This study is concerned with the availability and adequacy of environmental information resources to support field workers at the Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa's (WESSA) four environmental education centres in KwaZulu-Natal. It begins by examining the environment, the environmental crisis and environmental education as a response to the crisis, before giving an overview of the history of WESSA. To provide a wider context within which to view the study, literature dealing with environmental education, environmental education centres in South Africa and environmental information was examined. A study population consisting of 18 field workers and eight management staff, based at the four environmental education centres, was surveyed by means of interviews. This allowed for selected attributes such as length of employment at the centre, highest education qualification and previous environmental education experience to be elicited from field workers. Other information asked ofthe population concerned available environmental information resources, the environmental information support required by field workers and the adequacy of this support to field workers. Results were then analysed. With the responses to the open-ended questions, content analysis was used to determine categories which were subsequently tabulated, together with the responses from closed questions. The results revealed that WESSA provides a number of ongoing, in-house training opportunities which expose field workers to environmental information resources; WESSA publications dominate the environmental information resources used during the training offield workers and consequently, during the preparation and conducting of courses by field workers; booklets, books and colleagues are considered valuable information resources by field workers; and there is a recognised lack of environmental information by both field workers and management staff. Recommendations for improving the environmental information resource support to field workers are made in light of the results of the survey and the literature review. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.

The objective of the study was an evaluation of the Tembaletu Resource Center within the Tembaletu Community Education Center. The Resource Center was evaluated in terms of its objectives. Each objective formed the basis for the subsequent research questions. The evaluation was from the perspectives of the three major user groups namely the teachers, the registered students and outside users. A survey was conducted whereby information was obtained from each group by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. Major findings in terms of the objectives were: many teachers, students and the general users use the Resource Center to read books and study, teachers read literacy books, many users have never bought literacy books for sale as many were unaware of this service, resource-based work has been given to students by teachers and this was seen to be a worthwhile exercise, more than half of the users had not borrowed educational videos, users had found information that helped them solve their personal problems although many users had never used the computer to access information. Lack of awareness of many of the services by users was indicated and was regarded as the stumbling block to the full use of the Resource Center. Recommendations based on the findings of the evaluation were made and this was followed by suggestions for further research. / Thesis (M.I.S.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1998.

The following dissertation examines skills development for women at the poorer ends of the informal economy through a study of members of the Self-Employed Women's Union (SEWU) who were trained in blockmaking in 1996. Since that time, the women have established the microenterprise, Vezi Khono (meaning 'Show the Skills' in Zulu) in the rural area of Ndwedwe in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal. The dissertation explores the impact this training has had on incomes in the short and medium term, the opposition the women faced and the ability of training to overcome such obstacles, the role of government in skills development strategies, and concludes with ways in which skills development can be improved to better meet the needs women in the informal economy in establishing more sustainable enterprises. / Thesis (M.Soc.Sc.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2000.

The study examined perceptions of female educators at a primary school in Durban, with regard to issues of gender equality. The literature review revealed that women educators have faced great injustices regarding past educational policies (before 1994) and the nature of gender biased practices both in society and within the school systems. The study highlights some of the main barriers, both intrinsic and extrinsic, faced by women teachers which prevented their upward mobility in the profession, thus determining their perceptions of their present career status. It also focuses on strategies that women educators perceived in helping to advance in their career as a teacher thereby achieving satisfaction. The research consisted of a quantitative phase which included the use of self-completion questionnaires to determine the perceptions of the female educators to their present career status. The data collected was used to develop strategies women teachers can use to advance their careers. The findings revealed that there were two groups of teachers each with different set of perceptions. The younger generation of teachers did not experience intrinsic barriers and displayed more satisfied perceptions of their career. The older generation of teachers seemed less satisfied with their present career status. Both, however agreed that organizational constraints (extrinsic barriers) affected their advancement in the profession. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Durban, 2003.

