The study attempts to examine the implementation of Outcomes Based Education in selected secondary schools in Bushbuckridge, and to provide guidelines to enhance the implementation in the region. Findings reveal that the implementation of the curriculum is faced with challenges that hinder its effectiveness. Hindering factors such as lack of infrastructure, lack of school resources and inadequate teacher development programmes were identified through a literature survey and empirical investigation. Under the empirical investigation, qualitative approaches for data gathering, such as in-depth interviews were used. Participants were chosen from schools in the remote areas of Bushbuckridge, which are experiencing serious problems in the implementation of Outcomes Based Education. The research instruments used were validated and tested for reliability using experts’ opinion and pilot testing. The challenges of educators, school management teams, learners and curriculum specialists in the Department of Education were highlighted and recommendations made. / Educational Studies / (M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies))

The introduction of outcomes based education (OBE) in the form of Curriculum 2005 (C2005), the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) and the Revised National Curriculum Statement (RNCS) in post-apartheid South Africa resulted in a shift from a content-centred to a learner-centred view on education. This transition took place rapidly as the new government wanted to introduce a democratic education system after the divisive Bantu education system from Apartheid. However, after the changes were implemented, education in South Africa was theoretically outcomes based but practically many educators were still teaching in a content-centred manner. The research puts forward the proposal that drama-in-education (D-i-E) is a useful means by which to align the practical and theoretical goals of OBE within the context of South Africa's current RNCS. This hypothesis drives the main research question: "Can D-i-E be an effective teaching methodology to realise the goals of the RNCS and generate OBE learning environments in a South African high school?" D-i-E is a learner-centred teaching methodology and in practise it meets many of the goals and Critical Cross-Field Outcomes (CCFOs) of OBE. Some of these include the fact that learners can: • Practice problem-solving skills; • Engage with critical and creative thinking; • Grow cultural and aesthetic sensitivity; • Work effectively in groups; and ii. • Learn in inclusive environments that cater for different learning styles and levels. The research examines the use of D-i-E as an outcomes based methodology by which the RNCS could be implemented in the classroom. This is explored through the use of qualitative research in the form of a case study investigation at a South African high school. The case study was conducted with Grade 11 and Grade 12 Dramatic Arts learners and involves an analysis of a D-i-E approach to learning. The conclusion that D-i-E is an effective outcomes based teaching methodology which could assist educators in realising the RNCS was largely reached through participant observation of D-i-E classes and by analysing the learners' journals in which they reflected on D-i-E experiences. The learners' feedback about the experience was generally positive and they reflected that they found D-i-E beneficial because of the fact that it engaged them experientially. They also reflected that D-i-E provided them with a more meaningful and exciting way of learning. These findings are however only generalisable to the type of context (Dramatic Arts learners from a well-resourced girls' high school) in which the research was conducted. The findings provide detailed insight into a specific case study and may be beneficial to educators in South Africa who aim to make use of the same or similar methodologies in their classroom practice. D-i-E also supports many of the underlying tenants of OBE such as learner-centredness, learner diversity and inclusive learning, and can effectively aid educators in implementing the RNCS in an outcomes based way.

