Abstract
South Africa experienced continuous change in education curriculum. This affected teachers in a way because teachers were not sure on how to implement the new curriculum introduced. They, (teachers), were confused and stressed and then that led to underperformance of learners in some schools. Therefore this study tends to explore and compile literatures on the perceptions of teachers about curriculum changes in South Africa. The study does not leave behind some literatures on concepts of education; curriculum in South Africa; an overview of curriculum policy in South Africa; curriculum changes to mention a few. The study however recommended among others that the South Africa Government should actively involve the teachers in formulating or drafting any policy that will affect curriculum since they are the custodians and implementers of the curriculum. Not only those changes in curriculum should not come overnight; there should a year or two for piloting any new curriculum so as to see the effect and its validity before being released for use in schools. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n23p983
Highlights
A curriculum is the offering of socially valued knowledge, skills and attitudes made available to students through a variety of arrangements during the time they are at school
2.3.2 General aims of the South African Curriculum (a) The National Curriculum Statement Grades R-12 gives expression to the knowledge, skills and values worth learning in South African schools
It should be noted that the South African education sector has experienced multiple curriculum changes since 1994, as the curriculum needed to be revised to reflect the democratic values and principles contained in the constitution of South Africa (DOE, 2008)
Summary
A curriculum is the offering of socially valued knowledge, skills and attitudes made available to students through a variety of arrangements during the time they are at school. According to Mda and Mothatha (2000), formal and legal segregation of schools according to race and ethnic groups started in 1948 when the National Party (NP) came into power They further stated that the racial and geographical divisions in the educational system led to the establishment of 15 Departments of Education before 1994. Continuous change in curriculum affects the lives, relationships and working patterns of teachers, and the educational experiences of the learners. It affects parents by altering the education which their children receive, and thereby confirming or challenging their own expectations of what schools should be like. The question remains: what is the professional role and responsibility of the individual teacher?
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