Summaries in English and Afrikaans / The bright future of education in South Africa, as in every developed and developing country such as the United States of America, United Kingdom, France and many others, depends greatly on grade 1 teachers' involvement in School-Based Curriculum Development (SBCD). The fallacy that grade 1 teachers can be operated effectively by remote control should be abandoned from the school curriculum. Success will always be elusive task if grade 1 teachers are excluded from curriculum decision-making, because their proximity to learners in the learning situation is a source of valuable information for curriculum developers, a source which is currently overlooked. This warrants a paradigm shift in teacher training programmes. A situation analysis in our democratic country necessitates problem-centred teacher training which will equip the future generation of teacher trainees and prospective grade 1 teachers with relevant professional skills, precipitated by our country. The bone of contention in this study revolves around the kind of teaching and learning problems experienced by grade 1 teachers involved in SBCD in the Northern Province. It is apparent from the thesis that grade 1 teachers' involvement in curriculum decisionmaking is limited to a certain extent because members of the top structure of curriculum planners are reluctant to quit their 'ivory towers' to perceive the real situation of the noble profession of teaching. A profound problem in South Africa in general and the Northern Province in particular is that there is a serious lack of consultation and negotiations with grade 1 teachers, and the implications thereof are detrimental to SBCD. The measure in which the grade 1 teachers are involved in participation and decisionmaking is a determinant of the success or failure of the innovation project. It is thus noteworthy to point out that the grade 1 teacher must be fully supported by his or her academic seniors, to become actively involved in curriculum activities. The overriding aim of this study, an exploratory investigation of the identified teaching and learning problems by grade 1 teachers in terms of SBCD in the Northern Province emanated from this need. It should also be pointed out that our world is characterised by the rapid tempo at which knowledge becomes out-dated and is replaced by new ideas and concepts. The twentieth century has become known as the information era. This has necessitated a change of emphasis in education; instead of the transfer of knowledge, the grade I teacher must rather be taught how to acquire knowledge on his or her own and be provided with instruments necessary for exploiting knowledge. The method of analysis began with in a literature review, with a viewpoint to provide guidelines for grade I teachers' involvement in SBCD. After an introductory orientation provided in chapter 1, the theories of SBCD and Outcomes-Based Education (OBE) were examined in chapter 2. Qualitative research as a strategy to address problems in SBCD was dealt with in chapter 3 by means of identifying the research instruments to be utilised for data collection techniques and analysis. Furthermore, in this chapter, the researcher elaborated on the types of qualitative methods, characteristics and outcomes of qualitative research, phases of data collection and analysis strategies and qualitative research as a remedy in SBCD problems. In chapter 4, the researcher elaborated on research instruments, findings and data analysis. Findings were based on the implementation of research instruments and literature review. It is in this chapter that the theories of SBCD and OBE in chapter 2 and qualitative research as a strategy to address SBCD problems in chapter 3 have been synthesised. In the ensuing chapter 5, guidelines which could serve as a framework for grade I teachers' involvement in SBCD were provided. It is strongly believed that these guidelines will be useful for both Pre-service Teacher Education and Training (PRESET) and In-service Teacher Education and Training (INSET) to keep pace with the changes taking place in the South African society. Teacher training should thus ensure that teacher trainees and prospective grade I teachers are sufficiently skilled to cope with the tremendous escalation of challenges in SBCD. In fact, grade I teachers should be trained to teach learners who must fulfill their vocational mandate some time in the near future. The youth must be empowered for the future, which covers the period from the time they enter school. These guidelines make it imperative for the trainers of prospective teachers to predict the future realistically and to train grade I teachers in accordance with the principle