As female adolescents go through the transition phase of adolescence, they respond to a variety of factors influencing their sexual development, for instance, cultural practices, socioeconomic status, media exposure, internet access, increased autonomy to explore their sexuality, as well as quality of care, guidance and supervision by primary caregivers. If they do not get enough guidance from caregivers, teachers or medical clinics, adolescents often fall pregnant. The consequences of unexpected pregnancies prove to be negative on intrapersonal as well as interpersonal levels. There is a need to reduce such pregnancies to give adolescents a better chance in life and to enhance optimal development on individual, social, emotional and moral levels. This study explored female adolescents’ experiences and perceptions of teenage pregnancy in Belfast, Mpumalanga, in South Africa. The researcher tried to make a positive contribution towards reducing the incidence of teenage pregnancy in South Africa, especially in rural, farm and semi-urban settings, through an inductive study of African female adolescents in selected secondary schools. Data were collected through individual in-depth audio-recorded semi-structured interviews with 20 African adolescent girls who were purposefully selected for the study. The researcher used Tesch’s method of analysis to analyse the data collected and to deduce themes and categories. Adolescents mostly fell pregnant, because of changes in sexual interest, emotional experiences, social development dynamics, adolescent thinking patterns and failure to use contraceptives. Teenage pregnancy affected the life-world of adolescents by influencing negatively on their physical health, psycho-emotional wellbeing, moral behaviour, social and school lives. The researcher established that the adolescents, their families, communities and society would continue to face the adverse outcomes of teenage pregnancy if the rates of teenage pregnancy remained unabated. The study therefore recommended collaborative efforts of adults in various governmental and private spheres for prevention of teenage pregnancy and for support of adolescent mothers and their babies during and after early-unexpected pregnancies. Some of the recommendations were: national awareness campaigns to curb teenage pregnancies; the review of the Life Orientation curriculum by the Department of Basic Education; the re-orientation of health delivery services; the positive inputs of teachers and schools; and a re-orientation of the responsibilities of primary caregivers and other adults / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This study was motivated by the lack of in-service training in cooperative learning and science process skills whereas both are emphasized in the new natural sciences curriculum. The aims of the study were to determine the influence of cooperative learning on the development of science process skills. Two classes were selected from two rural schools for inclusion as case studies of this research. These classes were taught using the Jigsaw and Group Investigation methods of cooperative learning respectively. Pre- and post-tests were administered on the two classes and the influence of these methods on learners' achievement on four process skills were determined. Mixed results were found with regard to the influence of the two cooperative learning methods on the development of learners' process skills of observation, controlling variables, graphing and experimenting. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)

This study aimed at determining whether participating in an environmental education programme (GLOBE) was positively reflected in participants' environmental perceptions, attitudes and level of environmentally responsible behaviour. An ecologically homogeneous sample consisting of 40 Grade 8 GLOBE participants and 40 non-GLOBE participants was selected. Pearson correlation coefficients, multiple regression analyses and t-tests were employed to compare the research groups. Results showed that GLOBE participants were more positive in their attitudes and actions toward the environment than non-GLOBE participants. GLOBE participants were however not environmentally more perceptive than non-GLOBE participants. Analysing responses of the GLOBE participants in terms of gender and place of residency was fruitless as the sample was too small to yield meaningful results. It was recommended that a more controlled and extended replication of this study, paying specific attention to initial motivations for participation/non-participation in the GLOBE programme, be considered. / Psychology / M.A.

