The study attempts to examine the implementation of Outcomes Based Education in selected secondary schools in Bushbuckridge, and to provide guidelines to enhance the implementation in the region. Findings reveal that the implementation of the curriculum is faced with challenges that hinder its effectiveness. Hindering factors such as lack of infrastructure, lack of school resources and inadequate teacher development programmes were identified through a literature survey and empirical investigation. Under the empirical investigation, qualitative approaches for data gathering, such as in-depth interviews were used. Participants were chosen from schools in the remote areas of Bushbuckridge, which are experiencing serious problems in the implementation of Outcomes Based Education. The research instruments used were validated and tested for reliability using experts’ opinion and pilot testing. The challenges of educators, school management teams, learners and curriculum specialists in the Department of Education were highlighted and recommendations made. / Educational Studies / (M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies))

The introduction of outcomes based education (OBE) in the form of Curriculum 2005 (C2005), the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) in post-apartheid South Africa resulted in a shift from a content-centred to a learner-centred view on education. This transition took place rapidly as the new government wanted to introduce a democratic education system after the divisive Bantu education system from Apartheid. However, after the changes were implemented, education in South Africa was theoretically outcomes based but practically many educators were still teaching in a content-centred manner. The research puts forward the proposal that drama-in-education (D-i-E) is a useful means by which to align the practical and theoretical goals of OBE within the context of South Africa's current RNCS. This hypothesis drives the main research question: "Can D-i-E be an effective teaching methodology to realise the goals of the RNCS and generate OBE learning environments in a South African high school?" D-i-E is a learner-centred teaching methodology and in practise it meets many of the goals and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes (CCFOs) of OBE. Some of these include the fact that learners can: • Practice problem-solving skills; • Engage with critical and creative thinking; • Grow cultural and aesthetic sensitivity; • Work effectively in groups; and ii. • Learn in inclusive environments that cater for different learning styles and levels. The research examines the use of D-i-E as an outcomes based methodology by which the RNCS could be implemented in the classroom. This is explored through the use of qualitative research in the form of a case study investigation at a South African high school. The case study was conducted with Grade 11 and Grade 12 Dramatic Arts learners and involves an analysis of a D-i-E approach to learning. The conclusion that D-i-E is an effective outcomes based teaching methodology which could assist educators in realising the RNCS was largely reached through participant observation of D-i-E classes and by analysing the learners' journals in which they reflected on D-i-E experiences. The learners' feedback about the experience was generally positive and they reflected that they found D-i-E beneficial because of the fact that it engaged them experientially. They also reflected that D-i-E provided them with a more meaningful and exciting way of learning. These findings are however only generalisable to the type of context (Dramatic Arts learners from a well-resourced girls' high school) in which the research was conducted. The findings provide detailed insight into a specific case study and may be beneficial to educators in South Africa who aim to make use of the same or similar methodologies in their classroom practice. D-i-E also supports many of the underlying tenants of OBE such as learner-centredness, learner diversity and inclusive learning, and can effectively aid educators in implementing the RNCS in an outcomes based way.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / South Africa

At Technikon Witwatersrand, Business Communication is offered as a service subject, which is compulsory for a variety of diplomas and the majority of students are obligated to do the course. Its broad intention is to assist students in developing their proficiency in English, enabling them to cope with studying at Technikon and preparing them for the workplace. Despite the fact that the course is designed to assist them, many students question why they have to do the course and whether it is simply a repetition of high school work. The study attempts to examine the implicit and explicit goals of Business Communication, to explore the process through which the goals have been developed and changed over the years (i.e. how the goals have been constructed), and to elicit and compare the perspectives of the different stakeholder groups as to the goals. Both a qualitative and a quantitative approach are used in the research design. Interviews with four fulltime lecturers were conducted and a self-designed questionnaire was administered to students. These were the main means of data collection. The data reveals that the goals of Business Communication are implied rather than explicit. Despite this, students and lecturers see the course as important. Recommendations are made to help the Department of Business Communication to reflect on their practice with particular emphasis given to material development and the application of OBE principles.

An ethnographic case study was done in the rural community of Clarkson which lies at the foot of the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. Rural communities gathered and developed local wisdom on the natural resources around them. The study shows that in the past, life in Clarkson was characterised by such shared wisdom, an abundance of natural resources, as well as strong community cohesion. With the advent of modern lifestyles community cohesion and practices were disrupted and today, people living in Clarkson are less dependent on each other and on local resources. This study suggests that some of the past wisdom, community knowledge, practices and skills that existed for ages in Clarkson, can still be useful today in the context of environmental sustainability. The incorporation of this knowledge into the new outcomes-based education curriculum in South Africa and the local school curriculum, is explored.