of constancy and change. Future education requires individuals who will know how to apply principles, norms and values and how to design new methods for effective instruction and learning. The final chapter focused on the background to the problem, the methodology of the investigation and conclusions. The study also highlighted recommendations for the improvement of teaching practice and teacher training and the implications thereof. The researcher summed up the study by proposing areas of concern for future research. / Die suksesvolle ontwikkeling en toekoms van onderwys in Suid-Afrika, soos in elke ontwikkelde en ontwikkelende land, insluitend die Verenigde State van Amerika, die Verenigde Koninkryk, Frankryk en vele ander, hang hoofsaaklik af van die betrokkenheid van graad 1-onderwysers by Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling (SBKO) . Dit geld ook vir die Noordelike Provinsie waar hierdie studie gedoen is. Die aanname dat graad 1-onderwysers effektief kan deelneem aan die skoolkurrikulum deur middel van afstandsdeelname, moet laat vaar word. Indien die onderwysers uitgesluit word van die besluitnemingsproses in kurrikulumontwikkeling sal die kanse op sukses bemoelik word. Hulle deelname aan en betrokkenheid by die leersituasie kan dien as 'n bron van inligting vir kurrikulumontwikkelaars. Tans word hierdie bron van inligting nie in aanmerking geneem nie. Hierdie hipotese vereis 'n paradigmaskuif in die onderwysersopleidingsprogramme. 'n Situasie-analise in die Noordelike Provinsie het getoon dat 'n probleemgerigte onderwysersopleidingsprogram nodig is om die toekomstige generasie van onderwysers (veral graad 1-onderwysers) toe te rus met die relevante professionele vaardighede wat so dringend in ons land benodig word. Die kernpunte in hierdie studie handel oor die tipe kennisoordrag- en leerprobleme wat graad 1-onderwysers ondervind m hulle betrokkenheid m Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling in die Noordelike Provinsie, en in watter mate dit aangespreek word m kurrikulumontwikkeling. Bevindings m hierdie studie toon dat onderwyserbetrokkenheid beperk word deur die topstruktuur van die kurrikulumbeplanners wat onwillig is om hulle ivoortorings te verlaat en sodoende nie die werklike situasie in die onderwysberoep in aanmerking neem nie. 'n Groot probleem in Suid-Afrika in die algemeen, en in die Noordelike Provinsie in die besonder, is die emstige gebrek aan konsultasie en onderhandeling met graad 1-onderwysers en die negatiewe impak hiervan op kurrikulumontwikkeling. Die mate waarin hierdie onderwysers betrokke is, is bepalend vir die sukses of die mislukking van die innoverende projek. Dit is gevolglik noodsaaklik om daarop te wys dat die graad 1- onderwyser ten voile ondersteun moet word deur sy/haar akaderniese seniors ten einde aktiefbetrokke te kan wees by sodanige kurrikulumaktiwiteite. Die hoofdoel van hierdie studie is dan ook 'n ondersoek na die geldentifiseerde kennisoordrag- en leerprobleme van graad l-onde111Jysers in die Noordelike Provinsie in voorafgenoemde verband. Ons leef in 'n snel veranderende wereld waarin kennis vinnig verouder raak en met nuwe idees en konsepte vervang word, die sogenaarnde inforrnasieera. Dit noodsaak 'n verandering in die onderwys, waar die onderwyser geleer moet word om eerstens self kennis te verkry asook dat die instrumente wat no dig is om die kennis te eksploiteer, verskafword, eerder as om net op kennisoordrag te let. Analise as ondersoekmetode is in die literatuuroorsig gebruik met die doel om riglyne vir graad 1-onderwysersbetrokkenheid te verskaf. Na die inleidende orienteringspostulaat in Hoofstuk 1, Is die teoriee van Skoolgebaseerde kurrikulumontwikkeling en Uitkomsgebaseerde Onde111Jys (UGO) m Hoofstuk 2 ondersoek. In Hoofstuk 3 is kwalitatiwe navorsing as strategie om probleme met Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling uit te wys, aangespreek. Dit is bereik deur die identifisering van die navorsingsinstrumente wat gebruik is vir data-insameling en analise. In die hoofstuk bespreek die navorser die tipes kwalitatiewe metodes; die eienskappe en gevolge van kwalitatiewe navorsmg; die fases van dataversarneling asook analisestrategiee en kwalitatiewe navorsmg as instrumente in die uitskakeling van Skoolgebaseerde Kurrikulumontwikkeling-probleme. In Hoofstuk 4 word verder uitgebrei oor navorsingsinstrurnente, bevindings en data- analise. In die hoofstuk word die teoriee van SBKO en UGO soos bespreek in Hoofstuk 2 en kwalitatiewe navorsing as strategie om SBKO probleme aan te spreek, gesintetiseer. In Hoofstuk 5 word riglyne verskaf wat kan dien as raarnwerk VIr graad londe111Jyserbetrokkenheid in SBKO. Die verrnoede bestaan dat hierdie riglyne bruikbaar sal