Thesis (MPA.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The aim of this is to investigate the factors which play a role in the poor performance of the Grade 12 in the secondary schools in the Mogalakwena Circuit of the Limpopo Province. The researcher engaged a qualitative type of methodology. An interview schedule was compiled. A semi-structured interview was conducted on the subject of research. Secondary schools were sampled for the interview process. Data were analyzed manually and mechanically. Factors affecting learner performance were found to be basic. The human and material demands were found to be inhibiting learning. Solutions from within and without the schools were recommended to help reduce the problem of Grade12 failure rate.

D. Tech. Interior Design / Work integrated learning at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) is an integrated approach to teaching and learning for the attainment of qualifications. It specifically encourages and enhances learning partnerships between all role players, which include students, university staff and employers. The university perceives itself to be in partnership with commerce and industry in the development and delivery of high-level human resources who will uniquely contribute to the South African economy. It is important to acknowledge that the Interior Design management model for work integrated learning will in future form a division of the management practice at the TUT. The regular communication, exchange of information and asking for support in connection with a design problem or knowledge about a finishing material, between the Interior Design departments and the industry is of vital importance to support and distribute new design drawing techniques, new innovative design ideas and sharing knowledge with students and staff alike. The specific demands in the industry determined the management model for work integrated learning for the Interior Design qualification. Work integrated learning lies between the curriculum of Interior Design and the workplace. It is, therefore, important to develop a thoughtful management model to develop the area in-between the curriculum and the knowledge the students absorb during studying the Interior Design qualification and the real-life, work-based placement in the industry.

M. Tech. Business Information Systems / The main objective of this study was to develop a framework for the utilization of Web 2.0 tools in teaching and learning in a university of technology. The study was informed by data that was collected quantitatively from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Extensive literature review was conducted and by using content analysis 36 factors were deduced.

Thesis (MTech. degree in Architecture: Professional)--Tshwane University of Technology, 2012. / The aim of this thesis is to design a Disaster Prevention Centre for the platinum mining sector which will save lives and aid in the South African Department of Mineral and Resources' campaign towards "zero fatalities" within the mining industry. The facility is intended to be a prototype for the preventative training of platinum miners around the world by examining past, present and predicted future mining incidents and using this information to create a safe simulated learning environment or mock-up scenario of possible mining hazards.

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a devastating effect on the South African population. Most affected are young people between 15 and 24. HIV/AIDS research has paid little attention to youth in the D/deaf population. Schools play an important role in the reproductive health of youth as they reach youth at a formative time in their development. Aim: To investigate the form of HIV/AIDS and RHE in South African secondary schools for the D/deaf, together with factors associated with teacher implementation thereof. Methodology: The sample was made up of 33 Life Orientation teachers from 16 secondary schools for the Deaf in 6 South African provinces. Quantitative methodology was used to obtain descriptive data and to determine any associations between demographic/ contextual variables and the study's theoretical framework (Theory of Planned Behaviour); qualitative data also aided in answering of the research question. Results: HIV/AIDS and RH education is being implemented at South African secondary schools for the D/deaf and LO teachers recognise the importance of HIV/AIDS and RHE for their D/deaf learners. Despite high coverage levels, a number of obstacles are hindering the optimum implementation of HIV/AIDS and RHE: 1) lack of learner assessment in the HIV/AIDS and RHE portion of the LO curriculum 2) unclear policy mandates regarding the weighting of HIV/AIDS and RHE in the LO curriculum 3) inadequate teacher proficiency in SASL 4) the use of a mainstream LO curriculum that was not specifically developed for Deaf learners 5) the moralistic viewpoints of certain teachers 6) problems with teacher access to suitable HIV/AIDS and RHE training. A number of significant associations between TPB constructs and demographic/contextual variables were also found. Recommendations for future interventions and research are delineated and limitations of the study are discussed. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sci.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

This study used a qualitative methodology to investigate black first - year students’ perceptions of their families’ influence in their career decisions. This was motivated by the fact that, post 1994, the number of career options available to black students has increased. As more opportunities become available, it is vital that student s entering tertiary education are equipped with the necessary skills and support to make informed career decisions. There a re a number of individual and environmental influences on career decisions. This study focused specifically on family and community influences. Fifteen participants (aged 18 to 30 years) were interviewed in order to answer the research questions. There wer e nine female and six male participants. The data was analysed through thematic analysis and suggested that there is a strong link between a family’s socio - economic status and student career decisions. In addition, the availability of family socio-emotional support was also found to be a major influence in career decisions. The dissertation concludes that appropriate career education and guidance are essential for previously disadvantaged tertiary education students in order for them to maximise the opportunities available to them / Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

