M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies) / "The gap between school and work has widened because schools have taken too little account of the realities of the working world. Indeed, despite massive expansion in the upper secondary school system, little has been done in this direction in changing the basic curriculum content, ..• the deficiencies found can be traced back to this root cause. [With a] lack [of] practical orientation and guidance, expectations and aspirations become untenable and attitudes towards employment wrong. Yet, occupational choice, as well as aspirations for a certain type of job are, to some extent at least, conditioned by those aspirations nurtured both in the school and in the social environment, both of which, it would seem, are divorced from reality. Inevitably, disappointment and disillusion are the outcome of this. Often the type of information given to young people about the world is either unrealistic [or] superficial, both. It is then hardly surprising that those initially motivated towards choosing an occupation suited to their needs and skills soon find their expectations thwarted. Convinced that, having given of their best, society apparently does not need them, they withdraw into themselves" (Sellin, 1978 : 54/55).