The Effects of School Infrastructure on Curriculum Policy Implementation

Abstract

The school infrastructure plays a critical role towards curriculum policy implementation across the world. In South Africa, curriculum policy implementation is influenced by a variety of factors including basic facilities such as access to proper sanitation, toilets, classrooms and clean running water. However, in most rural areas there are learners who are forced to attend in dilapidated schools with buildings that could collapse on them at any time, which instils fear on learners. This situation has affected many learners throughout their learning as they cannot concentrate. This paper seeks to analyse the effects of school infrastructure on curriculum policy implementation through a qualitative research method. The conceptual framework is used to analyse the literature to respond to the topic in question. Despite the efforts made by the government to implement and transform the curriculum, it has been observed that there are still schools that are characterised by poor facilities within the rural and township areas. This situation resulted in school learners being unable to reach opportunities due to their poor environmental condition that affects their education. When school conditions are unfavourable due to lack of facilities and resources they hinder the access to quality education that could change the lives of the society. This is evident in rural schools where number of learners have died and some drowned in broken pit toilets. It remains the state responsibility to ensure sufficient access towards quality education. Furthermore, the government need to capacitate the teachers within knowledge towards the successful curriculum policy implementation.