The purpose of this study was to explore and describe parents' and caregivers' retrospective experiences of a higher education-rural school partnership providing educational psychology services. The study aimed to inform knowledge on community engagement with schools and forms part of the broad FLY (Flourishing Learning Youth) community engagement initiative that has been ongoing since 2006. The current study utilised interpretivism as metatheory and qualitative research as methodological paradigm. An instrumental case study design was utilised, with a specific higher education-rural school partnership conveniently sampled. Subsequently twelve parents or caregivers to a child/ren who participated in the relevant community engagement initiative at any time since 2006, were purposefully selected. Two field visits were taken for data collection purposes; the first included Participatory Reflection and Action (PRA) discussions between participants, whilst the second visit entailed member checking. I relied on written recording of the participants' dialogue on PRA posters, audio recordings of their poster presentations, observations throughout the process, photographs taken and a reflective journal as data collection and documentation strategies. From thematic data analysis two main themes emerged. Firstly, participants identified the partnership as a platform of educational opportunity, which allowed for children's development on a cognitive and socio-emotional level. Secondly, participants emphasised their hope for the continuation and growth of the partnership in the future. Participants expect the partnership to broaden in multiple ways, such as involving parents and caregivers, providing them with a safe space to voice their opinions, and incorporating a parental guidance element. Based on the findings of the study I can conclude that according to parents and caregivers, community engagement with schools provides an opportunity for the mobilisation of children assets to result in their positive development. Furthermore, when additionally activating the assets of the parents, community engagement can be strengthened. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2017. / Educational Psychology / MEd / Unrestricted

The degree work titled ``Evaluation of the Current Situation of Children and Young People of Romany Origin in Children{\crq}s Homes with regard to the Location`` required processing of theoretical knowledge regarding the issue of children{\crq}s homes and children{\crq}s homes with a school specialized in the Romany ethnic group, and carrying out qualitative research. The theoretical portion is based on specialized literature and other sources of information. The first chapter focuses on the characteristics of childhood and adolescence and also includes some thoughts about mental deprivation. The second chapter comprises information about the Romany minority, namely Romany families, identity issues and the related concept of romipen (the Romanism). It also describes specific features of children of Romany origin and education issues of Romany people. The last section of the second chapter mentions the topical problem of social exclusion of Romany people and the current possibilities of social inclusion of this minority. The third chapter focuses on the system of institutional care in the Czech Republic, specifically children{\crq}s homes and children{\crq}s homes with schools. The fourth chapter describes behaviour disorders. The last, fifth, chapter focuses on the issue of further care for children and young people who leave schools and institutional care facilities. The objective of the work was to capture and describe the reasons why Romany children and young people are placed in children{\crq}s homes and children{\crq}s homes with schools in selected regions (Cheb and České Budějovice) and to map the thoughts and ideas of Romany children and youngsters living in such facilities regarding their current situation and their future life after leaving the institution where they are now. The practical section contains interpretation of data from the qualitative research performed in the target group by means of interviewing (the technique of semi-structured interview) and observing; as regards the supplementary target group the method of questioning (the technique of a questionnaire) was applied. A total of 20 people participated in the research out of whom the basic target group comprised 10 Romany children living in the Children{\crq}s home in Aš and in the Children{\crq}s home with a school in Šindlovy Dvory; the supplementary group comprised 10 people from the staff of the identified facilities. The research showed that the number of children in the children{\crq}s home and the children{\crq}s home with a school does not correspond with the total number of Romany people living in the region, but with its social and economic situation. The prevailing reasons for placing Romany children in such facilities include problems at school, problems in the family and behaviour problems (stealing, drug addiction). The Romany children living in such facilities think that after they leave they will join their families and start working, some of them want to study first. 70% of the interviewed children said that they have an idea how to look for a job. However, the children{\crq}s ideas do not correspond with opinions of the staff who consider the return of these children to their original family environment and unemployment to be the greatest obstacles for independent life of Romany children after their departure from children{\crq}s homes or children{\crq}s homes with a school.