Foundations for learning campaign: a framework for effective implementation of the campaign towards sustainable learning environment

[摘要] English: The study is about designing a framework for effective implementation of the Foundations For Learning Campaign (FFLC) towards a sustainable learning environment. In spite of repeated concerted efforts by the Department of Basic Education (DBE), learners still experience significant challenges in reading , writing and computation skills (DoE 2009: 3). The Annual National Assesment (ANA) which is used as standardised testing to sum up each learner‟s development and learning achievement has further confirmed the poor levels of literacy and numeracy. However, for this study the focus is on literacy.Despite the fact that Foundation For Learning campaign was designed to resolve the above stated problem, preliminary data reveal that a slow pace is followed as well as the ineffective implementation of the campaign. This framework is about providing energy as well as directions and inspiration to the foundation phase, creating synergy across all levels of the education system as well as home and public domain. It must also ensure that all learners are able to demonstrate higher levels of literacy.Most of the evidence indicate that there is a need to design an effective framework that describes how principals, school management team, governing body, parents, business people, district officials and youth can provide support in implementing the FFL campaign effectively (Bedder & Medina, 2001: 81) Based on the literature review and the discussions with the participants, a framework for effective implementation of the campaign towards sustainable learning environment was formulated.The results of the findings are that school managers themselves are not well versed regarding the management of the Foundation For Learning Campaign. Teachers also seem to be lacking teaching methodology that will be effective to yield desirable results in particular reading and writing. Furthermore, parents are not empowered about Foundation For Learning hence they fail to support their children fully.The critical discourse analysis is employed in this study. This study is also guided by Critical Emancipatory Research (CER) in order to advance the agenda for equality, social justice, freedom and hope. Through this theoretical framework participants were exposed on the above values unlike a positivist approach where people are treated as objects. Lastly, power has been shared equally and voices of the marginalised have been heard and respected.I therefore emphasize the words of Helen Keller who stated that: 'Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other welfare, social justice can never be attained.

[发布机构] University of the Free State