Education in South Africa Key to the Future Mr. Chris Wood Economics Instructor 2008 Study Tour Participant

Some information taken from a presentation by Mr. Mafu Rakometsi, Superintendent General, Free State Department of Education; and Dr. R. Cassius Lubisi, Superintendent General, KZN Department of Education, NCEE Annual Conference 2007

South African Education Stats 27,000 public schools 365,000 teachers 12 million pupils in public schools 50 multi-campus FET (vocational) colleges 22 multi-campus universities 650,000 university students

South African Education in Brief General Challenges School physical infrastructure backlogs Shortage of qualified teachers in gateway subjects Poor subject content knowledge among many teachers Inadequate access to textbooks and other learning materials

Context of the SA Economy Historical legacy Apartheid racial division of labor. Implementers were alienated from the means of production. Result: a generally weak base of economic understanding among the country’s population

South African Education Dual governance of primary and secondary education (national and provincial); higher education/teacher education is solely national. National government determines national policy, norms and standards (including national curriculum). Provinces are the primary implementing agents, run schools and employ teachers.

Map of South African Education Higher Education (NQF Levels 5-10) Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral Degrees, etc Universities Further Education and Training (NQF Levels 2-4) Grades 10-12Secondary Schools (grades 8-12) General Education and Training (NQF Level 1) Senior Phase (grades 7-9) Primary Schools (grades R-7) Intermediate Phase (grades 4-6) Foundation Phase (grades R-3)

Economic Education in the Curriculum General Education and Training (GET) In grades R-9, part of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) Learning Area. 50%+ of EMS curriculum contains economics. EMS compulsory for grades R – 9 Previously there was no economic education in the lower classes.

Further Education and Training (FET) In grades 10-12, Economics is offered as free-standing elective subject in the National Senior Certificate. Economic Education in the Curriculum (continued)

Teacher Preparation Initial Professional Education of Teachers (IPET) done at universities. Economics teachers must study the discipline of Economics and also pedagogy. Primary school teachers have a less rigorous training in the discipline of economics.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) –Bulk of teacher development endeavors are in CPD. –Some teachers enroll in universities on their own to improve themselves. –New national and provincial departments of education CPD programs Teacher Preparation (continued)

Challenges Facing Teachers A.Inadequate Training in the Discipline Many teachers that teach Economics in grades R-9 have not been adequately trained in Economics. Teacher often teaching subject matter based on a three to five day orientation program.

B.Challenges of Active Learning Teaching Economics in a practical and creative manner is difficult. Promotion of active learning requires a paradigm shift for many of the teachers. Large classes compromise the possibility of active learning. Challenges Facing Teachers (continued)

C.Textbook Challenges Not all learners have textbooks, making the role of the teacher more difficult. Many of the available textbooks do not provide adequate guidance for those teachers for whom economics is not a specialization. Challenges Facing Teachers (continued)

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