wees vir beide Voordiensopleiding en Indiensopleiding om sodoende in pas te wees met die veranderinge wat m die gemeenskap se leefwereld plaasvind. Onderwysersopleiding behoort dus te verseker dat onderwysers wat opgelei word, en veral graad 1-onderwysers, toegerus word om met die toename in uitdagings in SBKO te kan byhou. In werklikheid behoort graad 1-onderwysers sodanig opgelei te word dat hulle leerders kan onderrig en toerus om in die toekoms hulle beroepe te kan beoefen. Die jeug moet bemagtig word vir die toekoms vanaf die oomblik dat hulle die skoolsisteem binnegaan. Hierdie riglyne maak dit noodsaaklik vir die opleiers van voomemende onderwysers om die toekoms korrek te voorspel en om die graad 1-onderwysers op te lei in die beginsels van konsekwentheid en verandering. Toekomstige onderrig vereis individue wat sal weet hoe om beginsels, nonne en waardes toe te pas en hoe om nuwe onderrigmetodes vir effektiewe leer te ontwerp. Die finale hoofstuk fokus op die agtergrond van die probleem, die metodologie van die ondersoek en gevolgtrekkings. Die studie benadruk die aanbevelings vir die verbetering van onderwyspraktyk en onderwysersopleiding en die implikasies daarvan. Die navorser som dan ook die studie op deur areas van belang vir toekomstige navorsing voor te stel. / D. Ed. (Didactics and Curriculum Studies)

The study serves to explore teachers’ enactment of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in selected Free State Province schools. The data was collected by means of semi-structured individual interviews. The respondents were grade 11 teachers whose schools were chosen by the researcher because all the respondents had undergone a week long CAPS training. The study adopted a qualitative approach therefore a purposive non-probability sampling strategy was used to select the sample. The collected data from the respondents was analysed qualitatively and recommendations based on the research findings were made. In a nutshell, the teachers’ enactment of CAPS still remains a tall order for the South African teacher but with sufficient support and encouragement to the teacher from all stakeholders it can become a success story. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

South Africa has experienced significant curriculum transformation over the past ten years. Environment was introduced into C2005 as a phase organiser. Following the streamlining and strengthening of the curriculum, the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) has a more explicit environmental focus in all of the Learning Areas. This has created opportunities for teachers to address environmental health issues in a community context. I work in a rural school and the community around the school experience a number of environmental health issues. In my previous observations I noticed that teachers were not using Learning Teaching Support Materials (LTSM) effectively. In this study I wanted to investigate how LTSM can be used to address environmental health issues in the Foundation Phase. As Life Orientation Learning Outcome1 is a ‘backbone’ of the Life Skills Learning Programme in the Foundation Phase, I decided to focus on this Learning Outcome as it is the Health Promotion outcome in the NCS (R-9). It was my interest to investigate how LTSM are used in team planning and how this planning influences the use of LTSM in classrooms. In the research I observed the link between the activities and LTSM that were discussed in the planning session and those that were done in the classroom. To do this I documented the planning workshop, and I also observed three lessons undertaken in two classrooms, a grade 2 and a grade 3 classroom in my school, where I serve as a principal. I conducted this research as an interpretive case study, and I used workshop, interviews, focus group interviews and classroom observation as methods in the study. The study found that LTSM used in planning influences activities done in the classroom. It also found that use of LTSM helps to achieve the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Standards, and to improve the participation of learners in the learning process. Use of LTSM in planning also improves teachers’ Learning Area knowledge and their knowledge of curriculum development issues. Planning sessions also assisted teachers to address problems such as language used in LTSM and availability of LTSM. The study also found that teachers did not address formal assessment in the planning or in the way they used LTSM. The study concluded that use of LTSM in planning can strengthen classroom practice, and recommendations were made to take this work forward in the context of our school, as it addresses the gap between policy and practice.

