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"The matter is receiving attention": attempts by the Southern African Association of Archaeologists to influence school history syllabus development in South Africa in the 1990s

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Aron Mazel

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Abstract

In 1994, the Southern African Association of Archaeologists responded to the Minister of Education’s public invitation to comment on crucial adjustments required for school history curricula. Its response instigated a two year-long attempt at contributing to the new history syllabus, which included: (i) interacting with the national Department of Education to raise the profile of archaeology, obtain representation on appropriate committees, and disseminating its syllabus document; (ii) producing a syllabus document; (iii) political engagement; and (iv) a conference presentation and media engagement. This article addresses these issues showing that despite encouraging signals that the organisation would be included in the mid-1990s syllabus transformation processes, communication with national education officials and politicians ended unsatisfactorily in December 1996, when it appeared there was no pathway for this to happen.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Mazel A

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: South African Archaeological Bulletin

Year: 2024

Volume: 79

Issue: 221

Pages: 96-104

Print publication date: 31/12/2024

Online publication date: 22/01/2025

Acceptance date: 12/05/2024

ISSN (print): 0038-1969

ISSN (electronic): 2224-4654

Publisher: South African Archaeological Society

URL: https://www.archaeology.org.za/saab

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