Submitted in fulfillment of the requirement for the degree of MASTER OF EDUCATION in the Dcpartment of Educational Psychology of the FACULTY OF EDUCATION of the University of Zululand, 2003. / This study involves an investigation into the effect of changes in society on the pedagogic relationship of trust. An attempt was made to look at these changes in general and how they have affected the learner-educator relationship of trust The literature study has revealed that educators have problems in adjusting to the introduction of the human rights culture in the classroom, as part of a broader political change whilst maintaining their authoritative guidance. These changes include internal factors like the family, divorce and separation, single parenting, family violence, women empowerment child abuse, polygamy, extended family and peer pressure. There are also external factors like parents' social class. political change, economic change, technological change, demographic change and the change in value systems and future perspective mat were explored. In order to gain insight into the impact of changes in society on the pedagogic relationship of trust, a literature study on inter alia the three relationship structures was undertaken. The investigation was aided by an empirical study comprising a structured questionnaire completed by educators in Umlazi and Umbumbulu districts. The study has confirmed that die relationship of trust is affected by changes in society. The study has also revealed that most of the experienced educators have since left die education system through voluntary severance packages. Both the literature study and the empirical survey have revealed that educators have misunderstood the learner's freedom of expression in class as a threat to their authority. The study has also shown mat mere is a need by educators to accept change and democracy before they deal with learners from a highly politicised society. It has also been revealed mat the present economic policy and redistribution of wealth have felled to provide employment opportunities and as such, the crime rate has increased. The impoverished society is therefore not taking care of learners" needs from home. by instilling the right values and morals, hence the increased rate of rape and sexual abuse of learners. In conclusion, a summary was presented and based on the findings of this study. The following are some recommendations that are made: > Parents, members of the Governing Body, principals, staff, management teams, learner representative councils and Student Christian Organizations should use democratic values and principles to implement policies and procedures. The vision and mission of the school should be clearly known to ail stakeholders. Information should circulate freely amongst all involved. > Educators should strive to interact with learners in a manner that values and respect for human rights emulate from interaction. > Educators should conduct regular searches with observing the dignity of fee learner, identifying learners in possession of a firearm, drugs or harmful substances, stolen property or pornographic material.