Higher education and training in South Africa in the post-Apartheid era has never been more volatile than it is currently, some two decades into democracy. Despite the many advances and achievements of higher education, the student protests of 2015 and 2016 have given expression to underlying fault-lines, including increasing student expectations and frustrations with regard to access and funding. This research was undertaken to document the underlying historical issues and models pertaining to funding within the higher education and training sector as well as the existing higher education and training taxation policies and incentives enacted in South Africa and selected international jurisdictions. This was done with a view to providing a framework for higher education and training tax policy formation in South Africa to assist in meeting its higher education and training “access and affordability” targets as set out in the National Plan on Higher Education and the Higher Education White Paper, while at the same time not hindering economic growth. A doctrinal research methodology was adopted in this study as it mainly analysed and interpreted legislation and policy documents and therefore the approach was qualitative in nature. An extensive literature survey was done in order to document the various internationally selected legislated higher education and training tax policies and incentives. The literature indicated that there are widespread funding perspectives and initiates, and that international tax policies enacted with the aim of ensuring that higher education and training is more accessible and affordable to the public, is stable and effective in certain jurisdictions. It is submitted that while a higher education dedicated tax may not be sufficiently effective in South Africa, a combination of broad-based tax incentives will help to promote the change to a more affordable and stable higher education funding system, whilst not preventing growth through sustainable development.

Submitted in compliance with the requirements for Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Quality, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2017. / Quality has emerged as a necessity in education as we are faced with increasing competition and a demand for better quality of life. There is an enormous gap in South Africa’s education system; 60% of South Africa’s children do not reach the final matriculation school year. Many Grade 12 learners, despite being taught Mathematics, remain effectively mathematically illiterates. The ability to provide quality education is more than ever essential and there is at present a consensus for fundamental reforms in our education sector, with emphasis on Quality. The result of quality education is not only about achieving academic excellence but the total development of the learner. If education does not cater for the future needs and challenges of the new millennium then it is ineffective for the new generation. Low scores in Mathematics are a major concern as learners are not able to meet the challenges in secondary schools to pursue careers in Mathematics. South Africa was placed last out of 41 countries worldwide in terms of Mathematics performance in the Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS). The World Economic Forum has placed South Africa last amongst 62 countries on the quality of Mathematics and Science Education in their annual report in 2012. Apartheid in South Africa was a complex period that paved the way for the new education dispensation. A paradigm shift was thus imperative and challenging to a democratic South Africa. It is more than two decades into the 21st century and into a democratic South Africa. The effects of apartheid are visible in many areas, more so in education. This study is underpinned by the transformation agenda attached to curriculum policy reform in South Africa. There is an interface in respect of policy construction and Skills, knowledge, attitudes and values (SKAV) constitution from the Department of Education to primary and to secondary schools. The implementation of various curriculum reforms led to a decline in the pass rate of learners in the National Senior Certificate examinations and in the Annual National Assessment. Some of the serious problems articulated by teachers were inadequate subject training in Mathematics, lack of communication, job dissatisfaction and the demanding administrative workload. It is envisaged that the findings of this study will make recommendations for SKAV development in teaching and learning of Mathematics in primary and secondary schools. In this regard, a model to improve quality in Mathematics education was proposed. The ability of education to meet the needs of the future both at individual and societal level is one of the critical elements of quality education. / D

M.Ed. / In a country which has just acquired its democracy, education for all citizens is of primary concern. The illiteracy rate in South Africa is high, especially in the rural areas of the country. During this time when South Africa finds itself in a period of transition and of prioritizing items on its agenda, education in general and in particular education of those who had little or no education at all, is high on the priority list. While the government has targeted illiteracy as a major issue, other issues such as gender make the illiteracy situation even more complex, especially in the rural areas where the traditional tenets of the communities are still observed. The aim of this study is to explore the role gender plays in the involvement of adult learners in literacy programmes in the rural Mapulaneng area of Mpumalanga Province, in order to determine the possible implications for literacy programmes in other similar rural areas of South Africa. In order to achieve this aim, an interpretive design is applied and qualitative methods of data—collection are utilized. A literature study which consists of the exploration of the field of Adult Basic Education and gender in global education, with special reference to South African rural areas in particular, forms the theoretical background of the empirical research. Empirical data was obtained through observations and interviews and processed and analyzed by unitizing, categorizing and patterning, resulting in the findings of the research. Lastly, findings of this investigation are discussed in the light of relevant theory. The following are the main research findings: Gender does play a role in the involvement of learners in adult literacy programmes in the rural Mapulaneng area of Mpumalanga. There are learning needs that are specific to females but no particular needs specific to males. However, some needs are not gender—related and are common to both females and males. The main implications of the findings are: Adult literacy classes should be conducted during the evening, in order to accommodate workers, mostly men. There is a need for teacher training of both female and male literacy teachers. Some of the gender—related reasons for non—involvement of adult learners, particularly those that pertain to the dominance of males, would be difficult to address as they are deeply rooted in culture. In order to address the needs of male and female adult learners, a holistic approach should be applied. A holistic approach entails: not only teaching literacy but addressing other needs of the learners; not only addressing the expressed needs of learners (male and female), but also addressing the needs that they are not aware that they have.

