Educators' experiences of an outcomes-based education pilot programme : a case study of Crystal Point Secondary School (Kwazulu-Natal)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:After the dismantling of apartheid in South Africa, the transformation of the entireeducation system began with a plethora of new policies introduced by the Departmentof National Education (DNE). Among these, under the title of Curriculum 2005, theDNE introduced an outcomes-based education (OBE) curriculum for schools.Before the planned implementation of OBE in the Senior Phase of the GeneralEducation and Training (GET) band, the DNE decided to conduct a pilot programmeat the beginning of 1999. The intention of the programme, among others, was to testthe practical implementation of the new curriculum policy. However, this programmewas aborted by the DNE in March 200 I. There has been no review of the programmesince it was suspended.The aim of this study is to document the experiences of educators in an OBE pilotprogramme in a single school. This study is significant because it sheds light onrealities faced by schools with the practical implementation of curriculum policy. Thedata generated from the study might therefore be useful to the broad educationcommunity.The findings of the study suggest that the shift from policy into practice is not asimple process. The educators interviewed in the study indicated that they were facedwith many obstacles and challenges such as large class sizes, lack of resources andinadequate training and support that impeded the implementation of OBE. Theybecame frustrated and were relieved when the programme was aborted. Thesedifficulties suggest that contextual realities need to be considered in the developmentof curriculum policy. In addition, in order to translate policy into practice key aspectsof curriculum, i.e. curriculum development, learning materials and training, must befully in place and in alignment.The decision to follow an OBE model was made by the DNE with little participationby the broader education community. However, it is apparent that the DNE cannotachieve success on its own. Since OBE is likely to remain with us for a very longtime, this study concludes with recommendations for the successful implementation of OBE. The recommendations are made on the assumption that there is a need forfull participation of all stakeholders to bridge the 'gaps' between policy-making andpolicy implementation.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University