This thesis is concerned with formal education for black South Africans. Central to the argument is an appreciation of how formal educational systems tend to foster specific ideologies and reproduce particular social relations which protect the interests of the state and those class interests which are most closely reflected by it. This is demonstrated at a general level with reference to colonial and post colonial education in Africa (Chapter 1) before proceeding to the South African situation (Chapter 2). In this context educational inequalities in South Africa have been systematically entrenched by the Nationalist government following its accession to power in 1948 in accordance with apartheid ideology and the perceived needs of capital. Specifically education has been deployed to: a) help maintain the proclaimed unique identity of the Afrikaner - and more generally the white South African; b) to perpetuate the myth of white supremacy; and c) to maintain and reproduce the social relations of racial capitalism. As such, it is a form of discrimination and social control (now drawing an organised and often violent black response) which aims to 'prepare' black South Africans for distinct and inferior roles within society. This is discussed in some depth drawing on both the 'liberal' and 'Marxist' interpretations. Whereas the broad contours of the apartheid educational system have been well sketched by a variety of authors, comparatively little attention to date has been directed towards its impact on the micro level. In view of this a detailed survey of the education that is available to the Qadi tribal area of Kwa Zulu's Inanda Reserve was conducted by the author. This forms the kernel of the thesis (Chapter 3). The survey focused on both 'in-school' and 'in-community' factors to examine educational deprivation in the area. Comparisons were also made with a neighbouring white area to illustrate the depth of the inequalities that obtain under the apartheid framework. In addition, an attempt was made to evaluate the potential for education related unrest in the area by analysing pupils' aspirations and expectations. The results of this survey highlight the urgent need for remedial action. Consequently, Chapter 4 - taking note of the various recommendations of inter alia the HSRC and Buthelezi Commissions - is devoted to a discussion of possible interim measures for alleviating hardship in the educational system. It is stressed that any attempt to adequately rectify inequality is dependent on structural change within the wider political economy. Nevertheless, given that fundamental apartheid structures such as those in education are unlikely to disintegrate in the immediate future, a number of suggestions for improving black education within the present context are considered. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of Natal, Durban, 1984.

Academic Support Programmes in South Africa are confronted with the seemingly impossible task of producing "programmes" which will assist growing numbers of Black students in their adaptation to the academic tasks. These tasks are demanded of Black students within tertiary institutions with a largely westernized cultural form of education. Despite the existence of institutions such as the Medical School of the University of Natal which has been training Black medical students for over thirty five years, little substantive research has been conducted into the processes of adaptation which Black students have undergone in coming to terms with the cognitive demands of academic tasks within universities. Instead, institutions such as the Medical School have found themselves embroiled in long ,standing controversies which essentially attempt to apportion blame for high failure rates on either students or staff members. This research adopts a dialectical approach to the learning teaching situations and focuses specifically on Black medical students' adaptation to the cognitive task demands of Physiology. The research uses a rational reconstructive paradigm to instantiate Feuerstein's "deficient cognitive functions" in the cognitive manifestations of second year medical students. This instantiation lays the groundwork for an investigation into the "content less cognitive processes" (cf. Feuerstein) underlying the learning-teaching dialectic in Physiology. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1990.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Durban-Westville, 1989.

Mapwork is an established part of the geography curriculum, and yet it poses particular problems for pupils and teachers. Maps participate in a complex system of graphic communication: the conceptual abstraction involved in the reading and interpretation of maps requires on the part of pupils a high degree of cognitive and perceptual development; teachers, too, often experience considerable difficulty in imparting the skills necessary for graphic literacy (graphicacy). The peculiar difficulties associated with map reading and the poor performance of pupils in this area have regrettably encouraged an attitude which dismisses mapwork as irrelevant or dispensable in geographical education. Yet graphicacy is essential not only in the learning of geography but in the overall cognitive development of the child, and therefore cannot be excluded from the curriculum. This study attempts to identify some of the specific difficulties experienced by pupils in their attempts to read and interpret maps, and to trace the origin of these difficulties. It argues that the complexity and sophistication of the skills necessary to interpret topographical maps and aerial photographs, for instance, should not be underestimated. Teachers need to be made aware of how pupils acquire map reading skills and of the problems they encounter during this process, so that teaching programmes commensurate with pupils' level of cognitive development can be formulated. It is also important that mapwork be taught in as practical a manner as possible. The findings and recommendations of this study have implications for geography teachers, textbook writers and educational authorities, especially those involved in curriculum and syllabus design.

The understanding of geographical concepts and the development of skills requires the use of appropriate teaching strategies. Modern school syllabuses emphasize the development of concepts and skills which are basic to the understanding of geography. Geography provides practical learning opportunities which directly involve the learner. Techniques which directly involve the learner are perceived to be the most valuable. Fieldwork, which embraces a wide range of innovative teaching strategies, is the one best suited to give first-hand experience to the pupils. This study investigates the potential of fieldwork to promote conceptual understanding in geography with special reference to pupils in rural schools. Extensive literature on fieldwork in geographical education was analysed. Surveys of geography teachers and pupils in senior secondary schools were conducted to assess their attitudes towards geography and the use of learner-centred approaches with special reference to fieldwork. The role of fieldwork to promote conceptual understanding was evaluated by exposing two groups of pupils to different field activities. This revealed that fieldwork promotes understanding, stimulates interest and builds up confidence even when first introduced at senior secondary level.

