Accelerated social change emphasises knowledge and innovation, creating a need for learners to excel at learning and thinking. The study’s purpose was to replicate previous cognitive research findings, which emphasise the positive influence of learning strategies on learners’ self-efficacy and academic achievement and to verify the validity of training learners in learning strategy-use to promote learner-autonomy and accountability. The research targeted a selected primary school in a Black township in Gauteng Province using quasi-experimental and qualitative methods. The sample comprised 152 4th - 7th graders assigned by quota system to the treatment group and the control group. Learners participated in pre-tests and post-tests for learning strategies, self-efficacy and academic achievement. Only the experimental groups received strategy instruction before the post-test. The experimental group’s improved performance compared to the control group’s lower performance suggests the effectiveness of strategy-training. Subsequent learner reports of improved self-efficacy beliefs and academic achievement confirm strategy-effect on these variables. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Educational Psychology)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / In hierdie proefskrif word die verband wat daar tussen politiek en onderwys bestaan vanuit 'n histories-pedagogiese oogpunt belig sodat daar tot grondige gevolgtrekkings gekom kan word ten opsigte van die onderwysbedeling in Suid-Afrika. Daar word aangedui dat politiek en onderwys vanaf die vroegste tye 'n vervlegting toon. Onderwys en politiek is mede-afhanklik van mekaar en het ook sekere verwagtings van mekaar. Onderwys en politiek is menslike skeppinge en as sodanig moet dit mekaar beYnvloed. In Suid-Afrika bet die onderwys vir n geruime tyd 'n krisis beleef. Sekere bevolkingsgroepe was nie tevrede met die onderwys wat bulle ontvang bet nie, terwyl ~n ander groep die onderwys doelbewus gemanipuleer bet tot voordeel van homself. Die gevolg hiervan was dat die onderwys in Suid-Afrika ernstig verpolitiseerd geraak bet en sodoende die onderwys nadelig beYnvloed bet. Om die Heropbou- en ontwikkelingsprogram van die suidAfrikaanse regering te laat slaag, is dit noodsaaklik dat daar 'n gesonde wisselwerking tussen die politiek en onderwys moet wees. Alle groepe behoort inspraak in die onderwysbelange te he en waar moontlik moet die kultuur van die betrokke groep in die onderwys eerbiedig word. Dit is egter noodsaaklik om te besef dat alle groepe deel vorm van 'n verenigde Suid-Afrika en dat die kinders onderrig moet word om tot hulle volle potensiaal te ontwikkel en tot voordeel van die staat. Die staat moet ook toesien dat onderwys ongehinderd aan al sy burgers verskaf word sonder dat party politieke belange op die voorgrond tree. / In this study the relationship that exists between education and politics is highlighted from a historical-pedagogical point of view, so that conclusions can be made regarding a future educational system for South Africa. It has been shown that politics and education are closely linked. Education and politics are dependant on one another and have certain expectations of one another. Education and politics are created by man and as such must influence each other. Education in South Africa has for some time been in a crisis. Some population groups were not satisfied with the education they received, while another group manipulated education to its own advantage. The consequence of this was that education in South Africa became politicised. This has had a negative effect on education. For the Redevelopment Program to succeed it is necessary that there is a balance between politics and education in South Africa. Each population group must have a say in its own affairs and, where possible, each group's culture must be respected. It is, however, necessary to realize that all the population groups are part of a united South Africa and that all the children must be educated to the best of their abilities and to the advantage of the state. The state, however, must ensure that education can take place without hindrance to all its people and that no political party may use education to its own benefit. / Educational Studies / D.Ed. (History of Education)

This study, in the main, focuses on the racial imbalances and inequities that characterised South African education between 1965 and 1992. A historical background of the South African educational system as well as an account on the apartheid ideology and its impact on education is presented. For the four principle racial groups in South Africa, namely, the Africans, Indians, Whites and Coloureds, a historicaleducational survey of the imbalances and inequities prevalent in pre-primary, school-based and post-secondary education in respect of access to education, financing of education, and human and physical resources is given. As a way forward, some recommendations for the redressing of the imbalances and inequities identified in this study are presented. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (History of Education)

