From the left is Prof. Johnnie Hay (dean: Faculty of Education), Susan O’Reilly (head of department: Education Studies), dr. Chris-Mari Le Hanie (senior lecturer: Opoedkunde studies) and dr. Celia Booyse (senior manager: Program Development and Accreditation). (Photo: Provided)
Akademia’s Faculty of Education has further expanded its postgraduate program offering with the introduction of the BEdHons (Curriculum Studies) program which aims to deepen educators’ curriculum knowledge and equip them as critical, research-based curriculum leaders.
The program was launched on 20 May and follows shortly after the institution’s postgraduate Diploma in School Leadership and Management was launched last year.
According to prof. Johnnie Hay, dean of the Faculty of Education, was looking forward to this addition to the faculty’s program offering.
“This new honors program unlocks exciting new study options for not only Akademia students, but also graduate students within the education stream of other institutions.
“We see this as an important extension of our postgraduate offer and as part of our broader endeavor to equip educators for a complex and constantly changing educational environment,” says Hay.
‘More than just teaching practice’
Dr. Chris-Mari le Hanie, senior lecturer in educational studies and program coordinator of the new honors programme, believes that the addition of the program represents an important academic and strategic expansion for the faculty.
(Photo: Charné Mostert)
“The honors program strengthens the faculty’s positioning as a training node that focuses not only on teaching practice, but also on advanced academic thinking, research and above all curriculum leadership.
“The program further contributes to the deepening of research capacity within the faculty by equipping students to think critically and research-based about education, curriculum development, assessment, pedagogy and educational change. It also creates an important academic bridge to further master’s and doctoral study,” says Le Hanie.
According to her, the program is now in line with Akademia’s broader vision for the development of educational leaders in South Africa.
“The program supports Akademia’s vocation-driven endeavor to make a real contribution to the development of education leaders who can critically question, improve and reform the South African education landscape.”
Why curriculum studies are important
Le Hanie says curriculum studies play a key role because they focus on fundamental educational questions, such as what should be taught, why it should be taught, who makes these decisions and how knowledge should be organized and presented.
“The field of curriculum studies goes far beyond just subject content or policy. It examines the dynamic relationship between knowledge, society, politics, culture, economics and educational practice.
“The curriculum is never neutral – it is constantly shaped by social, political, economic, technological and cultural influences. That is why it is important that educators are equipped to critically understand and analyze these influences.”
She believes the new program wants to help students not simply follow existing practices, but to become active participants in educational change.
“With the honors programme, Akademia wants to equip students not only to understand these issues, but also to analyze them critically, research them and develop possible solutions within their own educational contexts.”
Focus on contemporary education challenges
The program is offered through Akademia’s one-hour distance model and is aimed at NQF level 8. The minimum study period is two years, while students are given a maximum of three years to complete the program.
The program consists of interwoven modules such as Foundations of Curriculum Studies, Curriculum Development, Innovative Pedagogy and the Curriculum, Quality Assurance and Assessment, Research Methodology and a research project.
According to Le Hanie, the modules are specifically composed to help students integrate theory and practice in a meaningful way.
“Students will be taught to formulate inventive solutions to contemporary curriculum challenges. This includes issues such as the relevance of the current South African curriculum in the midst of a rapidly changing world, the impact of artificial intelligence and digital technologies on teaching and learning, as well as the quality and standard of assessment practices.”
She emphasizes that the program also focuses on issues such as access and equality in different school contexts, the tension between policy and practice, as well as the preparation of learners for the world of work and active citizenship.
“We want to help teachers to see themselves not simply as policy implementers, but as expert curriculum leaders who can really make a difference in their schools and communities.”
Ethics, communication and research
Another important focus area of the program is the development of ethical and professional skills.
According to Le Hanie, students will be guided to deliberately integrate ethical value systems and knowledge literacy in their academic and professional practice.
“In addition, students develop advanced communication skills that enable them to effectively transfer their expertise to various educational stakeholders.”
According to her, by the completion of the program students will have the ability to design and implement quality curricula in diverse educational contexts, apply innovative teaching and assessment strategies, engage critically with educational theories and practices and carry out research that can contribute to sustainable curriculum improvement.
Wide career possibilities
Le Hanie says the program unlocks a broad spectrum of academic and professional opportunities for graduates.
“Graduates can fulfill curriculum leadership roles in schools or higher education institutions, including as subject heads, curriculum coordinators or instructional leaders.
“On a broader system level, graduates can also contribute in government departments, education policy development, non-governmental organisations, or as educational consultants where curriculum planning, reform and evaluation are central.”
She believes that the strong research focus of the program also makes it an ideal starting point for further postgraduate study and careers in academia and educational research.
‘Our dream is a new generation of curriculum leaders’
Le Hanie says the faculty’s greatest hope is that the program will help shape a new generation of independent thinkers and education leaders.
“It is our dream to develop a new generation of curriculum leaders who have the ability to make meaningful contributions to the South African and international education landscape.
“We hope that students will not simply reproduce knowledge, but will be able to make a sound professional judgment as independent academic thinkers, while developing their research skills that will really make a difference in schools, communities and the wider education environment.”