The implementation of the National Curriculum Statement was problematic to the culture of teaching and learning in various South African schools. If challenges experienced by educators, such as inadequate resources, financial constraints and lack of training, are not addressed, this will have far-reaching consequences not only for our education system but also for the type of skilled learners that will be produced and for the economic growth of the country. This qualitative investigation was conducted in a single school in Limpopo Province with the aim of finding out which challenges the implementation of the NCS presents to FET educators. The sample consisted of educators and learners from grades ten to twelve as well as members of the SGB, SMT and district education officers. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. It was found that the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement was problematic and far from satisfactory. The study highlights the need for the Department of Education to prioritise educational resources for schools and educator training in curriculum implementation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ experiences of curriculum change in two under-resourced primary schools in the Durban area. By examining the experiences of educators using a qualitative approach the researcher was able to identify problems that prevent a smooth transition from one curriculum to another. The introduction of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements in January 2012 necessitated a plethora of adjustments for teachers at schools. Changes were made to the number of subjects to be taught, the notional time for each subject as well as a renewed emphasis on textbooks as a vital teaching resource in the classroom. This study was conducted in under-resourced primary schools in the Durban area. Data collection in both these schools shows that despite the lack of essential resources such as text books, teachers still manage to implement change and follow policy, whilst at the same time ensuring that their learners benefit from the curriculum. This study also highlights the challenges experienced by teachers in under-resourced schools that need to be confronted for effective curriculum implementation. The researcher makes recommendations to address these challenges as well as suggestions for future research. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

This research explores the impact of curriculum changes on primary school teachers at Seshego Circuit, Limpopo Province. It focuses on issues that influence teachers implementing curriculum changes. Impact of curriculum changes was examined. Principals and teachers were the respondents. The study confirmed several consequences of curriculum change. In-service training is recommended to assist the necessary adjustments to curriculum changes. Sufficient time for training is required to avoid covering an excessive amount of work during too short a time. This results in confusion and discontent. Training enables teachers to feel confident and competent. Their task becomes rewarding for them. Curriculum changes are intended for the benefit of learners and teachers. Teachers should not be discouraged when they encounter some of the more challenging impacts of curriculum changes. Attitudes should also be motivated in subjects such as Mathematics. The Department of Education is exhorted to support and guide its teachers to become a force for the greater good of South Africa. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The education ministry has introduced a number of important curriculum forms, including Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in 1998, the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) in 2002, and most recently, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) in 2012 in Grade 10. The latter was aimed at replacing the NCS in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The need for replacement was necessitated by problems that teachers experienced concerning understanding and implementing various previous curriculum policies. The literature study and theoretical framework explored scholarly contributions that are relevant to CAPS implementation. The purpose of this study is to determine teachers‟ perceptions, and identify and clarify possible barriers relating to the implementation of CAPS in Grade 10 in selected schools at Ndwedwe in Durban. For sampling purposes, rural disadvantaged schools were selected to explore the knowledge and experiences teachers hold with regard to curriculum implementation. Exploratory qualitative research design was executed with a sample of purposively selected participants which constitute one Head of Department and two teachers from each of the five different schools. Data collection was facilitated by means of interviews. The findings revealed that teachers were at first eager to welcome and accept CAPS. Furthermore, this study indicated that some challenges emerged and impeded teachers from effectively implementing CAPS. The challenges experienced relate to resource shortages, teacher training, resistance to change, class size, lack of time, professional development, workload, administrative support, monitoring and language as a barrier ( on the part of the learners). The study argues that without proper infrastructure, schools can neither hope nor manage to successfully implement CAPS. Based on the findings from literature and interviews, teachers still need immediate assistance with CAPS related matters. Recommendations are made to teachers, head of departments, principals, subject advisors, DBE and parents to aid effective implementation of CAPS. