Teachers’ experiences regarding their professional development and implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement in Shiluvane Circuit

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ experiences regarding their professional development and implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement in Shiluvane Circuit. South Africa has undergone different curriculum changes to improve the standard of the education system. These changes caused teachers fear, anxiety, confusion, and stress since they are the curriculum implementers. It was determined that professional development is required to assist teachers in completing extensive work during a short space of time. A well-trained teacher is confident and competent. The study employed a qualitative approach to gather information. The findings revealed there is a need for professional development to be conducted by curriculum advisors, monitoring, and support to empower teachers for better curriculum implementation. The objectives of the study were to explore curriculum advisors’ and departmental heads’ responsibility towards teachers’ professional development; the principal and the departmental heads’ responsibility in the implementation of CAPS; the teachers’ responsibility in the implementation of CAPS; the challenges experienced by teachers in the implementation of CAPS; the impact of LTSMs on the implementation of CAPS; and recommend the strategies that can be implemented to enhance the implementation of CAPS. The population of the study was teachers from four selected secondary schools in Shiluvane Circuit. The sample of the study was three teachers from each of the four selected secondary schools. Telephonic individual interviews and audio-recorded observations were used to collect the data from the 12 participants of the study. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse the data. An analysis of the data revealed that curriculum advisors, principals and departmental heads conduct workshops to train teachers in designing year plans and lesson plans to teach and assess learners effectively in the classrooms. The findings revealed that the LTSMs assist teachers in teaching effectively and support learners to understand the subject matter. The study also revealed four strategies that can be used to enhance the implementation of CAPS, namely; regular professional development conducted by the curriculum advisor and departmental head, ensuring sufficient resources are available, the curriculum advisor and the departmental head monitor teaching and the use of effective teaching and assessment methods.