'n Ondersoek na enkele implikasies van die bevorderingsbeleid in die Algemene Onderwys- en Opleidingsfase in Suid-Afrikaanse skole – epistemologiese toegang

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In December 1998 the Assessment Policy in the General Education and Training Band, grades R to 9 and ABET was introduced by the Department of Education. According tot the principles of Outcomes Based Education (OBE) the previous system of mainly test-based summative evaluations was replaced by a number of cumulative assessments. The principle of automatic promotion, which stipulates that a learner should ideally progress with his or her age cohort, is endorsed by this policy. Despite various other promotion and progression policies which have been implemented since then, this principle of automatic promotion still stands.In this study I explore some of the implications of the present promotion policy, the National Policy on Assessment and Qualifications for Schools in the GET Band for epistemological access to quality education.In my literature study I put the development of the promotion policy in historical perspective. Making use of the interpretive framework, I conduct a qualitative study and I interview three educators in an attempt to get an understanding of their experience of the implications of the policy. I also study the promotion schedules of one school in order to estimate the number of learners who have been automatically promoted and to investigate the degree in which they answer to the demands of the curriculum.I will argue that the National Policy on Assessment and Qualifications for Schools in the GET Band does not necessarily contribute to the vision of the Education Department of 'equal access to lifelong education and training opportunities which will contribute towards improving the quality of life and build a peaceful, prosperous and democratic society as stated in the South African Schools Act of 1996. The principles of equity, access and redress are not necessarily supported by the promotion policy. I reach the conclusion that, despite the advantages it holds for formal access to education, the National Policy on Assessment and Qualifications for Schools experiences some difficulty in delivering quality education in the GET phase. It is often contradictory to the strive for quality education due to the lack of epistemological access it provides, not only for learners who repeat or who were automatically promoted, but also for the more advanced learner.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University