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study is to explore what knowledge and experiences teachers hold about curriculum implementation and how their knowledge and experiences influence teaching and learning practices. This study is qualitative in nature and adopted a case study research design to explore the Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences of curriculum implementation. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analyses were used for collecting data. The study utilised a constructivist theoretical framework on knowledge and experiences of curriculum implementation. Four Foundation Phase teachers from two different schools in the Eastern Cape Province were interviewed and observed. Document analysis was used to corroborate the data collected through observations and interviews. The findings indicated that teachers had different knowledge levels and understanding of curriculum content and components. Furthermore, this study revealed that teachers’ instructional planning was inadequate. It was indicated that teachers needed comprehensive training, relevant resources, monitoring and support, conducive teaching and learning environment, further orientation in teaching First Additional Language, multi-grade teaching skills, and parental cooperation in the education of children. The findings highlighted that, although teachers experienced challenges in curriculum implementation, there were some who showed willingness to implement curriculum changes and who acknowledged the benefits of NCS previous workshops. I recommend that in order to ensure that teachers implement curriculum changes according to the requirements; the Department of Education and curriculum designers must consider the context in which the curriculum has to be delivered. Amongst all other requirements for curriculum implementation, teachers have to be monitored and supported to enhance the quality of teaching and learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of the study was to propose a model (framework) for effective implementation of curricula in accredited Private Higher Education Institutions (PHEIs) operating in a highly regulated higher education environment in Botswana. The study used a mixed methods research approach that employed concurrent triangulation design. A structured questionnaire and a semi-structured interview guide were used to collect data on the views of both 306 lecturers and 12 academic middle managers (AMMs) respectively, on how the curriculum is implemented in the accredited PHEIs. Data analysis was done using statistical tables, Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), Mann Whitney U-Test, regression analysis, correlation analysis and structural equation modelling (SEM). Results of the study showed that characteristics of the external environment, lecturer, institution as well as characteristics and conception of the curriculum were all statistically, significantly and positively related to effective curriculum implementation in accredited PHEIs and hence acted as predictors of effective curriculum implementation in these institutions. The study also showed that factors in the above predictor variables which included heavy workloads, lack of training on pedagogical issues, limited opportunities for staff development in some of the PHEIs, limited teaching resources as well as a highly regulated higher education environment were major challenges affecting effective curriculum implementation in the PHEIS. It emerged from the study that a 1% improvement on each of the predictor variables could lead to improvements in the way curriculum is currently implemented in these institutions. Based on these results, a framework was proposed for enhancing curriculum implementation in accredited PHEIs. / Inhloso yalolu cwaningo kwabe kuwukuthuthukisa imodeli yokuqaliswa kwekharikhulamu ngempumelelo eziKhungweni Zemfundo Ephakeme Zangasese ezigunyaziwe (ama-PHEI) eziqhuba umsebenzi wazo ngaphansi kwesimo semfundo ephakeme esilawulwa kakhulu. Lolu cwaningo lwasebenzisa indlela yokucwaninga exubile ngokulandela i-concurrent triangulation design. Ucwaningo lwasebenzisa i-structured questionnaire kanye ne-semi-structured interview guide ukuqoqa idatha mayelana nemibono yabafundisi basenyuvesi abangama-306 kanye nabaphathi bezikhungo zemfundo ephakeme abasezikhundleni zokuphatha ezimaphakathi (ama-AMM) abayi-12, ngokulandelana, mayelana