Thesis (PhD (Food Science))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), especially the n-3 LCPUFA metabolic products eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) play an important role as regulators in many biological processes. To date hake (Merluccius capensis) heads, a rich source of EPA and DHA, have been discarded at sea. The South African Fisheries Policy Development Committee concerned with the environmental impact of this practice has rendered it undesirable. The high prevalence of under-nutrition amongst children in South Africa can be addressed by the supplementation of their diet with this unexploited fish source. The aim of the current study was to develop a microbiologically safe and sensory acceptable sandwich spread using fish flour prepared from fish heads, as a prime ingredient. The intervention trial aimed to compare the effects of an increased dietary intake of n-3 LCPUFA, specifically DHA, on the blood fatty acid levels and absenteeism (as indicator of immune function), as well as the cognitive status, of the subjects. The microbiological content of the sandwich spread was determined after storage for 20 d at 5°C and 15 d at 25°C. Sensory evaluation was performed by consumers (n = 95; M:F = 44:51; 6 – 9 yr) to determine acceptance of the five different flavours individually incorporated into the sandwich spread to mask the fishy note and to provide different flavour options. For the intervention trial subjects (n = 351) were stratified within class group (A - E) and gender and randomly assigned to two treatment categories, an experimental group (EG; n = 174) receiving 25 g sandwich spread.d-1 (191.66 mg DHA. d-1) and a control group (CG; n = 177) receiving an analogous placebo. On school days (104 d), each subject received two sandwiches consisting of two slices of bread (ca. 60 g), spread with 25 g of either the placebo or the experimental spread. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and post intervention. Plasma fatty acid and red blood cell (RBC) membrane status, C-reactive protein levels, as well as vitamin and micronutrient status, were determined. Trained test administrators conducted a battery of cognitive tests. According to South African Government health standards, the sandwich spread remained microbiologically safe after storage. Male and female consumer respondents revealed a significant difference between gender preferences of the five different spread flavours (p <0.05). Significant treatment effects (p <0.05) were observed in n-3 LCPUFA status of the EG, as well as for their absenteeism from school. The two subtests of the Hopkins Verbal Learning test, Recognition and Discrimination Index, showed significant differences between the EG and CG (p <0.05) post intervention in the Grade 2 subjects. The Spelling tests also showed a significant difference between the two groups (p <0.05). In the current study a microbiologically safe and sensory acceptable sandwich spread was developed and tested during an intervention trial, and could possibly in future, provide a healthier option in the School Nutritional Programme. This study proved that supplementation of children (6 - 9 yr) with n-3 LCPUFA, with specific reference to EPA and DHA from a marine source, could have a beneficial effect on their fatty acid status and absenteeism from school. Based on the outcomes of the Hopkins Verbal Learning test and Spelling test, the current study proved that an n-3 fatty acid-rich spread improved the learning ability and memory of children.

This thesis argued that Physical Education is marginalised in the South African primary school education sector. Through this marginalisation, Physical Education has been reduced from having full subject status, to being only one of the components of one of the primary school learning areas, namely, Life Orientation. Simultaneously, Physical Education finds itself in a situation in which it is generally being taught by a class teacher and no longer by a specialist Physical Education teacher. Possible reasons for this marginalisation are expressed, however, the argument that Physical Education is an imperative in the holistic development of the child, is also espoused. This thesis critically examined the route that South African primary school education is taking and focused on the issues of holistic education and development, Outcomes-based Education and Life Orientation.

M. Tech. Food and Nutrition Tshwane University of Technology / The aim of this study was to explore and evaluate the management systems which are used for the NSNP (National School Nutrition Programme) in the City of Tshwane. The objectives of this study were set to include inter alia the evaluation of the human resource management system, quality and monitoring management system, the financial management system, purchasing and procurement system, the communication management system and capacity building management in the NSNP (National School Nutrition Programme).

Learners who are deaf and who are using the auditory oral approach are currently included in ordinary schools in South Africa. By default, most educators are not adequately trained to include these learners successfully. Transformation and train-ing, specific to the context of inclusive education, is thus undeniable. Therefore, in order to address the development of full-service schools to include learners who are deaf and who are using the auditory oral approach, a literature study on the nature of inclusive education with the focus on full-service schools to include the mentioned learners, took place. A qualitative study was conducted and data was gathered by interviews with six, learners, parents and educators. The findings were corroborated with the literature study with a view to addressing learner and system needs in order to include these learners successfully in a full-service school. Based on the findings, recommendations are made to address the development of full-service schools to include the mentioned learners. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Education.)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2011. / Investigates the perceptions of educators of the effects of poverty on academic achievement in eMondlo schools. It attempted to investigate what happens to a learner's performance at school when he/she comes from a poor family background.