M.Ed. / This study was conducted with the main aim to inquire into the possibilities of the integration of themes on HIV/AIDS into the Natural Sciences (Grades 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grades 10-12) curriculum in such a way that learners can become aware of the danger of an epidemic such as caused by HIV/AIDS, and start to take care of themselves. The researcher also wanted to explore the views of educators as stakeholders’ perseverance and strategies for combating the pandemic spread of the HIV/AIDS amongst our youth and everyone else. It is generally accepted that many schools are already experiencing the effects of the disease as teachers, learners and members of their families fall ill and even die. This often results in the disruption of the normal school programme. At present, the assumption can be made that there is no integration of themes, knowledge and life skills on HIV/AIDS and the Natural Sciences (Grade 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grade 10-12) curriculum, and no teaching about the consequences of this disease. It is clear that HIV/AIDS, Natural Sciences (Grade 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grade 10-12) programmes should be designed to enable young learners to develop the skills, knowledge, attitudes and values that will prepare them to identify and solve problems and make decisions for their own benefit. At the same time, Natural Sciences (Grade 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grade 10-12) help learners to develop basic personal and community health knowledge and skills that would benefit the whole community. They will also learn about their rights and responsibilities and the causes and impact of problems that may affect their health and safety because the HIV/AIDS programmes can also be incorporated into the Natural Sciences (Grade 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grade 10-12) curriculum. Natural Sciences (Grade 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grade 10-12), and themes on HIV/AIDS, link closely to the knowledge and experiences the learners bring with them to school. The programmes should affirm both this prior knowledge and experience, and assist in the development of new life skills out of it. The Department of Education is expecting that the issue of HIV/AIDS should be taught in school. The problem that arises is HOW TO link or integrate HIV/AIDS and Natural Sciences (Grade 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grade 10-12). The educators need to be capacitated through in-service training and workshops to enable them to handle the issue of HIV/AIDS with all the sensitivity it deserves. Where teachers can draw on their relevant professional experiences and expertise to integrate and strengthen their Natural Sciences (Grade 7-9) and Life Sciences (Grade 10-12) skills, they should do so without hesitation. At the same time they should address the development of appropriate life skills and knowledge on HIV/AIDS to deal with the consequences of the disease and how to fight it. / Dr. M.C. van Loggerenberg

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / South Africa

At Technikon Witwatersrand, Business Communication is offered as a service subject, which is compulsory for a variety of diplomas and the majority of students are obligated to do the course. Its broad intention is to assist students in developing their proficiency in English, enabling them to cope with studying at Technikon and preparing them for the workplace. Despite the fact that the course is designed to assist them, many students question why they have to do the course and whether it is simply a repetition of high school work. The study attempts to examine the implicit and explicit goals of Business Communication, to explore the process through which the goals have been developed and changed over the years (i.e. how the goals have been constructed), and to elicit and compare the perspectives of the different stakeholder groups as to the goals. Both a qualitative and a quantitative approach are used in the research design. Interviews with four fulltime lecturers were conducted and a self-designed questionnaire was administered to students. These were the main means of data collection. The data reveals that the goals of Business Communication are implied rather than explicit. Despite this, students and lecturers see the course as important. Recommendations are made to help the Department of Business Communication to reflect on their practice with particular emphasis given to material development and the application of OBE principles.

The thesis illustrates the contention that an outcomes-based system with its underlying philosophy of social constructivism cannot operate effectively within a traditional school system. Restructuring of an institution is necessary to accommodate the outcomes-based system. Using the research instruments of interviews, questionnaires, journals, participant observations and collection of physical artefacts, two case studies investigating systemic factors as they influence science learning were conducted in two South African schools. The one school, St Sebastian's College, was an extremely well resourced school while the other, Mtunzini High School was a middle class school in comparatively deprived circumstances. Attempts were made to introduce an outcomes-based education course involving a group of grade 8 learners in the respective schools. Difficulties in implementation were encountered and at best only very limited success was achieved. There were two reasons for this. First, particularly in the case of St Sebastian's College, I designed a course which was over ambitious in that it was not suited to the developmental stage of the learners. Second, traditional schooling systems follow a perspective of education termed 'the structure of the disciplines' which fosters a system of rigid time tabling, compartmentalisation of subjects and emphasis upon summative assessment. In contrast, the curricula I designed involved a 'cognitive' perspective which required flexible time scheduling, integration of subjects and developmental assessment. The conflicts which arose include time constraints and resistant attitudes on the part of learners and teachers. The thesis culminates with some suggested steps to follow should a school community wish to restructure. These include a shared vision, employing organised abandonment, capacity building and commitment to a systemic perspective.

