Grootfontein : Verbeterde kurrikulum 2014 - Revised curriculum 2014
GROOTFONTEIN SPOG MET VERBETERDE KURRIKULUM [view English]
Na ‘n omvattende projek om die kurrikulum van die Landboukollege Grootfontein te hersien is die Kollege nou gereed om die nuwe kurrikulum in 2014 in te faseer.
Die uitdagings en geleenthede in die moderne kleinveebedryf in Suid-Afrika plaas die onus op opleidingsinstansies om relevante onderrigprogramme te ontwikkel en aan te bied. In die lig hiervan het Grootfontein sekere aanpassings en vernuwings aan die Diploma in Landbou onderrigprogram aangebring.
Die proses het reeds in 2012 begin met opnames onder boere en gesprekke met die kleinveebedryf en ander belangegroepe oor voorstelle van wat hulle belangrik ag vir ‘n voornemende boer of adviseur. Die vereistes vir ‘n boer is met ander woorde geidentifiseer en dit is vergelyk met wat reeds in plek is in die bestaande kurrikulum en om nuwe modules voor te skryf om die gapings te vul. ‘n Posbeskrywing vir ‘n kleinveeboer is ontwikkel en vaardighede is geidentifiseer waaroor ‘n boer moet beskik. Die akademiese personeel van die Kollege het opleiding ontvang oor kurrikulering en is deurentyd ondersteun deur plaaslike sowel as Nederlandse kundiges. Onnodige en uitgediende aspekte van die ou kursus is uitgehaal en die hele kursus is meer vaartbelyn en doelgerig gemaak om ‘n selfs beter produk te lewer. Die metode van aanbieding word ook aangepas om seker te maak dat die student wel die geleentheid gebruik om al die vaardighede te ontwikkel wat nodig is om in die toekoms suksesvol en volhoubaar te kan boer.
Die fokus van die 3 jaar Diploma in Landbou op vlak ses van die Nasionale Kwalifikasieraamwerk (NKR6) bly kleinveeproduksie in die ekstensiewe kleinveeproduksiestreke. Die vier onderrig departemente is Diereproduksie, Weiding en Gewasse, Landbou-ekonomie en Landbou-tegniese Vaardighede. Binne elke department is daar lyne en sub-lyne wat verwante modules saambind.
Hierdie proses het ook die grondslag gelê vir die voorgenome aanbied van ‘n B.Agric graad op Grootfontein vanaf 2015 in samewerking met die Universiteit van die Vrystaat (UVS).
GROOTFONTEIN INTRODUCE REVISED CURRICULUM IN 2014
After a comprehensive project to revise the curriculum the Grootfontein College of Agriculture is ready to roll out the new curriculum in 2014.
The challenges and opportunities in the modern small stock industry of South Africa place the onus on academic training institutions to develop and present relevant training programs. In this light the College made certain modifications and incorporated new initiatives in the Diploma in Agriculture.
The process started in 2012 with the training of three College officials in curriculum development. Then the competencies of a farmer were identified through interactions with farmers, industry organisations, agri-businesses and alumni. This was matched with what the College already offers and to identify any gaps in the existing training program. A job description for a small stock farmer was developed to clearly spell out what “first day skills” a graduating student much have. The academic staff of the College were empowered through work sessions to play a constructive role in the curriculation process and was assisted by local and Dutch experts in curriculum development. Unnecessary and irrelevant aspects were cut out of the curriculum and replaced with new concepts and modules to streamline the curriculum and make it more purposeful. The mode of instruction will also be adapted to a facilitative approach to ensure that the students use the opportunity to develop all the skills and competencies needed to be a successful and sustainable farmer.
The focus of the 3 year Diploma in Agriculture at National Qualifications Framework level 6 (NQF6) remains small stock production in the extensive small stock producing area of South Africa. The four training departments are Animal Production, Pastures and Crops, Agricultural Economy and Agricultural Technical Skills. Within each of the departments there are a number of lines and sub-lines to allow for focus on certain fields
This process also laid the foundation for the envisaged presenting of the B.Agric degree together with the University of the Free State (UFS) at Grootfontein from 2015.