The factors associated with economic literacy among black South Africans and the significance of teaching and learning the economic sciences
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Date
1994
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Abstract
The focus of this study is in the sphere of the Philosophy of Education. The research was conducted mainly in Black schools in the Mehlwesizwe and Nseleni circuits, within the juris- diction of the KwaZulu Department of Education and Cultureon order to investigate the performance of pupils in commercial subjects and the perception of pupils and teachers in these subjects. The researcher has established that the offer of a commercial subjects' package in Black schools has always been a privilege, not a necessity, for the purpose of fulfilling the objectives of the apartheid system. This has resulted in a lack of economic productivity among pupils.
Pupils should be introduced to the commercial world by the private sector in order to give them more insight into its workings. There has been little involvement of this kind in schools; and the researcher believes this is essential for productivity and a sound understanding of an economic system.
The authors of commerce text books, especially Accounting, Business Economics and Economics delay in updating information in textbooks; and pupils therefore study irrelevant material. This the researcher believes contributes substantially to the failure of education to meet the expectations of the business world. Education fails thus to attain its objectives in this field.
Most Black entrepreneurs have an inadequate commercial background and thus their businesses are not smoothly run. It is therefore essential to prepare potential businessmen for the commercial world as it exists. This can be done by providing guidance in schools in the commercial stream.
Methods of research included: literature study - the researcher consulted jrelevant books (both prescribed and recommended sources), periodicals, newspapers, magazines, addresses and speeches. Relevant data was extracted. The researcher consulted teachers and parents; and interviews were held with prominent figures in education. A questionnaire was designed and used.
Furthermore, the researcher recommended among other things that the Department of Education should ensure that both general science and commercial subjects are offered and given equal status at post-primary school level. .fill schools should be provided with teachers who are well equipped with a high level of expertise to handle these subjects.
Description
Submitted in Fulfillment or Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of
MASTER OF EDUCATION In the Department of Philosophy of Education
of the University of Zululand, 1994.
Keywords
Economics--Study and teaching.