At the best of times, education policy implementation is a difficult and uncertain process. Taking this as a point of departure, the researcher advanced the hypothesis that education policy implementation in a society in transition: is accompanied by a fragmentation of the pre-transition coherence in interpersonal relations among policy actors; is affected by a heightening of value conflicts and the emergence of competing interpretive schemes; is influenced by the perceived self-interest of policy actors; is affected by changing power relationships and structural adjustments; and reflects a general weakening of interpersonal, cultural, and structural linkages that had evolved in pre-transition years. The Indian education system in South Africa was studied as an exemplar of a system located in a society in transition. The data collated by means of three research strategies - historical report, questionnaire, and structured interview - gave strong support to the hypothesis. In addition, they pointed to the significance of variables such as policy content and policy quality, political interference and pressure, bias and favouritism among senior officials, religious, sectional, and language loyalties of participants, and loss of job satisfaction and morale among policy actors. These findings were discussed against the background of relevant literature. This concluded in the development_gf a theoretical model to explain education policy implementation in a society in transition. Basically, the model suggests that socio-political struggles in the larger society tend. to be replicated in the micro-contexts of the education system, producing fundamental alterations in the interpersonal, cultural, and structural aspects of the system, a general weakening of system linkages, and a progressive de-coupling of system components. All these changes recursively impact on and are impacted on by policymaking and policy implementation processes and outcomes. These impacts, however, tend to occur in a non-standard, nonlinear manner. The theoretical underpinnings of the model emerge from general systems theory, modern social systems theory, chaos/ complexity theory, conflict theory, structuration theory, organisation change theory, and loosely coupled systems theory. Finally, the study concludes with general propositions relating to education policy implementation in a society in transition and a set of research and management-oriented recommendations. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

At the best of times, education policy implementation is a difficult and uncertain process. Taking this as a point of departure, the researcher advanced the hypothesis that education policy implementation in a society in transition: is accompanied by a fragmentation of the pre-transition coherence in interpersonal relations among policy actors; is affected by a heightening of value conflicts and the emergence of competing interpretive schemes; is influenced by the perceived self-interest of policy actors; is affected by changing power relationships and structural adjustments; and reflects a general weakening of interpersonal, cultural, and structural linkages that had evolved in pre-transition years. The Indian education system in South Africa was studied as an exemplar of a system located in a society in transition. The data collated by means of three research strategies - historical report, questionnaire, and structured interview - gave strong support to the hypothesis. In addition, they pointed to the significance of variables such as policy content and policy quality, political interference and pressure, bias and favouritism among senior officials, religious, sectional, and language loyalties of participants, and loss of job satisfaction and morale among policy actors. These findings were discussed against the background of relevant literature. This concluded in the development_gf a theoretical model to explain education policy implementation in a society in transition. Basically, the model suggests that socio-political struggles in the larger society tend. to be replicated in the micro-contexts of the education system, producing fundamental alterations in the interpersonal, cultural, and structural aspects of the system, a general weakening of system linkages, and a progressive de-coupling of system components. All these changes recursively impact on and are impacted on by policymaking and policy implementation processes and outcomes. These impacts, however, tend to occur in a non-standard, nonlinear manner. The theoretical underpinnings of the model emerge from general systems theory, modern social systems theory, chaos/ complexity theory, conflict theory, structuration theory, organisation change theory, and loosely coupled systems theory. Finally, the study concludes with general propositions relating to education policy implementation in a society in transition and a set of research and management-oriented recommendations. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

The research focuses on the implementation of Outcomes-based Education (OBE) from a management perspective, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This being a largely rural province, teachers are often un- or underqualified and in-service training for curriculum implementation is constrained by logistical problems such as vast distances, lack of physical facilities and resources and language barriers. In spite of extensive socio-political changes since 1994, these barriers remain. A thorough study of the literature provides an understanding of the foundations of OBE in the light of a need for relevant education in a democratic South Africa. The purpose, forms, characteristics and key elements of an outcomes-based approach are described, as well as the role of the teacher in curriculum implementation. OBE is a futuristic education approach embodying a radical shift from the traditional content-based approach followed in the previous education dispensation. The initial curriculum aimed at realising the new OBE approach, was known as Curriculum 2005 and is described according to its key elements. Thereafter, the debate surrounding Curriculum 2005 and the problems associated with its implementation are identified. The Revised National Curriculum Statement, produced after the review of Curriculum 2005, is outlined and the roles of the teacher, principal and district officials in terms of the new curricula are then dealt with. Attention is then given to the roles of district officials, principals and teachers in managing the curriculum since all three role players have crucial roles to play at district, school and classroom levels. This theoretical discussion provides the framework for the qualitative study in determining the perceptions of these role players in the implementation of OBE in the Eastern Cape. Data was collected by means of individual and focus group interviews with a small sample of district officials, principals and teachers, selected through a combination of judgement and convenience sampling. An examination of documents was also carried out. The findings suggest factors that encouraged or hampered the implementation of OBE at district, school and classroom levels. Finally, based on the findings of both the literature and empirical studies, recommendations were provided for the improvement of OBE implementation in the Eastern Cape. / Education Management / D.Ed. (Education Management)

The research focuses on the implementation of Outcomes-based Education (OBE) from a management perspective, in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. This being a largely rural province, teachers are often un- or underqualified and in-service training for curriculum implementation is constrained by logistical problems such as vast distances, lack of physical facilities and resources and language barriers. In spite of extensive socio-political changes since 1994, these barriers remain. A thorough study of the literature provides an understanding of the foundations of OBE in the light of a need for relevant education in a democratic South Africa. The purpose, forms, characteristics and key elements of an outcomes-based approach are described, as well as the role of the teacher in curriculum implementation. OBE is a futuristic education approach embodying a radical shift from the traditional content-based approach followed in the previous education dispensation. The initial curriculum aimed at realising the new OBE approach, was known as Curriculum 2005 and is described according to its key elements. Thereafter, the debate surrounding Curriculum 2005 and the problems associated with its implementation are identified. The Revised National Curriculum Statement, produced after the review of Curriculum 2005, is outlined and the roles of the teacher, principal and district officials in terms of the new curricula are then dealt with. Attention is then given to the roles of district officials, principals and teachers in managing the curriculum since all three role players have crucial roles to play at district, school and classroom levels. This theoretical discussion provides the framework for the qualitative study in determining the perceptions of these role players in the implementation of OBE in the Eastern Cape. Data was collected by means of individual and focus group interviews with a small sample of district officials, principals and teachers, selected through a combination of judgement and convenience sampling. An examination of documents was also carried out. The findings suggest factors that encouraged or hampered the implementation of OBE at district, school and classroom levels. Finally, based on the findings of both the literature and empirical studies, recommendations were provided for the improvement of OBE implementation in the Eastern Cape. / Education Management / D.Ed. (Education Management)