Perceptions of learners and education officials on the provisioning of career education in schools in the King Cetshwayo District in Kwazulu-Natal
Career education is a statutory practice in South African public schools through the subject Life Orientation. Literature reveals that not much attention is given to the provisioning of career education in schools. Therefore, this study aimed at determining the perceptions of education officials, school principals, LO educators and learners on the provisioning of career education in schools. The sample comprised 2 education officials, 4 school principals, 4 LO educators and 200 grade 12 learners. The main objective of the study was to determine if education officials, school principals, LO educators and learners thought that career education in schools met the career development needs of learners. A convergent parallel mixed methods research design was used, in which one-on-one interviews and the questionnaire were used to collect qualitative and quantitative data respectively. A qualitative thematic content analysis was used to analyse qualitative data, whilst for quantitative data, an excel spreadsheet was used to capture and analyse data. The findings revealed that the main career education provisioning strategy included a five-pronged career development support programme funded through the HIV and AIDS conditional grant and delivery in the classroom as part of the subject Life Orientation (LO). Education officials and school principals perceived career education in schools as meeting the career development needs of learners. Learners as well, perceived career education in schools as meeting their career development needs. LO educators thought that career education did not meet the career development needs of learners. Some of the gaps and challenges identified by participants were lack of educators dedicated solely for career guidance, lack of a national career guidance structure and policy, lack of a career counselling service, lack of appreciation of the role of the school in career decision-making. Parental and community influence, and the elusive role of LO and its educators in career education delivery in schools. The study recommends the making of Career Guidance a stand-alone offering in schools by, among other things, appointing Career Development Educators.
Career education, King Cetshwayo District -- KwaZulu Natal
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