This qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study was aimed at exploring and describing secondary teachers’ experiences in dealing with adolescent learners displaying mental distress in Gaborone. Moreover, recommendations were proposed for the support needed by secondary teachers who interact with adolescents learners in order to curb mental distress in schools. The sampling method that was used to identify 21 secondary school teachers who participated in this study was purposive. Focus group discussions, as well as field notes, were used to collect data, which were analysed using a thematic analysis. An array of factors that could lead to delays in identifying adolescent learners with mental distress, such as large student numbers and insufficient resources to meet their needs, learners showing signs of mental distress not being taken seriously, lack of parental involvement, relegating parental duties and lack of trust were revealed by the findings. The researcher observed that approaches to support, such as policy guides, parental involvement, peer education and life skills training were best suited to address mental distress in schools as noted by participants. The participants shared the various ways they employed to deal with mental distress in adolescent learners, and suggested strategies that they, together with parents and other stakeholders, could engage in to address these factors. The identified strategies provided a contextual way of establishing recommendations to overcome adolescent mental distress. These included, but were not limitted to, the engagement by parents in mental health problems in schools, as well as policy reviews, and restructuring the referral system. / Health Studies / M. P. H.

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how teachers implement school-based psychosocial support to Grade 12 learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. As a secondary school teacher herself, the researcher frequently interacts with Grade 12 learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. Occurrences of behavioural and emotional problems are on the increase. This inference is based on the large number of reported learner problems in the School-based Support Team (SBST) records of a secondary school. The behavioural and emotional problems reported included violent aggressive behaviour, sexual and substance dependency, teenage pregnancy, early school drop-out and truancy. Learner problems may be caused by a variety of factors emanating from unmet development needs (Mwawenda, 2003), as well as biological factors and family and /or school factors (Papalia, Olds and Feldman, 2008). Kapp (2003), on the other hand, is of the opinion that a conducive environment may reduce learner problems and enhance improved learner wellbeing. This study forms part of the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) introduced to certain secondary schools in 2008. Ten teachers, who were part of the school-based team of the secondary school researched, participated in this initiative. REPPSI’s initial objective was to provide psychosocial support to children orphaned by HIV/Aids in South African Development Countries (SADC). The initiative focused on taking care of children’s developmental needs– social, emotional, behavioural, physical and spiritual. In the case of the school researched, this study was a pilot project to use REPPSI guidelines to provide psychosocial support to learners who have behavioural and emotional problems in participating schools. The study investigates how teachers implement psychosocial support based on the REPSSI Initiative. The study further explores how an ecosystemic approach can be used as an alternative approach to enhance the implementation of psychosocial services provided to learners. The study anticipates that an alternative approach will improve the school-based psychosocial initiative for adolescent learners who have behavioural and emotional problems in schools. The researcher used a constructivist paradigm to describe the school-based psychosocial support provided to adolescent learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. A case study design with 10 teachers in the school-based support team was selected. The participant teachers were conveniently and purposefully selected from REPSSI trained teachers. A focus group was used to facilitate semi-structured interviews. Ten participants shared their common perceptions and concerns (De Vos, Strydom Fouche’ and Delport, 2006) in a fairly short period (two sessions of one and half hours duration with teachers). Observations, photographs, reflective notes and field notes were used to gather information. A thematic content analysis of data was used to interpret data. To ensure rigour, it was verified with participants that they agreed with the results of the data analysis process. Debriefing meetings were also held with the researcher’s supervisor. The results of this study showed that teachers view need the pre and in-service training in ecosystemic approach to reduce behavioural and emotional problems of learners important. The results reveal that the use of ecosystemic approach by teachers and all role players in the adolescent learner’s life may enhance the effectiveness of school-based psychosocial support. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Thesis (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this study is to develop a vocational training programme for the adolescent learner with an intellectual disability. There is a need for these learners to be trained for work in the open labour market. From the literature it is apparent that American legislation is in place for these learners to gain access to schools, colleges and universities. The literature also makes it clear that parent involvement and community involvement are essential for the planning and implementation of a vocational training programme. To answer the research question, a qualitative participatory action research study was conducted from an interpretive research paradigm. The researcher implemented multiple sources to generate data, namely semistructured interviews, a literature review, personal documents and field notes. In the course of the study a number of steps were taken to ensure the credibility of the data and to pay attention to the ethical aspects that emerged during the research. The literature review extends over two chapters: Firstly the American legislation on vocational training programmes for