This dissertation examines the changing perceptions which black history educators and learners have held toward secondary school history education from 1948 to 2008. The province of Mpumalanga is focused upon, although the perceptions held about history education by black secondary school educators and learners within the wider historical context of South Africa is also examined. It is argued that while the history education offered to black learners in South Africa secondary schools during the apartheid era was unpopular largely due to its pro-government subject matter, post-apartheid secondary school education is in danger of becoming increasingly marginalized within the school curriculum as it cannot successfully compete with a modern, technological and materialistically orientated society. / History / M.A. (History)

This research conceptualises IT infrastructure management at secondary schools in the WCED (Western Cape Education Department). This includes whether or not secondary schools in the WCED make use of a full time, on-site network administrator or whether a teacher acts as on-site network administrator. The literature review studied the effectiveness of IT infrastructure management which includes hardware, software, policies, computer network, security; staff management and BYOD (bring your own device). The management of IT infrastructure at secondary schools within the WCED differs widely from school to school, and its functionality depends on many factors. The quantitative study revealed problem areas within IT infrastructure management at secondary schools in the WCED. Furthermore the quantitative study also revealed that there is a need for best practice guidelines with regards to IT infrastructure management in order to improve service delivery. The literature review provided sources for best practice IT infrastructure management. / Rekenaar infrastruktuur by sekondere skole in die WKOD (Wes Kaapse Onderwys Departement) word in die navorsing beskryf. Die studie ondersoek verskillende strukture naamlike skole wat 'n voltydse netwerk administrateur het en skole waar 'n onderwyser die verantwoordelikheid aanneem van 'n netwerk administrateur. Die effektiewe beheer van rekenaar infrastrukture word bespreek. Dit sluit hardeware, sagteware, beleid formulasie, rekenaar netwerk, sekuriteit, personeel bestuur, en BYOD (bring jou eie toestel). Die bestuur van rekenaar infrastruktuur verskil van skool tot skool en die effektiewe bestuur daarvan word deur baie faktore beinvloed. Die kwantitatiewe studie het probleem areas vir die bestuur van rekenaar infrastruktuur by sekondere skole in die WKOD uitgewys. Die kwantitatiewe studie het verder die behoefte vir beste praktyk riglyne uitgewys om sodoende better dienslewering te verseker. Die literere studie het beste praktyk riglyne vir rekenaar infrastruktuur bestuur genoem. / Educational Leadership and Management

The main aim of this study was to assess teachers’ awareness levels of dyslexia, their perceptions of their ability to identify and manage dyslexia, and their perceptions of the adequacy of their pre-service and in-service training in dyslexia. The sample comprised teachers at 16 mainstream high schools in the Western Cape. A Likert type scale questionnaire was used to collect data that were analysed by means of a sign test of difference and a Kruskal-Wallis test of variance. The results indicated that teachers had adequate knowledge of dyslexia, believed they are able to identify and manage dyslexia, and believed that they received little or no pre-service and in-service training in dyslexia. The main conclusion that can be drawn is that teachers need on-going adequate pre-service and in-service training in the field of dyslexia. / Department of Psychology / M.A. (Psychology)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the challenges in teaching IsiXhosa home language in rural secondary schools. Learners from Grades 8 to 12 perform poorly in IsiXhosa grammar, essay writing, literature and oral work. The researcher sampled 40 learners from each of two senior secondary schools, eight parents and eight IsiXhosa subject specialists (two district based and six school based) to take part in the research. Data for this study were collected during cluster moderations in one of the secondary schools by using document analysis, interviews and questionnaires. Qualitative and quantitative methods were used by the researcher to analyse IsiXhosa results from Grade 8 to Grade 12. Analysis of documents such as mark schedules and marks for formal and informal tasks gave evidence that learners perform poorly in grammar, literature, oral work and essay writing. Scarcity or non-availability of distinctions (levels 6 and 7) in Grade 12 final exams as well as in Grades 8 to 11 proves that the language demands special attention for its teaching and learning in the secondary classroom situation; the conclusions were therefore drawn and recommendations made. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Design and Development)

