The new curriculum statement and its contribution towards entrepreneurial stimulation amongst high school learners

Abstract

The study is based on the current educational transformations taking place in the country as a result of the new political dispensation. The political changes in the country resulted in changes in all including the education arena. The country’s Constitution was used as a foundation for educational changes. The values such as democracy, social justice, nonracialism,reconciliation, and others as enshrined in the Constitution, had to be taught in schools. Outcomes-Based Education was adopted as a new method for teaching the new curriculum and also to achieve transformation objectives. These changes are viewed by some scholars as a paradigm shift. With frequent amendments to Curriculum 2005, the New Curriculum Statement (NCS), which is the focus of this study, was born. The aim of this study was to investigate whether this new curriculum is contributing towards entrepreneurial stimulation amongst high school learners. The main assumption in this study, which has been supported by various literature reviews, is that developing entrepreneurship skills amongst learners will help in the creation of jobs as well as in reduction of unemployment and poverty, thereby improving the standard of living among the majority of the people. The education system of a country reflects what the country values and holds dear. In the words of Professor Kader Asmal, our education system and its curriculum expresses our idea of ourselves as a society and our vision as to how we see the new form of society being realised through our children and learners. It represents our priorities and assumptions of what constitutes a good education at its deepest level (Department of Education, 2002:1). To carry out this study, the qualitative descriptive research method was used. The sample was drawn from high schools in Zebediela area, Limpopo Province. After sampling had been done, data were collected using a structured questionnaire. A sample of 150 learners and 14 teachers was drawn, using the simple random sampling procedure. The data were then analysed using the content analysis and constant comparative methods. The results of the study were presented and analysed. Tables were used to allow for a logical and coherent presentation. One of the key findings in this study is that, the content of the National Curriculum Statement, especially the Learning Outcomes and Developmental Outcomes, purports to stimulate entrepreneurship amongst high school learners. This has also been clearly supported by the views of the teachers as this study will show. It still remains to be seen as to whether the New Curriculum Statement is actually succeeding since there is a difference between stating one’s aims and objectives and achieving them. This study will attempt to look deeper into whether the Department of Education’s good aims and intentions will be realised. The main contribution of this study lies in the proposed intervention strategies that are aimed at coming up with ways and means of ensuring that the new curriculum produces more entrepreneurs.