The hidden curriculum is in most cases overlooked in the process of teaching and learning. It is a fact that, as educators are pressured to finish the curriculum, the skills presented by the hidden curriculum are ignored.
This month I am choosing the theme of giving because this is a religious period, with Muslims observing Ramadan and Christians preparing for Christmas.
In both cases it is a time of reflection. How are we as educators passing this major aspect of the curriculum to our learners? A number of learners have no context of the period besides examinations and holidays.
How many times do we ask learners about a topic concerning their environment, and they don’t know anything about it? I recently spoke to a grade nine class about the war in Afghanistan and issues surrounding the September 11 attacks in the United States. I was amazed that these matters had not been discussed in the classroom. We spoke about terrorists, and the learners didn’t know that Nelson Mandela used to be called a terrorist. Because everything revolves around their passing their exams, we are not preparing these learners for their role in society. A number of learners have a poor general knowledge because they don’t see that as part of learning – let alone that they leave school never having done a deed of compassion for their communities.
An educator in the Northern Province makes the learners do projects in the community, which builds them into team members. If what they have learnt can be applied to their community, then the learning and teaching process has been successful.
This experience is confirmed by a primary school educator in a poor area of Gauteng who read about the plight of Aids orphans in KwaZulu-Natal. She shared this with her class, and they decided to do something about it. They started collecting food, clothing and money.
A number of the learners must have sacrificed a lot, but the teacher and her class were determined to make a difference to those in need. This educator challenged the community to take notice of those worse off than themselves.
This class has had to learn about HIV/Aids and its implications for society. When these learners requested their parents to contribute to this good cause, the parents could start talking about the implications of the disease. So the project involved life skills, education, as well as learning about being good citizens, while the virtues of giving and caring were inculcated at an early stage.
The educator then felt it was important for these young people to visit the orphans and personally witness their plight. This experience went further than merely teaching them about health and societal issues.
The benefits of this project were varied. First, the learners gained knowledge about HIV/Aids. They also had discussions at home and with friends. They learnt about caring for others, and when they travelled to KwaZulu-Natal, they learnt about the geography of the country. They also wrote an essay about their trip.
The pupils interviewed the orphans, and found out about their needs, including their shoe sizes, and the kind of food they like and how it is prepared.
At the beginning of the article, I spoke about the hidden curriculum that is not always highlighted in the education system. At this time of giving and celebration, it is important to teach themes that will allow learners to participate and learn about their enviroment. The interesting part is that we can do these activites at no cost. The back of an old calendar can make a large Christmas card for children in a hospital near your area. Pieces of scrap paper can also be used, with learners dipping their hands or feet in paint, and sending a message such as “This is my foot – if only I could walk to you to show my love”. In the society we live in, learners are constantly facing adversity. They need to be involved in activities that celebrate giving and loving. We need the hidden curriculum to motivate learners to connect their learning programmes to real life.
Write to Thandi Chaane, c/o the Teacher TALK/BUA, PO Box 91667 Auckland Park 2006, or e-mail: [email protected]
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, December 2001.