STUDY SKILLS
How to change the future for every South African child
In only 6 years, we can change the matriculation (Grade 12) pass rate in South Africa. We will change the way children learn.
Written by: Tanya Vandenberg
Revsion: August 2014
Why do we need a Study Skills program?
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
South Africa has undergone major changes in education since 1994. With the best of intentions, Outcomes Based Education (OBE) was brought in as the new model, hoping to redress the wrongs of the Bantu Education system. However, as is presently clear, there were severe shortcomings in the implementation of these ideas. We identify certain major areas as the focus of the Department of Education's current move to reform, and these are:
Lack of sufficient teacher training for the OBE methodology
Time prioritisation pressure (for educators) as a result of massive bureaucratic demands, leading to minimal lesson planning
A perceived aversion to 'book learning', possibly exacerbated by esteem issues in under-qualified teachers
Emphasis on group work at the cost of individual effort, leading to a culture of passing children through the system, only to find themselves unable to cope with NSC exams, and therefore, higher education
Papers consulted include those below, as well as a long and instructive relationship with educators in South Africa, whose opinions we value.
English: A Student of the University of British Co...
School children at Mitchells Plain school. They dr...
Houses of Parliament (Cape Town, South Africa)Consulted papers:
"Transforming educational management in South Africa". - Gallie, Muavia; Sayed, Yusuf; Williams, Herma
Policies for transformation: An evaluation of educational policy developments since 1994 - Cleaver C. Ota
Undergraduate students' resistance to study skills course - College Student Journal, March, 2006 by Sedat Yuksel
Cardinal shifts in school management in South Africa, Education, GM Steyn
Why Study Skills?
It is obvious that schools that have more money available, through fee structures that the parents support, have more resources.