Patriarchal male power is a fundamental issue that explains the reason for gender-based violence (GBV) as well as societies acceptance of it. Social and cultural forces shape behaviour in society. A patriarchal mindset and power relations influence behaviour towards GBV as a means of controlling women in society. These societal norms are reflected in schools, which are supposed to be havens of safety but seem to allow for and perpetuate societal GBV, increasing girls’ risk of being sexually abused at school and making school unsafe sites. Even though extensive intervention and prevention strategies have been legislated and implemented, statistics indicate that the prevalence of GBV and HIV/AIDS have not decreased in adolescents. Policies and strategies are currently still failing to help youth be less vulnerable to GBV. This study worked with adolescents, aiming to place them at the centre of the problem and of the solution, by conducting research in two rural schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The participants were grade 9 learners (adolescents) attending these schools, who were given the opportunity to explore problems regarding GBV experienced in their schools and to find possible solutions that they can implement themselves in order to curb or address GBV in their schools. A qualitative approach was used, working in a critical paradigm, allowing the participants to be a voice of change in a socially destructive situation. A purposive sample of 30 learners (boys and girls) provided information-rich data. The methodology used was participatory video, and learners simulated examples of GBV at school as well as solutions to them. The research process of producing the participatory videos was an intervention in itself. Three themes emerged from the findings, indicating that: girls’ bodies are sites for GBV in unsafe schools; men who are stereotypically seen as the protectors of society are in fact the perpetrators of GBV through low-level sexual harassment, intimate partner violence and educator sexual misconduct; and learners have a sound understanding of how to address GBV in school and show agency by clearly indicating their disapproval, reporting misconduct, speaking out about the problem in assembly and forming support groups to provide invaluable assistance to each other. This has implications for dealing with learners’ safety at school, and recommendations are made regarding learners’ safety. These include involving the whole community, and endorsing a “safe school” plan with effective school policies and adequate safety and security measures to protect learners (and, more specifically, girls). In order to address patriarchy, recommendations include supportive educator involvement, guidelines for educator misconduct, school counsellor involvement, appropriate sex education and workshops on appropriate male behaviour. Although learners had a sound understanding of what can be done to address GBV in school, it is also recommended that parents, police and health care providers become more involved and that educational programmes, such as peer education, are incorporated. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Edgewood, 2011.

This study investigates the perceptions of learners and staff of the Dental Technology Extended First Programme (EFYP) currently offered in the Department of Dental Services at the Durban University of Technology. The EFYP has been offered since 1995 in order to meet the needs of under prepared learners in the Dental Technology programme as well as to address transformation of the programme. The Dental Technology EFYP has evolved over a number of years and was one of the first extended programmes offered in South African higher education. No evaluation of this programme has occurred since its inception. Moreover, the present study is particularly relevant as it has been conducted at a time that the Department of Education is concerned with low throughput rates in South African tertiary education. It is hoped that insights into this programme gained from this study will be of benefit to educators either currently providing foundation provision or those contemplating foundation provision in the future. It is noted that little research into foundation provision has, to date, been conducted in South Africa. For this study, learners currently registered in the Dental Technology programme and staff from the programme were interviewed in semi-structured interviews, and the main themes concerning foundation provision emerging from the study were identified. I conclude that the current EFYP is an academically sound programme contributing to the academic development of individual learners as well as to the overall success of the Dental Technology programme. Learners were unanimous in their belief that the EFYP contributed positively towards their academic advancement. Furthermore, learners noted the contribution that the EFYP made to their integration into higher education through a range of interventions such the departmental mentorship programme. Staff, also, favourably viewed the EFYP as academically successful. / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2007.

Women experience abuse from their partners. Adolescent relationship abuse is the main focus of this study. The research intends to create awareness about the abuse of women, research adolescent attitudes and beliefs, challenge cultural norms that oppress women, convey assertive communication as a way out of an abusive situation. Educational theatre, aimed at the mental empowerment of the target audience, should offer a self-discovery to the audience,· and therefore, lead to a change of belief and attitude. The target audience should gain experience from a fictional situation and be prepared for a possible real life situation. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2001.