The thesis illustrates the contention that an outcomes-based system with its underlying philosophy of social constructivism cannot operate effectively within a traditional school system. Restructuring of an institution is necessary to accommodate the outcomes-based system. Using the research instruments of interviews, questionnaires, journals, participant observations and collection of physical artefacts, two case studies investigating systemic factors as they influence science learning were conducted in two South African schools. The one school, St Sebastian's College, was an extremely well resourced school while the other, Mtunzini High School was a middle class school in comparatively deprived circumstances. Attempts were made to introduce an outcomes-based education course involving a group of grade 8 learners in the respective schools. Difficulties in implementation were encountered and at best only very limited success was achieved. There were two reasons for this. First, particularly in the case of St Sebastian's College, I designed a course which was over ambitious in that it was not suited to the developmental stage of the learners. Second, traditional schooling systems follow a perspective of education termed 'the structure of the disciplines' which fosters a system of rigid time tabling, compartmentalisation of subjects and emphasis upon summative assessment. In contrast, the curricula I designed involved a 'cognitive' perspective which required flexible time scheduling, integration of subjects and developmental assessment. The conflicts which arose include time constraints and resistant attitudes on the part of learners and teachers. The thesis culminates with some suggested steps to follow should a school community wish to restructure. These include a shared vision, employing organised abandonment, capacity building and commitment to a systemic perspective.

M.Ed. / For many years, Environmental Education was marginalised in the school curriculum, as it was seen to belong with subjects like geography and biology. This alienated it from the majority of teachers who are not trained in science related subjects. Thus only few pupils, who happened to have studied under science oriented institutions or teachers, were exposed to this field of knowledge. On 24 March 1997, the national Ministry of Education launched a new Outcomes Based Education (OBE) system for South Africa, called Curriculum 2005. This marked the end of different education systems that had existed in South Africa, and also opened new avenues for cross curricular issues such as Environmental Education, which did not form part of the school curriculum in the past. The primary aims of the study are: to investigate ways in which Environmental Education could benefit and support Curriculum 2005; to document the process that led to the infusion of Environmental Education into the school curriculum; and to determine needs and problems of teachers implementing Curriculum 2005 and suggest possible solutions for their problems. The data for this study was collected by using qualitative techniques of consultative synthesis; group open-ended interviews; public forums; field studies; observations and literature research related to different aspects of Environmental Education activities. In addition, a questionnaire was used in four regions that constitute the Northern Cape Provincial Education Department. The realities are that teacher education programmes in many institutions do not include courses in Environmental Education. Education about the environment has not been a visible priority in many countries, including South Africa. As indicated in this study, the situation in the Northern Cape clearly gives evidence of this. On the other hand, teachers had serious misgivings about their competence to teach Environmental Education. The enthusiasm reflected by teachers in the province, their potential and willingness to learn, are but a few indications of the possible success of Environmental Education in the province. The major/main problem identified is the OBE terminology which seems to hamper the implementation of Curriculum 2005. Thus, the success of Environmental Education in South African formal education depends on how well teachers adapt to, understand, are prepared for and committed to Curriculum 2005. I believe that if Curriculum 2005 succeeds, Environmental Education will also succeed. If it fails, Environmental Education will probably fail too, since is regarded as an integral part of the curriculum.

Bibliography: pages 84-89. / Proponents of CB claim that the system can provide an effective and efficient framework for a large scale national ABE programme which articulates with national education and vocational training systems. This framework provides a particular kind of answer to the 'literacy for what' question. The emphasis is on development. In this research, this view is contrasted with a version of literacy which gives a different answer to the 'literacy for what' question. Researchers such as Street and Wagner and many of the Non-government organisations affiliated to the National Literacy Co-operative prefer to view literacy as a free standing programme concentrating on individual and local needs. These contrasting positions will be used to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of CB for ABE. While the possibility of using a CB system for the ABE programme in the building industry will be considered, the research will also consider the opportunity of CB beyond the specific needs of the building industry.

Assessment is an integral component of outcomes-based education which requires a paradigm shift in assessment processes. Outcomes-based assessment is more intense than traditional assessment since it reports on many dimensions of performance. Performance is analysed in relation to outcomes and the learning demonstrated and record-keeping is more complex. This study explored the experiences of the Senior Management Team and Foundation Phase educators of a selected primary school regarding outcomes-based education, outcomes-based assessment and its management. A literature review of outcomes-based education, outcomes-based assessment and instructional leadership and an empirical study using a qualitative approach were conducted. Document analysis and semi-structured interviews with educators and school management were used for data-gathering. Findings indicated that the initial implementation of outcomes-based education was problematic, however, effective instructional leadership had improved educators' understanding and implementation of assessment. Thereafter recommendations were made for the improvement of practice. / Educational Studies / Thesis (M.Ed.)

Text in Afrikaans / This qualitative study is aimed at analyzing teachers’ experiences of their role as assessors according to the assessment framework stated in the National Curriculum Statement 2002. A literature study was done. Subsequently, data was collected from interviews with eleven teachers from nine schools. All the respondents teach in the intermediate phase. The schools concerned are situated in the Tshwane Metropolitan area. Interviews were semi-structured. A holistic picture was focused on during the analyses of the interview texts. Data was organized according to four themes. The results of the analyses show that the teachers involved are dedicated to teaching. However, uncertainty as to the exact requirements of policy documents is prevalent. Help, support and training is asked for. / Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Spesialisering in Kurrikulumstudies)