the adolescent with intellectual disabilities was studied, as well as the South African Educational legislation after 1994. Secondly the three national curriculum programmes are described, namely Outcomes-based Education, Curriculum 2005 and the National Curriculum Statement. The vocational training programme was developed in accordance with the principles of the National Curriculum Statement, learning area Life orientation, Learning outcome 5: the world of work. The development of the learning programmes,work schedules and the lesson plans were adapted to suit the needs of the learners with intellectual disabilities. The findings concluded that schools can train learners to prepare them for entering the open labour market. The teachers cannot do the vocational training in school alone; they need the support of the parents and the community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van die studie is om 'n beroepsgerigte opleidingsprogram vir die adolessente leerder met intellektuele gestremdheid te ontwikkel. Daar is 'n behoefte vir hierdie leerders om opgelei te word om toegang tot die ope arbeidsmark te verkry. Uit die literatuur is dit duidelik dat Amerikaanse wetgewing vir beroepsgerigte opleiding in plek is vir die genoemde leerders om tot skole, kolleges en universiteite toegang te verkry. Ouer- en gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid is belangrik in die beplanning en implementering van 'n beroepsgerigte opleidingsprogram. In antwoord op die navorsingsvraag is 'n kwalitatiewe deelnemendeaksie-navorsingstudie vanuit 'n interpretatiewe paradigma onderneem. Die navorser het van verskeie bronne gebruik gemaak om data te genereer, naamlik semigestruktureerde onderhoude, 'n literatuurondersoek, persoonlike dokumente en veldnotas. Tydens die studie is verskillende maatreëls toegepas om die geloofwaardigheid van die data te verseker. Die etiese aspekte het ook aandag geniet. Die literatuurstudie strek oor twee hoofstukke. Die eerste behels die Amerikaanse wetgewing op beroepsgerigte opleidingsprogramme, sowel as die Suid-Afrikaanse wetgewing ná 1994 op spesiale onderwys. Tweedens is die drie kurrikulumbenaderings ondersoek, naamlik Uitkomsgebaseerde Onderwys, Kurrikulum 2005 en die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring. Die beroepsgerigte opleidingsprogram is ontwikkel volgens die beginsels van die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklaring in die leerarea Lewensoriëntering, Leeruitkomste 5: Die wêreld van werk. Die ontwikkeling van die leerprogramme, werkskedules en lesplanne is aangepas volgens die behoeftes van leerders met intellektuele gestremdhede. Die bevindings het gelei tot die gevolgtrekking dat leerders op skool opgelei kan word om die ope arbeidsmark te betree. Die opvoeders kan nie die beroepsopleiding op skool alleen vermag nie; hulle benodig die ondersteuning van die ouers en die gemeenskap.

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe how teachers implement school-based psychosocial support to Grade 12 learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. As a secondary school teacher herself, the researcher frequently interacts with Grade 12 learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. Occurrences of behavioural and emotional problems are on the increase. This inference is based on the large number of reported learner problems in the School-based Support Team (SBST) records of a secondary school. The behavioural and emotional problems reported included violent aggressive behaviour, sexual and substance dependency, teenage pregnancy, early school drop-out and truancy. Learner problems may be caused by a variety of factors emanating from unmet development needs (Mwawenda, 2003), as well as biological factors and family and /or school factors (Papalia, Olds and Feldman, 2008). Kapp (2003), on the other hand, is of the opinion that a conducive environment may reduce learner problems and enhance improved learner wellbeing. This study forms part of the Regional Psychosocial Support Initiative (REPSSI) introduced to certain secondary schools in 2008. Ten teachers, who were part of the school-based team of the secondary school researched, participated in this initiative. REPPSI’s initial objective was to provide psychosocial support to children orphaned by HIV/Aids in South African Development Countries (SADC). The initiative focused on taking care of children’s developmental needs– social, emotional, behavioural, physical and spiritual. In the case of the school researched, this study was a pilot project to use REPPSI guidelines to provide psychosocial support to learners who have behavioural and emotional problems in participating schools. The study investigates how teachers implement psychosocial support based on the REPSSI Initiative. The study further explores how an ecosystemic approach can be used as an alternative approach to enhance the implementation of psychosocial services provided to learners. The study anticipates that an alternative approach will improve the school-based psychosocial initiative for adolescent learners who have behavioural and emotional problems in schools. The researcher used a constructivist paradigm to describe the school-based psychosocial support provided to adolescent learners who have behavioural and emotional problems. A case study design with 10 teachers in the school-based support team was selected. The participant teachers were conveniently and purposefully selected from REPSSI trained teachers. A focus group was used to facilitate semi-structured interviews. Ten participants shared their common perceptions and concerns (De Vos, Strydom Fouche’ and Delport, 2006) in a fairly short period (two sessions of one and half hours duration with teachers). Observations, photographs, reflective notes and field notes were used to gather information. A thematic content analysis of data was used to interpret data. To ensure rigour, it was verified with participants that they agreed with the results of the data analysis process. Debriefing meetings were also held with the researcher’s supervisor. The results of this study showed that teachers view need the pre and in-service training in ecosystemic approach to reduce behavioural and emotional problems of learners important. The results reveal that the use of ecosystemic approach by teachers and all role players in the adolescent learner’s life may enhance the effectiveness of school-based psychosocial support. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)