The study investigated the pedagogical impact of the use of smart classrooms by Grade 11 secondary teachers to facilitate the teaching and learning in the Tshwane South District. The lens used to understand this study’s problem was Technological, Pedagogical and Content Knowledge. The researcher used the interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative approach was applied. A multiple case study research design was also employed. Five secondary schools were used from which to collect data. The instruments used to collect data were semi-structured interviews, non-participant observation and document analysis. The population comprised Grade 11 secondary teachers. The ten participants were purposively sampled on basis that they taught Grade 11 classes using smart classrooms on daily basis. Ethical considerations were maintained by ensuring anonymity, voluntary participation, informed consent and confidentiality. Data collected were analysed using thematic analysis. The data were coded and organised into descriptive themes. Trustworthiness in the study was maintained through credibility and transferability. The results revealed that the introduction of smart classroom have a predominantly positive impact on the pedagogy in education and teachers are enjoying the new era in education. The findings of the individual semi-structured interviews reflect that the participants of this study used smart technology in their daily teaching. The findings also revealed that smart technology is useful, important and effective in the teaching and learning process. The findings of the non-participant observation revealed that participants showed varied degrees of mastery of Technological knowledge, Technological Content Knowledge and Technological Pedagogical Knowledge. Some participants were well conversant with navigation of the smart board. They could use the tools and icons on the smart board throughout the lessons. The findings of the document analysis revealed that the five schools had an ICT file and the table of contents of these files were spelt out clearly. Every school had a policy on ICT integration and implementation. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum studies)

Abstracts in English, Sotho and Afrikaans / The impact of Information and Communication Technologies on all spheres of life, whether it is for educational, corporate, government or social purposes is undeniable. From an educational point of view, the South African Department of Basic Education acknowledged the impact that ICT has on teaching and learning in the classroom by introducing ICT in the education system. However, ICT integration in South African schools is still in its infancy especially in most rural schools. The phenomenological, qualitative research study employed a case study as its research design, employing the connectivism theory as the theoretical framework. The theory that underpinned this study was the connectivism theory. The research was performed with a sample of six purposively selected teacher-participants. Semi-structured interviews and non-participant observation were the methods of data collection. The aim of conducting the semi-structured interviews was to determine the teachers’ perception on the integration of ICT as a tool to enhance teaching and learning. The non-participant observation assisted in corroborating the data collected from the interviews. The research data collected were studied, analysed, explained and validated. The findings indicated that the integration of ICT is still at its infancy and though the teachers viewed ICT as a valuable tool to enhance teaching and learning, they emphasised the enormous work that needs to be done by the Department of Basic Education in ensuring the full integration of ICT in the schools. Findings of the study highlighted the challenges that teacher’s experience that hindered the proper integration of ICT in schools. The study recommends that the Department of Basic Education provides adequate ICT tools in all the public schools, ensures that the teachers receive proper ICT training, continuous support and the regular update and maintenance of ICT tools as well as the regulation of ICT policy as a guide to teaching and learning in the schools. / Seabe sa Ditheknolotši tša Tshedimošo le Dikgokagano go makala ka moka a bophelo, se ka be se le go thuto, go khamphani, go mmušo goba mabakeng a leago se ka se ganetšwe. Go ya ka maikutlo a tša thuto Kgoro ya Thuto ya Motheo ya Afrika Borwa e amogetše seabe seo Theknolotši ya Tshedimošo le Dikgokagano (ICT) e nago le sona go go ruta le go ithuta ka phapošing ya thuto ka go tsebagatša ya ICT ka lenaneong la thuto. Le ge go le bjale, kopanyo ya ICT ka dikolong tša Afrika Borwa e sa le mathomong kudukudu ka dikolong tše ntši tša magaeng. Dinyakišišo tše tša maitemogelo le tša boleng di šomišitše dinyakišišo tša seemo bjalo ka tlhamo ya tšona ya go dira dinyakišišo, ka go šomiša