Enhancing economics curriculum implementation in selected schools in the Northern Cape

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Date
2023
Authors
Manzi, Wellington Itai
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
Economics, as a high school elective subject, helps learners to understand the operations of the economy and equips learners with critical thinking, analytical, problem solving and decision-making skills. It empowers learners with the skills required to confront 21st-century challenges. This qualitative study aimed to explore how Economics curriculum implementation can be enhanced in selected schools in the Northern Cape Province through article publications. This study is vital because Economics academic achievement has been reported to be poor in the province and country at large. There has also been literature which documents that Economics teachers face challenges in implementing the Economics curriculum. This qualitative study explores how Economics curriculum implementation can be enhanced in the selected schools in the Northern Cape Province. Mediated Learning Experience (MLE) theory was chosen to theorise the study while adopting case study research for the design and interpretive paradigm as the lens for the study. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, classroom observations and document analysis and analysed using thematic analysis. The study findings revealed that although there are pockets of good practices in Economics curriculum implementation, more still needs to be done in terms of the provision of teaching and learning resources, equipping teachers with proper Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) and improving the support provided to Economics teachers by various stakeholders including departmental heads. The study recommends more meaningful use of current and relevant educational resources and that teachers should undergo continuous teacher-initiated empowerment workshops to enhance their Economics curriculum implementation practices.
Description
Thesis (Ph.D.(Higher Education Studies))--University of the Free State, 2023
Keywords
Mediated learning experience, curriculum implementation, Information and Communication Technology, teacher practices, meaningful assessment, curriculum leadershi, support
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