The purpose of the study was to collect and collate information pertaining to common misconceptions of components of the concept of chemical equilibrium amongst a sample of Transkeian matriculants. 'Equilibrium' is a fundamental concept in physics and chemistry and 'chemical equilibrium' is an important chemistry topic in both the higher grade and standard grade South African matriculation physical science syllabuses. In recent years, South African teachers have identified chemical equilibrium as the most difficult section of the matric physical science syllabus for both teachers and pupils. It has been shown that teachers themselves lack understanding of the basic concepts underlying chemical equilibrium. Constructivist learning theories arise out of research in cognitive psychology. These theories conceive of cognitive development as the assimilation and accommodation of new ideas into extant, dynamic cognitive structures. An inference from the theories is that a study of the preconceptions and/or misconceptions held by pupils before they are exposed to instruction would enable teachers to avoid generating or reinforcing misconceptions. Hence teachers could also take deliberate steps to eradicate those already existing. The sample consisted of 112 Transkeian matriculants from four government senior secondary schools in the Southern Transkei. All were taking physical science. The test consisted of a 40 item multiple choice battery. Each question had three distracters and the options were randomized to avoid patterns and hence guessing. Questions dealing with closely associated concepts were grouped in the paper but no indication of this was given in the paper. The questions are analyzed singly. A brief introduction and outline of the theory on which the group of questions was based is given in each case. The analysis makes use of the frequency of choice of all options, discrimination indices, although they were generally low and item difficulties. The intent in each analysis is to identify the possible misconception(s) underlying wrong answers. Finally conclusions based on the discussion are drawn and recommendations for teaching and further research made.

No description available.

Educational Studies / D.Ed. (History of Education)

Research has been conducted in the genesis and development of formal education in the Eastern Moutse area within the context of formal education in South African schools. Various methods such as historical method, phenomenological method, metabletic method, comparative method, exemplaristic method, descriptive method and evaluation method have been followed whereby the development, over the years, of education in the area under review, was revealed. The authenticity of formal education as it evolved was evaluated by the use of Essence Structure Model (ESM). An attempt has been made to describe the education-essence-structure in its multifaceted complexity. These education-aim-essences have been used since time immemorial. It appeared that of all the essences, religiousness has the highest value. Other essences which are of equal status are: the ethical, the aesthetic, the economic, language and other essences of the ESM. In order for authentic education to take place, all the education aim structure essences must be accorded a rightful place in the education of a child towards adulthood. Throughout history, cultural groups have over and under-emphasised different essences in their efforts to educate the child towards adulthood. This effort was informed by a particular life-view or a philosophy oflife which was upheld by people of different cultural backgrounds. The need to restructure the curriculum in the Eastern Moutse area in such a way that it caters for a balanced recognition of all essences of the ESM has been discussed. Overemphasis of some essences at the expense of the others leads to an inauthentic way of existence. The aim of this research has been to conduct a historical survey and evaluation of formal education in the Eastern Moutse area as it evolved over the years from the missionary era until in the 1990s. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

M.Ed. / Globalisation is a worldwide phenomenon it poses enormous challenges in the new world of work of which schools are not exceptions. As a result of globalisation the world has become small, interconnected and interdependent. The researcher argues that the interconnectedness and interdependence of the world poses a number of immeasurable challenges for South African township schools today. Therefore, a new paradigm in viewing education is eminently important to improve the South African township schools. This study focuses on reconceptualising classroom-management practices using global education trends in South African township schools. Furthermore, it presents evidence and arguments that it is significant for township schools to contribute to the creation of learning communities by offering a sound body of knowledge that enhances learners capacity and high performance. A single case study was used to explore the concept of thinking globally and acting locally whilst rethinking classroom management in township schools. The study was conducted at J.E Malepe Secondary School situated in a township called Tsakane. Data was collected through focus-group interview, observation and document analysis. A qualitative research method was employed with 6 educators as respondents for the focusgroup interview. Lincoln and Guba's (1985) model of trustworthiness of qualitative research was employed for validity and reliability of the study. The analysis in this study was carried out according to the following framework: comparing units applicable to each category; integrating categories and their properties; delimiting the construction; and using an independent coder. The following themes emerged from the analysis: the influence of globalisation on education; traditional approach versus transformational approach to classroom management practices; learnercentredness; knowledge implementation; resistance to change; and life-long learning. Findings suggested that globalisation has significant implications in managing classrooms in South African township schools; and that global .education is a critical aspect in effective classroom management. In general, this study found it is imperative that all learners be equipped with requisite skills to survive in the global village.