Constraints in the teaching and learning of the humanities at South African universities: A Delphi study.

This article is a report on a Delphi study undertaken to determine the critical inhibiting factors (constraints) in the teaching and learning of the humanities in South Africa. It is part of a larger project premised on the Theory of Constraints that aims at determining the constraints and finding ways to overcome them. The Delphi technique as a technique for polling expert opinion is briefly described. For this study the opinions of two panels of experts about constraints for the humanities have been polled. Twenty-one constraints were identified to a high degree of reliability. The study confirms that basic language and reading skills are of the utmost importance. It also confirms that the humanities should profile their contribution to society much stronger and learn to deal effectively with the utilitarian and vocational challenges they face today. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]