The investigation of the relationship between the learning culture and academic achievement is the focal point of this research. Owing to the poor scholastic performance of particularly black matric pupils in the erstwhile Department of Education and Training, an investigation was launched into the Department with a view to identify the possible causes of poor matric performance. As a point of departure an in-depth study was made into aspects of the Department of Education and Training, including those which did not fall within the ambit of the Department, which would shed light on the possible causes of poor matric results. The study revealed many signs and incidents which are symptomatic of an eroded culture of learning in a considerable number of schools. Subsequently, a comprehensive study of the establishment of a learning culture was made. According to this study the establishment of a learning culture should transcend the boundaries of the school because pupils do not only learn and study at school, but at home and in the community as well. After concluding this study it immediately became evident that a considerable number of black schools fall far short of the requirements of a learning culture. The responsibilities of the principal as the manager and instructional leader of his school, together with the selection of the principal and teachers for employment, were the next to be studied. Proper performance of the aforementioned functions as well as proper selection of either the principal or teachers for employment can contribute enormously towards establishing a positive school climate. In the empirical research data was gleaned by means of questionnaires. Thereafter the Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between variables and the t-test and chi-square test were used to test the null hypothesis. From the empirical investigation it emerged that there is a relationship between a learning culture and academic achievement. The ultimate conclusion reached is that the establishment of a learning culture is a prerequisite for academic achievement. Arising from this research certain conclusions were drawn, recommendations were made and areas for possible future research were suggested. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The research was undertaken to analyse and evaluate the nature and quality of interactions in multicultural primary school classrooms. Special attention was focused on the influence 25 independent variables had on the dependent variable, namely group membership. Literature indicates that warm and nurturant relationships within the family help the child to achieve independence and promote social adjustment outside the home. Literature also reveals that self-acceptance and acceptance of others are dependent on the self-concept, and that acceptability in peer groups is enhanced by characteristics such as friendliness, cooperation, emotional stability and intellectual ability. It is essential to mention that some researchers claim that within multicultural classrooms, pupils often interact in racially and culturally segregated patterns. Others maintain that no racial and cultural discrimination is evident in the choice of friends in multicultural classrooms. The empirical research was undertal<.en by administering four measuring instruments, namely own designed questionnaire, the sociogram, the self-concept scale for primary school pupils and the children's personality questionnaire to 121 standard five pupils in multicultural primary schools. The administering of these instruments was aimed at determining the influence of the independent variables on the dependent variable. The stepwise discriminant analysis method revealed that of the 25 independent variables, only six, namely family background, friendship skills, gender, scholastic achievement and personality factors E (submissive versus dominant) and Q3 (undisciplined versus controlled) contributed to the variance in group membership. The multiple discriminant function was used to determine how close the individual scores of children were, in a given friendship group. The general pattern obtained, indicated that children choose each other on the basis of similar characteristics. A point that clearly came to light, is that race and language/culture do not contribute to the variance in group membership. Children formed various friendship groups across racial and cultural lines. In view of the aforementioned findings, the researcher made recommendations on ways in which parents and teachers can create suitable teaching and learning environments for children from diverse cultural milieus. / Psychology of Education / D.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The study focuses on the experiences of learners who live in child-headed households at Osizweni Township. Through a qualitative inquiry I sampled five households purposively. Data was collected using interviews and questionnaires. These categories emerged after data analysis: needs of learners, psychological experiences, relationships with social support systems and the role change from childhood to adulthood. The findings revealed that children experienced extreme financial constraints after the death of parents resulting in inadequate basic and educational needs. These children were traumatized and left emotionally vulnerable, living in fear and isolation constantly. Relatives did not offer any support to these children but support from the school, community and siblings was evident. These children made huge adjustments assuming parental responsibilities and this affected their academic performance. It is recommended that more study is required on the development of a Community Support Centre to educate learners and parents on how to support these children. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

