Submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of . DOCTOR of EDUCATION in the Faculty of Education at the University of Zululand, 2004. / This research focused on describing "The Place of African Renaissance in the South African Education". The motivating factor is how African cultures can be restored through education. The research is intended to explore how the present education system can direct African education when faced with challenges that the African Renaissance would usher in. There is need to grapple with the problem of how the process of educational transformation as embodied in the current Philosophy of Education can transmit African values, cultures, norms and beliefs. The relevant literature reviewed the African Renaissance idea and its conceptualization. It debated two perspectives surrounding it; philosophies underlying the African Renaissance; Afrocentricity and the notion of this ideal; the dichotomy between African Renaissance call and the present education system. African Renaissance and education were studied with particular reference to African centered Psychology, African Philosophy and African centered curriculum. The qualitative ideographic research method was used in this research. Data was collected through interviews. Conversational analysis drew full transcript and recorded conversations that were carried out. Qualitative research was relevant in that the phenomenon under study was "seen throush the eyes" of the African people, thereby rejectins the deleterious formulations of theories and concepts in advance. Throush qualitative research, the perceptions, the feelinss and the attitude of the African people about the place of African Renaissance in the South African education were critically analysed. The findinss of the study significantly revealed that there is a place for African Renaissance in the South African education. The study further found that: African Renaissance could revive self-esteem amons Africans and renew African consciousness; African Renaissance was an ideal worth striving for; important education considerations should not ostracise African cultural backgrounds; the incorporation of African Renaissance at school level demands broad-minded educators with a particular character. The study furthermore revealed critical challenges facing the South African Education system, the African traditional culture of Ubuntu hold much promise and should receive significant consideration in education for the realisation of African Renaissance; there is an essential need for reconstruction of African consciousness among African learners; African educators are not better positioned to facilitate African Renaissance; and there is dire need for the reawakening of African languages. The most significant aspects of the recommendations address the incorporation of African Renaissance in the South African education. Both the indigenous African education and Outcomes Based Education (OBE) Curriculum frameworks are recommended in good stead for incorporation. The implementation thereof demands unbiasness and apolitical objectives. There is demand for making the present curriculum relevant to the needs of the African people in South Africa. African education needs to be globally competitive, and emancipatory without losing the notion of African identity.

No description available.

Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / After the election of the new democratic government in April 1994, bold steps were taken to transform the South African education dispensation, seeking for an appropriate approach to address the educational imbalances of the past. The immense disparity in the provision of education for the vast majority of South Africans was the main reason for educational change. Curriculum reform/educational change emerged as the key focus in restructuring the educational system. A qualitative research design, guided by an interpretive research paradigm, was employed to answer the research question which would be integrated with the aim of the study in a logical way. The aim of the study was to explore how principals experienced their new roles and responsibilities as curriculum leaders and managers in a changing educational system. Data was generated by means of semistructured questions to provide rich descriptions and explanations of how principals experienced educational change in their particular contexts. The literature review revealed that during educational change principals are faced with the challenge to create a climate for change through their particular style of leadership and management, acting as key agents for initiating the desired change, or leading the way as agents of change. Principals, as curriculum leaders, have an important role to play in setting the tone to provide direction, executing their roles as both curriculum leaders and managers and building democratic schools. To keep up and cope effectively with the constant and rapid educational change, principals are also urged to demonstrate positive, supporting leadership and professionalism, and to acquire new learning and thinking skills to manage change. Moreover, by developing a better understanding of change, the principal will be able to give effective direction and empower their staff, guiding and supporting them in the process of accepting change. While leadership skills are essential for providing effective leadership, the leader must also possess a sense of purpose and direction. The challenge is to develop leaders’ sensitivity and knowledge so that they will know when to be directive and when to act within a collaborative framework, or to delegate responsibility to others. The research findings indicated that principals do fulfil their new roles and responsibilities as educational leaders during educational change, but the challenge is to identify adequate approaches and to enhance their professional and personal growth and development. The study concludes by pointing out that although principals perform their roles and meet their responsibilities as curriculum leaders, they still require additional support to execute certain aspects of their duties.

