A thesis submitted to the Wits School of Education, Faculty of Humanities, University of the Witwatersrand in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education. Johannesburg 2016 / Instructional Leadership has been researched extensively in secondary schools in South Africa, and not much is known about it in South African primary schools. Instructional Leadership is concerned with teaching and learning and the behaviour of teachers in enhancing student or learner performance as the core business and function of schools. However, many principals in the low-functioning township primary schools do not conceptualise instructional leadership as such. Many of these schools continue to perform poorly academically. In a longitudinal study for the Matthew Goniwe School of Leadership and Governance (MGSLG) it was discovered that more than 500 school principals in Gauteng province did not conceptualise instructional leadership as their main role. The management of teaching and learning was ranked only seventh out of ten leadership activities. Principals shift their instructional leadership role to deputy principals and Head of Departments. This research explores principals’ structional leadership practices in relation to student achievement. This study employs a mixed-method approach which incorporates a qualitative and quantitative design and observation of principals’ instructional leadership practices. The participants in the study involve all levels of the teaching force which includes the principal, the deputy principal, the Head of Department (HoD) and the teachers in two township primary schools. The research findings reveal that school principals shift their instructional leadership to their lower level management colleagues. Key words: Instructional leadership, distributed leadership, student achievement, under-performance, curriculum management

The aim of this study is to assess the implementation of the Youth Crime Prevention Desk (YCPD) programme in the Ekurhuleni North Cluster in Gauteng. Since the Social Crime Prevention Strategy was introduced in the South African Police Service (SAPS), no study has been conducted in the organisation to assess whether this strategy has yielded the expected results in line with its objectives. Data was collected by means of in-depth interviews as well as focus group interviews with Community Policing Forum (CPF) members, YCPD programme community volunteers, SAPS social crime prevention coordinators, Department of Community Safety (DoCS) social crime prevention coordinators and a station commander in the Ekurhuleni North Cluster. These participants are closely involved with the YCPD programme and freely expressed their views, understanding, knowledge and beliefs in relation to the implementation and associated activities of the YCPD programme. In addition, the researcher conducted a comprehensive literature study of the national legislation, SAPS policies and directives that oversee and promote social crime prevention in South Africa, as well as library resources and international studies. Various objectives were fulfilled in the execution of this study:  It was determined that social crime prevention guidelines are not complied with regarding the implementation of the YCPD.  It was determined that the YCPD is not achieving its proposed aims and objectives. In addition, this study and its results provide a framework for mitigating the challenges encountered during the implementation of strategies for improving the establishment of the YCPD in the Ekurhuleni North Cluster. The findings of the research indicate that the YCPD programme has not been effectively implemented within the Ekurhuleni North Cluster, since it became evident that the YCPD role-players are confronted by various challenges, which impede the proper implementation of the programme. Based on the findings of this study, a Youth Crime Prevention Desk Implementation Framework was developed. This framework could serve as a guideline advising the South African Police Service, Department of Community Safety, Community Policing Forums and Youth Crime Prevention Desk programme’s community volunteers in the Ekurhuleni North Cluster how the implementation of the programme could be improved. This framework could also contribute towards further identifying best practices with a view to benchmarking such a framework in other areas in South Africa. This study makes a significant contribution to the improvement of the implementation of the Youth Crime Prevention Desk programme in the Ekurhuleni North Cluster and to youth social crime and violence in general. / Police Practice / D. Litt. et Phil. (Police Science)

