Effective implementation of the principles of the National curriculum Statement (NCS) for Life Orientation has various requirements. Thus, with a specific focus on Life Orientation in grade 10, the study aimed at investigating various issues around the implementation of these principles. To this end, a mixed-methods approach was used. In the quantitative phase, questionnaires were used. In the qualitative phase, focus groups and interviews were used to collect data. Similar questions were asked in both phases. The sample was a group of 48 Life Orientation teachers from 48 secondary schools in the Gauteng West district. Ethical issues were considered. Techniques to ensure validity and reliability were also taken into account. The results showed that, in general: • the introduction of the NCS in Life Orientation had resulted in too much paperwork and administration for the teachers; • the principles of the NCS had not helped to transform education from the apartheid era system of education to the present democratic system of education; • the teachers were poorly trained with regard to implementing the principles of the NCS in the sense that there were not enough workshops and follow-up support provided; • the principles of the NCS were not implemented at schools, among others because there were problems with the distribution of policies to the teachers via the school management; • the implementation of the principles of the NCS did not make the envisaged impact on learner attitudes since the attitudes of many learners were often negative; • the implementation of the principles of the NCS did not make the envisaged impact on learner respect for other cultures; • the principles of the NCS did not have the ideal impact on morals, values and standards; or impact significantly on crime rate, learner pregnancy or disrespect at school; and• the principles of the NCS did not support learners well to acquire life skills. • However, the principles of the NCS in Life Orientation were more successful with regards to helping address barriers to learning. In line with the above, recommendations were made and the limitations of the study were pointed out. / Further Teacher Education / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Based on the examiners’ reports of the University of Cambridge on the shortcomings of the students of form V (school certificate level) in Arabic language in the international examinations of year 2008 and 2009 and on the proposals and recommendations therein, the researcher started this research work to address the difficulties faced by students in Arabic language in the grammatical rules when writing essays and in translation from Arabic to English and vice versa in form V (school certificate level) and chose Doha Academy (secondary department) in Mauritius as model. The research work in fact confirmed the errors of students in the grammatical rules after analyzing the examination scripts of the mock examinations run at the school during the year 2009 and 2010 and the researcher came to know about the causes of errors which were also confirmed by means of a questionnaire distributed to the students at this level. The researcher’s interviews with the male and female teachers of Arabic language at School certificate level on the issue were of great benefits and they in fact made mention of the grammatical errors which the researcher came across in the mock examinations’ scripts after close study and analysis. The researcher also considered the importance of the contrastive analysis between Arabic and English due to its effect in learning Arabic as a second language. ط After analysis of the questionnaire and interviews, the researcher came across a number of important issues which he mentioned in details among the results which he concluded. The researcher concluded that most of the errors in grammar are due to the influence of the English language on the Arabic language through linguistic interference, transfer of experience, generalization, as well as errors related to the target language itself like hypercorrection and intralingual phenomenon etc. And that the errors found in translation are caused mainly because of lack of Arabic vocabularies as well as literal translation and a lack of fluency and confidence in using Arabic structures and grammar. Finally, the researcher mentioned a number of recommendations and suggestions which he considers to be a priority and should be executed if we really wish to eliminate difficulties and problems in the process of teaching and learning of the Arabic language at this level and to see the progress of this language in this island. / على (university of Cambridge) بناء على ما قدمّت جامعة كمبرج قصور الطلبة في اللغة العربية في امتحانات كمبرج الدولية للصف الخامس الثانوية للعامين 8002 8002 م، ومن اقتراحات وتوصيات انطلق الباحث في هذا البحث ليتناول الصعوبات التي – يواجهها طلاب اللغة العربية فيما يتعلق بالقواعد عند كتابة المقالات وفي الترجمة من العربية إلى الانجليزية والعكس وذلك في الصف الخامس الثانوي في جمهورية موريشيوس م اختيار أكاديمية الدوحة في موريشيوس نموذجا. لقد أشار البحث فعلا إلى أخطاء الطلاب والطالبات بعد تحليل أوراق إجابات لامتحانين 8000 م كما - في اللغة العربية أُجرِيا في الأكاديمية في العامين 8002 (mock exams) تجريبيين تعرّف الباحث على أسباب الأخطاء التي أكّدها الاستبيان الموزّع على طلاب هذا المستوى. وكانت لمقابلات الباحث م مدرسي ومدرسات هذا المستوى حول القضية ثمراتها حيث أكّدت كذلك ما وجدها الباحث من الأخطاء في النحو والصرف في أوراق إجابات الأمتحان بعد الدراسة والتحليل. رأى الباحث كذلك أهمية التحليل التقابلي بين العربية والانجليزية لتأثير هذه الأخيرة في تعلّم الطلبة اللغة العربية كلغة ثانية. بعد تحليل الاستبيان والمقابلات وصل الباحث إلى عدد من القضايا المهمة وذكرها بالتفصيل في النتائج في آخر البحث. وصل الباحث إلى أن اكثر الأخطاء ترج إلى تأثير اللغة الانجليزية على اللغة العربية تتمثل في التداخل اللغوي ونقل الخبرة والتعميم السلبي كما أن هناك أخطاء تتعلق باللغة اهمدف كالمبالغة في التصويب وتداخل اللغة نفسها. وترج الأخطاء في الترجمة أساسا إلى النقص في المفردات العربية، فضلا عن الترجمة الحرفية وعدم الطلاقة والثقة في استخدام التراكيب العربية والتدقيق النحوي. وأخيرا ذكر الباحث عددا من التوصيات والاقتراحات التي يعتبرها من الأولويات والضروريات ا ولتي يوصي بتنفيذها إذا أُريد بالفعل القضاء على الصعوبات والمشكلات في تعليم اللغة العربية وتعلمه وتقدم هذه اللغة في هذه الجزيرة. / Religious Sudies & Arabic / D.Litt. et Phil. (Arabic)

