Possibilities for democratic citizenship in the natural science curriculum and assessment policy statement

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyse the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement CAPS) document within the subject Natural Sciences (NS) (senior phase including Grades 7 to 9) and to explore whether the implementation of this document can possibly engender democratic citizenship within the classroom. An analysis of the sub-headings used within the NS CAPS document will be undertaken. These are the process, skills and specific aims. A brief study of the education policies, namely the Outcomes Based Education (OBE), the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) for Grades R-9 and the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) Grades 10-12 will be undertaken. The purpose of this analysis is to present an argument behind the implementation of the CAPS document as part of the National Curriculum Statement. As the research is document-based a qualitative research methodology will be implemented in which document analysis will serve as the research methodology. This method will implement critical discourse analysis as the lens used to analyse the data gathered. The NS policy document will be reviewed to explore whether the aims, skills and processes have the capacity to provide learners with opportunities to think critically and to engender democratic citizenship.