A healthy and positive relationship between educators and learners is an important aspect in the establishment and sustainability of a nurturing and enabling school environment. However, research pertaining to South African schools shows that schools currently face many challenges that threaten relationships in schools and adversely affect the general well-being of the individuals concerned. The situation is problematic in every school context, but even more so in schools where risk factors are present in a concentrated form, as is the case in schools of skills. The researcher has been involved as a school counsellor at various schools of skills in the Western Cape for the past three years and has noticed that schools of skills are often exposed to various risk factors that influence the daily interaction between educators and learners and also impede the fostering of a healthy relationship between educators and learners. It is therefore logical that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills is influenced by the particular circumstances and that the relevant risk factors could be contributing to the current situation in schools of skills. Limited research about the relationship between educators and learners in the context of schools of skills impedes the situation even more. This research study aims to make a contribution to the solution of the identified problem by investigating ways in which the relationships between educators and learners can be improved within the context of schools of skills in the Western Cape. A literature study and empirical investigation were undertaken to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills and the way the respective parties experience it (the relationship). Therefore, the nature of the structure of this research study is qualitative phenomenological because it incorporates an investigation into the social relationships that connect educators and learners. The research study was done in four schools of skills in the Western Cape that is representative of the different settlement contexts in South Africa, namely urban, semi-urban and rural. The participants in the four various schools include educators (n=42) and learners (n=122). The collection of data took place in four phases and the following qualitative data collection methods were used: qualitative open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured individual interviews for educators as well as collages and semi-structured focus group interviews for learners. Thematic analysis of the respective data sets showed that the relationships between educators and learners can be improved by considering the contextual challenges both educators and learners are confronted with. Besides considering the contextual challenges it is also important to create spaces where relationships can be improved and learners can feel safe. This seems to be mainly the responsibility of the educators and can be done by setting clear boundaries and upholding healthy discipline. It was further demonstrated that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills can be improved by acting towards each other in such a way that mutual respect, mutual trust, the provision of care and support and open communication can be established as relationship-improving interaction patterns. In the light of the study’s findings, specific guidelines are provided to the educator at the school of skills and clear recommendations are made to the Department of Education with the aim of improving classroom relationships in schools of skills. In conclusion, recommendations are also made about further research to improve relationships between educators and learners in schools of skills. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

A healthy and positive relationship between educators and learners is an important aspect in the establishment and sustainability of a nurturing and enabling school environment. However, research pertaining to South African schools shows that schools currently face many challenges that threaten relationships in schools and adversely affect the general well-being of the individuals concerned. The situation is problematic in every school context, but even more so in schools where risk factors are present in a concentrated form, as is the case in schools of skills. The researcher has been involved as a school counsellor at various schools of skills in the Western Cape for the past three years and has noticed that schools of skills are often exposed to various risk factors that influence the daily interaction between educators and learners and also impede the fostering of a healthy relationship between educators and learners. It is therefore logical that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills is influenced by the particular circumstances and that the relevant risk factors could be contributing to the current situation in schools of skills. Limited research about the relationship between educators and learners in the context of schools of skills impedes the situation even more. This research study aims to make a contribution to the solution of the identified problem by investigating ways in which the relationships between educators and learners can be improved within the context of schools of skills in the Western Cape. A literature study and empirical investigation were undertaken to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills and the way the respective parties experience it (the relationship). Therefore, the nature of the structure of this research study is qualitative phenomenological because it incorporates an investigation into the social relationships that connect educators and learners. The research study was done in four schools of skills in the Western Cape that is representative of the different settlement contexts in South Africa, namely urban, semi-urban and rural. The participants in the four various schools include educators (n=42) and learners (n=122). The collection of data took place in four phases and the following qualitative data collection methods were used: qualitative open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured individual interviews for educators as well as collages and semi-structured focus group interviews for learners. Thematic analysis of the respective data sets showed that the relationships between educators and learners can be improved by considering the contextual challenges both educators and learners are confronted with. Besides considering the contextual challenges it is also important to create spaces where relationships can be improved and learners can feel safe. This seems to be mainly the responsibility of the educators and can be done by setting clear boundaries and upholding healthy discipline. It was further demonstrated that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills can be improved by acting towards each other in such a way that mutual respect, mutual trust, the provision of care and support and open communication can be established as relationship-improving interaction patterns. In the light of the study’s findings, specific guidelines are provided to the educator at the school of skills and clear recommendations are made to the Department of Education with the aim of improving classroom relationships in schools of skills. In conclusion, recommendations are also made about further research to improve relationships between educators and learners in schools of skills. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

