M.Ed. / Please refer to full text to view abstract

The goal of this research study was to provide psycho-educational guidelines that will facilitate synergy between the stakeholders involved with the teaching and learning of mathematics at a school. The stakeholders in this research study are members of the management team, the educators and the learners. Synergy simply defined means that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Covey (in Moore, 2003:1) states that synergy is the fruit of mutual respect, of understanding and valuing the differences in one another as well as different approaches to problem solving. I believe that when one creates an environment that is more open, more trusting, less judgemental, more loving and more caring in the classroom synergy will occur. This environment will produce learning outcomes beyond expectation. In other words, when the members of the groups of stakeholders at a school participate synergistically the results that are produced and outcomes that are achieved will be much higher then the total results of the inputs of their individual efforts. It is evident from the description, evaluation and interpretation of the collected data that learners and educators do not experience their interactions as situations where their potential is acknowledged and improved. Once again: if there is no effective interaction and appreciative understanding between the different stakeholders, successful integration cannot take place. There is almost no indication of any collaboration between the participants in the teaching and learning situation. In fact, the analysis of the data show that educators and learners experience the teaching and learning process as a process of disempowerment, which is Theme One of the analysed data. Almost all the sub-categories under Theme One provide evidence that the input of the different role players in the teaching and learning environment is not considered. These categories are: • learners experience that they have to do activities without the necessary pre-knowledge; • learners experience the teaching and learning of Mathematics as a process of victimization; • learners experience that educators ignore their learning needs; • learners experience inadequate communication and inappropriate guidance in the classroom; • educators portray an uncaring attitude; • learners do not portray a positive attitude towards the teaching and learning of mathematics; • educators do not experience job satisfaction; and • educators do not experience support from the parents. However, all the stakeholders that participated in this research study made recommendations that could contribute to a constructive teaching and learning climate. These recommendations were: • educators should play a supportive role; • learners and educators must be motivated; • learners should participate in the teaching and learning situation; o educators should implement new teaching strategies; o educators and learners should value co-operative learning and group work; and • team work between educators and learners should be enhanced; These recommendations indicate that the stakeholders would like the teaching and learning situation to become more constructive and meaningful through active participation. These are essential ingredients for synergy to take place. Educators and learners also indicated that they experience frustrations due to the socio-economic situation of the learners that impact negatively on the teaching and learning of mathematics and contribute to disempowerment of these stakeholders. It seems therefore that the community as well as the parents of these learners are stakeholders that should be considered when the guidelines are formulated. I experienced this research study as an eye-opener with regard to the development of the teaching and learning process into a constructive and meaningful activity. I realised that for sustainable development it is essential to develop all the stakeholders and not only the educators. / Prof. C.P.H. Myburgh

M.Ed. / Educators face the pressure of accountability from parents, employers, the state and the society. The success of teaching and learning at schools depends on the educator’s commitment and capabilities. The central question was : How can we describe the effectiveness of the developmental appraisal system at Thokoza primary schools and what are the reasons for a lack of commitment, capabilities and performance in the teaching staff? The focus of the study was a package of factors including the network of relationships in which educators are involved, which may be addressed to revitalize educators’ performances. The study was geographically confined to Thokoza Primary Schools in the East Rand. A convenient sample was chosen. Tools used were, questionnaires and interviews among educators and principals, and a critical review of the related literature. The project did not aim at generalization of the results but a sample, in depth understanding of the education situation concerning the developmental appraisal system at Thokoza Primary Schools.

The study investigated the self-reflection practices of School Management Teams (SMTs) in the Capricorn District. The purpose of the study was to establish self-reflective practices employed by SMT in performing their management functions, and to suggest a reflective model for the enhancement of SMT performance. The study followed the qualitative approach with a case-study research design. The population consisted of SMTs from primary, secondary and special schools. Purposive sampling was utilised to select 8 Head of Departments from less experienced to more experienced in management positions, while 9 principal and 9 deputy principals were randomly selected. Literature reviewed focused on the aims of self-reflection; the functions of SMT; the strengths and weaknesses of self-reflection; self-reflective practices and enhanced performance; models of school management; challenges in school management; and previous studies on SMT and school management. Henderson’s Ethical Model of Enquiry on reflective practice was used. The theory discusses what characterises reflective practitioners. Data was collected from quest views, individual interviews and focus group interviews. The interpretation and understanding were organised in the form of descriptive accounts. Tape-recorded interviews and data from quest views were transcribed verbatim. After transcribing data a sense of the whole was obtained by reading carefully with understanding, and then summarizing the salient aspects. Themes were identified from the responses and discussed. The study found that SMT members were not fully aware of all of their daily functions and poor reflective practices made it difficult for them to effectively fulfil their management functions. Furthermore, the study revealed that SMT members experienced challenges, such as dealing with unprofessional teachers, poor parental involvement, poor communication, poor infrastructure and lack of resources amd these impacted negatively on their performance. The study provided insights into the practice of self-reflection and how SMT members could become reflective practitioners. A new framework was suggested that SMTs should continuously and critically reflect on their management practices and decisions. The study recommends that SMT be trained and oriented about management functions prior to their appointment in the positions. The study further recommends that SMTs consider self-reflection as part of their daily activities.