This research study seeks to examine the impact of Outcomes-Based Education (OBE)from a developmental perspective in the Eastern Cape. Two schools were selected as research sites, one from a previously advantaged area and the other from a previously disadvantaged area. These schools were evaluated on their understanding of OBE and its relationship to development. OBE was introduced in South Africa under controversial circumstances because of the legacy of apartheid education from which we are coming. Because of that, schools in South Africa reflect the inequalities that are resulting from apartheid legislation. In 1994 the government introduced the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) to eradicate all the discrepancies resulting from apartheid. On the educational sphere, OBE was the curriculum policy aimed at eradicating the legacy of apartheid education. The then Minister of Education was convinced that OBE or Curriculum 2005 would be a developmental approach to education and would take South Africa into the 21st century. Ever since its introduction, educators have encountered many problems with the implementation of OBE, especially in the previously disadvantaged areas of the Eastern Cape. The researcher used semi-structured interviews to collect data from the respondents. However, one set of questionnaires was prepared for the educators, students, parents and education government officials. Because of the qualitative nature of the questionnaire the data collected was also analyzed qualitatively. Each question was analyzed from each of the focus groups and the researcher established findings that were analyzed in relation to the literature review. The researcher then was able to reach his own conclusions on the impact that OBE has on the South African education system and recommendations on what could be done for OBE to be successfully implemented and to be developmentally effective in previously disadvantaged areas of South Africa. The recommendations propose useful interventions, which could be made by the government to assist all the stakeholders involved in education in both an understanding and better implementation of OBE in Previously Disadvantaged Areas (PDA’s). They include provision of support to stakeholders and that teachers should be taught about the relationship between OBE and reconstruction. The research study focuses mainly on OBE and its relationship to development in urban or Previously Advantaged Areas (PAA’s) of two Eastern Cape schools. It will be relevant to the Eastern Cape Education Department in its efforts to implement OBE in schools and it could be a source of knowledge to educators. The conclusion that has been reached, however, is that there is a lot of ignorance about this new system of education to both educators and parents. There is also evidence of ignorance to matters pertaining to the relationship between OBE and it’s relationship to the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). A major recommendation that is made then is that for OBE to be relevant in the South African context, it should help to improve the lives of ordinary people in South Africa, especially in Previously Disadvantaged Areas.

