The goal of this research was to determine how to productively provide in the unique needs of academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase in the South African education system. The study comprised an empirical, qualitative investigation to this end. Individual interviews with primary school principals and focus groups with primary school teachers, academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase and parents served to determine what the educational needs of academically gifted children are. Secondly, a mini-education system for academically gifted learners was planned and a programme for academically gifted learners was developed within this mini-education system. The information for the development of the programme was gathered from the interviews and focus groups. The paradigm that forms the foundation of this research includes elements of a Christian world view and is complemented by elements of interpretivism, constructivism, pragmatism and post-modernism. The literature study on academically gifted learners revealed that these learners possess their own unique characteristics. Although academically gifted, these learners experience many cognitive, social and affective problems in the current education system. The structure of the education system, educational productivity and self-managed and interactive learning as teaching strategy were highlighted as internal determinants of an educative nature that influence academically gifted learners. The current condition of gifted education in South Africa and on an international level form the internal determinants of historical nature. If education to gifted learners, and specifically academically gifted learners, in South Africa is compared to other countries, it is clear that there are still many gaps in the education system. The main external determinants that influence educational provision to academically gifted learners include the demography of academically gifted learners, the economic environment of academically gifted learners, science and technology, the role of politics in the educational provision to academically gifted learners and the co-workers and competitors in the educational provision to academically gifted learners. The number of learners is increasing and that means that the need for educational provision to academically gifted learners is increasing. A distance-based programme is ideal, as academically gifted learners are scattered across our country. The main goal of this study was to plan a mini-education system that will provide in the unique needs of academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase in an educationally productive way in South Africa. The framework for the strategic planning of a mini-education system was used as research method. An achievable, sustainable and affordable distance-based educational programme for academically gifted learners was planned and a grade 4 pilot module developed within this mini-education system. The findings of this study suggest that the framework for the strategic planning of a mini-education system can be successfully used in planning a system that can effectively provide in the needs of academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase. From the interviews and focus group it was also clear that there is a need for educational programmes intended for academically gifted learners and that these programmes can be successfully implemented at schools. / MEd (Comparative Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The goal of this research was to determine how to productively provide in the unique needs of academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase in the South African education system. The study comprised an empirical, qualitative investigation to this end. Individual interviews with primary school principals and focus groups with primary school teachers, academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase and parents served to determine what the educational needs of academically gifted children are. Secondly, a mini-education system for academically gifted learners was planned and a programme for academically gifted learners was developed within this mini-education system. The information for the development of the programme was gathered from the interviews and focus groups. The paradigm that forms the foundation of this research includes elements of a Christian world view and is complemented by elements of interpretivism, constructivism, pragmatism and post-modernism. The literature study on academically gifted learners revealed that these learners possess their own unique characteristics. Although academically gifted, these learners experience many cognitive, social and affective problems in the current education system. The structure of the education system, educational productivity and self-managed and interactive learning as teaching strategy were highlighted as internal determinants of an educative nature that influence academically gifted learners. The current condition of gifted education in South Africa and on an international level form the internal determinants of historical nature. If education to gifted learners, and specifically academically gifted learners, in South Africa is compared to other countries, it is clear that there are still many gaps in the education system. The main external determinants that influence educational provision to academically gifted learners include the demography of academically gifted learners, the economic environment of academically gifted learners, science and technology, the role of politics in the educational provision to academically gifted learners and the co-workers and competitors in the educational provision to academically gifted learners. The number of learners is increasing and that means that the need for educational provision to academically gifted learners is increasing. A distance-based programme is ideal, as academically gifted learners are scattered across our country. The main goal of this study was to plan a mini-education system that will provide in the unique needs of academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase in an educationally productive way in South Africa. The framework for the strategic planning of a mini-education system was used as research method. An achievable, sustainable and affordable distance-based educational programme for academically gifted learners was planned and a grade 4 pilot module developed within this mini-education system. The findings of this study suggest that the framework for the strategic planning of a mini-education system can be successfully used in planning a system that can effectively provide in the needs of academically gifted learners in the intermediate phase. From the interviews and focus group it was also clear that there is a need for educational programmes intended for academically gifted learners and that these programmes can be successfully implemented at schools. / MEd (Comparative Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The current mainstream classroom presents several challenges for teachers and principals. Leaner diversity is seen as one of these challenges that teachers face. The Education White Paper 6 (South-Africa, 1996) recognizes all learner diversities, yet gifted-education is given minimal attention. The purpose of this qualitative research is to create a clear picture about the perspectives of high-school teachers, principals and parents of academically-gifted learners. This study seeks to identify the participants’ views about the