1 Introduction

We discussed the importance of educational equity, especially the changes in the starting point equity of higher education during the new democratic period in South Africa. Since 1994, the South African government has abolished the apartheid university management system and ensured educational equity through laws and mechanisms such as the Higher Education Act. The study reviewed the impact of policies during the period of racial segregation on starting point fairness, analyzed the reform measures of the government in the new democratic era and their role in maintaining starting point fairness, and pointed out historical legacy issues. Finally, the current challenges faced were outlined and recommendations were proposed.

Higher education policies before the strengthening of racial segregation (before 1948)

Higher education in South Africa originated during the colonial period, initially established by Dutch and British missionaries as church schools with the aim of spreading Christianity and transforming Africans. The colonial government supported church education as a tool for conquering Africans. The South African Institute and the South African Mining Institute were early higher education institutions primarily serving colonial rule. Colonial education centered around Europe and suppressed indigenous knowledge in Africa, resulting in an unfair starting point for higher education. At the beginning of the 20th century, racism began to infiltrate the education system, and a model of racial segregation education was initially formed. Although some church schools criticized it, they were unable to effectively oppose it.

Higher education policies during the period of intensified racial segregation (1948-1994)

After the South African Nationalist Party came to power in 1948, it strengthened racial segregation through racist laws, dividing the population into four categories: white, colored, Indian, and black. The "divide and conquer" policy is implemented in the field of higher education, where white people enjoy high-quality educational resources while non white groups are deprived of learning opportunities. The 1953 Bantu Education Act ensured the implementation of racial segregation in the field of education, while the 1959 University Education Expansion Act required government approval for non white higher education institutions. In the 1960s, the "Colored People's Education Act" and the "Indian Education Act" further established discriminatory education policies against people of color and Indians. In 1985, the number of white universities in South African higher education institutions far exceeded that of non white universities by race. White universities have abundant resources, while non white universities have poor conditions. Racial segregation has led to a huge gap in the quality of higher education between white and non white people, exacerbating the wealth gap and ethnic conflicts in society, and hindering the development of South African society.

Higher Education Policies in the New Democratic Era (1994 present)

After the establishment of the new democratic government in South Africa in 1994, a series of policies were implemented to promote equity in higher education and address the legacy of colonialism and racial segregation. The 1996 Constitution guarantees citizens' basic right to education and eliminates the impact of racial discrimination. The Higher Education Law of 1997 explicitly aims to correct discrimination, ensure representativeness and fairness. The 1999 National Student Financial Assistance Program Law provides financial assistance to economically disadvantaged students. In 2006, the National Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development and the White Paper on Reconstruction and Development Plan planned educational reforms to address social inequality. The 2001 Declaration on Values, Education, and Democracy provides value orientation. The education reform in the new democratic era has had a positive impact on promoting educational equity, individual development, ethnic integration, and social equality. Ensuring fairness in the starting point of higher education, promoting fairness in the educational process and outcomes, and promoting equal employment opportunities. Non white groups have equal access to education opportunities, narrowing the gap with white people and promoting ethnic exchange. Fairness in higher education helps narrow the wealth gap and improve social inequality.

5 Challenges Faced by Equity in the Starting Point of Higher Education in South Africa at the Current Stage

Since democratization in 1994, the South African government has been committed to promoting equity in the starting point of higher education, but faces many challenges. The legacy issues of colonialism and racial segregation have not been fully resolved, such as the racially segregated slums caused by the Specific Residential Areas Act, outdated basic education infrastructure and teacher qualifications, which affect equity in higher education. The educational policies during the period of racial segregation had a profound impact. Despite the promotion of multilingualism in the constitution and policies, higher education institutions were still dominated by English or Afrikaans, resulting in many black students being unable to obtain admission qualifications or complete their studies due to language barriers. The economic gap between the rich and the poor is also an important factor. Despite preferential policies, students from the working class and impoverished rural areas have limited access to education, and funding programs face financial difficulties and insufficient support. Since the 21st century, the direction of reform has shifted towards prioritizing efficiency. The merger of universities has led to an increase in tuition fees for traditional black universities, while the enrollment and fees of academically advantaged universities have not decreased. In 2016 and 2017, large-scale student movements erupted, and the fairness of the starting point of higher education has not been improved.

6 Conclusion

The issue of fairness in the starting point of higher education in South Africa is closely related to colonial history. During the period of racial segregation, higher education became a tool of racial segregation, leading to the infringement of the rights of non white groups. After 1994, the South African government promoted higher education reform with equity at its core and achieved certain results. However, historical legacy issues and practical challenges still exist, requiring joint efforts from the government, society, and universities to continuously improve policies and regulations to ensure fairness in the starting point of higher education.