Thesis (M. Ed.)--University of South Africa, 2002.

A full dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Masters in Education Presented to the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences 2015 / This research project was conducted in 2010 and 2011 as a strategy to determine the effectiveness of a home-school partnership programme (HSPP) in a Grade R class. This study was an investigation into the empowerment of parents of Grade R learners in assisting the learning of literacy at home. Parents of Grade R learners attended a seven-week programme on ways of assisting their children. By attending the HSPP, parents and teachers were encouraged to form a link between home and school. The present study is grounded in Paulo Freire’s theoretical model of knowledge and acquisition as well as Bronfennbrener’s bio-ecological system. Reference is made to Costa’s sixteen Habits of Mind, which indicates how parents have grown in terms of their way of thinking. A qualitative approach was used. Focus group interviews, semi-structured questionnaires and footage from the local broadcasting studio were used to collect data. The sample size consisted of five participants who were interviewed during 2010 and five participants who were interviewed during 2011. These parents agreed to be part of the research programme. The key question of this study was answered: How can the HSPP assist parents with the learning of literacy at home? The results confirmed the positive impact that the programme had upon the parents. They wanted to assist their children at home but did not previously have the skills to do that. By gaining these skills, they became confident to use everyday objects to help their young children become literate. In conclusion, from the current research, it can be seen that if the home, the school and the community collaborate in a meaningful and sustained way, the future of our children’s education, especially in poverty-stricken areas where unemployment is rife, can be improved significantly in a constructive and long-term manner.

Thesis (MEd)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: There are an estimated 10 000 children in and around the streets of South Africa, with the speculation that this could be higher, given the difficulties surrounding the counting of the street children. Not all street children live on the streets permanently: many spend their days there mainly for economic reasons earning an income, then spend their nights at their homes or those of friends and relatives. Others go to the street as an alternative to going to school or, in an effort to avoid parents or caregivers who show little interest in their lives, or who force them onto the street to earn money. It is particularly children that have not become permanent residents of the street and that are part of community-based home schools, that are the focus of this study. A· qualitative approach is used to establish the experiences of these children in a residential area in the northern suburbs of Cape Town. The study revealed the following: • Community-based home schools provide children with basic needs like food, clothing and importantly, a trusting relationship with an adult. • Children's lives are restored in a non-threatening environment, assisting them to regain their dignity, establish healthier selfconcepts as well as higher self-esteem. Once these basic needs are fulfilled, it became evident that children are able to return to the experience of mainstream school and in so doing face the world with renewed fervour. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Na beraming is daar omtrent 10 000 straatkinders in Suid Afrika. Daar word gespekuleer dat die getal hoër kan wees as gevolg van die probleme met die tel van straatkinders. Nie alle straatkinders leef permanent op die strate nie. Baie spandeer hul dae op straat slegs vir ekonomiese gewin waar hulle 'n inkomste verdien, en slaap snags by hul huise óf by vriende óf familie. Ander leef op die straat as 'n alternatief om skool toe te gaan. Hulle doen dit ook om hulouers of voogde te vermy wat min aandag aan hulle skenk of wie die kinders forseer om geld op die straat te verdien. Dit is veral kinders wat nie permanent op die straat lewe nie, en deel is van huisskole, wat die fokus is van hierdie studie. 'n Kwalitatiewe benadering is gebruik om die ervarings van hierdie kinders in 'n gemeenskap in die noordelike voorstede te bewerkstellig. Die studie het die volgende getoon: • Gemeenskapsgebaseerde huisskole voorsien kinders met die basiese benodighede soos kos, klere en baie belangrik, die vertroue van 'n verhouding met' n volwassene. • Die kinders se lewens word herstel in 'n omgewing wat nie bedreigend is nie en wat hulle help om hul waardigheid te herwin en om 'n gesonde selfkonsep en hoër selfbeeld te vestig. • Wanneer hierdie basiese benodighede vervul is, het dit duidelik geword dat hierdie kinders kon terugkeer na die hoofstroom-skool ervaring en op hierdie manier kon hulle die wêreld met hernuwe ywer aanpak.

The dissertation involves an investigation into home schooling in South Africa as an alternative to institutionalised schooling. This is done by means of qualitative research techniques, whereby an ethnographic study of a single home-schooling family takes place. This study occurs against the background established by a comprehensive literature review of the context, nature, scope and current issues of the home-schooling movement, in selected international countries as well as in South Africa. The study investigates the modus operandi of a home school in an attempt to explore actual practice and to uncover primary data. Limited recommendations for home schooling on the basis of the literature study and the specific qualitative inquiry are made. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Comparative Education)

The dissertation involves an investigation into home schooling in South Africa as an alternative to institutionalised schooling. This is done by means of qualitative research techniques, whereby an ethnographic study of a single home-schooling family takes place. This study occurs against the background established by a comprehensive literature review of the context, nature, scope and current issues of the home-schooling movement, in selected international countries as well as in South Africa. The study investigates the modus operandi of a home school in an attempt to explore actual practice and to uncover primary data. Limited recommendations for home schooling on the basis of the literature study and the specific qualitative inquiry are made. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Comparative Education)