Can old history textbooks be used to promote the new democratic ideals in the curriculum 2005?
Date
2014-05-22
Authors
Mashiyi, L N
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Abstract
Can old history text books (written in the Apartheid Era) be used to promote the new
democratic ideals in Curriculum 2005? This investigation addresses this question
through an analysis of selected chapters of two history text books presently used in
Katlehong schools. The analysis deploys an instrument developed at the University of
Belgrade by members of the Democracy Education Project, in conjunction with the
project team from the University of the Witwatersrand. Through the instrument, the
democratic content of the textbooks was analysed and assessed. The analysis focus
on declarative, elaborated and implied democratic content.
The conceptual framework for the investigation draws from recent philosophical and
sociological work on democracy. Amy Gutmann’s principles of non-repression and nondiscrimination,
for example, provide the main argument for the necessity of equal and
critical education in South Africa. The analysis and discussion show both text as
deeply floored regarding the availability and nature of the democratic concepts.
However, if used by critical teachers both texts are suitable for promoting democracy
in South Africa.