Abstract
M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies)
According to Jansen van Rensburg (1987:62) the watchword in the present-day world is productivity and this necessitates that, that which the student learns must be relevant to particularly the needs of the practice for functional skills.
As a result of the above-mentioned, the following questions were
posed:
* Does the existing Strength of Materials and Structures N5 curriculum conform to scientific justifiable criteria for curriculum development?
* Does the contents of strength of Materials and Structures N5 conform to the needs of the Industry?
* Is the purpose with the contents clear?
To answer the above-mentioned questions a questionnaire was used. R.A. Kruger's evaluation model was used to evaluate the present Strength of Materials and Structures N5 syllabus.
The following conclusions, inter alia, were arrived at:
* Students who study at Technical Colleges, work mainly with maintenance aspects. A very small percentage indicated that design and drawing aspects are regarded as important in practice. However, the present Strength of Materials and Structures N5 syllabus makes very 1ittle provision for the maintenance of such contents.
* Furthermore it was found that there is a particularly great need for practical elucidation of the theory.
* The present document (syllabus) does not conform to scientific justifiable criteria. No objectives or aims are reflected in the document. The contents are listed point by point without any order.