Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative exploration

The accounting curriculum at the school level remains a pertinent pedagogical component in enhancing the throughput and success of learners, which can inevitably contribute to the growth of the field within the country. However, challenges still hinder the successful implementation of the accountin...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xolisile Adelaide Msomi, Maria Sewela Mabusela, Msizi Vitalis Mkhize, Sachin Suknunan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: University of the Free State 2025-05-01
Series:Perspectives in Education
Subjects:
Online Access:http://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/pie/article/view/8432
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849733804266094592
author Xolisile Adelaide Msomi
Maria Sewela Mabusela
Msizi Vitalis Mkhize
Sachin Suknunan
author_facet Xolisile Adelaide Msomi
Maria Sewela Mabusela
Msizi Vitalis Mkhize
Sachin Suknunan
author_sort Xolisile Adelaide Msomi
collection DOAJ
description The accounting curriculum at the school level remains a pertinent pedagogical component in enhancing the throughput and success of learners, which can inevitably contribute to the growth of the field within the country. However, challenges still hinder the successful implementation of the accounting curriculum. This paper explored teachers’ challenges in implementing the accounting curriculum in South African secondary schools, focusing primarily on the Umlazi district of KwaZulu-Natal. Seventeen accounting teachers and five principals from seventeen respective schools were interviewed using a qualitative case study approach. The study found that accounting curriculum implementation in the township school faced several significant challenges. The new curriculum was seen as disorganised, making it difficult for teachers to deliver the content effectively. In addition, teachers lacked the necessary skills and training to teach the new curriculum effectively. Inadequate resources and limited access to technology further exacerbated these issues. Language barriers also pose a challenge, as complex English in textbooks makes it difficult for many non- English speaking learners to understand the subject matter. The study recommends re-training and re-skilling teachers per the new curriculum and improved alignment between secondary schools and the Department of Higher Education to facilitate a smoother student transition. In addition, better teacher supervisory support, resources and technology are needed, along with updated textbooks. The CAPS curriculum review further suggested that accounting should be a standalone subject in Grades 8 and 9.
format Article
id doaj-art-0e89e072b80e41b58ac0cbbce1acdea3
institution DOAJ
issn 0258-2236
2519-593X
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher University of the Free State
record_format Article
series Perspectives in Education
spelling doaj-art-0e89e072b80e41b58ac0cbbce1acdea32025-08-20T03:07:57ZengUniversity of the Free StatePerspectives in Education0258-22362519-593X2025-05-0143110.38140/pie.v43i1.8432Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative explorationXolisile Adelaide Msomi0Maria Sewela Mabusela1Msizi Vitalis Mkhize2Sachin Suknunan3University of Zululand, South AfricaUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, South AfricaUniversity of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa The accounting curriculum at the school level remains a pertinent pedagogical component in enhancing the throughput and success of learners, which can inevitably contribute to the growth of the field within the country. However, challenges still hinder the successful implementation of the accounting curriculum. This paper explored teachers’ challenges in implementing the accounting curriculum in South African secondary schools, focusing primarily on the Umlazi district of KwaZulu-Natal. Seventeen accounting teachers and five principals from seventeen respective schools were interviewed using a qualitative case study approach. The study found that accounting curriculum implementation in the township school faced several significant challenges. The new curriculum was seen as disorganised, making it difficult for teachers to deliver the content effectively. In addition, teachers lacked the necessary skills and training to teach the new curriculum effectively. Inadequate resources and limited access to technology further exacerbated these issues. Language barriers also pose a challenge, as complex English in textbooks makes it difficult for many non- English speaking learners to understand the subject matter. The study recommends re-training and re-skilling teachers per the new curriculum and improved alignment between secondary schools and the Department of Higher Education to facilitate a smoother student transition. In addition, better teacher supervisory support, resources and technology are needed, along with updated textbooks. The CAPS curriculum review further suggested that accounting should be a standalone subject in Grades 8 and 9. http://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/pie/article/view/8432Curriculum change implementation educators transformationmodelchallenges
spellingShingle Xolisile Adelaide Msomi
Maria Sewela Mabusela
Msizi Vitalis Mkhize
Sachin Suknunan
Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative exploration
Perspectives in Education
Curriculum change
implementation
educators
transformation
model
challenges
title Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative exploration
title_full Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative exploration
title_fullStr Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative exploration
title_full_unstemmed Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative exploration
title_short Challenges in implementing the South African accounting curriculum: A qualitative exploration
title_sort challenges in implementing the south african accounting curriculum a qualitative exploration
topic Curriculum change
implementation
educators
transformation
model
challenges
url http://journals.ufs.ac.za/index.php/pie/article/view/8432
work_keys_str_mv AT xolisileadelaidemsomi challengesinimplementingthesouthafricanaccountingcurriculumaqualitativeexploration
AT mariasewelamabusela challengesinimplementingthesouthafricanaccountingcurriculumaqualitativeexploration
AT msizivitalismkhize challengesinimplementingthesouthafricanaccountingcurriculumaqualitativeexploration
AT sachinsuknunan challengesinimplementingthesouthafricanaccountingcurriculumaqualitativeexploration