Changes in Education usually brings along with it problems of curriculum implementation, such as assessment, evaluation and curriculum design. One of the major problems is how learners are going to be assessed for progression and how the teachers are going to adapt to these new approaches. In this research the focus was on the following problems: Are the new assessment criteria met by the facilitator? Can the opinions/ideas and attitudes of facilitators be transformed? Do facilitators understand the new assessment criteria and how to use them? To find out how knowledgeable the educators are on assessment criteria and what the educators average attitudes are towards the new assessment criteria. In the empirical research data was gleaned by means of questionnaires. Thereafter, correlation coefficient was used to determine the correlation between variables and the t-test and chi-square test were used to test the null hypothesis. / Psychology of Education / M.Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Post-apartheid education policy as enshrined in the South African School's Act no 84 of 1996 transformed the education system. The policy ensured the right of access to the school of one's choice and lead to the migration of learners from township schools to former Model C and independent schools. The study aimed to investigate the management of learner migration using a literature review and a qualitative inquiry. Data was gathered through interviews with principals, School Management Team members, parents and learners who had migrated. The findings indicated that learner migration as determined by parents' social and financial capacity is; steered by factors such as a school's sound culture of teaching and learning on account of good principalship, dedicated educators, motivated learners and good discipline. It was recommended that the culture of teaching and learning should be cultivated in all schools through capacity building workshops for educational managers and educators to curb excessive Ieamer migration. / Further Teacher Education / M.Ed. (Education Management)

Current socio-cultural and technological changes world-wide and their epistemological consequences in educational discourse form the study's backdrop. It is hypothesised that changes in our surroundings, globally and locally are inevitable. To make sense of evolving realities, our conceptual schemes should change. The latter problematic was investigated as part of analytic-philosophical research within the qualitative paradigm. This comprises an extensive literature study, disciplined subjectivity and consistent argumentation. A small scale document analysis of selected study material was conducted to ascertain the prevalent epistemology in the local context, the Faculty of Education, Unisa. Major findings emerged: In the field of Education, particularly in an Afrikaner research tradition, an essentialist and foundationalis! epistemology has prevailed. The latter assumptions of knowledge are typical of the Enlightenment paradigm and a Newtonian worldview. Furthermore these views were exacerbated by the academic isolation of the apartheid years and the limitations posed by distance education. Lecturers are often impoverished by their unfamiliarity with their students' life worlds, and a lack of exposure to the Other or 'difference'. A close link" between epistemology and the ability and willingness to participate in transformation processes exists. A transformed educational discourse is essential and should be reflected in a living educational theory, whereby assumptions of knowledge should exhibit integrity and wholeness. A relational ontology and a participatory worldview replace e substantialist ontology and a correspondence theory of tru!h. Assumptions of knowledge require ongoing contestation, whilst thinking modes and metaphors of an emerging paradigm can facilitate conceptual transformation in a postmodern, postindustrial world. Complexity theory yields alternative metaphors and modes of thinking conducive to a dynamic surrounding. Mechanistic metaphors should be replaced by an organic and dynamic discourse. A position, wherein humankind is regarded as 'opposite' of the world, is no longer useful. The metaphor of the hologram is appropriate. Emphasis is given to wholeness and ethical responsibility instead of prediction and control which led to the earth's exploitation. Scientific certainty gives way to nonlinearity and unpredictability within boundaries of patterns. Simultaneously this creates hope, because small inputs can eventually make a difference to an interconnected world. / Comparative Education / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which principals of schools in Gauteng are implementing co-operative school governance. The shift to co-operative governance is a result of new legislation, and in particular the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, which aims at redressing the inequalities of past legislation. To determine the extent, to which principals are engaged in co-operative governance, a questionnaire was designed to elicit essential information as to how co-operative governance has been practically implemented. The research attempted to evaluate the commitment and dedication of principals to the process of shared decision-making; decentralisation and accountability; to engendering healthy relations with governors; to ensure that legislation is complied with as regards the composition of governing bodies; and to encourage governors to attend training. