A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Education of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Education in the Department of Educational Foundation and Management at the University of Zululand, 2019. / Corporal punishment was a world phenomenon based on the belief that for learners to behave correctly, they need to be punished through pain inflicting means. However, some countries started realizing that corporal punishment had adverse effects on learners and learning and therefore abolished it. South Africa followed suit and banned corporal punishment in 2000 and in its place, the Department of Basic Education and Training introduced Alternatives to Corporal Punishment (ACP). Despite the introduction of alternatives to corporal punishment, cases of application of corporal punishment are still being reported. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of alternatives to corporal punishment in maintaining learner discipline in secondary schools within the King Cetshwayo District. Mixed method approach was followed. Semi structured interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data. The sample consisted of 13 principals, 30 educators and 322 grade 12 leaners were involved in responding to the questionnaires. For the qualitative side, 2 Circuit Managers and 2 principals, 2 educators and 2 RCL learners participated in the semi structured interviews in this study. SPSS version 25 was used to analyse quantitative data and thematic analyses was used to analyse qualitative data. Results showed that there are alternatives to corporal punishment that are considered effective by all the respondents. These include inviting parents to school to discuss the behaviour of their children, the involvement of the School Governing Body, convening tribunal. The study also revealed that learners and educators hold different views when it comes to the effectiveness of other alternatives, which include, rendering community services by learners, suspension of learners for 14 days, additional work that can be done by learners at school and depriving learners from participation in extra- mural activities. The study recommends further research on the learner’s perception on ill-discipline in schools and the strategies that can be used by the teachers in maintaining discipline. This study concludes that the circuit managers, teachers, principals and learners take all the alternatives to corporal punishment wherein the parents are involved as effective. This study proposed the model for guiding the implementation on the alternatives to corporal punishment / National Research Foundation of South Africa

This study investigated the management of learner discipline by female primary school principals in the Bojanala Region of the North-West Province. The main focus was on strategies used by female primary school principals to manage learner discipline and the challenges they encounter in managing learner discipline in their schools. A qualitative research approach was used. Participants included four female principals, four deputy principals as well as four senior teachers in primary schools. Data was collected by means of an open-ended qualitative questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Data analysis began as soon as the first set of data was collected. Recorded data was transcribed verbatim. The main findings were that the gender of the principal does not matter in the management of learner discipline and that it all depends on the character and the leadership style of the principal. Female managers are capable of changing behaviours and attitudes of their subordinates and handle discipline by applying effective discipline strategies in the running and managing of primary schools. Role modeling and use of guidelines for discipline in the school are some of the strategies used by female principals. Disciplinary problems stem from both the home and the school and this presents a challenge for the effective management of learner discipline. It is recommended that a uniform well-communicated system of discipline and effective leadership styles be adopted in order to manage learner discipline appropriately. / Thesis (M.Ed ( Educational Management) North-West University, Mafikeng campus, 2013

Published Article / Learner discipline is an important aspect of schooling. Historically, teachers applied a number of measures to maintain discipline, including corporal punishment. In 1996 the use of corporal punishment in South African schools was banned. However, some parents and teachers believed that the banning of corporal punishment was directly responsible for poor discipline among learners in the township schools. The purpose of this article was to investigate this perception, as well as to investigate what teachers were doing to address disciplinary problems among learners. A questionnaire was developed, and distributed among 20 teachers from primary schools in the Matjhabeng Municipality (16 teachers responded). The data collected was quantitatively analysed. It was found that although cases of learner mischief were still experienced in the primary schools, the level of discipline has not increased disproportionately after the banning of corporal punishment; the majority of learners behaved fairly well. However, some teachers were found to use harsh measures of disciplining learners, including corporal punishment. The involvement of parents in learner discipline was not preferred by many teachers. To help teachers to effectively handle discipline, the Ministry of Education has to find ways of training teachers in democracy, stress management and conflict management.

Magister Educationis - MEd / Teachers in schools located in disadvantaged areas are increasingly required to address poor learner behaviour, which makes teaching and the completion of the curriculum a great challenge to teachers. This raised the need to explore teacher views of the effectiveness of the different classroom management strategies teachers’ use and their value in addressing learner behaviour and achievement. This research therefore focussed on understanding classroom management issue from the perspective of teachers. The broad aim of this study was thus to compare teacher perceptions of the factors that contributed to effective classroom management practices in two public high schools located in a historically disadvantaged community. An eco-systemic theoretical lens is used to illuminate an understanding of the complexity of school systems and factors which influence classroom management (CRM). This relates to a Whole School Development (WSD), an approach in which all elements of organisational life and stakeholders are involved to find a solution for a problem – in this case reducing the complexities of the school system in addition to the factors influencing CRM by involving all stakeholders possible.

