Exploring Grade six teachers' views regarding teaching progressed learners in Lichtenburg selected primary schools

Abstract

According to the National Policy for Assessment Grade R-12, South African learners are either promoted or progressed to the next grade. This study focused on teachers’ views on teaching progressed learners in primary schools in the Lichtenburg District. According to the National Policy Pertaining to the Programme and Progression Requirements, the term ‘progressed’ means the movement of a learner from one grade to the next grade excluding grade R, in spite of the learner’s non-compliance with all the promotion requirements. The theoretical framework was provided by the behaviourist, social constructivist, and interactive learning theories. A literature study investigated the accommodation of progressed learners in Zimbabwe and the United States, albeit the use of different terminology to identify the learners, and reasons for the increase in progressed learners in South African schools since the inception of the new curriculum policy and the progression policies. Against this background, a qualitative study was conducted and a purposeful sample of six primary school teachers teaching English First Additional Language to grade six progressed learners at two selected primary schools in the Lichtenburg district was selected. Data were gathered by interviews, observation and document analysis. Findings indicated that teachers were constrained by overcrowded classrooms, lack of teaching resources and school infrastructure, poor learner behaviour, poor attendance of remediation sessions and lack of parent involvement. Teachers were not trained to teach progressed learners and tended towards teacher-centered approaches. Based on the literature and the findings of the qualitative inquiry recommendations for improved practice were made.