THE INTEGRATION OF TECHNICAL SUBJECTS IN CIVIL TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM WITH SPECIAL REFERENCETO FET TECHNICAL SCHOOLS

Abstract

The main aim of the study was to investigate the integration of technical subjects in Civil Technology curriculum with special reference to FET Technical Schools in the Free State, South Africa. The research had used mixed method approach comprised of qualitative as well as quantitative methodology to collect data. The method of investigation included a literature review, empirical study by using qualitative and quantitative method in the form of questionnaires and purposive sampling and semistructured interview. The sample in the research was twenty one (21) teachers responsible for teaching Civil Technology in grades 10-12 from schools in the five districts of Free State province: Fezile Dabi, Motheo, Lejweleputswa, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Xhariep. The study revealed that majority of teachers did not receive formal training on the new Civil Technology Curriculum, therefore, majority of teachers highlighted that they took initiatives of self-training and development on the subject which had made challenges of the subject more interesting. The quantitative responses were analysed by the employed statistician using SPSS computer software and interpreted by the researcher and reported. Qualitative data; semi-structured interviews were recoded, transcribed and analysed by the researcher. The study found that teachers define Civil Technology as a subject that gives the general background of Civil engineering or building environment. The teachers suggested that the Department of Basic Education should provide them with full course training on applied mechanics of the subject and to keep the current curriculum of Civil Technology for Mathematics and Science stream and to implement new Civil Technology specialisation for the new stream of Technical Mathematics and Technical Science.