M.Ed. / The need for co-operative governance in schools is reflected in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and also in the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996. Although the need for co-operative governance is highlighted in the legislation, it does not mean it is taking place in our schools as advocated. This research provides an analysis and critique of the roles of the stakeholders represented in the SGB in co-operative school governance as elucidated in the literature and also advocated by the legislation. The aim of this research is to probe the perceptions of various members of the SGB’s regarding co-operative school governance as mandated by the legislation, that is the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996. This research starts with the introduction and contextualisation of the problem. The literature study undertaken in chapter two revealed the importance of working together. It was discovered that co-operative governance is important to establish and maintain partnerships and teamwork between the school governors and other stakeholders. Subsequent to the literature review was the method and design of the study. These were undertaken using the qualitative research through the focus group interviews. The study drew responses from respondents who were organised according to categories of parents, principals, educators, learners and non-educator staff members. The interviews were tape-recorded. Transcriptions of tape-recorded interviews are included in this research as appendices. The qualitative data was analysed. The results of the data obtained clearly reflect that there are still many problems that need to be addressed. The important findings were discussed at length and thereafter conclusions and recommendations were made based on the findings. Recommendations and topics of further research were finally given. / Prof. T.C. Bischoff

M.Ed. (Educational Management) / The implementation ofthe South African School Act 84 of 1996 located significant management responsibilities with principals and governing bodies of public schools. The Schools Act is aimed at the creation and management ofa new national school system. This system must, as far as is reasonably possible, give everyone an equal opportunity to develop his or her talents. This research will focus specifically on the roles of the SGB and SMT, and on the developing relationships between them in the management ofschools. As Glatter, (1988:155) maintain that governing bodies experience uncertainty because they. face different expectations and demands and need to create different relationships with the surroundings institutions that are interested in the local education system.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The essential role that school management teams (SMTs) play in managing change has been debated for many years both nationally and internationally. Central to these debates has been the need to understand how to best empower SMTs through a process of continuous professional development. This research aimed to explore SMT members’ experiences of professional and personal development in three rural primary schools in the broad context of educational change in South Africa and specifically in the context of policy implementation. This aim was explored by asking the following research questions: 1. How did educational change in South Africa influence leadership and management in schools? 2. What professional development was experienced by the SMTs as they tried to embrace new roles and responsibilities within a new policy context? 3. What personal development was experienced by the SMTs as they tried to embrace new roles and responsibilities within a new policy context? 4. What are SMT members’ suggestions for enhancement of personal and professional development and support of SMTs in schools in South Africa? The literature review which grounded this study focused on three areas, namely, educational change, leadership and management in schools, and professional and personal development. An integrated theoretical framework was employed and provided the lens through which the data was collected and analysed. Key concepts within the framework included mental maps, reflexivity and authoring which were synthesised within change theory. The change theory employed emphasised the value of engaging with first, second and third orders of change to effect the facilitation of meaningful change on both a personal and professional level. SMTs from three rural primary schools in three different provinces, comprising of six educators each, participated in the study. The researcher conducted three focus groups and 18 individual interviews. The social constructivist -interpretive paradigm that framed this research study is a worldview that understands reality as being constructed when people engage with each other. Congruent with the social constructivist -interpretive paradigm is a qualitative research design, which was employed in this study to collect rich, comprehensive, in-depth data that explored the professional and personal development experiences of SMTs to illuminate the complexity of the issue being studied. The study encompassed three phases of data collection. Firstly, a detailed document analysis was conducted where policy documents, research reports and job descriptions were studied and analysed. Secondly, 18 SMT members were interviewed in three focus groups. Thirdly, the 18 SMT members were individually interviewed. Phases two and three of the data collection process employed semi-structured interviews to generate data. The data analysis employed a qualitative, thematic approach to analyse and interpret the data that emerged. A thematic approach was used to illuminate the professional and personal development experiences and challenges facing the SMTs. The thematic approach generated distinct categories that were used as descriptors to report on the findings of the research. The findings highlight the need for integrated professional and personal development, role clarification, school-based support, policy mediation and outlines implications for the development of SMTs. This research makes a contribution towards educational change in South African schools by providing insights and proposing a model of professional and personal development for SMTs. It illuminates the vital importance of first acknowledging developmental needs and then facilitating personal and professional development to effect practical implementation of change at schools as required by policy. The researcher demonstrates how three orders of change theory with related personal development concepts can be integrated into a single theory to understand and facilitate change at the level of the individual, group and organisation.