Learning through a language other than one's own mother-tongue presents similar problems world-wide. In South Africa, the shift from mother-tongue tuition to learning through the medium of English at Grade 5 (approximately 10 years of age) has a highly problematic and contested history. This study addresses the problem with specific reference to the SMILE project, the theories of Marcel Jousse and Outcomes Based Education. In Chapter One, the study examines the context of learning and gives an indication of the extent of the problem. It introduces the SMILE and the theoretical and practical components of the study. Chapter 2 outlines the process used to collect data by means of: • A literature review • Interviews • Observations • Participant Workshops • Reports on Field Trips • An informal Survey Chapter 3 records the data gleaned from the process outlined in Chapter 2. Chapter 4 relates the data recorded in Chapter Three to the Theories of Marcel Jousse. In this way, the practice in the SMILE project is shown to relate the Theories of Learning, Expression, Memory and Reading of Marcel Jousse. Chapter 5 relates the data recorded in Chapter 3 to OBE Critical Outcomes and Underlying Principles which are required of all learning and teaching programmes accredited and assured by SAQA. I will conclude my study by highlighting and suggesting the following: • How SMILE has succeeded in their quest for enhancing English learning among non-mother tongue speakers. • How an evaluation of SMILE could assist in any learning situation and in furthering the needs of OBE. • How starting with the spoken word enhances learning • Compilation of stories from children for their reading books and how this impacts on their learning. • How theories of Marcel Jousse could be incorporated in learning situations • How use of dance, movement could be used as a primary means of learning. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, 1998.

This study explores the interconnectedness of drama, spirituality and healing among an established group of black gay males in the Pietermaritzburg area who agreed to work with me towards self-empowerment through drama. It examines, through a synthesis of educational drama methodology, community theatre methodology and drama therapy methodology, an appropriate and contextual way to use drama as a means of educating (educational drama methodology), conscientising (community theatre methodology) and therapy (drama therapy methodology) to some of the dis-ease reported by members of this group. Drama and therapy are closely interwoven (Moreno, 1970) and it is possible to create a dramatic context within which both individual and community development can be enhanced. Boal (1995) observes that our personal and corporate identities are ordered by a variety of oppressive social systems. Similarly, Graham (1992) argues that these social systems organise our psyches and our behaviours into patterns of domination and subordination. There are many theorists and practitioners in the field of drama (educational drama, community theatre and drama therapy) who have researched, implemented and published dramatic techniques and methodologies, some of which are taught at various institutions and implemented with various groups of people. However, according to my knowledge, there are no drama practitioners who have focussed on using the medium of drama to bring about social change in the lives of black gay males in the Pietermaritzburg area. It is against this background that I undertook this experiential study which is primarily aimed at assisting black gay males to move away from personal and social alienation towards individual and communal integration. This study is structured into two parts. Part I develops a theoretical overview of sexuality, spirituality and drama. It argues, in Chapter One that the Church has had a history of intolerance and judgement towards gays and continues to repress them from a traditional, negative stance on homosexuality. In Chapter Two, the issue of femininity and masculinity is examined, arguing that traditional patriarchal, and heterosexual masculinity [and femininity] is a socially constructed behaviour which is similar to the way in which gay masculinity [and femininity] is constructed. Chapter Three investigates the educational, conscientising and therapeutic origins of drama, with an aim of implementing some of these dramatic methodologies with the drama group. Part II concentrates on the application of the theory discussed in Part I to the practice of drama as an educational, conscientising and therapeutic means with a black gay drama group. It provides an analysis of the exercises and improvisations in practice; observations, evaluations and conclusions based on the drama practise with this particular group. Chapter Four provides a detailed summary of thirty black gay male's profiles in the Pietermaritzburg area. This portrait of black gay males provides one with a clearer contextual understanding of these gays, especially in the areas of culture, spirituality, identity and sexuality. Chapter Five provides a detailed outline of a sequence of exercises and improvisations for each of the nine sessions, which were tailored to engage the drama group in productive educational, conscientising and therapeutic activities. These activities may also have applicability to other groups of gays (i.e. Indians, Coloureds, Whites and multi-racial / multi-cultural groups), and/or black, and/or male persons in other localities. Chapters Five, Six and Seven, focus respectively on my experiences of planning, implementing and evaluating the drama workshops and the various drama methodologies that were introduced in Chapter Three and employed by the participants. These chapters, especially Chapter 6, focus specifically on the participants' evaluation of the actual workshops. In conclusion, this study argues that drama, if contextrialised, can offer a unique educational, conscientising and therapeutic potential among black gay males that I worked with in the Pietermaritzburg area. / Thesis (M.A.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2000.