Perceptions of Namibian Grade 10 learners and their teachers on the importance of life skills topics in the Khomas Region

Abstract

No abstract. The following is taken from the author's introduction:

Against the background of 54 per cent of the Grade 10 learners having to leave the formal education system the acquisition of these skills would be seen to be important and vital. It is thus vital that the aims and objectives of the Life Skill curriculum with reference to Grade 10 learners should be achieved. This is to ensure that the learner is prepared in the best possible way so as to become an asset rather than a liability to society. Preparedness of the Grade 10 learner involves developing their daily living skills, developing their personal and social skills and enduring good occupational guidance and preparedness

This study seeks to assess the perception of the Grade 10 learners and their teachers within the Khomas region on the importance of the subject Life Skills and the topics as proposed in the national curriculum of the Ministry of Basic Education, Sport and Culture (1997). By questioning the Grade 10 learners and their teachers about the subject Life Skills and the topics, which have been included in the compulsory Life Skills curriculum of Grade 10, one will be able to establish their perceptions of the importance of these topics in the present situation. The study would also establish in how far the learners evaluated themselves in mastering the skills they were taught or have achieved through socialisation

Objectives of the study: Based on the Grade 10 curriculum and syllabus that includes the development of the three competencies: daily living skills, personal-social skills and occupational guidance and preparation, the study tries to determine/investigate: 1. Learners' perception of the importance of Life Skills topics, 2. Learners, perception (self-evaluation) on how well the various skills covered by these topics have been mastered by themselves, 3. Teachers' perception of the importance of Life Skills topics, 4. The comparison between teachers' and learners' perceptions on the importance of the Life Skills topics, and 5. The comparison between genders (males and females) on their perceived level of importance of the skills and the mastering of the self-evaluated skills