Why is OBE failing in the township schools of the Free State Goldfields?

Abstract

The learners going through outcomes-based education (OBE) were expected to acquire skills which would help them to become critical thinkers, good workers and good citizens. However, this is not happening for learners in the Free State Goldfields' township schools, due to the unsuccessful implementation of OBE in these schools. The purpose of this study is to investigate why OBE is failing in the Free State Goldfields' township schools. In order to determine these reasons, a questionnaire was developed and administered on 183 educators from township primary schools in the Free State Goldfields. Focus group interviews were also conducted to confirm information collected through the questionnaire. Data collected was qualitatively analysed. It was found that the inadequate professional training received by educators, the poor home backgrounds of learners, illiteracy of parents, and a lack of adequate resources and facilities were the main reasons why the implementation of OBE was not succeeding in these schools. The re-training of the township school educators, the involvement of parents and the provision of resources may help to implement OBE more effectively in these schools.