Abstract
M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies)
"The gap between school and work has widened because schools
have taken too little account of the realities of the
working world. Indeed, despite massive expansion in the
upper secondary school system, little has been done in this
direction in changing the basic curriculum content, ..• the
deficiencies found can be traced back to this root
cause. [With a] lack [of] practical orientation and
guidance, expectations and aspirations become untenable and
attitudes towards employment wrong. Yet, occupational
choice, as well as aspirations for a certain type of job
are, to some extent at least, conditioned by those
aspirations nurtured both in the school and in the social
environment, both of which, it would seem, are divorced from
reality. Inevitably, disappointment and disillusion are the
outcome of this. Often the type of information given to
young people about the world is either unrealistic [or]
superficial, both. It is then hardly surprising that those
initially motivated towards choosing an occupation suited to
their needs and skills soon find their expectations
thwarted. Convinced that, having given of their best,
society apparently does not need them, they withdraw into
themselves" (Sellin, 1978 : 54/55).