The Resilient Educators support programme (REds) for HIV and AIDS affected educators was initiated by the University of the Northwest in 2006, following a research project in 2005 that highlighted the need for a support programme that addresses the challenges of educators affected by HIV and AIDS, as existing support structures were found to be inadequate. The REds programme is implemented in phases, and after the completion of each phase, the programme is modified to meet the needs of a broader audience of educators. Since 2006, the REds programme has been implemented by independent researchers in four South African provinces, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Northwest province and the Free State. This round of implementation included a comparison group, to allow researchers to compare data. The 2009 implementation of the REds programme was aimed at gathering comparative data to prove that the programme has a positive impact on the quality of life and resilience of educators. This was done in order to provide to the greater REds programme the opportunity to generalise the findings of the programme, and implement it on a national level. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2009 version of the REds programme to enhance the quality of life and resilience of HIV and AIDS affected educators in Gauteng. For the purpose of this research study, the researcher used applied and evaluative research. The mixed methods research approach was used, followed by the concurrent triangulation design. The qualitative and quantitative data carried the same weight in the results of the study, and the data sets were merged in the interpretation to produce well-validated conclusions. When comparing the pre- and post-test results, both the quantitative and qualitative data were used to prove or disprove the hypothesis. For the quantitative part of the study, the researcher made use of a quasi-experimental design namely the comparison group pre-test-post-test design. For the qualitative part of the study, the researcher used a collective case study design. Quantitative data was collected through two group administered standardised questionnaires, the Professional Quality of Life Screening (ProQol) and the Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA). Qualitative data was collected by using a narrative, drawings and observations. Pre-test data was collected from the experimental and comparison groups prior to exposure to the REds programme. The experimental group participated in the programme and afterwards, both the experimental and comparison groups participated in a post-test. The participants were recruited from the Diepsloot Combined School and the Emfundiswene Primary School in Alexandra, Johannesburg, Gauteng, by using non-probability volunteer sampling. The quantitative empirical research findings in the experimental group data showed minimal differences between the pre- and post-test data for the ProQol test, and trivial differences in the RSA screening. The comparison group data also showed minimal differences, but the differences were in a downward trend. When comparing the experimental and comparison group findings, the experimental group’s results were slightly more positive than the comparison group, but not enough to draw valid conclusions. However, the qualitative findings showed that the participants in the experimental group found that the programme addressed their support needs as HIV and AIDS affected educators and they felt empowered with knowledge and skills that they lacked, thus making them more resilient. The researcher did not mark any changes in the comparison group data, thus indicating that they did not feel empowered. The researcher hypothesised the following: If the Resilient Educators support programme (REds) were implemented among HIV and AIDS affected educators, their quality of life and resilience will be increased. Conclusions drawn from the qualitative research findings indicated that the REds programme met the support needs of HIV and AIDS affected educators, as the experimental group indicated that they felt empowered and the comparison group did not indicate this. The quantitative data results were not significant enough to prove or disprove the proposed hypothesis, and thus the researcher recommends that the reasons for the insignificant test results from the questionnaires be investigated. AFRIKAANS : Die Resilient Educators Support Programme (REds), ’n ondersteunings program vir MIV-en VIGS-geaffekteerde opvoeders, is in 2006, deur die Noordwes-Universiteit ontwikkel. Die projek spruit uit navorsing wat in 2005 gedoen is en getoon het dat die uitdagings wat MIV-en VIGS-geaffekteerde opvoeders in die gesig staar nie aangespreek word deur die huidige ondersteuningstrukture nie, en dat daar ’n daadwerklike behoefte aan ’n ondersteuningsprogram bestaan. Die REds-program word in fases geïmplementeer, en in elke fase, word die program heraangepas om aan die behoeftes van ’n breër teikengehoor van opvoeders te voldoen. Sedert die begin van die projek in 2006, is die REds-program deur verskeie onafhanklike navorsers, in vier Suid Afrikaanse provinsies, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Noordwes en die Vrystaat geïmplementeer. Die 2009-implementering van die REds-program, het ’n vergelykende groep ingesluit, wat navorsers instaat stel om die data wat ingesamel word te vergelyk met ’n groep wat nie ’n intervensie ontvang het nie. Die 2009-implementering van die REds-program se doel was om vergelykbare data in te samel, en sodoende te bewys dat die program ‘n positiewe impak op die lewensgehalte en veerkragtigheid van opvoeders het. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te evalueer hoe doeltreffend die 2009-weergawe van die REds-program die lewenskwaliteit en veerkragtigheid van MIV-en VIGS geaffekteerde opvoeders in Gauteng verbeter. Vir die doeleindes van hierdie navorsing het die navorser toegepaste en evaluerende navorsing benut. Die gemengdemetode-navorsingsbenadering en die samewerkende triangulasie-ontwerp is benut. Die kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe data dra ewe veel gewig in die resultate van die studie. Datastelle is ook saamgevoeg tydens die interpretasie daarvan ten einde deeglik gestaafde gevolgtrekkings te maak. Tydens die vergelyking van die voor- en na-toetsresultate, is die kwantitatiewe en kwalitatiewe data benut om die hipotese te bewys of te weerlê. Vir die kwantitatiewe deel van die studie het die navorser ‘n kwasieksperimentele ontwerp, genaamd die groep-vergelykende voor-toets-na-toetsontwerp benut. Die kwalitatiewe deel van die studie is gedoen met behulp van die kollektiewe gevallestudie-ontwerp. Kwantitatiewe data is verkry deur twee groepgeadministreerde gestandaardiseerde vraelyste, die Professional Quality of Life Screening (ProQol) en die Resilience Scale for Adults (RSA), te gebruik. Kwalitatiewe data is ingesamel deur gebruik te maak van ’n narratief, tekeninge en observasies. Voor-toets-data is ingesamel by die eksperimentele en vergelykende groep. Die eksperimentele groep het die die REdsprogram deurloop en beide groepe het daarna deelgeneem aan die na-toets. Die deelnemers van die Diepsloot gekombineerde skool en die Emfundiswene laerskool in Alexandra, Johannesburg is by wyse van ’n nie-waarskynlikheids steekproeftrekking gekies, deur van die vrywillige steekproeftegniek gebruik te maak. Die kwantitatiewe navorsingsbevindinge van die eksperimentele groep het minimale verskille tussen die voor- en na-toets-data getoon vir die ProQol-toets, en niksbeduidende verskille is opgemerk in die RSA-toets. Die vergelykende groep se data het ook minimale verskille tussen die voor- en na-toets getoon, maar hierdie veranderings was negatief. In ’n vergelyking tussen die eksperimentele en vergelykende groep se resultate, is bevind dat die eksperimentele groep se uitslae meer positief van aard was as die van die vergelykende groep. Hierdie verskil is egter so klein dat geen werklilke gevolgtrekkings gemaak kan word nie. Desnieteenstaande het die kwalitatiewe bevindinge getoon dat die program wel aan die eksperimentele groep se ondersteuningsbehoeftes voorsien het. Die deelnemers het aangedui dat hulle bemagtig is met die kennis en vaardighede wat hul benodig om hul veerkragtigheid te verhoog. Die navorser het egter geen veranderinge in die vergelykende groep se data waargeneem nie, wat dus beteken dat die vergelykende groep nie bemagtig is nie. Die navorser het die volgende hipotese geformuleer: Indien die Resilient Educators support program (REds) onder MIV-en VIGS-geaffekteerde opvoeders geïmplimenteer word, sal hul lewenskwaliteit en veerkragtigheid verbeter. Gevolgtrekkings gemaak na gelang van die kwalitatitewe navorsingsbevindinge toon aan dat die REds-program wel die ondersteuningsbehoeftes van die opvoeders aanspreek, aangesien die eksperimentele groep aangedui het dat hulle bemagtig voel, in teenstelling met die vergelykende groep wat nie bemagtig voel nie. Die kwantitatiewe navorsingsbevindinge was egter van so ’n aard dat die navorser dit nie kon benut om die hipotese waar of vals te bewys nie. Na gelang van hierdie bevinding beveel die navorser onder andere aan dat die rede(s) vir die niksseggende kwantitatiewe toetsresultate verder ondersoek word. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

From a positive psychology perspective, the last few decades have seen continuous growth in research emphasising well-being in school communities. Schools should be viewed as spaces that enable life success, as opposed to mere learning environments aimed at academic success. Well-being is often associated with relational well-being and building, enhancing and maintaining positive relationships at schools. Along with academic performance, relational well-being is vital to learners‟ current and future development. Such social well-being may, in turn, affect psychological well-being positively, as these two influence each other greatly. In this context, positive educator-learner relationships must be based on mutual respect, as it may provide a vast array of benefits to secondary learners‟ well-being and academic performance. Moreover, positive interpersonal connections between educators and learners based on mutual respect are valuable tools for managing effective discipline in classrooms, which means that educators also benefit from protecting and promoting good relationships with their learners. Positive educator-learner relationships are highly relevant for secondary school learners living in high-risk communities, where support and resources for