nendlela okuqaliswa ngayo ikharikhulamu kuma-PHEI agunyaziwe. Ukuhlaziywa kwedatha kwenziwa ngokusebenzisa amathebula ezibalo, i-Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), i-Mann Whitney U-Test, i-regression analysis, i-correlation analysis kanye ne-structural equation modelling (SEM). Imiphumela yocwaningo yabonisa ukuthi izici zobunjalo besimo sangaphandle, izici zomfundisi, izici zesikhungo kanye nezici eziphathelene nekharikhulamu kanye nomsuka womqondo wokusungulwa kwayo, konke kwabe kukhombisa ukuhlobana okucacile futhi obuboniswa nayizibalo phakathi kwalokhu nokuqaliswa kwekharikhulamu ngempumelelo kuma-PHEI agunyaziwe futhi ngalokho-ke lokhu kwasebenza njengezibikezeli zokuqaliswa kwekharikhulamu ngempumelelo kulezi zikhungo. Ucwaningo lwabonisa nokuthi ezinye izimo, ngaphezu kwezibikezeli, ezibandakanya umsebenzi omningi ngokweqile okumele wenziwe ngumfundisi ngamunye, ukuntuleka kokuqeqeshwa mayelana nezindaba eziphathelene nokufundisa, amathuba ayingcosana kakhulu okuthuthukiswa kwabasebenzi kwezinye zalezi zikhungo ezingama-PHEI, izinsizakufundisa eziyingcosana kanye nesimo semfundo ephakeme esilawulwa kakhulu, kwabe kuyizinselelo ezinkulu ezinomthelela ekuqalisweni kwekharikhulamu ngempumelelo ezikhungweni ezingama-PHEI. Kwahlaluka ocwaningweni ukuthi ukuphuculwa kwesimo nge-1% esibikezelweni ngasinye kungaholela ekutheni ibe ngcono indlela okusetshenziswa ngayo ikharikhulamu kulezi zikhungo. Ngokususela kule miphumela, kwathuthukiswa imodeli yokwenza ngcono ukuqaliswa kwekharikhulamu kuma-PHEI agunyaziwe. / Die doel van die studie was om ʼn model (raamwerk) voor te stel vir doeltreffende kurrikulumimplementering in geakkrediteerde private hoëronderwysinstellings (PHEIs) wat in ʼn hoogs gereguleerde hoëronderwysomgewing funksioneer. ʼn Gemengdemetode-navorsingsbenadering is gevolg, met gebruik van gelyktydige-triangulasie-ontwerp. ʼn Gestruktureerde vraelys en ʼn halfgestruktureerde onderhoudsgids is gebruik om data in te samel oor die sienings van 306 dosente en 12 akademiese middelbestuurders (AMMs) onderskeidelik, oor hoe die kurrikulum geïmplementeer word in die geakkrediteerde PHEIs. Data is ontleed met behulp van statistiese tabelle, Analise van Variansie (ANOVA), die Mann Whitney U-Test, regressieontleding, korrelasieontleding en strukturele vergelykingsmodellering (SEM). Die resultate van die studie het getoon dat eienskappe van die eksterne omgewing; van die dosent; van die instelling, sowel as eienskappe en beskouings van die kurrikulum, almal positiewe, beduidende en statistiese verwantskappe met doeltreffende kurrikulumimplementering in geakkrediteerde PHEIs het, en dus as voorspellers van doeltreffende kurrikulumimplementering in hierdie instellings opgetree het. Die studie het ook getoon dat faktore in die bogenoemde voorspellerveranderlikes – insluitende aansienlike werkslas, gebrek aan opleiding oor pedagogiese kwessies, beperkte geleenthede vir personeelontwikkeling in sommige van die PHEIs, beperkte onderrighulpbronne, sowel as ʼn hoogs gereguleerde hoëronderwysomgewing – groot uitdagings was wat doeltreffende kurrikulumimplementering in die PHEIs beïnvloed het. Dit het uit die studie geblyk dat ʼn 1%-verbetering in elk van die voorspellerveranderlikes verbeteringe kan teweegbring in die manier waarop die kurrikulum in hierdie instellings geïmplementeer word. Op grond van hierdie resultate is ʼn raamwerk voorgestel om kurrikulumimplementering in geakkrediteerde PHEIs te versterk. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum and Instructional Studies)

The study focused on the role of the school management team in curriculum change management. Apart from a literature review, an empirical investigation based on a qualitative research paradigm involving semi-structured individual and focus group interviews was used to collect data at three secondary schools in the Tshilamba circuit in Limpopo Province. Literature findings revealed that although, in the first place, politically inclined the introduction of Curriculum 2005 was also steered by the socio-economic needs of the country. Empirical findings elicited that although managing curriculum changes was a challenging effort on account of an initial and continuous lack of adequate training, the school management teams of the selected schools were acquainted with significant knowledge and skills on curriculum change management. This pertains to lesson plan management, supporting and monitoring educators, managing the school register and timetable and managing school finances to select teaching and learning resources. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

