EXPLORING THE STUDENT AND SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES CURRICULUM: A CASE OF HIV/AIDS
Title | EXPLORING THE STUDENT AND SOCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE LIFE SCIENCES CURRICULUM: A CASE OF HIV/AIDS |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2019 |
Authors | Mnguni, L |
Journal | Problems of Education in the 21st Century |
Volume | 77 |
Issue | 3 |
Start Page | 410-423 |
Pagination | Continuous |
Date Published | June/2019 |
Type of Article | Original article |
ISSN | 1822-7864 |
Other Numbers | E-ISSN 2538-7111 |
Keywords | curriculum ideologies, HIV/AIDS education, life sciences, school science curriculum |
Abstract | Science is generally expected to respond to students and societal needs by adopting student and social accountability principles. Therefore, school science curricula are revised regularly to address emerging socio-economic, political, and scientific issues. Similarly, the National Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement of South Africa was introduced to foster a student and social accountable education that adopts relevant curriculum ideologies. Partly, it attempts to equip students with relevant skills and knowledge related to emerging societal challenges such as HIV/AIDS. The aim of the present research, therefore, was to determine the extent to which the curriculum is student and social accountable concerning HIV/AIDS. The current research explored the extent to which HIV/AIDS knowledge was presented in the CAPS Life Sciences curriculum and selected textbooks, and how curriculum ideologies informed this presentation of HIV/AIDS knowledge. Data were collected from the Life Sciences CAPS document and selected textbooks. Results revealed several HIV/AIDS-related topics, which were taught in Life Sciences. While the literature suggests that the citizenship-centered ideology is most relevant for student and social accountability, the present study found that the Life Sciences curriculum adopted a predominantly discipline-centered ideology. It is concluded that Life Sciences may not provide students with HIV/AIDS-related skills and knowledge required in a student and socially accountable curriculum. |
URL | http://oaji.net/articles/2019/457-1561382310.pdf |
DOI | 10.33225/pec/19.77.410 |
Refereed Designation | Refereed |
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