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of this study is to examine the role played by the state in developing partnerships in school governance, to establish how school governance reform and restructuring can enhance powers and functions of school governing bodies and to identify the needs and problems of partners in school governance. A literature study was conducted to investigate the role of the state in partnerships in school governance and its implications for school governing bodies. Reference was made to studies conducted in countries experiencing educational reform. An empirical survey was conducted to establish the views of the state and school governors. For this purpose, a questionnaire was sent to members of governing bodies, while an interview was held with an official in the Department of Education. It was found that the implementation of reform influences relationships and functions of governing bodies and causes problems which the state should address. / Educational Leadership and Management / M.Ed. (Educational Management)

Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Technology: Human Resources Management, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / To face the challenges of the 21st century, institutions need to address problems experienced by the modern world. The nature of modern work is changing and continually increasing, with knowledge, information and education. As we move further into the information and knowledge age, the workforce will require sophisticated education and training to sustain competitiveness and responsible development. In response to this challenge the DOE restructured Higher Education to make it relevant to the needs of society and industry. In terms of the National Plan Higher Education (2001) many Technikons were either converted to Universities of Technology (UOT) or merged into universities and became Comprehensive Universities. The Traditional University made up the third type of university. As a result three distinct types of institutions emerged, namely UOTs, Comprehensive Universities and Traditional Universities. In this configuration previous Technikons were reclassified as a UOTs and were able to offer degrees also. This research studied the development of UoTs and its evolution to “University” status. After being classified as Universities of Technology, it soon became clear that these universities lacked a philosophy. Its attributes were not clearly formulated by the DOE. It was left largely to the UoTs in South Africa to develop a set of attributes. This study developed an underlying philosophy, attributes, and performance indicators to guide the strategic direction and development of UoTs in creating a unique personality for itself. Five universities were studied in UK, Germany and Switzerland to develop a set of characteristics/attributes and performance indicators that can be adopted in South Africa. Five local UoTs were also studied, together with the South African Technological Network in building a set of common attributes. A Balanced Score Card was designed as a management model. Each attribute was linked to drivers and each driver was linked to performance indicators. The model included the various perspectives and components, which illustrated the interaction and cause and effect relationships. The philosophy of a Learning Organisation was adopted and its principals underpinned the interaction and relationships. This model will ensure that South African UoTs are able to comply with both national and international benchmarks. UoTs pride themselves by ensuring that they produce and apply knowledge to solve real world problems. These universities see themselves as part of the greater society and therefore partnerships are critical to its functioning. Technology transfer and leadership in technology is a key strategic goal in determining its unique position in the Higher Education landscape. The Balanced Score Card was used to develop a management model which is a tool in establishing a UoT with benchmarks, performance indicators and drivers.

Thesis(PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this dissertation the proposals made by the Department of Education towards the infusion of a culture of human rights and using dialogue as a facilitation strategy are problematised. It is argued that the lack of professional development programmes to assist educators in dealing with these proposals is one of the reasons why the infusion of a culture of human rights and dialogue as a facilitation strategy have not transpired as desired. Another apparent reason for the non-realisation of these ideals is that the classroom is not generally seen as an ethical community that has the propensity to anthropomorphise the ideal of infusing a culture of human rights through dialogue. The main focus of this enquiry was therefore to propose a normative theory of dialogue as a facilitation strategy as constitutive to the infusion of a culture of human rights in the context of an ethical community, aiming