'n Evaluering van Bybelkunde as keusevak in Transvaalse Afrikaanse sekondêre skole

[摘要] This study has attempted to evaluate Biblical Studies as a choice subject inTransvaal Afrikaans secondary schools.The period prior to 1969 was characterized by various persons and instancesstriving to have Biblical Studies introduced as an academic subject with the Bibleas its primary source. To achieve this they continually endeavoured to changethe status of Religious Instruction to that of an examination subject. This approach,more than any other reason delayed the introduction of Biblical Studies.The break-through for the introduction of Biblical Studies came about on the10th of September 1965 owing to the efforts of Dr. A.L. Kotzee, Director ofEducation, and at the time Professional Assistant to the Transvaal EducationDepartment. His move that Biblical Studies be introduced as a choice subject forboth final examinations was accepted and from January 1969 this was realized.The number of candidates taking Biblical Studies grew very rapidly until 1973.Since then there was a marked reduction in the number of candidates. The sameapplies to the number of schools introducing the subject. This has become soserious that the subject is in danger of disappearing from the curriculum of someschools.The syllabus for Biblical Studies which has been followed in Transvaal secondaryschools since January 1969 made provision that the subject could only be takenas from standard 9, on the standard grade level only, while the final examinationwas based upon the work of standards 9 and 10. The result of this study seemsto be that the aforementioned aspects were not conducive to the establishmentand growth of Biblical Studies as a choice subject.The new core syllabus for Biblical Studies was introduced in Transvaal secondaryschools in January 1973. This syllabus was extended into a syllabus for Transvaalsecondary schools and makes provision for the subject being taken as fromstandard 8. Furthermore the subject is offered at both standard and higher gradelevels with a final examination based only upon the work of the standard 1 0year. In spite of the more favourable conditions Biblical Studies has according tostatistics, declined as a subject.For the purpose of evaluating Biblical Studies as a choice subject, chapter 2 ofthis study considers the educational value of the subject with regard to its name,nature, aims and place in the educational situation. Criteria were determined andthe following aspects were taken into consideration: The Bible and Christianparenthood, baptismal creed, the syllabus for Biblical Studies, methodologicalguidance in the syllabus, organization and planning, differentiated education,Religious Instruction, inspection and guidance, Law 39 of 1967 and the valueof Biblical Studies in practice.In order to determine whether Biblical Studies meets the demands of the criteriamentioned, the 31 schools offering the subject, were requested to complete threequestionnaires. Thirty schools responded and this study therefore gives a comprehensiveview of Biblical Studies at Transvaal Afrikaans secondary schools.Questionnaires were completed by the headmaster, the teacher for Biblical Studiesin standard 10 and all standard 1 0 pupils who took the subject in 197 5.Chapter 4 analysis the information and chapter 5 evaluates Biblical Studies accordingto the criteria set out in chapter 2. Chapter 6 focuses on the shortcomingsthat became evident and makes certain recommendations for the improvement ofthe situation.The particular assets found are to a great extent negated by many shortcomingsand other dangers. The most serious of these is the dwindling number of pupilstaking the subject.If all instances concerned were to take notice of the recommendations of thisinvestigation, it seems possible that the future of Biblical Studies as a choice subjectmay be assured. This matter concerns pupils, parents, the South Africannation and the church. Above all however, it concerns the Kingdom of God. Thesympathetic attitude of the Transvaal Education Department is praiseworthy.

[发布机构] North-West University