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Recent media statements characterise South African schools as places where violence, corruption and disruption create unstable learning and working conditions. Although the South African public sector experienced various legislative changes, increasing the involvement of law in education, schools still seem to experience issues that constrain the provision of education in a safe and secure environment. It consequently appears necessary to determine who is responsible for implementing applicable regulations and policies to counteract negative influences, as well as who is accountable if actions are wrongfully taken. This project was considered unique, as Grounded Theory, which are not not ipso facto applied to investigate educational law, were applied to unveil legal issues that concerns South African school principals´ position as accountable officer.

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Nalize Marais is an Instructional Designer at the Centre For Higher Education Studies and Development at the University of the Free State, South Africa. Nalize completed this project at the age of 27, making her the youngest student to obtain a PhD in the Faculty of Education at the University of the Free State.

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