Information regarding the ecological wellbeing of the Natalspruit and its adjoining wetlands is essential if the river is being managed using sound ecological management principles. Despite this, little is known about this river, with little documentation at the regional or municipal level. This study partially addresses this knowledge gap by evaluating the impacts of human activity on a section of the Natalspruit and its adjoining wetlands. It reports on pollution concentrations found at selected sample sites and compares the results to Rand Water data and the National Standards and Guidelines of South Africa for physicochemical parameters and contaminated soils. Water samples were collected at five chosen sample sites during May and July 2018. Soil samples were taken during July 2018. The study found that water at all five sample sites is not suitable for drinking, the health of livestock and recreational use due to the present and high Total Coliform levels (ranging from 450 CFU/100ml to 100 000 CFU/100ml), as well as Turbidity, Total Hardness, TDS, Mg, NO2, SO4, and BOD which also exceeded the guidelines. Only site SS1 (May) exceeded the CaCO3 concentrations regarding livestock health. No guidelines were available for DO levels on the health of livestock. Cl levels in the Natalspruit was suitable for drinking. PO4 concentration at all the sites were all within the guidelines of acceptable levels for aquatic ecosystems. In terms of heavy metals, Cr levels significantly exceeded the guidelines at all five sample sites with the exception of ecosystem health. This is of great concern due to the toxicity of Cr. Cu concentrations exceeded the guidelines for both all land-uses protective of water resources and ecosystem health, at SS1, SS2, SS3 and SS5. Ni concentrations exceeded the guidelines for all land-uses protective of the water resources at SS5. Pb and Zn concentrations exceeded the guidelines for the land-uses protective of the water resources at all the sites with the exception of SS4 for Pb and SS2 and SS4. SS1 and SS5 reported Zn concentrations higher than the guideline for the protection of ecosystem health. SASS 5, PES and EIS assessments indicated moderate to severe modifications of the river. Thus, mining, industrial activities, surface runoff from densely populated informal settlements and wastewater treatment plants have negatively impacted upon the river. Decades of environmental neglect and effluent discharge have degraded the ecosystem, thus necessitating rehabilitation. However, as the study was limited in both time and scope, so additional research should be undertaken. / Environmental Sciences / M. Sc. (Environmental Management)

Text in English / Health Communication Campaigns are one of the strategies used in facing the challenges of the spread and effects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, which is not only a health issue but also has sociocultural implications and consequences. Although there are some models and research tools available to guide the planning, designing, implementing, monitoring and evaluation of health communication campaigns, the premise of the study was on two assumptions. First, most available models that guide the planning and execution of HIV/AIDS communication campaigns do not sufficiently highlight sociocultural variables; and second, since most available models do not sufficiently emphasise sociocultural variables, the design of the instruments for the assessment of the campaigns are not sufficiently geared towards identifying and assessing sociocultural variables of the campaigns. In light of these assumptions, the study was undertaken for three reasons. Firstly, to construct a sociocultural health communication campaign conceptual model that incorporates and highlights sociocultural variables to guide the planning and implementation of health communication campaigns; particularly HIV/AIDS communication campaigns. Secondly to develop an assessment instrument for assessing the presence or absence of sociocultural variables in the planning and implementation of health communication campaigns. Thirdly to test the theoretical sociocultural assessment instrument developed in the study in an HIV/AIDS communication campaign of the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality’s HIV/AIDS Unit. The results indicated that the instrument is a functional sociocultural assessment tool that can be used to determine three main aspects. Firstly, whether or not and at what level there is/or was active involvement and participation of the target audience in the communication campaigns process. Secondly, whether or not and at what level in the planning and execution of a campaign, the sociocultural context was taken into consideration and the relevant elements of such context incorporated in the campaign process. Thirdly, whether or not and at what level relevant theories/models underpinned the whole process of the health communication campaigns in the planning, designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation stages. The sociocultural assessment instrument, therefore, is not meant for assessing the effectiveness of health communication campaigns per se. It is rather meant for use to ascertain the presence or absence of those three aspects on the assumption that if they are taking care of in the planning and implementation of such campaigns, the probability is that the campaigns would be more socioculturally appropriate. The implications of this study are that for health communication campaigns to be socioculturally appropriate, they display continuous community interactivity and participative (ensuring mutual relationship between campaign planners and target audience) in their planning, implementation and evaluation/assessment; making the whole campaign process strategic and integrative – their management should be strategic, implementation creative and monitoring and evaluation continuous. / Communication Science / D. Litt. et Phil. (Communication)

