A critical study of a continuing professional development orientation programme for educators

Abstract

This study focuses on the extent to which the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Professional Development (PD) orientation programme for Intermediate Phase educators achieved its intended outcomes. The study was conducted with 17 Intermediate Phase educators who attended the NCS PD orientation programme, which was presented by the Department of Education officials. This orientation programme was aimed at ensuring that Intermediate Phase educators are equipped with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to implement the NCS effectively. The participants in this study are all Intermediate Phase educators in Mpumalanga Province, Nkangala Region. The researcher used both quantitative and qualitative methods in gathering data. Questionnaires, interviews and documentary analysis were used as data streams. The study revealed that the NCS PD orientation programme achieved its intended outcomes but the majority of teachers are still struggling to implement the NCS in line with the requirements of the NCS policy. The research also revealed that the support these educators obtain from the district subject advisors result in these educators developing a dependency syndrome and therefore compromising their professional roles as designers of learning programmes and constructors of knowledge (constructivist approach to teaching and learning). Copyright