enhancing and developing their psychosocial well-being are limited. For such leaners school is often the only safe and supportive environment they have. It is therefore imperative to bring the personal into the educational environment by building, enhancing and maintaining respectful educator-learner relationships based on mutual respect. However, educator-learner relationships have specifically been neglected in regard to learners‟ perceptions of respect as experienced from and given to educators. Due to the identified gap in the literature, the main aim of this study was to qualitatively explore and describe, through qualitative, phenomenological research design, learners‟ perceptions of respect in educator-learner relationships in a secondary school community within a high-risk environment in the South African context. The participants for this study were fifteen secondary school Grade 12 learners. The data were gathered in two phases, namely written assignments, and, the World Café technique was applied. Thematic analysis was used to identify relevant themes. The findings revealed three main themes, and each theme includes several subthemes. Firstly, respect is well-intended behaviour, with the subthemes being listening and paying attention; good communication; obeying educators and school rules; good manners such as being helpful, polite and kind, and greeting others; saying thank you and please; academic responsibility; and receiving support and praise from educators. Secondly, respect is positive relationships, with the subthemes being building a relationship; parent-child relationship; as well as trust and confidentiality. Thirdly, respect is consistent, fair and mutual, with the subthemes being respect as a two-way street; respect as something to be earned; respect as something that is consistent over time; and respect that means treating everyone equally, fairly and with acceptance. It can be summarised that all participants‟ responses illustrated a collective yet subjective learners‟ perceptions of respect in educator-learner relationships in a secondary school community within a high risk community in South Africa. For further research it was recommended to gain better understanding how learners in secondary school communities perceive respect in educator-learner relationships in regard to various cultures. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

From a positive psychology perspective, the last few decades have seen continuous growth in research emphasising well-being in school communities. Schools should be viewed as spaces that enable life success, as opposed to mere learning environments aimed at academic success. Well-being is often associated with relational well-being and building, enhancing and maintaining positive relationships at schools. Along with academic performance, relational well-being is vital to learners‟ current and future development. Such social well-being may, in turn, affect psychological well-being positively, as these two influence each other greatly. In this context, positive educator-learner relationships must be based on mutual respect, as it may provide a vast array of benefits to secondary learners‟ well-being and academic performance. Moreover, positive interpersonal connections between educators and learners based on mutual respect are valuable tools for managing effective discipline in classrooms, which means that educators also benefit from protecting and promoting good relationships with their learners. Positive educator-learner relationships are highly relevant for secondary school learners living in high-risk communities, where support and resources for enhancing and developing their psychosocial well-being are limited. For such leaners school is often the only safe and supportive environment they have. It is therefore imperative to bring the personal into the educational environment by building, enhancing and maintaining respectful educator-learner relationships based on mutual respect. However, educator-learner relationships have specifically been neglected in regard to learners‟ perceptions of respect as experienced from and given to educators. Due to the identified gap in the literature, the main aim of this study was to qualitatively explore and describe, through qualitative, phenomenological research design, learners‟ perceptions of respect in educator-learner relationships in a secondary school community within a high-risk environment in the South African context. The participants for this study were fifteen secondary school Grade 12 learners. The data were gathered in two phases, namely written assignments, and, the World Café technique was applied. Thematic analysis was used to identify relevant themes. The findings revealed three main themes, and each theme includes several subthemes. Firstly, respect is well-intended behaviour, with the subthemes being listening and paying attention; good communication; obeying educators and school rules; good manners such as being helpful, polite and kind, and greeting others; saying thank you and please; academic responsibility; and receiving support and praise from educators. Secondly, respect is positive relationships, with the subthemes being building a relationship; parent-child relationship; as well as trust and confidentiality. Thirdly, respect is consistent, fair and mutual, with the subthemes being respect as a two-way street; respect as something to be earned; respect as something that is consistent over time; and respect that means treating everyone equally, fairly and with acceptance. It can be summarised that all participants‟ responses illustrated a collective yet subjective learners‟ perceptions of respect in educator-learner relationships in a secondary school community within a high risk community in South Africa. For further research it was recommended to gain better understanding how learners in secondary school communities perceive respect in educator-learner relationships in regard to various cultures. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Taxation is an ever changing field and the need for people who specialise in this area is continually growing. As a result of this the need for specialist tax related services; it has evolved into a profession of its own for quite a while in South Africa. Professional and specialised consulting occupations require a certain degree of specialisation to attain a level of superiority in the commercial world. To attain the status of a professional or to enjoy the status of specialised consultant requires extensive training and education. Taxation is taught at most universities albeit not as a degree in its own right but there are some exceptions. Currently South African universities offer a number of different undergraduate degrees that incorporate the discipline of taxation as a subject. Currently there is no set of standards or a professional body that regulates any individual claiming to be a tax specialist or practitioner. Consequently it is unsure whether or not the spectrum of topics and other required content included in the various degrees offered by South African universities, is educated at the required level to provide students with the necessary practical and theoretical skills, as well as other desired qualities, to survive in the ever changing and evolving world of taxation and be successful as a professional tax practitioner as expected by their employers. Using questionnaires, data was obtained from the tax departments of the universities accredited with SAICA. The results indicated, as expected, that a higher level of knowledge is expected of a student with a postgraduate qualification. In addition to this the more specialised the industry/field becomes to which the specific tax topic applies, the lesser level of knowledge is expected of a newly qualified candidate irrespective of the qualification. The conclusion drawn in this study was that educators place a high level of expected theoretical knowledge, practical skills and personal attributes on a newly qualified student but this level does not necessarily coincide with the level expected by employers. Consequently educators and employers need to reach a consensus about the curricula included in various degrees offered by South African universities in order to prepare them for practice. AFRIKAANS : Die konsep van belasting is ‘n alewig veranderende veld en die vraag na persone wie gespesialiseer is in die area groei by die dag. As gevolg van hierdie groeiende vraag na gespesialiseerde belastingdienste het die professie tot in sy eie reg ontwikkel en bestaan dit al vir ‘n etlike jare in Suid-Afrika. Professionele en gespesialiseerde konsultasie tipe beroepe vereis ‘n sekere vlak van spesialiseering om sodoende hoër agting te verkry in die kommersiële wêreld. Om die status van professional person of titel gespesialiseerde konsultant te geniet vereis intensiewe opleiding. Belasting as vakgebied word aangebied by meeste universiteite hoewel nie altyd as ‘n graad in sy eie reg nie, maar daar is uitsonderings. Ten tyde van hierdie studie bied Suid-Afrikaanse universiteite ‘n wye verskeidenheid voorgraadse kwalifikasies aan, wat belasting as ‘n vak insluit. Huidiglik is daar nie ‘n aanvaarde standaard of ‘n professionele organisasie wat persone reguleer wat beweer dat hulle in belasting spesialiseer nie. Gevolglik is daar onsekerheid in verband met die onderwerpe en inhoud wat vereis word in die verskeie kwalifikasies aangebied deur Suid-Afrikaanse universiteite. ‘n Verder onsekerhied onstaan ook of die inhoud wat aangebied word, op die verlangde vlak is om studente te voorsien met die nodige praktiese en toeretiese vaardighede, asook met ander verlangde kwaliteite, sodat hulle sal kan oorleef in die gedurig veranderende en ontwikkelende wêreld van belasting en sodoende suksesvol te wees as ‘n professionele belastingpraktisyn soos dit verwag word deur ‘n werkgewer. Data is ingevorder met behulp van vraelyste vanaf die belastingdepartemente van universiteite wat deur SAICA geakkrediteer word. Soos verwag het die resultate getoon dat daar egter van ‘n student met ‘n nagraadse kwalifikasie ‘n hoër kennisvlak verwag word. Hierbenewens, hoe meer gespesialiseerd die bedryf of gebied waaraan ‘n spesifieke belastingsonderwerp gekoppel word, hoe minder kundig hoef ‘n nuutgekwalifiseerde kandidaat te wees, ongeag van sy/haar kwalifikasies. Die gevolgtrekking uit hierdie studie is dat dosente ‘n hoë verwagting plaas op teoretiese kennis, praktiese vaardighede en persoonlike eienskappe vanaf nuut gekwalifiseerde studente maar dat die vlak van verwagting met betrekking tot die werkgewer se raamwerk nie noodwending ooreenstem nie. Daarom is dit uiters belangrik dat opvoeders en werkgewers konsensus bereik oor die inhoud van curricula in die verskeie kwalifikasies aangebeid deur Suid-Afrikaanse universiteite in ‘n poging om studente sodoende beter voor te berei vir praktyk. / Dissertation (MCom)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / Taxation / unrestricted

