The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the teaching practice in
grade 12 Biblical Studies in private Christian schools in the Limpopo Province in South
Africa during 2003, with the specific objective to make recommendations towards
possible improvements. Although but a few private Christian schools in the Limpopo
Province participated in the study, while the title implies that all the South African schools
were involved, the findings are assumed to be a cross section of the general situation of
grade 12 Biblical Studies teaching in South Africa, as teaching is more or less subjected
to similar conditions in all the Provinces.
This study consists of a theoretical section wherein literature regarding the variables of
the study are discussed, as well as an empirical section wherein the results of the
research are reported and interpreted with the aim of reaching certain conclusions
regarding the typical profile of Biblical Studies teaching practice in the Limpopo Province.
The theoretical basis is grounded in the didactical foundations of teaching as discussed
in Chapter 2. This is followed by the empirical study (described in Chapter 3) grounded
in the results obtained from classroom observations, questionnaires, interviews and the
November 1996-2002 Biblical Studies grade 12 final examination of the four participating
schools. Chapters 4 and 5 respectively evaluate and consolidate the findings from the
classroom observations, the responses from the interviews and questionnaires, and the
November 1996-2002 grade 12 Biblical Studies examination results.
The main thesis on which this study rests is that the teaching practice of grade 12
Biblical Studies in private Christian schools during 2003 was unsatisfactory because of,
inter alia, lack of work ethics, negative attitudes of both teachers and learners, lack of or
insufficient application of didactical principles, teaching methods and teaching aids, low
morale and insufficient or improper training of Biblical Studies teachers.
The study revealed that the teaching of grade 12 Biblical Studies in private Christian
schools during 2003 was indeed unsatisfactory because of lack of work ethics, negative
attitude of both teachers and learners, lack of and insufficient application of didactical
principles and a variety of teaching methods, low morale and improper training of some
Biblical Studies teachers. The most aggravating factor was that teachers often did not
even show up for Biblical Studies classes.
Conclusively, it is therefore recommended that heads of departments and principals
regularly monitor and evaluate the quality and quantity of Biblical Studies teaching in
schools. The inspectors of schools may also support these forms of control by more
regular inspection of schools, and more specifically, of the Biblical Studies classroom.
Incentives and recognition of performance by both teachers and learners in the Biblical
Studies classroom may be incorporated into these recommendations. / Thesis (M.A.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:NWUBOLOKA1/oai:dspace.nwu.ac.za:10394/285 |
| Date | January 2004 |
| Creators | Mahlaula, Farmanda Samuel |
| Publisher | North-West University |
| Source Sets | North-West University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
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