Abstract
M.Ed.
A paradigm shift in education to the outcomes based mode of education in South
Africa, is a reality. To conform to this reality, certain adjustments and
realignments are necessary within all educational providers. The National
Qualifications Framework ((Report of the ministerial committee for development
work on the National Qualifications Framework, 1996:15) which is part of the
new educational dispensation poses the requirement that all learning programmes
should foster critical and creative thinking in the learners. Protec, in their quest to
claim relevancy within this new educational dispensation must be proved to be
fostering critical and creative thinking skills in the learners. The research
question can be formulated as follows:
Does Protec foster thinking skills relevant to critical and creative thinking in the
learners? The aim of this study is to find out if problem solving in technology education as
done by Protec promotes critical and creative thinking in the learners.