Libode district is a rural district within the Eastern Cape Province. It has forty-two senior secondary schools. All schools in Libode district offer the English subject as the first additional language (second language). Schools in Libode district use English as the medium of instruction. English as the medium of instruction was seen by the National Department of Education as an important aspect of teaching and learning and as an effective tool through which teachers and learners can express their knowledge. The pass rate of grade twelve learners had declined from 2004 showing very low success rates. The quality of grade twelve results in English had deprived learners of their future career prospects. This treatise investigated the factors that might have affected the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject: a case study of selected schools in Libode district. A sample of 165 grade 12 learners and six English teachers from randomly selected senior secondary schools participated in the study. The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Some factors affecting the pass rate of grade twelve learners with specific reference to the English subject were identified which included the non-implementation of English as medium of instruction, the non-availability of teaching facilities, and the influence of the mother tongue on the English subject. The treatise offers some recommendations such as improved in-service training on language teaching, assessment techniques and learner-centredness, involvement of all education stakeholders in the implementation of English as a language of teaching and learning, and the provision of teaching facilities in schools.

The South African government has developed various policies to promote equality and inclusivity in education. Despite all the efforts, Grade R in-service teachers seem unable to cope with inclusive education and it appears that they are not adequately prepared for inclusive education. The purpose of this study is to explore Grade R in-service teacher preparation for inclusive education in South Africa, with a view to add to existing knowledge on this topic and propose guidelines that can be used to enhance Grade R in-service teacher preparation for inclusive education. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory formed the theoretical foundation for this study. Qualitative approach was used to understand Grade R in-service teacher preparation for inclusive education. A sample group of eleven Grade R teachers were selected to provide “information-rich” data. Interviews, observations and document analysis were selected as data collection techniques. Data analysis and interpretation was a qualitative and inductive process. The findings revealed that Grade R in-service teacher preparation programmes are inadequate to prepare them for inclusive education; and they have difficulty coping with inclusive education because of insufficient translation of theory into practice and insufficient knowledge on the use of available resources for inclusive education. Curriculum differentiation should form an important aspect of teacher training. It is recommended that there should be a consultative process between all stakeholders who are involved in training of Grade R teachers. Guidelines were also proposed that could be used to enhance Grade R in-service teacher preparation programmes for inclusive education. These include preparing Grade R in-service teachers to apply curriculum differentiation in practical situations, and using teacher trainers who are knowledgeable about inclusive education in the context of the Grade R classroom. The researcher proposes that Grade R teachers be prepared so they are skilled, knowledgeable and confident to transfer knowledge and skills among themselves, even in cluster meetings. / Inclusive Education / Ph. D. (Inclusive Education)

Inclusive education requires of teachers, as managers and facilitators in classrooms, to deal with all aspects regarding effectively addressing barriers to learning. Of specific concern are the cognitively gifted learners who are not taught in their mother tongue but who attend schools where the language of learning and teaching is English. This qualitative study deals with the support provided by Grade Four teachers to cognitively gifted English Second Language (ESL) underachievers. The research indicates that the teachers are aware of English Second Language (ESL) learners who show behaviours associated with cognitive giftedness but who,when considering their potential, underachieve. These learners do however not receive support in the classroom to address their specific barrier to learning, which is the dual exceptionality of cognitive giftedness co-occurring with poor English proficiency. Support for all aspects of the cognitively gifted Grade Four English Second Language (ESL) learner’s needs is recommended. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

MEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Management / See the attached abstract below