Child and youth care workers (CYCWs) provide intervention and support to children and youth in child and youth care centres (CYCCs) The purpose of this study was to investigate CYCWs’ knowledge and perceptions of attachment difficulties of children residing in CYCCs and to provide suggestions for social work support. The study adopted the Attachment Theory and Circle of Courage Theory. Drawing on qualitative methodology, 16 participants employed in CYCCs in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan region, South Africa were purposively selected for in-depth, qualitative interviews. The eight-step data analysis method by Tesch (in Creswell, 2014:198) was used. To ensure trustworthiness of the findings, the researcher mainly used Guba’s model cited in Krefting (1990:214–222).The researcher adhered to prescribed ethical considerations. The study recommended that child and youth care as a profession should be recognised and supported to ensure quality services to children with attachment difficulties living in CYCCs. / Social Work / M. A. (Social Work)

As unemployment is on the rise in developing economies as the result of a decline in the global economy during the past decade, increased attention is paid to entrepreneurship as generator of global economic growth. It has been noted that sustainable economic development cannot be achieved without entrepreneurship, nor can a country increase its gross domestic product and stock of wealth, or improve its citizens’ quality of life, if entrepreneurship is not increased. In order to increase the prospect of entrepreneurship in a country, it is necessary to introduce secondary school learners to entrepreneurship from the early grades, specifically the Grades 8 and 9 General Education and Training phase years. To stimulate learners’ interest in the subject, it is important to provide them with appropriate resources and textbooks, competent teachers and a well-structured curriculum. The knowledge and skills gained from studying entrepreneurship could influence learners’ future career choices. The unemployment rate in South Africa is high and 70 per cent of unemployed South Africans are youths. This percentage grows annually as learners exit the Further Education and Training (FET) phase. There is a dearth of literature on the attitudes of South African Business Studies learners in the FET phase towards entrepreneurship as a future career. Additionally, the role that entrepreneurship education plays in the potential career choices of Business Studies learners in the FET phase has not been explored extensively. Consequently this study attempted to explore the role of entrepreneurship education in influencing Business Studies learners in the FET phase in choosing entrepreneurship as a career. A qualitative case study research method was used to conduct the study. Three schools were identified and data were collected from them. The data-gathering methods employed were face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with Business Studies teachers; and focus group interviews with Business Studies learners in the three schools. The objective of the interviews was to determine the respondents’ views on the role that entrepreneurship education plays in learners’ career choices. The findings of the study indicate that teachers and learners strongly agree that entrepreneurship education plays a significant role in learners’ choice of entrepreneurship as a career. However, the respondents (both teachers and learners) highlighted challenges that could prevent learners from choosing entrepreneurship as a career. / Namate ʼn insinking in die wêreldekonomie die afgelope dekadewerkloosheid in ontwikkelende lande laat toeneem het, geniet entrepreneurskap as stimulus vir globale ekonomiese groei groter aandag. Dit is alombekend dat entrepreneurs noodsaaklik is vir volhoubare ekonomiese ontwikkeling. Sonder entrepreneurs kan geen ekonomie groei nie, kan geen land sy bruto binnelandse produk en rykdomreserwe vermeerdernie, en bly sy burgers se lewenstandaard onveranderd. Ten einde entrepreneurs te kweek, moet hoërskoolleerders reeds in Graad 8 en 9, in die jare van Algemene Onderwys en Opleiding (oftewel die AOO-fase), met entrepreneurskap kennis maak. Om hulle belangstelling te prikkel, isgeskikte hulpmiddels en handboeke, bevoegde onderwysers en ʼn behoorlik gestruktureerde kurrikulum noodsaaklik. Die kennis en vaardighede wat leerders in die studie van entrepreneurskap opdoen, kan hulle loopbaankeuse bepaal. Suid-Afrika het ʼn hoë werkloosheidsyfer en 70 persent van die land se werkloses is jongmense. Hierdie persentasie styg jaar na jaar namate leerders die fase vir Verdere Onderwys en Opleiding (VOO) voltooi. Daar is ʼn skaarste aan literatuur oor die vraagof Besigheidstudiein die VOO-fase Suid- Afrikaanse leerders se ingesteldheid jeens entrepreneurskapas loopbaan beïnvloed. Ook is die rol wat onderrig in entrepreneurskap in leerders se keuse van ʼn loopbaan speel, nog nie volledig ondersoek nie. Gevolglik poog hierdie studie om te bepaal of onderrig in entrepreneurskap Besigheidstudieleerders in die VOO-fase entrepreneurs van beroep laat word. ʼn Kwalitatiewe gevallestudie is as navorsingsmetode gebruik. Data is by drie skole ingesamel. By hierdie skole is deels gestruktureerde onderhoude van aangesig tot aangesig gevoer met Besigheidstudieonderwysers en fokusgroeponderhoude met Besigheidstudieleerders. Die doel van die onderhoude was om vas te stel of leerders van mening is dat onderrig in entrepreneurskap hulle loopbaankeuse bepaal. Volgens die bevindings van hierdie studie is onderwysers en leerders dit volkome eens dat onderrig ʼn bepalende rol in leerders se keuse van entrepreneurskap as loopbaan speel. Desnietemin het sowel onderwysers as leerders op uitdagings gewys wat verhoed dat leerders hierdie loopbaan volg. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Instructional leadership (IL) is a powerful tool that is used by principals to manage schools. There is a need for principals to fully embrace this concept of leadership and understand how educators respond to their IL. This study investigated the response of educators to principals’ IL. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six teachers at a selected high school. The results found that teachers were comparatively impressed by the principal’s IL. The principal showed partial involvement in managing an instructional programme and promotion of a culture of teaching and learning. The results will enable principals to understand the reaction of teachers to their IL, thereby empowering them to be better instructional leaders. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Management and Leadership)

