Physical education in grades 10 & 11: a survey of selected Western Cape high schools in South Africa

Abstract

Adolescence is one of the most critical phases in the lifespan of human beings and is characterised by experimenting and recklessness that lead to social problems, diseases and deaths among adolescents. This poses a major educational challenge to bring about a lifestyle change among adolescents. The main problem of the study was to determine the perspectives of Life Orientation (LO) teachers regarding the implementation of LO with specific reference to the Learning Outcome Physical Education (PE) in the Further Education and Training (FET) Band (Grades 10 and 11) in randomly selected high schools in the Western Cape. In the survey 124 high schools (Grades 8-11) were randomly selected of which 32 grades 10 and 11 teachers returned questionnaires. The Centre for Statistical Consultation at Stellenbosch University did the statistical calculations. Summary statistics using frequency tables and histograms were utilised. The data were analysed using Statistica 8.0 (2007). In the majority of the schools PE was offered as part of LO and in most schools qualified PE teachers facilitated the Learning Outcome. Although this situation regarding qualified PE teachers is positive, it is not yet the ideal situation. This conclusion once again confirms what other researchers have already found that is that either former Guidance or former PE teachers, or any other generalist teacher, presents LO. In these cases, teachers have to present subject matter that fall beyond their field of knowledge. A solution to this situation is for the Department of Education (DoE) to form partnerships with Higher Education Institutions (HEI's), non-governmental organisations (NGO's) and other stakeholders to deliver training packages to teachers.