This research investigates the education of entrepreneurship to learners with learning difficulties. It is important to keep in mind the rights and possibilities of a learner with learning difficulties. Two entrepreneurship programmes were presented to two different groups of learners at Oom Paul School. Learners with learning disabilities can be categorised as poor performers, learners with behavioural and emotional problems, development problems (for example a language deficit), as well as learners with permanent disabilities- physically, intellectual and sensorial. An important part of this research will focus on the discussion on the causes of learning difficulties and problems of learners. One of the most important aims in education, especially in teaching learners with learning difficulties, is to guide learners to become a part of adulthood and the business world as a responsible and active member of society. Unfortunately, there are many learners who- after a successful school career seems to get "lost" along the way, because of society's discrimination. Several entrepreneurial programmes have been developed and have been implemented with great success at various schools, with reference in particular to the programmes "Business Ventures" and "Entrepreneurskap: jou eie besigheid". Above mentioned programmes are developed for main stream education and are not necessarily suitable for learners with learning difficulties. According to literary studies on education on entrepreneurship, this study field is relatively new in RSA and that no research regarding entrepreneurship education for learners with learning difficulties has been done. This research has pointed out that the teaching and education of entrepreneurship to learners with learning difficulties can be successful with a few adjustments. The new outcomes-based curriculum for general education and training for further education is Curriculum 2005. This curriculum is learner centred and is beneficiary for the learner with disabilities and difficulties. The principles of outcomes-based curriculum (Curriculum 2005) contribute to the accommodation of all learners in their diversity and needs. The society is looking forward to the implementation of this new curriculum, due to the fact that discrimination against learners with learning disabilities/difficulties will no longer be part of our education. Awareness of entrepreneurship and teaching of entrepreneurship is part of the eight learning areas and also one of the critical outcomes of Curriculum 2005. Entrepreneurial awareness can offer a meaningful contribution to solve an essential problem in the RSA. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2000

This research investigates the education of entrepreneurship to learners with learning difficulties. It is important to keep in mind the rights and possibilities of a learner with learning difficulties. Two entrepreneurship programmes were presented to two different groups of learners at Oom Paul School. Learners with learning disabilities can be categorised as poor performers, learners with behavioural and emotional problems, development problems (for example a language deficit), as well as learners with permanent disabilities- physically, intellectual and sensorial. An important part of this research will focus on the discussion on the causes of learning difficulties and problems of learners. One of the most important aims in education, especially in teaching learners with learning difficulties, is to guide learners to become a part of adulthood and the business world as a responsible and active member of society. Unfortunately, there are many learners who- after a successful school career seems to get "lost" along the way, because of society's discrimination. Several entrepreneurial programmes have been developed and have been implemented with great success at various schools, with reference in particular to the programmes "Business Ventures" and "Entrepreneurskap: jou eie besigheid". Above mentioned programmes are developed for main stream education and are not necessarily suitable for learners with learning difficulties. According to literary studies on education on entrepreneurship, this study field is relatively new in RSA and that no research regarding entrepreneurship education for learners with learning difficulties has been done. This research has pointed out that the teaching and education of entrepreneurship to learners with learning difficulties can be successful with a few adjustments. The new outcomes-based curriculum for general education and training for further education is Curriculum 2005. This curriculum is learner centred and is beneficiary for the learner with disabilities and difficulties. The principles of outcomes-based curriculum (Curriculum 2005) contribute to the accommodation of all learners in their diversity and needs. The society is looking forward to the implementation of this new curriculum, due to the fact that discrimination against learners with learning disabilities/difficulties will no longer be part of our education. Awareness of entrepreneurship and teaching of entrepreneurship is part of the eight learning areas and also one of the critical outcomes of Curriculum 2005. Entrepreneurial awareness can offer a meaningful contribution to solve an essential problem in the RSA. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education, 2000