Text in Afrikaans / Sedert 1994 het drastiese veranderinge in die Suid-Afrikaanse onderwysstelsel plaasgevind, wat ’n direkte invloed het op die vlak van werkstevredenheid wat opvoeders ervaar. Alhoewel die ongelykhede van die verlede in hierdie beleid ondersoek is, word sekere organisatoriese faktore wat die moraal van opvoeders beïnvloed egter nie hierin erken nie. In hierdie navorsingstudie maak die navorser gebruik van die kombinasie van kwalitatiewe en kwantitatiewe navorsingsmetodes wat as triangulasie bekend staan. Semigestruktureerde onderhoude (kwalitatief) en vraelyste (kwantitatief) is as data-insamelingstegnieke gebruik om vas te stel wat die aard, omvang en moontlike oplossings vir die navorsingsprobleem is. Faktore wat werksbevrediging by opvoeders beïnvloed, is geïdentifiseer en ondersoek. Aanbevelings is gemaak rakende die rol van die Onderwysdepartement, prinsipaal, kollegas en ouers in opvoeders se werksbevrediging. Die vernaamste hiervan is dat prinsipale werkstevredenheid by opvoeders kan verhoog deur die bou van verhoudings van vertroue, betrokkenheid in die besluitnemingsproses en deur ondersteuningstrukture vir opvoeders in plek te stel. / Since 1994, drastic changes occurred in the education system in South Africa, which had a direct impact on the level of job satisfaction that teachers experienced. Although this policy addressed the inequalities of the past, certain organisational factors influencing the morale of teachers were not recognised herein. In this research study the researcher made use of a combination of qualitative and quantitative research methods, known as triangulation. Semi-structured interviews (qualitative) and questionnaires (quantitative) were used as data collection techniques to determine the nature, extent and possible solutions to the research problem. Factors affecting job satisfaction among educators were identified and examined. Recommendations were made regarding the role of the Department of Education, principals, colleagues and parents in teachers' job satisfaction. The main recommendation is that principals may maximise teachers’ job satisfaction through building relationships of trust, involvement in the decision-making process and by implementing support structures. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Onderwysbestuur)

Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / During the previous political dispensation, the educators in the Western Cape were captured in a process of ideological influencing. This crisis became evident in the 1976 and 1985 uproars. Although the educators attempted to act in the best interest of the learners, they were in many cases blamed by the ruling government as being liberalists. The subsequent experience of fear and anxiety endangered the emotional well-being of many educators. The election of the first democratic government in 1994 held promises of a better work environment for educators. Far-reaching transformations in education policies and the implementation of new curricula presented educators with new challenges. Disciplinary problems, multicultural classrooms, teaching in a language other than the home language, and the inclusive handling of various external as well as internal barriers to learning, became stressors that educators in the Western Cape were subjected to. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of stressors on the emotional wellbeing of educators in high schools in the Western Cape. I aimed to determine how educators in high schools perceived their own emotional well-being. Furthermore, I explored possible reasons for this and how their emotional well-being had influenced other dimensions of their wellness. I finally focused on educators’ recommendations to improve their emotional well-being. A qualitative research design, which was guided by an interpretive paradigm, was employed. During data analysis I operated in a critical paradigm. The data was collected by means of a literature review, interviews, reflective diaries, observations, documentation and artefacts. The research findings indicated that educators generally are experiencing low levels of emotional well-being. In extreme cases it is associated with emotional illnesses such as depression and burnout. It seems as if the low levels of emotional well-being experienced by educators have a negative influence on their social and physical wellbeing. Possible reasons that can explain the low levels indicate the impact of various role players, namely the type of school, an additional work load, the head master, the school management team, colleagues, learners, parents, the Western Cape Education Department, and educators’ families and friends. In spite of the experienced low levels educators were still at times committed to their occupation. Recommendations on improving emotional well-being were associated with factors in the workplace itself.

