Outcomes-based education: how have selected teachers respondend to curriculum 2005?

Abstract

On the 30 July 1996, the Department of Education launched a national curriculum process. Included in this process was the establishment of an outcomes-based education (OBE) system. This research reflects how selected South African teachers responded to the implementation of an outcomes-based education curriculum, at the onset of 1998. The research also reflects the perspectives of individuals whose task it is to design the new curriculum. The research is housed in an interpretative paradigm and has a qualitative perspective to it, in that it is primarily concerned with understanding the individual teacher’s perspective and experience of outcomes-based education. The case study research method is used, with interviews and questionnaires as the data gathering methods. The research reveals teachers’ understanding of OBE, as well as their concerns and aspirations of an outcomes-based curriculum. A number of recommendations are made to aid teachers and curriculum developers during this time of curriculum change.