The purpose of the research in this mini-dissertation was to explore the perceptions of teachers regarding the implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) in one of the schools in Nzhelele West Circuit. The particular area was chosen because there are a number of rural, disadvantaged schools. The study further identified and clarified the possible obstacles to the implementation of CAPS. This study was exploratory and qualitative in nature, and adopted a case study research design to investigate teachers’ perceptions of the implementation of CAPS in the chosen area. The research was performed with a sample of purposively selected participants, namely the principal, one Head of Department, and four teachers. Semi-structured interviews, observation and document analyses were the methods of data collection. Document analysis was used to corroborate the data collected through observation and interviews. The findings indicated that teachers were not ready to accept and implement the new curriculum. Although the findings highlighted the differences in their knowledge regarding the introduction of CAPS, they shared the same sentiments regarding the interpretation and understanding of CAPS content and components. Furthermore, this study revealed that some encounters impeded teachers from successfully implementing the CAPS. It was clear that teachers required comprehensive orientation and further training on the subject, as well as relevant teaching and learning support material, support and frequent monitoring, proper infrastructure, and a conducive teaching and learning environment. The findings highlighted that without the mentioned challenges, it was not possible to successfully implement CAPS. Based on the findings from interviews, observations and document analysis, the study made the following recommendations: in order to ensure effective CAPS implementation, the Department of Education and curriculum designers have to consult widely and involve teachers and parents during the planning phase. In addition, teacher development has to be a priority in the process of introducing every new curriculum, and teachers need to be monitored and supported in order to enhance the quality of teaching and learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study is to explore what knowledge and experiences teachers hold about curriculum implementation and how their knowledge and experiences influence teaching and learning practices. This study is qualitative in nature and adopted a case study research design to explore the Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences of curriculum implementation. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analyses were used for collecting data. The study utilised a constructivist theoretical framework on knowledge and experiences of curriculum implementation. Four Foundation Phase teachers from two different schools in the Eastern Cape Province were interviewed and observed. Document analysis was used to corroborate the data collected through observations and interviews. The findings indicated that teachers had different knowledge levels and understanding of curriculum content and components. Furthermore, this study revealed that teachers’ instructional planning was inadequate. It was indicated that teachers needed comprehensive training, relevant resources, monitoring and support, conducive teaching and learning environment, further orientation in teaching First Additional Language, multi-grade teaching skills, and parental cooperation in the education of children. The findings highlighted that, although teachers experienced challenges in curriculum implementation, there were some who showed willingness to implement curriculum changes and who acknowledged the benefits of NCS previous workshops. I recommend that in order to ensure that teachers implement curriculum changes according to the requirements; the Department of Education and curriculum designers must consider the context in which the curriculum has to be delivered. Amongst all other requirements for curriculum implementation, teachers have to be monitored and supported to enhance the quality of teaching and learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ experiences of curriculum change in two under-resourced primary schools in the Durban area. By examining the experiences of educators using a qualitative approach the researcher was able to identify problems that prevent a smooth transition from one curriculum to another. The introduction of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements in January 2012 necessitated a plethora of adjustments for teachers at schools. Changes were made to the number of subjects to be taught, the notional time for each subject as well as a renewed emphasis on textbooks as a vital teaching resource in the classroom. This study was conducted in under-resourced primary schools in the Durban area. Data collection in both these schools shows that despite the lack of essential resources such as text books, teachers still manage to implement change and follow policy, whilst at the same time ensuring that their learners benefit from the curriculum. This study also highlights the challenges experienced by teachers in under-resourced schools that need to be confronted for effective curriculum implementation. The researcher makes recommendations to address these challenges as well as suggestions for future research. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)