In defence of history as a school subject

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Date
2006
Authors
Schoeman, Sonja
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of the Free State
Abstract
English: In view of the fact that the majority of learners terminate their study of history at the end of the General Education and Training phase (Grade 9), active steps should be taken by history practitioners and important role-players to prevent the subject from becoming extinct in government schools. It is no longer sufficient justification to say, for example, that some learners enjoy history or that educators are now using an unparalleled variety of methods. There is a need for an adequate and effective promotional strategy to “sell” history in government schools. It must not only convince adult sceptics, whether inside or outside the staff room, but also give learners at the end of the General Education and Training phase reasons to consider choosing to study history in the Further Education and Training phase (Grades 10 to 12).
Afrikaans: In die lig van die feit dat die meeste leerders hulle studie van geskiedenis aan die einde van die Algemene-Onderwys-en-Opleidingsfase (Graad 9) staak, behoort aktiewe stappe deur geskiedenispraktisyns en die vernaamste rolspelers geneem te word om te voorkom dat geskiedenis in openbare skole uitsterf. Dit is nie meer voldoende om byvoorbeeld te sê dat sommige leerders geskiedenis geniet of dat opvoeders tans ’n verskeidenheid onderrigmetodes gebruik nie. Daar is ’n behoefte aan ’n omvattende en effektiewe bemarkingstrategie om geskiedenis in openbare skole te bevorder, wat nie alleen die volwasse skeptici buite sowel as binne die personeelkamer sal oortuig nie, maar aan leerders aan die einde van die Algemene-Onderwys-en-Opleidingsfase redes sal gee om die bestudering van geskiedenis in die Verdere-Onderwys-en-Opleidingsfase (Grade 10 tot 12) te oorweeg.
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Keywords
History, School subject, History teaching, Government schools, South Africa
Citation
Schoeman, S. (2006). In defence of History as a school subject. Acta Academica, 38(3), 21-47.