Challenges faced by lectures in the implementation of National Certificate Vocational curriculum at Mopani South East FET College

Abstract

This research was based on the challenges faced by lecturers in the implementation of the National Certificate Vocational (NCV) curriculum at Mopani South East FET College. The common idea was that the new NCV curriculum in South Africa was going to keep abreast of changes with the population. However, the implementation of the NCV curriculum was not as effective as expected. This was demonstrated by the fact that in 2007, numerous students in NCV Level 2, did not manage to progress to the next level. The through-put rate was low in almost all the programmes. Therefore, the researcher was led to believe that lecturers were finding it difficult to implement the new NCV curriculum. In order to explore challenges faced by lecturers in the implementation of the NCV curriculum at Mopani South East FET, the researcher discussed different perspectives of and the rationale for curriculum change and implementation in different parts of the world including South Africa. The curriculum changes and implementation were discussed considering some of the countries, such as Romania, China, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United States of America (USA), Malawi, Mozambique and South Africa. Scholars have proven that for effective curriculum implementation, there are a number of ideas, which cannot be undermined, especially when there are curriculum changes. It referred to issues, such as the availability of curriculum plans, proper curriculum implementation management and leadership and continuous development of all the implementers. The aim of the study was to explore the challenges faced by lecturers in the implementation of the NCV curriculum at Mopani South East FET College. There were three objectives to this study, Firstly, to establish obstacles, which hindered the implementation of the NCV curriculum, secondly, explore what the causes for these obstacles were, and thirdly, describe the extent, to which these obstacles affected the implementation of NCV curriculum. The challenges faced by lecturers in the implementation of the NCV at Mopani South East FET College were investigated in order to achieve the stated objectives. The findings of this study provided conclusions and implications to NCV curriculum lecturers as well as policy makers; and added a body of knowledge in curriculum implementation. v A qualitative research method was used for the purpose of this study. Interviews and document analyses were used in order to gather information. The findings from this research project focused on four themes a) physical resources; b) student matters; c) staff matters and d) management matters. After considering the findings and results from the interviews and documents analyses, the researcher was convinced that further research could be undertaken in line with the relevant lecturer qualifications, academic and staff development for the FET sector, articulation of the NCV curriculum by businesses, monitoring and evaluation of the NCV curriculum implementation by campus, college management, as well as relevant provincial and national officials. In conclusion, the researcher believes that this study would play a very significant role to assist lecturers teaching or lecturing the NCV programmes, additionally, add to the body of knowledge in curriculum implementation and be of use to policy makers. Eventually, it will assist in bringing the desired expectations by Mopani South East FET College and the Department of Higher Education and Training (DoHET) to fruition.