The Department of Basic Education classifies the NSNP as one of the critical omponents of the government's Programme of Action, which was specifically assigned the responsibility of addressing learners' ability to learn by providing them with nutritious meals. The success of the programme may therefore contribute towards the country's realisation of the Millennium Development Goals which include the reduction of mortality and the eradication of extreme hunger and poverty by 2015 as well as achieving universal primary education. The aim of the National School Nutrition Programme seeks to promote sustainable food production initiatives in all School Nutrition Schools in order to develop skills. It also aims to enhance learning capacity of a learner through feeding and to promote nutrition education in order to improve healthy eating and lifestyles amongst communities. This study seeks to assess the current status in administering the NSNP in selected schools in Peddie, Eastern Cape. Due to the extensive nature of the geographical area of Peddie, this study focused exclusively on 25 schools. For the purpose of this study, a quantitative approach was employed through a questionnaire constructed to obtain the perceptions of the sample group. The responses from the statements in the questionnaire were analysed by a Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University registered statistician. In the last chapter a number of recommendations are stated to aid in improving the current administering status of the National School Nutrition Programme.

Good discipline is one of the key characteristics of an effective school and is a vital prerequisite for a culture of learning and teaching at any school. Despite the requirement that every public school should have a code of conduct and other disciplinary policies to ensure a disciplined environment of teaching and learning, there is a perception that learner discipline at certain schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth is busy eroding the fabric of effective school management. As an educator and more specifically a member of the school management team (SMT) at a Northern areas high school, I elected to investigate the role of SMTs in managing discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. The research question, which formed the basis of my research, was: What is the role played by SMTs of specific schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth in creating a culture of discipline and order? By investigating how these SMTs cope with the challenge of managing learners’ ill-discipline, I was hoping to provide SMTs with possible solutions and/or guidelines for future use by SMTs facing similar challenges. This study chose the interpretive paradigm in which to conduct its investigation, as the aim was to understand how SMTs experience the phenomenon of school discipline at selected schools in the Northern areas of Port Elizabeth. This was done by means of qualitative research methods, which allowed me to listen to and share the experiences of SMT members in the participating schools. The sample of this investigation comprised of the SMTs of four schools in the Northern areas – three high schools and one primary school. Data were collected by getting the viewpoints of the participants by means of questionnaires as well as individual and group interviews. This data were then analyzed by highlighting significant themes resulting in the formulation of emerging themes, namely: a decline in discipline, socio-economic factors, classroom planning and school management and discipline practices. These four themes were then sub-divided into two categories each and thereafter the experiences of the participants were described in rich, thick detail. The main findings of this research focused on school discipline being the responsibility of all the relevant stakeholders of a school; finding solutions to the discipline problems should be a collective effort of SMT, educators and parents; the Department of Education (DoE) should increase its efforts to assist schools to manage discipline problems more effectively in order to create a culture of discipline and order. The findings of this study resulted in specific recommendations being formulated, e.g. the development of learners’ self-discipline should be high on the priority list of any school, educators need to be trained in effective alternatives to corporal punishment, and parents need to set standards of acceptable behaviour for their children at home, which will automatically spill over to the school. The conclusions from this research are that SMTs need to work as a team and in collaboration with other educators and parents to effectively manage discipline at their respective schools.

Die doel van hierdie studie is om die dissiplinêre probleme in skole soos dit in die Oudtshoorn-omgewing voorkom, te identifiseer en aan te spreek. Dit word gedoen deur te let op: • die skoolklimaat wat by 'n skool heers en die uitwerking van die skoolklimaat op die dissipline van`n skool. • die dissiplinêre probleme wat met skooldissipline in skole ervaar word. • die oorsake van skooldissipline en in watter mate die omgewing waarin die skool geleë is 'n invloed op skooldissipline het en • om oplossings vir dissiplinêre probleme soos vasgestel aan die hand te doen. Die studie poog om deur kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodes vas te stel hoe prinsipale, opvoeders en leerders die huidige dissiplinêre situasie in skole ervaar. Dit poog dus om eerstehandse kennis te verkry van hul denke, gevoelens en gedagtes en hoe hierdie fenomeen hulle beïnvloed. Die studie kyk ook in watter mate skoolklimaat op die breë spektrum van skooldissipline 'n invloed het, en hoe die verbetering van skooldissipline `n sleutelbestuurstaak in 'n skool is. Die belangrikste bevindinge van die studie is dat daar samewerking tussen opvoeders en ouers moet wees om negatiewe leerdergedrag aan te spreek. Die studie dui ook aan dat kommunikasie tussen alle rolspelers van uiterse belang is om die dissiplinêre probleme binne skole aan bande te lê. Skoolleierskap moet hulle ook vergewis van die jongste metodes om dissiplinêre probleme aan te spreek. 'n Positiewe skoolklimaat of kultuur is ondersteunend om skooldissipline te verbeter.