Strengthening and ensuring that South Africa has a curriculum that contributes to learners acquiring skills that are needed for the 21st century, is what has set the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) apart.
Over the last 10 years, CAPS has been beneficial to both teachers and learners because of how it’s designed. It provides guidance regarding methodology, and the Annual Teaching Plan (ATP) as well as assessments.
Dr Moses Simalane, the Department of Basic Education’s Chief Director for Curriculum Implementation and Monitoring, explained that one of the greatest benefits of CAPS is that it outlines critical skills that are similar to those cited as the 21st century skills. It also gives clear content guidance that gives both teacher and learner a chance to pace themselves. He says in his experience, some teachers have expressed that CAPS is very helpful because its content is mapped out for them so that they can use their time more efficiently compared to when they had to do it themselves.
“Performing teachers are equally advantaged as the ATP provides the eagle’s view of the content which enables them to integrate as much as they can. The novice teacher is also taken by hand as content that should be taught in the given timeframe is provided. There were however, some teachers who complained about the content overload in some subjects,” Dr Simalane explained.
He says learners have benefitted greatly from teachers that are confident and know what to do and that in some schools, the ATP is made available to learners.
During last year’s three-day Basic Education Sector Lekgotla, curriculum transformation discussions took centre stage. This was where a strong emphasis was placed on skills development and the role of the curriculum in equipping young people with skills that are needed for the future. In 2018’s lekgotla and many times after that, the Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga, said that South Africa is adopting a “curriculum with skills and competencies for a changing world.”
When talking about skills for the 21st century, the Three Streams Model (TSM) cannot be left out. Through it, the department aims to channel talented learners into the non-academic streams. It gives three distinct options for schooling which are; Academic, Vocational and Occupational. These are set to increase employability of school leavers and potential entrepreneurs.