South African black children have been exposed to extremely high levels of violence, especially in the townships. This study was initiated in ,order to explore the effects of violence on the self-concept of the black child in South Africa. In addition the applicability of current self-concept theories and psychometric measures to this population was investigated. This study is therefore mainly exploratory. Sixty individuals of both sexes between the ages of 8 and 10 years were sampled from two schools. Thirty from one in a high violence and the other thirty from one in a low violence area. However, after finding that the experimental and control groups did not differ signifficantly these groups were reassigned according to exposure to violence rather than geographically. Direct and indirect exposure to violence as well as family and other stressors were measured with the aid of the Life Events Questionnaire (Mason and Killian, 1993). In order to determine the effect of exposure to violence on selfconcept these two groups were compared using one quantitative and two qualitative selfconcept measures. The quantitative measure was the Piers-Harris Children's SelfConcept Scale and the qualitative measures were the Human Figure Drawing Test and an Incomplete Sentences Test. Results were analysed by multivariate statistical procedures. This study concluded that violence has no significant effect.on self-concept in black children (p,>O.05). The Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale was found to be a reliable measure of self-concept in black children. Recommendations include broadening self-concept theories for black children by incorporating theories from disciplines other than psychology. The power of the present study would have been increased by using larger samples. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1996.

The role transport plays in enabling people access to services is very important. However, transport for school going children in rural areas has not been given much attention. Transport programmes aimed at improving access to schools by rural children cannot be successful in their formation and implementation without the full participation of parents. Therefore, the objectives of the study were to learn about the factors influencing caregivers' choices of the modes of transport for their school going children and to establish how caregivers view the importance of transport for their school going children, particularly in rural areas. One hundred and twenty six respondents were interviewed in this study. Two focus group interviews were conducted with teachers from eZinyonyana Primary and Mthende High Schools. It transpired that the majority of children walk to school. Most parents are aware of the problems associated with walking. However, the majority of them did not believe that walking could impact on their children's performance at school. This belief, though, differed with parents who perceive themselves too distant from school, hence believing that walking can affect their children's performance at school. Also, the majority of caregivers from communities furthest from schools believed that the availability of transport could improve their children's performance at school. They expected the government to provide transport for learners as most of them felt that even if transport can be made available, they could not still afford it since they are not employed. Although aware of the dangers associated with walking, some parents did not feel they could accompany their children school. This task was entirely left with the older children who are supposed to look after the younger ones on their way to and from school. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2005.

The focus of this study was the exploration of parents and caregivers experiences of raising children with ADHD and their experiences of services at a public sector hospital. There is a paucity of scholarly studies conducted on this topic in South Africa. The context of the study is the public sector hospital where the researcher is employed as a social worker. Through her interactions with the parents and caregivers of ADHD affected children she became aware of the challenges that they were exposed to and this prompted her to undertake the study. This was a qualitative study and a purposive sample was used. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants and one focus group was conducted as a method of triangulation, with six participants. This study was guided by two theoretical frameworks, namely the bio-psychosocial and ecosystems approaches. The main conclusions drawn from the findings of the study were that many participants experienced a lack of support from their families and from the hospital. Participants did not have sufficient knowledge of the comprehensive treatment plan available in the management of ADHD. Health care professionals failed to engage in mutual decision making with participants, related to ADHD treatment and they neglected to address the concerns of participants regarding their children. A further finding was that the referral process to allied health professionals was inconsistent. Participants also experienced difficulties with the hospital administrative processes. Based on the findings, the recommendations include the need for more comprehensive support which includes medical and psychosocial support for participants. The limited knowledge base of participants with regard to the nature, causes and the use of medication for ADHD should be addressed by the health care providers. This could be achieved through participant education on the disorder at the initial stages of diagnosis. ADHD should be managed in a more collaborative and co-ordinated manner at the health care facility through an actively interdependent team. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

Nationally there has been an increase in the number of children requiring care and protection who have been placed in foster care in South Africa. This increase has also been evident at the Child and Family Welfare Society of Pietermaritzburg. Many of the children needing care and protection are placed in foster care with their grandparents. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the experiences and support networks of grandparents and their adolescent foster grandchildren. The study was guided by the ecological framework. This was a qualitative study with the purpose being descriptive. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 adolescent foster children and one focus group discussion was conducted with 8 grandmothers. Although the plan was to include both grandparents in the study, it became evident at the sampling stage that many of the children were placed with their grandmothers, even if the grandfather was present. A significant finding of the study was that it was mainly grandmothers, rather than both grandparents, who had the responsibility for caring and nurturing the children in their care. Although five of the adolescents lived with both their grandmothers and their grandfathers; grandfathers were not seen as playing a significant role in their lives. Grandmothers were the decision-makers, responsible for discipline and a source of support for the adolescents. Grandmothers experienced financial and housing difficulties. Adolescents expressed feelings of loneliness and loss in relation to their parents. Social workers have focused mainly on assisting grandmothers to access the foster care grant and grandmothers and adolescents have not received grief and bereavement counseling and therapeutic services. Recommendations include the need for social workers to respond to the therapeutic needs of adolescents and the employment of social service professionals. Recommendations at a policy level include the improvement of the partnership between the Department of Social Development and NGOs. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.

This thesis argued that Physical Education is marginalised in the South African primary school education sector. Through this marginalisation, Physical Education has been reduced from having full subject status, to being only one of the components of one of the primary school learning areas, namely, Life Orientation. Simultaneously, Physical Education finds itself in a situation in which it is generally being taught by a class teacher and no longer by a specialist Physical Education teacher. Possible reasons for this marginalisation are expressed, however, the argument that Physical Education is an imperative in the holistic development of the child, is also espoused. This thesis critically examined the route that South African primary school education is taking and focused on the issues of holistic education and development, Outcomes-based Education and Life Orientation.