The purpose of this study is to investigate how education managers conceptualise due process and how their understanding of due process influences the way in which they discipline learners. It adopted a qualitative approach that was based on an interpretative paradigm and followed a case study design. The data collection techniques that were used include semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Research was conducted in eight secondary schools. The findings of this study indicate that the majority of education managers have a good understanding of preliminary disciplinary investigation, a right to information, the disciplinary committee, who should participate in a disciplinary hearing and the appeal process. The minutes of few selected schools provide that schools do consider the school’s code of conduct for learners when disciplining learners. The study found that education managers lack sufficient understanding the implementation of due process and the correct steps to follow when conducting fair disciplinary hearings. Misunderstandings about the learners’ right to information, who should be involved in disciplinary committees, the involvement of witnesses and learner representation were common. Most schools did not include sufficient information in their notices for hearings. Some participants indicated that, for various reasons, they often avoid holding hearings and others avoid following correct procedures of learner discipline. In addition, there is a lack of understanding that the reasons given for a decision by a disciplinary committee must based on the evidence presented during the hearing. Some participants do not know which acts/laws/policies and learner disciplinary documents apply to learner discipline and did not ensure the safekeeping of minutes for their disciplinary hearings. Most schools do not keep detailed minutes of the hearings conducted and the majority did not have disciplinary policies. Moreover, thre is still a lack of understanding about which learner behaviours constitute serious misconduct and whether a disciplinary hearing should be organised for learners who have committed criminal offences in a school. Only about a half of participants consider the age of learners when they discipline them. Some are not sure about number of days that are required for learner and parents to lodge an appeal. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2015. / tm2015 / Education Management and Policy Studies / PhD / Unrestricted

Due to the extent of disciplinary problems in South African schools today, there is a growing need among all shareholders in education to understand which factors influence learner misconduct so as to find effective disciplinary methods that can be applied in South African schools. The literature indicates 5 factors which contribute to learner misconduct, being: • socially related factors; • parent-related factors; • school-related factors; • educator-related factors; and • learner-related factors. This study follows a holistic approach in order to understand the nature of and contributing factors to learner misconduct so as to examine the relationship between the learners' and the educators' perceptions regarding: • the various forms of learner misconduct in secondary schools; • the various factors which have a negative influence on learner conduct; • the effectiveness of methods that are currently applied by secondary schools. The contribution of the above-mentioned aspects was discussed in accordance with the different factors that relate to learner misconduct. This study was conducted at 14 secondary schools in the Potchefstroom district. Learner respondents (n = 735) as well as educator respondents (n = 29) were selected to answer the same questions on learner misconduct so as to enable comparison of learners' and educators' perceptions of learner misconduct. The empirical study led to the following findings: • According to the literature as well as the empirical study, the quality of South African educators is not up to standard. • According to the study it appears that educators with more experience than the average educator do not necessarily have command of knowledge of either the new curriculum or the contemporary approach to dealing with learner misconduct. The lack of knowledge regarding the new curriculum and regarding experience may contribute to learner misconduct. • According to the responses of the participants, it seems that none of the role-players are aware of their influence on one another in terms of learner misconduct: • Parents are not aware of the negative effect of divorce on learners. • Learners are not aware of the parents' role in their behaviour in the classroom. • Educators are not aware of the learners' living environment). • Educators do not seem to realise that learners may experience stress in their daily lives. The findings reveal that educators' uncertainty regarding certain aspects promote learner misconduct, for instance their incapability to maintain discipline, regarding the curriculum and problems with the educator-learner relationship. The research has indicated that some of the critical issues with regard to dealing with learner misconduct are situated in the integration of the 5 related factors for maintaining discipline, the wide gap between the perceptions of learners and educators regarding learner misconduct, as well as the conflicting needs of learners and educators in a challenging society. Specific recommendations were made for further study in accordance with the 5 relevant factors that contribute to learner misconduct. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Due to the extent of disciplinary problems in South African schools today, there is a growing need among all shareholders in education to understand which factors influence learner misconduct so as to find effective disciplinary methods that can be applied in South African schools. The literature indicates 5 factors which contribute to learner misconduct, being: • socially related factors; • parent-related factors; • school-related factors; • educator-related factors; and • learner-related factors. This study follows a holistic approach in order to understand the nature of and contributing factors to learner misconduct so as to examine the relationship between the learners' and the educators' perceptions regarding: • the various forms of learner misconduct in secondary schools; • the various factors which have a negative influence on learner conduct; • the effectiveness of methods that are currently applied by secondary schools. The contribution of the above-mentioned aspects was discussed in accordance with the different factors that relate to learner misconduct. This study was conducted at 14 secondary schools in the Potchefstroom district. Learner respondents (n = 735) as well as educator respondents (n = 29) were selected to answer the same questions on learner misconduct so as to enable comparison of learners' and educators' perceptions of learner misconduct. The empirical study led to the following findings: • According to the literature as well as the empirical study, the quality of South African educators is not up to standard. • According to the study it appears that educators with more experience than the average educator do not necessarily have command of knowledge of either the new curriculum or the contemporary approach to dealing with learner misconduct. The lack of knowledge regarding the new curriculum and regarding experience may contribute to learner misconduct. • According to the responses of the participants, it seems that none of the role-players are aware of their influence on one another in terms of learner misconduct: • Parents are not aware of the negative effect of divorce on learners. • Learners are not aware of the parents' role in their behaviour in the classroom. • Educators are not aware of the learners' living environment). • Educators do not seem to realise that learners may experience stress in their daily lives. The findings reveal that educators' uncertainty regarding certain aspects promote learner misconduct, for instance their incapability to maintain discipline, regarding the curriculum and problems with the educator-learner relationship. The research has indicated that some of the critical issues with regard to dealing with learner misconduct are situated in the integration of the 5 related factors for maintaining discipline, the wide gap between the perceptions of learners and educators regarding learner misconduct, as well as the conflicting needs of learners and educators in a challenging society. Specific recommendations were made for further study in accordance with the 5 relevant factors that contribute to learner misconduct. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

