Integrating socio-cultural knowledge in life skills education for the prevention of health and social pathologies: a social work perspective

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Periodical article

Title:	Integrating socio-cultural knowledge in life skills education for the prevention of health and social pathologies: a social work perspective
Authors:	Makhubele, Jabulani Qalinga, Lulama
Year:	2008
Periodical:	Indilinga: African Journal of Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Volume:	7
Issue:	2
Pages:	155-170
Language:	English
Geographic terms:	Africa South Africa
Subjects:	socialization basic education indigenous knowledge
Abstract:	Life skills education is aimed at empowering learners with knowledge, skills and attitudes intended for survival. Due to the lack of sociocultural life skills education programmes in schools in South Africa the educational fraternity and social sciences are under significant pressure to address decaying morals, norms and values among learners and society in general. The present author contends that current life skills education programmes seem to be ineffective as they are Eurocentric and not inclusive of indigenous knowledge. The education to be provided must be built on African culture, on the wisdom and traditional knowledge of Africans, and on their everyday experiences. Integrating sociocultural knowledge in life skills education should be viewed as a positive step in achieving the goal of improving the social functioning of learners. Furthermore, the use of mother tongue or an African language familiar to the children upon school entry will facilitate effective learning. Bibliogr., sum. [ASC Leiden abstract]