Notwithstanding the possibilities offered by FET subjects in the field of Technology, the selection of these subjects is not very common which results in a shortage of skilled trade workers, impacting negatively on the country’s economic growth. The researcher was therefore interested to establish the determinants affecting Grade 9 learners’ selection of subjects in the field of Technology for the FET Phase in the Sedibeng area. By means of a literature and empirical study the aforementioned was investigated. In the literature study, which provided the foundation for the study, the rationale and value of Technology education and its infusion in the South African school curriculum were explored. This was followed by an examination of possible factors impacting on learners’ subject choice. The literature study was concluded by providing a concise outline of subject choices in the field of Technology as specified by the Department of Basic Education. The empirical study was based on a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design. The research consisted of two parts. A quantitative survey, using self developed questionnaires, was conducted in 17 schools among 10 Grade 9 Technology teachers and their learners (n=388) in two districts of the Sedibeng area. This was followed by a qualitative, phenomenological study in which three Technology subject facilitators working in the same area were interviewed. By applying a factor analysis, the quantitative research results revealed that central and peripheral factors affecting Grade 9 learners’ selection of subjects in the field of Technology for the FET Phase in the Sedibeng area could be distinguished. The central factors included the following: competent, compassionate teachers, the personal and developmental value of the subject, stimulation and the distribution of information regarding the subject. The range of subjects for the FET phase in the field of Technology offered by schools, the complexity level of subjects in the field of Technology, personal interest in a subject and future prospects offered by a subject constituted the peripheral factors. The qualitative findings were used to clarify, refine, explain and extend the quantitative results. The research participants in this part of the study indicated that much could still be done to enhance the competence and compassion of Technology teachers, that the value of Technology education should be better justified and that the availability and quality of resources in the field of Technology education deserves attention. There is thus evidence that much must still be done to make the selection of subjects in the field of Technology more attractive to learners.

Notwithstanding the possibilities offered by FET subjects in the field of Technology, the selection of these subjects is not very common which results in a shortage of skilled trade workers, impacting negatively on the country’s economic growth. The researcher was therefore interested to establish the determinants affecting Grade 9 learners’ selection of subjects in the field of Technology for the FET Phase in the Sedibeng area. By means of a literature and empirical study the aforementioned was investigated. In the literature study, which provided the foundation for the study, the rationale and value of Technology education and its infusion in the South African school curriculum were explored. This was followed by an examination of possible factors impacting on learners’ subject choice. The literature study was concluded by providing a concise outline of subject choices in the field of Technology as specified by the Department of Basic Education. The empirical study was based on a sequential explanatory mixed methods research design. The research consisted of two parts. A quantitative survey, using self developed questionnaires, was conducted in 17 schools among 10 Grade 9 Technology teachers and their learners (n=388) in two districts of the Sedibeng area. This was followed by a qualitative, phenomenological study in which three Technology subject facilitators working in the same area were interviewed. By applying a factor analysis, the quantitative research results revealed that central and peripheral factors affecting Grade 9 learners’ selection of subjects in the field of Technology for the FET Phase in the Sedibeng area could be distinguished. The central factors included the following: competent, compassionate teachers, the personal and developmental value of the subject, stimulation and the distribution of information regarding the subject. The range of subjects for the FET phase in the field of Technology offered by schools, the complexity level of subjects in the field of Technology, personal interest in a subject and future prospects offered by a subject constituted the peripheral factors. The qualitative findings were used to clarify, refine, explain and extend the quantitative results. The research participants in this part of the study indicated that much could still be done to enhance the competence and compassion of Technology teachers, that the value of Technology education should be better justified and that the availability and quality of resources in the field of Technology education deserves attention. There is thus evidence that much must still be done to make the selection of subjects in the field of Technology more attractive to learners.

This study examines which festivals, symbols and stories from Christianity, Islam and Judaism that the teachers choose to treat in religious education in primary school. The purpose is to see what the teachers do for selection of the large number of festivals, symbols and stories that are linked to the three religions based on the wording in the curriculum as the National Agency for Education does not provide a detailed explanation of what is requested or concept of festival, symbol or story. The survey takes place through an examination of the content that three teaching materials deal with in the form of festivals, symbols and stories from the three Abrahamic religions and with a survey where 118 teachers answer what content they deal with in their religious education. The survey shows that although there are a large number of festivals, symbols and stories connected to the three Abrahamic religions to choose from, teachers often choose to treat the same festivals, symbols and stories. The differences lie rather in the number of festivals, symbols and stories that the teacher deals with in his teaching. The results of the two surveys also show that teachers often deal with more festivals, symbols and stories than those found in the teaching materials examined. / Denna studie undersöker vilka högtider, symboler och berättelser från kristendomen, islam och judendomen som lärarna väljer att behandla i religionsundervisningen på lågstadiet. Syftet är att se vad lärarna gör för urval av den stora mängd högtider, symboler och berättelser som finns kopplat till de tre religionerna utifrån formuleringen i läroplanen då Skolverket inte ger någon närmare förklaring av vad som efterfrågas eller begreppsförklaring av högtid, symbol eller berättelse. Undersökningen sker genom en granskning av vilket innehåll tre läromedel behandlar i form av högtider, symboler och berättelser från de tre abrahamitiska religionerna samt med en enkät där 118 lärare svarar på vilket innehåll de behandlar i sin religionsundervisning. Undersökningen visar att trots att det finns en stor mängd av högtider, symboler och berättelser kopplade till de tre abrahamitiska religionerna så väljer lärarna ofta att behandla samma högtider, symboler och berättelser. Skillnaderna ligger snarare i mängden av högtider, symboler och berättelser som läraren behandlar i sin undervisning. Resultatet av de båda undersökningarna visar också att lärarna ofta behandlar fler högtider, symboler och berättelser än de som finns i läromedlen som granskats.

The study population for the research comprised Grade 9 learners attending three co-educational, independent schools in KwaZulu-Natal in order to determine factors influencing the selection of business studies for FET phase. Methodology involved qualitative and quantitative approaches with closed and open-ended questionnaires plus one-on-one interviews. Descriptive statistics were produced and opened ended questions and interviews were examined for trends and influences. Findings reflected wide divergence in factual information, attitudes, and opinions on significant issues such as expected level of difficulty, influence of educators, parents and peers on selection, amount of work required and value of subject for future studies or careers. Conclusions were that there was a lack of completed research indicating a need for future research, greater preparation was required pre-FET level to assist decision making about selection of the subject which should involve parents, educators and input from the business world. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The study population for the research comprised Grade 9 learners attending three co-educational, independent schools in KwaZulu-Natal in order to determine factors influencing the selection of business studies for FET phase. Methodology involved qualitative and quantitative approaches with closed and open-ended questionnaires plus one-on-one interviews. Descriptive statistics were produced and opened ended questions and interviews were examined for trends and influences. Findings reflected wide divergence in factual information, attitudes, and opinions on significant issues such as expected level of difficulty, influence of educators, parents and peers on selection, amount of work required and value of subject for future studies or careers. Conclusions were that there was a lack of completed research indicating a need for future research, greater preparation was required pre-FET level to assist decision making about selection of the subject which should involve parents, educators and input from the business world. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)