The study aimed to investigate the understanding of learner representatives of their involvement in drawing up and implementing the code of conduct of a school. The researcher addressed the aim by undertaking an appropriate literature review and doing an empirical investigation. A qualitative approach, which was modelled on a case study, was used to explore the experiences of learner representatives in the drafting and implementation of the learner code of conduct in their respective schools. Six learner representatives from six schools in the Johannesburg Ekurhuleni District who are Representative Council for Learners (RCL) and members of the School Governing Body (SGB) were interviewed. It was found that the learner representatives are not fully involved in the drawing up of the code of conduct for learners. Learner representatives’ presence in the SGB is tokenistic because they are side-lined when it comes to the drafting of the code of conduct for learners. The study further found that learner representatives want a review of some of the rules contained in the code of conduct for learners, including the policy on hair and dress code. The recommendations arising from this study are, therefore, that the SGBs must consider involving learner representatives in the drafting and implementation of the code of conduct for learners. This may assist in the curbing of indiscipline in schools. Finally, schools can involve learner representatives in the review of the existing code of conduct. / Dissertation (MEd)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Education Management and Policy Studies / MEd / Unrestricted

The aim of the study was to investigate the experiences and challenges of the SGBs in secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The research study focused mainly on the following key areas: the handling of learner discipline, the management of school finances, the formulation of the admissions policy and finally, the appointment of staff. The South African Schools Act promulgated in 1994 was committed to ensuring democracy in education through the active involvement of all stakeholders such as parents, learners (in secondary schools), educators and principal in the decision-making processes in schools. However, the evolution of school governance within the South African context during the past sixteen years has gone through many challenges in its determination to create an equitable society. Many School Governing Boards (SGBs), especially those in rural and previously disadvantaged schools do not adhere to the practices stipulated within the South African School Act of 1996 and as a result fail in their mandate. The empirical approach, namely qualitative research was successful in obtaining information from participants about the challenges they faced in school governance. The study revealed that SGBs faced immediate challenges and were not adequately capacitated to handle these challenges. Findings on learner discipline included cases such as stabbings, bullying, theft, alcohol and substance abuse, gang fights, school violence and learner fights. Findings on the handling school finances included cases such as the misappropriation of funds and the lack of proper financial planning. The adoption of discriminatory admissions practices by schools was also evident. In particular, cases of discrimination against age, religion and the use of admission tests were reported. A high level of corruption, nepotism, personal preferences and the abuse of power was common in the staff appointments vii made by the SGBs were also reported. Finally, the study made a number of recommendations with regard to the research findings for all stakeholders in South African education to consider. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of the study was to investigate the experiences and challenges of the SGBs in secondary schools in KwaZulu-Natal. The research study focused mainly on the following key areas: the handling of learner discipline, the management of school finances, the formulation of the admissions policy and finally, the appointment of staff. The South African Schools Act promulgated in 1994 was committed to ensuring democracy in education through the active involvement of all stakeholders such as parents, learners (in secondary schools), educators and principal in the decision-making processes in schools. However, the evolution of school governance within the South African context during the past sixteen years has gone through many challenges in its determination to create an equitable society. Many School Governing Boards (SGBs), especially those in rural and previously disadvantaged schools do not adhere to the practices stipulated within the South African School Act of 1996 and as a result fail in their mandate. The empirical approach, namely qualitative research was successful in obtaining information from participants about the challenges they faced in school governance. The study revealed that SGBs faced immediate challenges and were not adequately capacitated to handle these challenges. Findings on learner discipline included cases such as stabbings, bullying, theft, alcohol and substance abuse, gang fights, school violence and learner fights. Findings on the handling school finances included cases such as the misappropriation of funds and the lack of proper financial planning. The adoption of discriminatory admissions practices by schools was also evident. In particular, cases of discrimination against age, religion and the use of admission tests were reported. A high level of corruption, nepotism, personal preferences and the abuse of power was common in the staff appointments vii made by the SGBs were also reported. Finally, the study made a number of recommendations with regard to the research findings for all stakeholders in South African education to consider. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)