The aim of the study was to investigate strategies that could be used to equip Grade 10 teachers to teach accounting effectively. The aim was addressed by conducting the relevant literature survey and an empirical investigation. A qualitative approach which was modeled on the interpretive perspective was used to explore challenges faced by accounting teachers and learners. Five schools were selected in the Johannesburg Ekurhuleni District. Here, three HODs and two Grade 10 teachers were interviewed and observed while teaching. Strong and weak Grade 10 learners from each school were interviewed. The data was analysed and findings presented. The findings revealed that Grades 8 and 9 lack accounting exposure due to 40% weighting on financial literacy on the syllabus which then causes problems in Grade 10 from both the teaching and learning perspectives. The main recommendations arising from this study are that the Department of Education must relook at the syllabus and involve teachers in the planning of the curriculum in order to bridge the gap between the syllabuses. Accounting teachers should use variety of learning and teaching strategies, and create a supportive effective classroom environment in order to increase the learner’s interest. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)

The education ministry has introduced a number of important curriculum forms, including Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in 1998, the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) in 2002, and most recently, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) in 2012 in Grade 10. The latter was aimed at replacing the NCS in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The need for replacement was necessitated by problems that teachers experienced concerning understanding and implementing various previous curriculum policies. The literature study and theoretical framework explored scholarly contributions that are relevant to CAPS implementation. The purpose of this study is to determine teachers‟ perceptions, and identify and clarify possible barriers relating to the implementation of CAPS in Grade 10 in selected schools at Ndwedwe in Durban. For sampling purposes, rural disadvantaged schools were selected to explore the knowledge and experiences teachers hold with regard to curriculum implementation. Exploratory qualitative research design was executed with a sample of purposively selected participants which constitute one Head of Department and two teachers from each of the five different schools. Data collection was facilitated by means of interviews. The findings revealed that teachers were at first eager to welcome and accept CAPS. Furthermore, this study indicated that some challenges emerged and impeded teachers from effectively implementing CAPS. The challenges experienced relate to resource shortages, teacher training, resistance to change, class size, lack of time, professional development, workload, administrative support, monitoring and language as a barrier ( on the part of the learners). The study argues that without proper infrastructure, schools can neither hope nor manage to successfully implement CAPS. Based on the findings from literature and interviews, teachers still need immediate assistance with CAPS related matters. Recommendations are made to teachers, head of departments, principals, subject advisors, DBE and parents to aid effective implementation of CAPS. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The study population for the research comprised Grade 9 learners attending three co-educational, independent schools in KwaZulu-Natal in order to determine factors influencing the selection of business studies for FET phase. Methodology involved qualitative and quantitative approaches with closed and open-ended questionnaires plus one-on-one interviews. Descriptive statistics were produced and opened ended questions and interviews were examined for trends and influences. Findings reflected wide divergence in factual information, attitudes, and opinions on significant issues such as expected level of difficulty, influence of educators, parents and peers on selection, amount of work required and value of subject for future studies or careers. Conclusions were that there was a lack of completed research indicating a need for future research, greater preparation was required pre-FET level to assist decision making about selection of the subject which should involve parents, educators and input from the business world. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The notion of a curriculum that is relevant, aligned and properly implemented has prevailed in Swaziland as indicated by the change from a content-led curriculum to a skills-driven one. The process of curriculum alignment as being the cornerstone of educational relevance and development has prevailed since the country’s independence. In the 21stCentury, the process culminated in the development and implementation of the Swaziland General Certificate of Secondary Education curriculum at senior secondary school level. This thesis traces the process of ensuring that the SGCSE curriculum is aligned in local contexts through descriptive analyses of the critical post-implementation developments of eight schools in the Shiselweni region. The perceptions of language heads of departments (HoDs) in underprivileged settings are described. Established constructs for the curriculum to be aligned in the contexts are reviewed and local language department heads’ perceptions on curriculum alignment are analysed. The strengths and shortfalls of their attempts in aligning the curriculum in their contexts of implementation are highlighted. Recommendations for future development are then suggested. The