The roles and limitations of district learning area specialists during curriculum improvement

M.Ed. (Education Management)The implementation of Outcomes-Based Education in South Africa is not as it was envisaged. This was attributed to lack of necessary skills and capacity by both office and school- based teachers to comply with policies of the Department of Education (In this concept the educators and teachers are used interchangeably). Due to the above, both institution and office-based teachers started blaming one another for poor implementation and monitoring as well as supporting the new curriculum reforms. Institution- based teachers blamed the office-based educators for the lack of capacity, monitoring and support as well as feedback. On the other hand the office- based educators blamed the institution based teachers for the lack of internal support within schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of capacity by District Learning Area Specialists in supporting and monitoring the implementation of Revised National Curriculum Statements (currently called National Curriculum Statements). To accomplish this aim, Heads of Departments, District Learning Area Specialists, and teachers were sampled randomly from Ekurhuleni West school district. The Heads of Departments and educators were selected from Thokoza, Vosloorus and Katlehong schools, while the District Learning Area Specialists were from Ekurhuleni West district office. The research was conducted in a form of case study. It focused on qualitative and descriptive research style. Various methods of collecting data such as interviews, observation, questionnaires and document analysis were used in order to ensure reliability and validity. Based on the literature reviewed and responses from the empirical research the study revealed that the type of support offered by the District learning Area Specialists is not enough for the teachers to implement and comply with all the policies of the Department of Education. It also revealed that excessive demands and pressure from the Department of Education left schools and districts with no choice but to rush to the implementation phase without capacity building. In order for both district and institution- based teachers to implement and comply with the policy, the study recommended that: conducive organizational structure; combination of support and external pressure; issuing of incentives; reward and sanctions; strategies and prioritizing of work; high level of professional leadership and capacity; district working towards developing partnership with schools; monitoring and support and that institution based teachers should become organized and effective. Finally, the researcher recommended for a further research on the IDSO (Institutional Development and Support Officer). The reason is that these district officials are the ones who develop the management and governance of schools. They ensure that all the school systems are put in place. It is believed that if the governance and management of schools are in order, it is likely that the curriculum implementation might improve