towards applying this theory in the form of an intervention research programme for selected in-service educators in the Mafikeng/Mmabatho area. The application assisted in determining the viability of the programme, specifically in terms of its theoretical underpinning, and the possibility of further developing it for the purpose of professional development of in-service educators beyond the scope of this target group. The theoretical underpinning of the intervention research programme consisted of a normative theory of dialogue as facilitation strategy characterised by: providing a dialogic stimulus, allowing for moments of deconstruction, critique and reconstruction, and finishing with debriefing and reflection. With regard to the human rights components, the focus was more on the infusion of a culture of human rights on a moral level than on an epistemological level. The intervention research process revealed how diverse groups of educator-participants responded to the intervention research programme. In addition, the research process demonstrated how and why the intervention research process could serve as a possible methodological framework for the design and development of professional development that is inclusive to a variety of education stakeholders. From this study it seems that the participating educators approved of and assimilated the intervention research programme and its underlying theory, albeit in different stages of the research process and with different concerns in mind. The work presented in this dissertation contributes firstly to a refined understanding of dialogue as a facilitation strategy in the South African context and secondly to an understanding of the frequently used notion of infusing the classroom with a culture of human rights in terms of its moral significance. Finally, it also focuses on and addresses the challenge of educator development and the organisation of facilitation strategies that are required to prevent human rights from being assimilated in inept educational paradigms. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie proefskrif poog om die voorstelle van die Departement van Onderwys rakende die infusie van ʼn kultuur van menseregte in die klaskamer en die gebruik van dialoog as fasiliteringstrategie te bevraagteken. Daar is geargumenteer dat die tekort aan professionele ontwikkelingsprogramme ter ondersteuning van onderwysers om hierdie voorstelle te implementeer een van die redes is waarom die infusie van ʼn kultuur van menseregte in die klaskamer en die gebruik van dialoog as fasiliteringstrategie nie tot sy reg kom nie. Die feit dat die klaskamer meestal nie gesien word as ʼn etiese gemeenskap wat oor die potensiaal beskik om die ideaal van die infusie van ʼn kultuur van menseregte in die klaskamer en die gebruik van dialoog as fasiliteringstrategie te verwesenlik nie, is nog ’n rede waarom hierdie voorstelle oënskynlik geen effek het nie. Die hooffokus van hierdie ondersoek was dus om ʼn normatiewe teorie ter ondersteuning van dialoog as fasiliteringstrategie wat bevorderlik is vir die infusie van ʼn kultuur van menseregte in die konteks van ’n etiese gemeenskap te ontwikkel. Hierdie teorie is toegepas in die konteks van ’n intervensie-navorsingsprogram vir geselekteerde indiens-onderwysers in die Mafikeng/ Mmabatho-omgewing. Die toepassing het gehelp om vas te stel wat die praktiese waarde van die program is, veral ten opsigte van die program se teoretiese onderbou. Die moontlikheid om die program verder te ontwikkel as ’n professionele ontwikkelingsprogram vir indiens-onderwysers buite die bereik van die studie, is sodoende ook ondersoek. Die teoretiese onderbou van die intervensie-navorsingsprogram het bestaan uit ʼn normatiewe teorie van dialoog as fasiliteringstrategie wat gekenmerk word deur ’n dialogiese stimulus, wat ruimte laat vir oomblikke soos dekonstruksie, kritiek en rekonstruksie, asook vir ontlonting en refleksie. Met betrekking tot die menseregtekomponent, was die fokus meer op die morele infusie van ʼn menseregtekultuur as op die epistemologiese infusie daarvan. Die intervensie-navorsingsproses het openbaar hoe diverse onderwyser-deelnemers op die intervensie-navorsingsprogram reageer. Die navorsingsproses het ook gewys hoe en waarom intervensie-navorsingsprosesse kan dien as ʼn moontlike metodologiese raamwerk vir die ontwerp en ontwikkeling van professionele ontwikkelingsprogramme wat ʼn verskeidenheid van onderwysbelanghebbendes in ag neem. Van die resultate kon daar afgelei word dat die deelnemende onderwysers die intervensie-navorsingsprogram en onderliggende teorie goedgekeur en geassimileer het. Dit was egter duidelik dat elke groep deelnemers die program verskillend geassimileer het en dat hul verskillende probleemareas ervaar het. Die werk wat in hierdie proefskrif weergegee word het eerstens ʼn bydrae gemaak tot die begrip van dialoog as fasiliteringstrategie in die Suid-Afrikaanse konteks, en tweedens tot die verstaan van die idee rakende die infusie van ’n menseregtekultuur in die klaskamer waarna telkens verwys word. Laastens het dit ook gefokus op die uitdaging van onderwyserontwikkeling en die organisering van fasiliteringstrategieë wat benodig word om te verhoed dat menseregte geassimileer word in paradigmas wat onvanpas is vir die onderwys.