Abstract
M.A. (Social Work)
Continuing education is an indispensable activity in any profession,
including Social Work. The constant increase and
renewal of knowledge and the learning and refining of practice
skills are necessitated by the rate at which knowledge is
generated in the twentieth century as well as rapid societal
changes. At the same time the profession faces new demands,
particularly those which are relevant to accountability, while
social work aspirations towards professional status are sustained.Continuing education has for a very long time been an acknowledged
and established component of social workers' activities,
yet up till now, very little research has been done on this
particular subject.
In this study,· the following aspects of continuing education
in Social Work are explored: it's principles and aims, the
provision of training opportunities by educational institutions
in South Africa and social workers' motivation for, participation
in, and needs regarding continuing education.
In chapter two, continuing education is defined in its relation
to recurrent education, formal, non-formal and informal education,
adult education and professional training. Attention
is also paid to activities that constitute continuing education
in Social Work.
It is being argued that continuing education is supplementary
to preparatory training, that it improves social workers'
professional efficiency and that it stimulates the process
of professionalization. Furthermore, it is instrumental in
the provision of high level manpower for the profession and
it contributes towards the maintenance of the corps of social
workers by preventing professional burnout...