education of academically-gifted learners and identify possibly gaps in ways of how academically-gifted learners can be supported productively. The research found that there is currently a lack of adequate educational support to academically-gifted learners. Research shows that there is a gap between official educational policies and the classroom situation. Participants in the study admit that academically-gifted learners are not effectively included in the mainstream classroom. Participants believe that the lack of a national definition of academic-giftedness, the deficit to appropriate training for teachers and the views of inclusive education puts strain on the education of these learners. Secondary school teachers and principals believe that the successful implementation of a policy an appropriate education of academically-gifted learners can only be accomplished if there is cooperation between all interested parties. Participants believe that both the parent and the teachers of academically-gifted learners should work together to form a support network for these learners. The findings of the research confirm the need for appropriate productive education and training to academically-gifted learners, so that all stakeholders can work together to help those learners develop. / MEd (Comparative Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The current mainstream classroom presents several challenges for teachers and principals. Leaner diversity is seen as one of these challenges that teachers face. The Education White Paper 6 (South-Africa, 1996) recognizes all learner diversities, yet gifted-education is given minimal attention. The purpose of this qualitative research is to create a clear picture about the perspectives of high-school teachers, principals and parents of academically-gifted learners. This study seeks to identify the participants’ views about the education of academically-gifted learners and identify possibly gaps in ways of how academically-gifted learners can be supported productively. The research found that there is currently a lack of adequate educational support to academically-gifted learners. Research shows that there is a gap between official educational policies and the classroom situation. Participants in the study admit that academically-gifted learners are not effectively included in the mainstream classroom. Participants believe that the lack of a national definition of academic-giftedness, the deficit to appropriate training for teachers and the views of inclusive education puts strain on the education of these learners. Secondary school teachers and principals believe that the successful implementation of a policy an appropriate education of academically-gifted learners can only be accomplished if there is cooperation between all interested parties. Participants believe that both the parent and the teachers of academically-gifted learners should work together to form a support network for these learners. The findings of the research confirm the need for appropriate productive education and training to academically-gifted learners, so that all stakeholders can work together to help those learners develop. / MEd (Comparative Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

Primary school teachers in Zimbabwe tend to face a number of challenges that need to be overcome if they are to handle learners with diverse needs effectively. The main problem has been failure by teachers to deal with gifted learners. The objective of this qualitative study focused on answering the key research question, ‘What are the teacher education initiatives undertaken by Teachers Colleges to prepare trainee teachers in handling gifted learners in primary schools in Zimbabwe?’ The problem is mainly attributed to preparation of teachers during pre-service training. Primary school education in Zimbabwe has tended to ignore gifted learners as compared to learners who experience academic barriers. It has been observed that records kept by trainee teachers on teaching practice reflect some serious planning considerations given to remedial cases in which gifted learners are completely ignored. This suggests that the trainee teachers are not deliberately ignoring gifted learners but have an inherent assumption that they do not need extra attention. The research was grounded in the constructivist paradigm to gain a full understanding of the social life-world of the initiatives by teacher education in the preparation of trainee teachers to handle gifted learners. A phenomenological design was employed to collect data through qualitative methods, namely semi-structured interviews, observation and focus group discussion. The respondents to these data collection methods were lecturers from two teachers colleges, qualified teachers and trainee teachers from two primary schools. The main finding was that gifted education was missing in the teacher preparation to enable trainee teachers to handle gifted learners. The researcher made some recommendations from the conclusions drawn from the research findings. The recommendations included that there is need for a national policy on gifted education to provide guidelines for teacher education programmes and that teacher training colleges should review their curriculum specifically in Theory of Education and Professional Studies to include gifted education. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Primary school teachers in Zimbabwe tend to face a number of challenges that need to be overcome if they are to handle learners with diverse needs effectively. The main problem has been failure by teachers to deal with gifted learners. The objective of this qualitative study focused on answering the key research question, ‘What are the teacher education initiatives undertaken by Teachers Colleges to prepare trainee teachers in handling gifted learners in primary schools in Zimbabwe?’ The problem is mainly attributed to preparation of teachers during pre-service training. Primary school education in Zimbabwe has tended to ignore gifted learners as compared to learners who experience academic barriers. It has been observed that records kept by trainee teachers on teaching practice reflect some serious planning considerations given to remedial cases in which gifted learners are completely ignored. This suggests that the trainee teachers are not deliberately ignoring gifted learners but have an inherent assumption that they do not need extra attention. The research was grounded in the constructivist paradigm to gain a full understanding of the social life-world of the initiatives by teacher education in the preparation of trainee teachers to handle gifted learners. A phenomenological design was employed to collect data through qualitative methods, namely semi-structured interviews, observation and focus group discussion. The respondents to these data collection methods were lecturers from two teachers colleges, qualified teachers and trainee teachers from two primary schools. The main finding was that gifted education was missing in the teacher preparation to enable trainee teachers to handle gifted learners. The researcher made some recommendations from the conclusions drawn from the research findings. The recommendations included that there is need for a national policy on gifted education to provide guidelines for teacher education programmes and that teacher training colleges should review their curriculum specifically in Theory of Education and Professional Studies to include gifted education. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)