purpose of the study was to describe the perceptions on policy change and curriculum alignment of language department heads from underprivileged schools in Swaziland. An examination of their documents showed that the HoDs applauded curriculum alignment. After interviews, it was revealed that the HoDs viewed alignment of the curriculum in the local context to be a strategy of ensuring that the curriculum was successful in the context of implementation. Language department heads in the schools believed that the government had a major role to play in ensuring institutional commitment towards the directives that the government itself was issuing, before the school principals could do anything. The HoDs also believed that there was a need for administrative support in the form of support from the principals of the schools, followed therein by a fundamental need for cross-departmental cooperation and support from the community within which the schools are located. Departmental teamwork was also considered essential for success. It was therefore concluded that aligning the curriculum was extremely frustrating in that while the HoDs were aware of the local needs of students, it was also clear that local curriculum decision-making could not take place effectively without external support from the governing body, the Ministry of Education. It was recommended that the Ministry of Education should deal directly with the HoDs with regard to issues relating to curriculum interpretation and implementation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

The Department of Basic Education (DBE) has associated the poor pass rate in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) Grade 12 Physical Sciences examinations to the learners’ lack of practical skills and the inability of learners to solve problems by integrating knowledge from the different topics in Physical Sciences. The CAPS (Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement) is central to the planning, organising and teaching of Physical Sciences. Even though more than a third of the learners achieved below 30% in the NSC Grade 12 Physical Sciences: Physics (P1) November 2017 examination, there was a lack of references made to the CAPS, rationalising the poor performance. A disjointed alignment between the CAPS and the P1 is a possible cause for the poor performance. Since there have been no previous studies that investigated the alignment between the CAPS and the P1, this study aims to fill that gap. This study used a positivist research paradigm and a case study research strategy. A purposive sampling procedure selected the CAPS Grades 10 – 12 Physical Sciences document; the Physical Sciences Examination Guidelines Grade 12 documents and the final and supplementary P1 examinations in the period starting November 2014 to March 2018 as the documents for analysis. A summative content analysis research technique was conducted using the Surveys of Enacted Curriculum (SEC) research method. The SEC method employed the use of the four topics of Grade 12 Physics and the four non-hierarchical levels of cognitive demand as described in the modified version of Bloom’s taxonomy. The physics topics included mechanics; waves, sound and light; electricity and magnetism; and optical phenomena. The cognitive demand levels included recall; comprehension; application and analysis; and synthesis and evaluation. This study found a 100 percent categorical coherence, a 67.3 percent balance of representation, a 79.4 percent cognitive complexity and an average Porter’s alignment index of 0.77 between the CAPS and the P1. The overall Cohen’s kappa for all the documents analysed was 0.88. The findings of this study indicate that the mechanics topic was under-emphasised whilst the application and analysis cognitive demand was over-emphasised in the P1. The CAPS and the P1 did not utilise the highest cognitive demand, synthesis and evaluation which may be interpreted as an environment that fosters lower order thinking. To change this environment of lower order thinking and simultaneously increase the alignment between the CAPS and the P1 this study recommends that firstly, the CAPS decreases the recall based content of the mechanics topic. Secondly, the CAPS and the P1 increase the synthesis and evaluation cognitive demand-based content at the expense of the recall cognitive demand-based content. Thirdly, the CAPS must include the content of the school-based physics practical assessments while decreasing the focus on physics definitions. The ultimate aim is an improvement in the pass rates of the NSC Grade 12 Physical Sciences examinations. / Science and Technology Education / M. Sc. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Physics Education))

The aim of the study was to investigate strategies that could be used to equip Grade 10 teachers to teach accounting effectively. The aim was addressed by conducting the relevant literature survey and an empirical investigation. A qualitative approach which was modeled on the interpretive perspective was used to explore challenges faced by accounting teachers and learners. Five schools were selected in the Johannesburg Ekurhuleni District. Here, three HODs and two Grade 10 teachers were interviewed and observed while teaching. Strong and weak Grade 10 learners from each school were interviewed. The data was analysed and findings presented. The findings revealed that Grades 8 and 9 lack accounting exposure due to 40% weighting on financial literacy on the syllabus which then causes problems in Grade 10 from both the teaching and learning perspectives. The main recommendations arising from this study are that the Department of Education must relook at the syllabus and involve teachers in the planning of the curriculum in order to bridge the gap between the syllabuses. Accounting teachers should use variety of learning and teaching strategies, and create a supportive effective classroom environment in order to increase the learner’s interest. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education