A study examined the concept of People's Education in South Africa from December 1985, when the call for People's Education was first made, to September 1987. Data were collected from the following sources: current periodicals; speeches, resolutions, and press statements; and interviews with selected individuals and representatives of organizations involved with People's Education. Special attention was paid to the following aspects of People's Education: origins of the movement of People's Education for people's power; key features of People's Education; People's Education and the schools (control over education; alternative curricula and the People's Education commissions; and the roles of teachers, national coordination, and national campaigns); People's Education beyond the schools (people's educations in the universities and in the community and the workplace); and People's Education in the future. The study established that People's Education arose out of South Africa's education crisis and attempts to address the problem of education in post-apartheid South Africa. The study further documented that, despite the severe limitations imposed on their activities, the individuals and organizations involved in People's Education have managed to develop solid and growing community support for People's Education that will enable it to transcend South Africa's present education crisis. (Contains 157 references.) (MN)