both Herman and Hagerty believe this and future exchanges with the University of the Western Cape will be mutually beneficial.
Dean Hagerty has a wonderful vision for the school of education, Herman said.I think he realizes the multicultural nature and level of development in the West Cape and how it is a great asset for levels of exchange.