This research presents a qualitative inquiry of the perceptions of the adult education teachers about their working conditions in the Adult Basic Education and Training programme. A qualitative investigation method was conducted, and a semi-structured interview was employed to collect data. The data from open-ended questions was analysed using a thematic approach. Findings suggest that the condition of services for adult education teachers was not acceptable and the levels of job satisfaction among teachers in adult education was low. Some recommendations that arise from the study are that the dilapidated buildings belonging to adult education be revamped and teaching and learning resources be provided. It is also recommended that the employment conditions of adult education teachers be in line with those of mainstream education teachers. / Adult Basic Education (ABET) / M. Ed. (Adult Education)

Many South African families are beset by social, psychological and economic challenges placing children at risk. Family preservation services, capitalising on families’ strengths to resolve their problems, are crucial to avoid the removal of children from their homes. Using a qualitative approach, this study reveals the experiences and perceptions of twelve social workers providing family preservation services in the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan of Gauteng Province. These social workers articulate their understanding of and experiences with the Children’s Act (Act No. 38) of 2005. They are generally optimistic that family preservation services can offer a helping process with the potential to improve family functioning. Nevertheless, there are stumbling blocks to effective service delivery, such as the kinds of social problems experienced by families, lack of funding, high caseloads, lack of resources and little co-operation from other disciplines and agencies. Based on these findings, recommendations are made for practice, policy and further research. / Social Work / MA (Social Work)

The aim of the study was to investigate strategies that could be used to equip Grade 10 teachers to teach accounting effectively. The aim was addressed by conducting the relevant literature survey and an empirical investigation. A qualitative approach which was modeled on the interpretive perspective was used to explore challenges faced by accounting teachers and learners. Five schools were selected in the Johannesburg Ekurhuleni District. Here, three HODs and two Grade 10 teachers were interviewed and observed while teaching. Strong and weak Grade 10 learners from each school were interviewed. The data was analysed and findings presented. The findings revealed that Grades 8 and 9 lack accounting exposure due to 40% weighting on financial literacy on the syllabus which then causes problems in Grade 10 from both the teaching and learning perspectives. The main recommendations arising from this study are that the Department of Education must relook at the syllabus and involve teachers in the planning of the curriculum in order to bridge the gap between the syllabuses. Accounting teachers should use variety of learning and teaching strategies, and create a supportive effective classroom environment in order to increase the learner’s interest. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)