The South African government has shown enormous commitment to the achievement of “Education for All” (EFA) through its policies premised on the right to basic education for all which is enshrined in the constitution. Central to the South African constitution, is a fundamental right of all citizens to basic education, equity, redress, and the improvement of quality of schooling. Further, pro-poor funding policies such as school fee exemptions, social grants and, most recently, the designation of 60% of all schools as ‘no fee’ schools, have made it possible for even the poorest learners to attend school. This has affirmed South Africa’s commitment to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. In light of Notwithstanding the progress made in South Africa in universalising education, there are concerns regarding learner access to quality education, especially in poor provinces such as the Eastern Cape where this study is situated. Thus, the purpose of this study is to further understanding of the interface between learners’ agency and access to education in two township public high schools in Makana District in the Eastern Cape Province. In doing so, the research addresses the current under-representation in the literature of the voices of learners about their experiences of access to education. Drawing on Margaret Archer’s social realist approach to the relationship between structure and agency, the study explores learner agency with the aim of understanding how learners exercise their agency as they struggle to negotiate and overcome difficult and challenging circumstances in order to access education. The data collection was carried out during the academic year 2011, using a qualitative case study approach. Multiple methods of data collection were used. First, data was collected through questionnaires administered to learners. This questionnaire asked for basic information about the schools (for example, subjects, resources and teachers ), parents ( their education, employment, qualification etc.) and learners’ aspirations (their role model; where they see themselves in 5 years; which university they would like to attend; and what they would like to become in future). Secondly, observation method was used to collect data that would inform an assessment of the school’s structure and cultural practices and the impact these have on learners’ access to education. The focus here was also on classroom interaction between learners and teachers, as well as classroom participation, participation in extra-mural activities and voluntary activities, and interaction with peers and others in a variety of school settings. Thirdly, interviews with learners, educators, principals, and parents were used to provide insight about how participants construct their social worlds. In this study the primary data was collected through semi-structured individual and focus group interview. And finally, document analysis was used to analyse the attendance and performance of learners on attendance registers. Findings from this research have enabled new themes and areas for reflection about learner agency to emerge. These themes reflect current and ongoing constraints and enablements towards learners’ educational experiences. In particular, themes such as the following have surfaced: learners changing their lives; the desire to succeed; shaping the future; the value of education; family pride; aspirations and careers. This study addressed these developments by examining agency as temporally located reflexive deliberations of learners upon their future goals and present social environment. This allowed for the identification of individuals’ future goals in relation to access to education and the strategies that they intend to pursue to achieve them, in relation to their personal and social contexts. The findings show the choices and decisions learners are prepared to make and the strategies they use as they engage with socio-cultural environments. Archer’s nuanced approach to agency and structure offers tools to help make sense of learners’ equally nuanced way of engaging with various social structures and making considered decisions about their social environment. Key findings of this research suggest that despite the constraining social structures in their homes, communities and schools, learners make decisions and choices that enable them to navigate social contexts to their advantage. Put differently, for learners, social structures provided the impetus for the projects they created, and to this extent enabled rather than constrained their courses of action.

The Department of Basic Education introduced the Integrated Quality Management system in 2003. This was an integration of the three systems, Developmental Appraisal System, Whole School Evaluation System and Performance Measurement System. The system was seen as to be the one that would allow teachers to play a vital role in assessing their own progress, and would integrate this with the necessary evaluation strategy for the professional development of teachers and monitoring of the quality of teaching and learning in schools. The purpose of this study was to research an evaluation of the Integrated Quality Management System impact in schools of the Mdantsane Area. The objective of the study was to establish whether the IQMS has addressed the concerns and needs of the educators and also establish their views on IQMS. The literature was reviewed to get more information on the key concepts of the IQMS and get to understand how the system should be implemented. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods have been used to get to probe the views of the educators and how the system impacts in schools. The data collected was analyzed by means of frequency tables and charts using statistical methods. It was concluded that educators still do not understand the policy document of IQMS and more training on the implementation of IQMS was recommended. The support and monitoring from the District Office needs to be strengthened.

DEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Management / The study examined challenges in the implementation of performance appraisal on educators in Shiluvana Circuit in Mopani District, Limpopo Province. The study focused on 5 principals, 5 deputy principals, 18 teachers, 1 IQMS circuit coordinator and 1 IQMS District coordinator who were selected purposively, as they were directly involved in teacher appraisal. The study is qualitative which used interpretive paradigm research and case study research design. Qualitative data was generated through face–to-face interviews, with the 5 principals, 5 deputy principals, 1 IQMS circuit coordinator and 1 IQMS district coordinator, focus group interviews with 18 teachers and documentary analysis. Thematic analysis was employed to analyse narrative data for the study. It was established that principals, deputy principals, teachers, IQMS circuit coordinator and IQMS district coordinator experienced challenges with teacher appraisal, challenges like inadequate commitment by teachers, inadequate trained principals, inadequate monitoring, lack of interest and backlog in teachers’ remuneration. The study recommends that principals, deputy principals and teachers be trained thoroughly for the effective implementation of the programme at schools, an expect official in IQMS to be permanently employed at circuit office for the successful implementation of the programme. Finally, informed by the conceptual framework of the study, it is recommended that the Accountability and Professional Development models for teacher appraisal be implemented in the circuit in order for all stakeholders to understand and effectively play their roles on teacher appraisal. To improve the current situation, cyclical stakeholders teacher appraisal model is suggested which suggests that IQMS structures to be set at national, provincial, district, circuit and school levels as substantive offices. IQMS structures to be trained by circuit on IQMS policy and implementation strategies using cascading approach. / NRF

South African educators have experienced problems understanding and implementing various previous curriculum policies such as Curriculum 2005 and the Revised National Curriculum Statement. These problems have made it necessary for the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to introduce the national Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) in 2012. CAPS was intended to improve teaching and learning, but as with the implementation of any new curriculum it implies the following: The need for educator training; Need for new resources; Change in policy; An increased workload. This qualitative study which was conducted at a primary school in the Imfolozi Circuit aimed to determine how CAPS is implemented and its implications on teaching and learning. Data collected from focus group interviews and document analysis revealed that while educators welcomed the introduction of CAPS for its clarity, structure, clear guidelines and time frames however they experienced challenges related to the quality and the amount of training, inadequate resources, increased workload and the impact of rapid pace of the curriculum on teaching and learning. Based on these results recommendations are made for the improvement of the implementation of CAPS. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The study investigates Setswana Home Language teachers’ conceptions of assessment and assessment standards and determines to what extent teachers ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices are aligned. The achievement of the overall aim is facilitated by the achievement of a number of objectives, mentioned under Chapter 1 section 1.5. In order to answer to these questions; namely, How did curriculum changes influence teaching, learning and assessment practices in South Africa?, What does assessment entail and what are the principles of high quality assessment practices?, What is meant by the alignment of teaching, learning and assessment?, Do teachers understand the new approach to assessment and the role of assessment standards in aligning, teaching, learning and assessment?, To what extent do Setswana teachers use assessment standards to align teaching, learning and assessment in Setswana Home Language and what challenges do they face in this regard?, What can be done to help teachers to ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices in the teaching of Setswana Home Language are aligned?, the study utilizes qualitative research methodology specifically sampling and the three data collection strategies, namely, interviews, observations and document analysis, to obtain data from the research participants. The research acknowledges the educational changes that have been implemented in South Africa through Curriculum 2005, which was later revised and led to the development of the Revised National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-9 and the National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10-12. The study highlights that the problems with these curricula led to the development of yet another curriculum, namely the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements. The study investigates Setswana Home Language teachers’ conceptions of assessment and assessment standards and determines to what extent teachers ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices are aligned. The achievement of the overall aim is facilitated by the achievement of a number of objectives, mentioned under Chapter 1 section 1.5. In order to answer to these questions; namely, How did curriculum changes influence teaching, learning and assessment practices in South Africa?, What does assessment entail and what are the principles of high quality assessment practices?, What is meant by the alignment of teaching, learning and assessment?, Do teachers understand the new approach to assessment and the role of assessment standards in aligning, teaching, learning and assessment?, To what extent do Setswana teachers use assessment standards to align teaching, learning and assessment in Setswana Home Language and what challenges do they face in this regard?, What can be done to help teachers to ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices in the teaching of Setswana Home Language are aligned?, the study utilizes qualitative research methodology specifically sampling and the three