Statistics on the gender profile of academics in South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) reveal women academics are still concerted at the junior levels of the hierarchy with a small number of women at professorship. By the time of this report, in South Africa there were 4034 associate professors and professors. Of this 4034, 2174 (54%) were full professors. Of this 2174, only 534 (25%) were female professors. The fundamental aim of this research was to tell the story behind these statistics by exploring, describing and giving explanation to the subjective experiences of women academics. The objectives of the research were broken down into: (1) to examine studies that explain discourses for women in academia, identify success and inhibiting factors to career development of women academics, identify gaps in knowledge and explain how this research seeks to address the gaps identified, (2) to investigate models and theories of career development, particularly in so far as they affect women, (3) to explore, describe and explain the career development trajectories of senior women academics in HEIs in SA, and (4) to develop a substantive career development theory that explains career trajectories of women in academia. Utilizing data from 13 in-depth interviews with women professors and associate professors in a diversity of higher educational institutions in South Africa and different fields of study, this research situates the senior women academics’ experiences within the social constructivist context. I posed the question: “Tell me how your career journey as an academic started, up to the level where you are now”. The questioning revolved around family background; social context; educational history; career development trajectory; professional experiences; and work-family integration. All interviews were audiotaped and then transcribed. The analysis and interpretation of data was informed by the theoretical underpinnings of the study, which is located within feminism and social constructivism. The mean age of the participants was 53 years; years in service, 10 years and more. The findings revealed four themes associated with the career success of women academics: enabling and constraining factors; intrapsychic factors, behavioural patterns and differentiated career development trajectories. All these factors are inextricably linked and mutually affect the career success of women academics. The study ended up with a career development theory that came up with five phases and explained preoccupations at each phase. The phases are career exploration, career establishment, career maintenance, work life adjustment and disengagement. These phases are neither age related, nor cyclical at all times, but they are related to the stage in career development, and the needs of women academics / Industrial and Organisational Psychology / D. Com. (Industrial and Organisational Psychology)

Thesis (M.Ed. (Curriculum Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / South African educators have experienced problems understanding and implementing various previous curriculum policies such as Curriculum 2005 and the Revised National Curriculum Statement. These problems have made it necessary for the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to introduce the national Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) in 2012. The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges experienced by secondary school teachers in implementation of CAPS in Mankweng Circuit of Limpopo Province. This qualitative study conducted at two secondary schools in Mankweng Circuit, Limpopo province aimed to  Identify resources needed by secondary school teachers in Mankweng Circuit on the implementation of Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement.  Investigate the kind of training the Department of Basic Education provides to secondary school teachers in Mankweng Circuit when implementing Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement.  To investigate how secondary school teachers conduct assessment when implementing Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement.  Identify mechanisms that are used by secondary school teachers in the implementation of the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement. The study embedded within interpretivist paradigm. It also adopted a qualitative approach and the case study design was employed, where document analysis, semi structured interviews and observations were data-collection instruments used. Two secondary schools with their respective school heads were purposefully selected to participate in the study. Two principals, six Heads of Department and Eight teachers comprised the purposefully selected participants. Data collected from document analysis, semi structured interviews and observations revealed that while educators welcomed the introduction of CAPS for its clarity, structure, clear guidelines and time frames, they however experienced challenges related to CAPS implementation, quality and the amount of training, inadequate resources, increased assessment activities and the impact of rapid pace of the curriculum on teaching and learning. Based on these results, recommendations are made for the improvement of the implementation of CAPS. The study findings revealed that while teachers welcomed the introduction of CAPS for its clarity, structure, clear guidelines and time frames, they however experienced challenges related to the quality and the amount of training, inadequate resources, increased assessment activities and the impact of rapid pace of the curriculum on teaching and learning. Based on these results recommendations are made for the improvement of the implementation of CAPS. The implication of this study is that, CAPS is a viable policy in theory, but its implementation is erroneous, from the planning stage to the implementation stage. Key resources, for example, suitable human resources, infrastructure, textbooks were not taken into serious consideration.

Thesis (M. Dev. (Planning and Management)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) was introduced in South Africa in 1999. Despite two decades of implementation—and some notable successes—the NSFAS has been critiqued for its overall “effectiveness” (McKay, Naidoo & Simpson 2018:25-27). This study investigated the effectiveness of NSFAS from the perspective of skills development among students at the University of Limpopo (UL). The study used a qualitative research design which purposively selected participants using a semi-structured interview instrument. The purposive sampling included nine NSFAS beneficiaries from the Faculties of Management and Law and Science and Agriculture and six NSFAS administrators working at UL. The study applied thematic analysis to analyse the collected data. The analysis enabled insights into the effectiveness of NSFAS on skills development among a limited sample at UL to be presented. The findings suggest that NSFAS funding contributes towards soft-skills development of student beneficiaries. There was less evidence that NSFAS funding contributed to hard-skills development. The study recommends that UL could introduce a number of measures to reinforce the soft-skills development that NSFAS catalysed such as internal mentorship schemes for students and/or engaged collaborations with non-academic partners to reinforce the soft-skills components of students learning experience. Due to the localised nature and small size it is suggested that further research is warranted into the impact of NSFAS on students soft-skills development at a broader scale. During the research process, the ethical rules and regulations dictated by the Turfloop Research and Ethics Committee (TREC) were complied with and the suggested protocols of the experiences of educational researchers in the use of case study design during the COVID-19 pandemic were also observed and adhered to.