In the process of reform and development in South Africa, set in motion after its first democratic elections (1994), educators have the unique opportunity to re¬think, re-plan and re-structure the music education system holistically within the context of formulating unit standards now required by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) for all learning areas. This thesis addresses two aspects in this process, against the background of the broader MEUSSA (Music Education Unit Standards for Southern Africa) Research Project, namely the development of a model for music education in Southern Africa and its application in a General Music Appraisal Programme (GMAP) for all learners. The MEUSSA Model, developed in this thesis, captures and displays the key elements necessary to compile unit standards across the board in music education, as identified by the author and endorsed by the MEUSSA team. These standards are grouped together in a musically logical way under collective headings. The three-dimensional model in the form of a cube can be manipulated according to the needs of the specific music practice involved, at the same time keeping the broader context of music education in Southern Africa in perspective. The MEUSSA Model is intended by the author to keep the standards generating process together cohesively. The author implements the MEUSSA Model in the GMAP, which she compiled with the aim of providing a general music education background for all learners in Southern Africa. The learning outcomes (unit standards) address music-¬specific skills, knowledge and attitudes with their related assessment criteria. / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Music / unrestricted

M.Ed. / For many years, Environmental Education was marginalised in the school curriculum, as it was seen to belong with subjects like geography and biology. This alienated it from the majority of teachers who are not trained in science related subjects. Thus only few pupils, who happened to have studied under science oriented institutions or teachers, were exposed to this field of knowledge. On 24 March 1997, the national Ministry of Education launched a new Outcomes Based Education (OBE) system for South Africa, called Curriculum 2005. This marked the end of different education systems that had existed in South Africa, and also opened new avenues for cross curricular issues such as Environmental Education, which did not form part of the school curriculum in the past. The primary aims of the study are: to investigate ways in which Environmental Education could benefit and support Curriculum 2005; to document the process that led to the infusion of Environmental Education into the school curriculum; and to determine needs and problems of teachers implementing Curriculum 2005 and suggest possible solutions for their problems. The data for this study was collected by using qualitative techniques of consultative synthesis; group open-ended interviews; public forums; field studies; observations and literature research related to different aspects of Environmental Education activities. In addition, a questionnaire was used in four regions that constitute the Northern Cape Provincial Education Department. The realities are that teacher education programmes in many institutions do not include courses in Environmental Education. Education about the environment has not been a visible priority in many countries, including South Africa. As indicated in this study, the situation in the Northern Cape clearly gives evidence of this. On the other hand, teachers had serious misgivings about their competence to teach Environmental Education. The enthusiasm reflected by teachers in the province, their potential and willingness to learn, are but a few indications of the possible success of Environmental Education in the province. The major/main problem identified is the OBE terminology which seems to hamper the implementation of Curriculum 2005. Thus, the success of Environmental Education in South African formal education depends on how well teachers adapt to, understand, are prepared for and committed to Curriculum 2005. I believe that if Curriculum 2005 succeeds, Environmental Education will also succeed. If it fails, Environmental Education will probably fail too, since is regarded as an integral part of the curriculum.

Please read the abstract in the section 00front of this document / Thesis (DMus)--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Music / unrestricted

Bibliography: pages 84-89. / Proponents of CB claim that the system can provide an effective and efficient framework for a large scale national ABE programme which articulates with national education and vocational training systems. This framework provides a particular kind of answer to the 'literacy for what' question. The emphasis is on development. In this research, this view is contrasted with a version of literacy which gives a different answer to the 'literacy for what' question. Researchers such as Street and Wagner and many of the Non-government organisations affiliated to the National Literacy Co-operative prefer to view literacy as a free standing programme concentrating on individual and local needs. These contrasting positions will be used to consider the relative strengths and weaknesses of CB for ABE. While the possibility of using a CB system for the ABE programme in the building industry will be considered, the research will also consider the opportunity of CB beyond the specific needs of the building industry.