Curriculum and society : a religious leaders' perspective

M.Ed.This study aims at looking at the needs of the society in Gauteng Province with regard to the curriculum for further eduaction and training phase. At present South Africa's education is transforming in order to redress the imbalances of the past. Reconstruction and development is taking place even in education. There is a new curriculum, called The Outcomes based curriculum which is being implemented at different phases. The learner at the end of an activity is expected to gain knowledge, skills, attitudes and values. Outcomes based education takes into consideration the needs and values of the learner, the educator and parents. In South Africa there is now one education department not based on colour, gender, class and ethnicity. In April 1994 most South Africans voted for a democratic government. Now a curriculum that takes into consideration the needs of all South Africans is needed (Government Gazette, 1995:15). This is an indication that attempts have to be made to identify the needs of the people. According to the Government Gazette (1995:19) the efforts of all South Africans will be needed to reconstruct and develop the national education and training system. This will enable us to meet the social, economic and personal needs and challenges that face us. The Department of Education and Training has invited all stakeholders and interested people, such as media and development agencies, teachers, parents, religious leaders, community leaders and workers to help to bring about transformation. This indicates that an in-depth needs assessment is needed to bring about a relevant curriculum for that particular society. The previous curriculum was not acceptable to all South Africans because some stakeholders like parents, learners, religious leaders, teachers and community leaders were not consulted. According to the Government Gazette (1995:20) religious leaders have the right to be consulted and they should also be elected in school governing bodies