The quality of matric results for Physical Sciences in South Africa is very poor and as a result few learners are able to meet the admission requirements to study careers related to Physical Science at tertiary institutions. The study investigated barriers to high performance of Physical Science learners at the township secondary schools in the Tshwane West District, in the Gauteng Province. Using a qualitative approach and a case study design, samples were chosen purposefully involving three secondary schools in the Tshwane West District. The schools that obtained a high pass rate in the Physical Science Grade 12 in the year 2017 were identified. Grade 11 and 12 Physical Science teachers and learners participated in this study. The data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews, and Physical Science lesson observation. The semi-structured interviews were conducted with four Physical Science teachers including Heads of Department (HODs) from the three selected secondary schools and 15 Physical Science learners in Grade 11 and 12. The data were analysed manually. The data were categorised according to themes, and then coded by hand and supported by the literature review. The anonymity of all participants was protected. Upon analysis of the results, some contributory barriers of high performance in Physical Science were identified from the three township schools, and these include inability to finish Grade 12 curriculum in time, parents forcing learners to do Physical Science in the senior grades (particularly in Grades 11 and 12), lack of motivation, learners with a negative attitude towards the subject, poverty, crime and dysfunctional Physical Science laboratories. Recommendations for improvement in the areas identified were provided. The Curriculum Developers of the Department of Education must review the Physical Science curriculum, particularly with the view of reducing the number of topics covered in Grades 11 and 12. Poverty and crime must be attended to as learners cannot learn when they are hungry and in an unsafe environment. It was also recommended that the Department of Education must assist in provision of resources necessary to teach Physical Science efficiently. / Science and Technology Education / M. Ed. (Science and Technology Education)

The dissertation analyses job-related education, training and development in Soweto since 1940. The effect which the interference of the National Party government had on jobrelated education for black South Africans in Soweto is examined, as it is of importance to know that qualifiers were only permitted to operate as trades people in the bantustans and not in the "white" cities. It is discussed that prior to the assassination of prime minister Dr H F Verwoerd in 1966, the NP government had little interest in promoting urban black upliftment. Also mentioned is the economic situation at that time, which forced the N P government to introduce the Manpower Training Act, permitting Africans to qualify in trades which were until 1981 reserved for whites only. At the eentre of the discussion are the few Sowetan colleges which deal with job-related education. training and development in the African township. Despite the demand for skills training of black South Africans, training deteriorated and the dissertation investigates the reasons surrounding the loss of interest in the communities and why interest groups were no longer concerned about this type of training. The dissertation concludes with a possible future perspective which needs to be implemented to enable job-related education, training and development in Soweto to expand. The need to train Sowetans in their own colleges as opposed to colleges outside Soweto is examined. / History / M.A. (History)

Most black rural schools in South Africa are beset with discipline and relationship problems attributed to the way children interpret and exercise their rights. Children's misconceptions of rights impede the operation of educational institutions. A literature study investigated the implications of children's rights on their relationships and behaviour. A qualitative investigation of the socio-educative implications of children's rights was conducted in two rural secondary schools in Mpumalanga. Data gathering was done through participant observation, in-depth interviews with two principals and a tribal chief, and focus group interviews with two groups of teachers, parents and learners. Data were analysed, discussed and synthesised. The major findings emerged: limited understanding of rights and concomitant responsibilities and misconceptions of rights leading to the subversion of authority and morality. Recommendations include that rights-education be introduced in schools to improve children's understanding ofrights and to address negative social behaviour. Educators need to be empowered to handle human rights issues within socio-educational institutions. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)

The dissertation analyses job-related education, training and development in Soweto since 1940. The effect which the interference of the National Party government had on jobrelated education for black South Africans in Soweto is examined, as it is of importance to know that qualifiers were only permitted to operate as trades people in the bantustans and not in the "white" cities. It is discussed that prior to the assassination of prime minister Dr H F Verwoerd in 1966, the NP government had little interest in promoting urban black upliftment. Also mentioned is the economic situation at that time, which forced the N P government to introduce the Manpower Training Act, permitting Africans to qualify in trades which were until 1981 reserved for whites only. At the eentre of the discussion are the few Sowetan colleges which deal with job-related education. training and development in the African township. Despite the demand for skills training of black South Africans, training deteriorated and the dissertation investigates the reasons surrounding the loss of interest in the communities and why interest groups were no longer concerned about this type of training. The dissertation concludes with a possible future perspective which needs to be implemented to enable job-related education, training and development in Soweto to expand. The need to train Sowetans in their own colleges as opposed to colleges outside Soweto is examined. / History / M.A. (History)