No abstract available. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2009.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of Technology, 2008 / Customer satisfaction is the key ingredient to the success of any business. This is the most important factor that creates loyal customers. Presently, organisations are attempting to obtain increased customer satisfaction by focusing on the quality of their products and the service provided. Students were identified as customers of HEI’s. This research focuses on the determination of customer perception of service quality at the Business Studies Unit (BSU) of the Durban University of Technology. The objectives were: to identify expectations of students of the BSU; to identify the perceptions of students of the BSU and to measure and compare the expectations and perceptions of students using the SERVQUAL score. Customer perceptions were determined by means of a quantitative survey conducted at the BSU lecture venues using the self-administered SERVQUAL questionnaire. One hundred and ninety five respondents were surveyed. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The questionnaire measured students’ expectations and perceptions in five dimensions of service that consists of tangibles, reliability, assurance, responsiveness and empathy. The results demonstrated that in each of the five SERVQUAL dimensions, there was a negative quality gap. The largest gap was in the tangibles dimension. Also, there were significant differences between perceptions and expectations of students in all of the five SERVQUAL dimensions (p<0.001) Improvements are needed across all five dimensions. Results have shown that students’ perception of service quality at the BSU falls below their expectations, presenting a great challenge to the institution. In order to improve service quality, it is recommended that the BSU regularly assesses employees, as well as customers’ experiences and provide prompt feedback.

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA), Business Studies Unit, Durban University of Technology in the Faculty of Commerce, 2008 / Higher Education institutions have undergone and are still undergoing transformation in South Africa and this research focused on the merger of a higher education institution as a background to conduct empirical evidence to investigate the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the organization under study. In determining the relationship between motivation and perceived productivity, three hypotheses were tested. The first hypothesis indicated that there exists a relationship between motivation and perceived productivity. Hypothesis two was that motivation remains constant through a merger and the last hypothesis was listed as perceived productivity remains constant through a merger. The concept of motivation was very broad, so the study narrowed the focus so that the factors that were examined were collectively labelled motivation resulting from contentment in the workplace and from rewards for good performance. The third aspect of motivation that forms part of the study is that of motivators. The primary data employed included a self administered survey and the secondary data include a literature framework that underpins the discussion of the variables motivation and productivity. The results reflect that there is a positive relationship between motivation and perceived productivity at the specific organization under investigation indicating an increase or decrease in motivation is accompanied by a corresponding increase or decrease in perceived productivity.

This study is about documenting rural principals' stories, and voices regarding their experiences of education policy changes and how such changes are impacting on their day-to-day management lives. In capturing their experiences and voices, interpretive approach was used to allow the researcher to get behind their skins and faces and be one of them. Rapid changes sometimes overwhelm those people tasked with the responsibility of implementing changes. The study involved 5 cases, purposefully chosen, in the rural district around Durban in the KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa. Formal and informal conversations were held with principals, School Management Team members, and educators. These conversations were complemented by planned participatory observations, as well as, unannounced visits to the sampled schools. The data produced have shown similarities and differences in these rural communities. They are deeply poor, suffering from the lack of shelter, food, health, clean water, transport, electricity and services. HIV/AIDS is taking enormous tolls in every aspect of community. Unemployment is high and emigration of working-age adults disrupts families, which are left largely as comprised of grandmothers and children. Literacy levels are high, at the same time, the sense of community from the past, now and future is generally high. The communities share similar histories as part of the Zulu nation, through colonialism and apartheid, political-cultural struggles, of the African National Congress/lnkatha Freedom Party conflict, the pressures of modernisation and globalisation. They live on Tribal Authority land, in a confusion of traditional leadership and democratic governance. They see themselves as marginalised, and they are. The socio-cultural, and political confusion is everywhere, at many different levels. Schools themselves are Western imports in their structure and purposes with a history in the rural areas being kept from community life; the language of schooling is not the language of the community, and neither is the content of the curriculum the knowledge in the community. There are commonalities and differences between schools. While similarities are clear; they share conception of 'school', all are situated in similar communities, with educators sharing similar backgrounds and education, there are also differences, for example, resources and facilities they have, matric results, the nature of School Governing Bodies and differences of priorities, the fundamental differences in management and leadership styles used, namely 'open-participatory', 'closed-participatory' and 'authoritative-participatory' styles. The data have indicated that these principals are highly intentional leaders, with their intentionality playing themselves out differently at school level, largely because of their different personalities and histories. Rural principals are working under challenging environment, fending for themselves, and resort to doing things their own ways, irrespective of policy dictates. The Education Department plays an obstructionist role instead of supporting quality education provision. Principals use unconventional strategies to move forward. Recommendations to the department include the following: consult properly before policies can be implemented; consider diversity; provide thorough training for educators in order that Outcomes Based Education can be effectively implemented. Recommendations to secondary schools principals include the following: use available policies to get schools functional; involve educators meaningfully in governance and management; be creative and innovative, and try to understand demands of agency of transformation. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, 2005.