A critical perspective on the role of outcomes based education in the democratic transformation of education in South Africa

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South Africa had its first democratic elections in April 1994. This achievement was the start of a boldbreak from the apartheid era and was signified by a new wave of optimism that swept the country.Democratic rule and practice has been hailed as the goal so long fought for and this has finally beenrealised. In an effort to sustain the optimism and to widen the cleavage between the old and the new,South African policy makers set out on a course of major policy changes that affected all spheres of SouthAfrican life. Education is but one sphere that did not get spared and on 24 March 1997 the break from thepast was achieved with the adoption of Outcomes-based Education as the official educational approachthrough the introduction of Curriculum 2005.In this study I will argue the concept of democracy and highlight some of the different interpretations thatpeople hold. This is done to establish a conceptual framework against which the South African democracycan be measured. Further issues related to the implementation of democracy in South Africa are debatedto give a clear indication of which direction the South African government is steering this process.I will also discuss the introduction of Outcomes-based Education and focus on the reasons why policymakers decided to adopt this particular educational approach. Various concepts that tie in with Outcomesbased Education are explained and offer the reader a opportunity to form an understanding of how thesystem functions.The research consists of six chapters, with each chapter offering a different perspective on the researchtopic. Chapter 2 contains a conceptual clarification of various concepts relating to the study and theseclarifications are informed by the views of various authors. Chapter 3 deals with the issue of democracyand has two objectives. Firstly, the construction of a common understanding of what is meant by the termdemocracy, and secondly, the formation of a framework against which the South African society could beassessed.The main theme of Chapter 4 is the advent of Outcomes-based Education in South Africa, and reference tothe North American experience is made for the purpose of comparison. In the discussion on the criticismsof Outcomes-based Education the researcher highlights an alternative perspective and discusses theproponents' point of view. This is offered for the purposes of presenting an informed discussion, but alsofor the sake of comparison. In Chapter 5 the researcher presents a view of South African Society against the framework set out inChapter 3. The second section of the chapter deals with Outcomes-based Education and its possibilitiesfor the deepening of democracy in South Africa.The study concludes with a summary of the various issues that were dealt with and suggestions offered.Lastly, recommendations on how this process can be taken forward are offered which includessuggestions for further research.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University