data collection strategies, namely, interviews, observations and document analysis, to obtain data from the research participants. The research acknowledges the educational changes that have been implemented in South Africa through Curriculum 2005, which was later revised and led to the development of the Revised National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-9 and the National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10-12. The study highlights that the problems with these curricula led to the development of yet another curriculum, namely the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements. The study investigates Setswana Home Language teachers’ conceptions of assessment and assessment standards and determines to what extent teachers ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices are aligned. The achievement of the overall aim is facilitated by the achievement of a number of objectives, mentioned under Chapter 1 section 1.5. In order to answer to these questions; namely, How did curriculum changes influence teaching, learning and assessment practices in South Africa?, What does assessment entail and what are the principles of high quality assessment practices?, What is meant by the alignment of teaching, learning and assessment?, Do teachers understand the new approach to assessment and the role of assessment standards in aligning, teaching, learning and assessment?, To what extent do Setswana teachers use assessment standards to align teaching, learning and assessment in Setswana Home Language and what challenges do they face in this regard?, What can be done to help teachers to ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices in the teaching of Setswana Home Language are aligned?, the study utilizes qualitative research methodology specifically sampling and the three data collection strategies, namely, interviews, observations and document analysis, to obtain data from the research participants. The research acknowledges the educational changes that have been implemented in South Africa through Curriculum 2005, which was later revised and led to the development of the Revised National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-9 and the National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10-12. The study highlights that the problems with these curricula led to the development of yet another curriculum, namely the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements. The study investigates Setswana Home Language teachers’ conceptions of assessment and assessment standards and determines to what extent teachers ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices are aligned. The achievement of the overall aim is facilitated by the achievement of a number of objectives, mentioned under Chapter 1 section 1.5. In order to answer to these questions; namely, How did curriculum changes influence teaching, learning and assessment practices in South Africa?, What does assessment entail and what are the principles of high quality assessment practices?, What is meant by the alignment of teaching, learning and assessment?, Do teachers understand the new approach to assessment and the role of assessment standards in aligning, teaching, learning and assessment?, To what extent do Setswana teachers use assessment standards to align teaching, learning and assessment in Setswana Home Language and what challenges do they face in this regard?, What can be done to help teachers to ensure that their teaching, learning and assessment practices in the teaching of Setswana Home Language are aligned?, the study utilizes qualitative research methodology specifically sampling and the three data collection strategies, namely, interviews, observations and document analysis, to obtain data from the research participants. The research acknowledges the educational changes that have been implemented in South Africa through Curriculum 2005, which was later revised and led to the development of the Revised National Curriculum Statement for Grades R-9 and the National Curriculum Statement for Grades 10-12. The study highlights that the problems with these curricula led to the development of yet another curriculum, namely the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements. The study recognizes the new assessment approach as an important component in the teaching and learning process because assessment provides teachers with information that is significant in decision making in the classroom. The study also discusses the launch of the modern standards movement and its roots in the back-to-basics movement and the reasons behind its formation. It also discusses the concept of alignment and its links with the two well-known taxonomies of learning. The study also embarks on data analysis which brings forth findings that help develop recommendations and future research possibilities. / Linguistics and Modern Languages / M. Ed. (Didactics)

Thesis (Ph.d.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2006 / The research investigates the use of the Communicative Learning Programmes in the English First Additional Language (EFAL) Senior phase classrooms in the Free State province. During the turn of the twentieth century, syllabi were tools that were designed and provided by the Department of Education to the schools. Recent changes in education in South Africa now expect educators to design these learning programmes. The Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) details steps that educators can follow in order to design the learning programmes for their learning areas. Outcomes-Based Education encompasses the eight learning areas in the Senior phase, namely Languages, Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Economic and Management Sciences, Social Science, Technology, Life Orientation, and Arts and Culture. The learning area that this study focuses on is Languages. EFAL is one of the languages that form the learning area of Languages. EFAL comprises six learning outcomes that have to be interpreted by the educators and achieved by the learners by linking teaching and learning with the accompanying assessment standards. Through the use of the communicative approach and co-operative strategies during group work, this study adds to the body of knowledge communicative learning programmes that Senior phase EFAL educators can use to assist and complement their current strategies.