With the deadline for public comment on the draft history curriculum just days away, an education expert says the proposed changes raise an important question about how history should be taught in South African schools.
Major curriculum changes shift focus to African and South African history
seven years ago, Basic Education Minister Form a working group to review and bring out a new curriculum in the subject for grades 4 to 12.
A draft has been released for public comment.
Some of the proposed changes target the presentation of topics such as the Arab–Israeli conflict, American civil rights, the French Revolution, the Black Power Movement, and 9/11.
This change has been both criticized and praised.
Professor Wayne Hugo of UKZN says, “The differences are huge. This is one of the biggest changes we are making and that is why it has caused so much drama.”
Hugo says the debate focuses on whether history should focus primarily on learning facts about the past, or on shaping learners' sense of identity.
Hugo says some of the old curriculum has been left behind, but the way we learn about these events will change.
“In terms of international history, this would be things like the French Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, World War I, World War II, the United Nations and how we developed the world order.
“That's kind of the picture of how we came to be as a world. It wasn't the first one, but the problem is that in the first one, it had quite a strong Western bias. It's also true that we were on the side of Jan Van Riebeeck, who came and pitted the Britons and the Boers against each other and fought against the Zulus.”
Public consultation process is key to shaping the final course change
The Department of Basic Education says it is concerned that elements of South African or world history may be de-emphasized or omitted in the draft curriculum.
The Department says that the public comment process is the appropriate mechanism to enhance this before any decision is taken on the final curriculum.
The deadline for public comment is Sunday.
Experts divided on history's role in shaping national consciousness
Hugo says he is divided on the changes but explains why he supports them.
“Often, it happens that we ask, 'What is the purpose of history in school? And one purpose of history is to develop national consciousness. It is to develop a sense of who we are and why we are and what we are, so that we can stand together as a country. If you see that the purpose of education is to develop a strong national consciousness, then this new curriculum will be very strongly supported.'
Hugo says this is one where he can't agree.
“If you think history should give you a broad understanding of the different ways the world works, of the different ways we as humanity have worked around the world, then it won't work for you in exactly the same way. It won't give you an understanding of history as a powerful knowledge structure. It will give you history as a way to strengthen your identity and your understanding of what it means to be South African.”
Comments may be submitted as follows: To the Director-General, for the attention of Florence Modipa, Chief Education Specialist: Curriculum Policy, Department of Basic Education, 222 Struben Street, Pretoria, 0001; or For the attention of the Director General, Florence Modipa, Department of Basic Education, Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001; or by email (email protected).
The Department encourages teachers, subject experts, higher education institutions, professional bodies, heritage institutions, civil society organisations, parents and members of the public to engage carefully with the draft documents and submit focused, evidence-based comments through the published process.
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