teori ya thuto ya kgokagano ka inthanete bjalo ka tlhako ya teori. Teori yeo e thekgilego dinyakišišo tše e bile teori ya thuto ya kgokagano ka inthanete. Teori ye e phethagaditšwe ka sampole ya barutiši ba tshela bao ba kgethilwego go kgatha tema ka maikemišetšo. Dipotšišo tša dipoledišano tšeo di bego di nyaka gore baarabi ba fahlele ka mabaka le temogo ka bao ba sa kgathego tema di ile tša šomišwa bjalo ka mekgwa ya go kgoboketša tshedimošo. Maikemišetšo a go diriša dipotšišo tša dipoledišano tšeo di bego di nyaka gore baarabi ba fahlele ka mabaka ebile go tseba maikutlo a barutiši mabapi le kopanyo ya ICT bjalo ka setlabelo sa go thuša go ruta le go ithuta. Temogo ka bao ba sa kgathego tema go thušitše go kopanya tshedimošo yeo e kgobokeditšwego ka dipoledišanong. Tshedimošo ya dinyakišišo yeo e kgobokeditšwego e ile ya lekodišišwa, ya sekasekwa, ya hlalošwa le go tiišeletšwa. Dikutollo di laeditše gore kopanyo ya ICT ka dikolong e sa thoma gomme le ge e le gore barutiši ba bona ICT bjalo ka setlabelo se bohlokwa sa go thuša go ruta le go ithuta, ba gateletše taba ya mošomo o montši wo o swanetšego go dirwa ke Kgoro ya Thuto ya Motheo go netefatša gore go ba le kopanyo ka botlalo ya ICT ka dikolong. Dikutollo tša dinyakišišo di laeditše dithohlo tšeo baithuti ba itemogelago tšona tšeo di šitišitšego kopanyo ya maleba ya ICT ka dikolong. Dinyakišišo di šišinya gore Kgoro ya Thuto ya Motheo e fane ka ditlabelo tša maleba tša ICT ka dikolong tša mmušo ka moka, e netefatše gore barutiši ba hwetša tlhahlo ya maleba ya ICT le thekgo ye e tšwelago pele, le gore ditlabelo tša ICT di fele di mpshafatšwa kgafetšakgafetša le go hlokomelwa. Godimo ga fao, gore melawana ya ICT bjalo ka tlhahlo ya go ruta le go ithuta ka dikolong e laolwe. / Ons kan nie die invloed van Inligtings- en Kommunikasietegnologie (IKT) op alle terreine van die lewe – of dit vir opvoedkundige, korporatiewe, regerings- of sosiale gebruik is – ontken nie. Uit 'n opvoedkundige oogpunt, het die Suid-Afrikaanse Departement van Basiese Onderwys die invloed van IKT op onderrig en leer in die klaskamer erken deur IKT in die onderwysstelsel bekend te stel. IKT-integrasie in Suid-Afrikaanse skole is steeds in sy beginfase, veral in landelike skole. Hierdie fenomenologiese, kwalitatiewe navorsingstudie het 'n gevallestudie as navorsingsontwerp en die konnektivisme teorie as teoretiese raamwerk gebruik. Die teorie wat die studie onderskryf het, was die konnektivisme teorie. Die navorsing is met 'n steekproefneming van ses doelbewus gekose onderwyserdeelnemers uitgevoer. Semigestruktureerde onderhoude en niedeelnemerwaarneming is gebruik om data te versamel. Die doel van die semigestruktureerde onderhoude was om die onderwysers se persepsies te bepaal oor die integrasie van IKT as hulpmiddel om onderrig en leer te bevorder. Die niedeelnemerwaarneming het gehelp om die data uit die onderhoude te bevestig. Die navorsingsdata wat versamel is, is bestudeer, ontleed, verduidelik en geldig verklaar. Die bevindings het aangedui dat die integrasie van IKT nog in sy beginfase is en alhoewel die onderwysers IKT as 'n waardevolle hulpmiddel beskou om onderrig en leer te bevorder, het hulle die groot hoeveelheid werk wat die Departement van Basiese Onderwys nog moet doen om volledige integrasie van IKT in skole te verseker, beklemtoon. Die studie se bevinding het die onderwysers se uitdagings wat die behoorlike integrasie van IKT in skole verhinder, uitgelig. Die studie beveel aan dat die Departement van Basiese Onderwys genoegsame IKT-hulpmiddels in alle openbare skole voorsien, verseker dat die onderwyser behoorlike IKT-opleiding en deurlopende ondersteuning ontvang, en dat IKT-hulpmiddels gereeld opgradeer en onderhou word. Verder, dat die IKT-beleid as 'n riglyn vir onderrig en leer in skole gereguleer moet word. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions, attitudes, opinions and fears of the adolescent high school learners towards HIV counseling and testing at school.Quantitative, descriptive, exploratory research was conducted to determine if high school learners would like to be tested for HIV at school. Data collection was done using structured questionnaires. The respondents in the study were daytime high school learners (n=120) who were in grade 8 to 12, between ages of 12 to 18 years of age. The study highlighted that adolescents engage in sexual activities at an early age. The results revealed that there is lack of knowledge, unavailability of HCT services for adolescents and the resources to keep a girl child school. This behavior may result in adolescents contracting sexually transmitted infections and HIV, falling pregnant at an early age, which may force adolescent high school learners to drop out of school. However, the study shows that government has more to educate adolescent high school learners about HIV/AIDS to modify their perceptions and attitudes towards HIV counseling and testing. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health studies)