The focus of this study was to explore the experiences of secondary school educators concerning the educator-learner relationship. The study hopes to add value in developing sustainable support to enhance the quality of life and well-being of South African educators. The study highlights specific aspects of the educators’ perspective (Koomen et al., 2011; Philip, 2008; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2011; Easter et al., 2008), such as cultural perspective, attachment perspective, career satisfaction perspective and academic perspective. According to Philippson (2009) it is important to understand educators’ holistic experiences concerning the educator-learner relationship. The following research question arose: What are the experiences of secondary school educators in the Gauteng area, South Africa, of the educator-learner relationship? This research was conducted within a Positive Psychology framework and a qualitative method was used. Data were collected via personal interviews and focus group discussions as research techniques. Purposeful sampling was used and six secondary school educators from various secondary schools in the Gauteng Province of South Africa were participants of this study. The objective of this study was to understand and interpret holistic experiences of secondary school educators in the educator-learner relationship that contribute to the educators’ phenomenology. Data were gathered through individual interviews during which each participant was motivated through visual mapping to express his/her hierarchy of ideas contributing to the phenomenon. The collected data were audio-recorded and a narrative analysis was conducted in which trustworthiness was obtained through member checking to ensure that the recorded and observed data were correctly transcribed and evaluated accordingly. Findings of this study are presented by means of the following themes: Different aspects of the supportive educator-learner relationship; awareness of differences in the educator-learner relationship; important perspectives of “a calling” in respect of the educators’ experiences; role of emotions in an educator-learner relationship; challenges for the educator in the educator-learner relationship; role of discipline and values in an educator-learner relationship; phenomenology of the educators’ experiences. Results indicate that educators’ positive experiences of the educator-learner relationship can be viewed as an investment in the well-being and positive functioning of both the educator as well as the learners. A recommendation for future research is to develop a support system for secondary school educators to encourage them in a psycho-social, emotional and spiritual way towards sustainable well-being. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The current mainstream classroom presents several challenges for teachers and principals. Leaner diversity is seen as one of these challenges that teachers face. The Education White Paper 6 (South-Africa, 1996) recognizes all learner diversities, yet gifted-education is given minimal attention. The purpose of this qualitative research is to create a clear picture about the perspectives of high-school teachers, principals and parents of academically-gifted learners. This study seeks to identify the participants’ views about the education of academically-gifted learners and identify possibly gaps in ways of how academically-gifted learners can be supported productively. The research found that there is currently a lack of adequate educational support to academically-gifted learners. Research shows that there is a gap between official educational policies and the classroom situation. Participants in the study admit that academically-gifted learners are not effectively included in the mainstream classroom. Participants believe that the lack of a national definition of academic-giftedness, the deficit to appropriate training for teachers and the views of inclusive education puts strain on the education of these learners. Secondary school teachers and principals believe that the successful implementation of a policy an appropriate education of academically-gifted learners can only be accomplished if there is cooperation between all interested parties. Participants believe that both the parent and the teachers of academically-gifted learners should work together to form a support network for these learners. The findings of the research confirm the need for appropriate productive education and training to academically-gifted learners, so that all stakeholders can work together to help those learners develop. / MEd (Comparative Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The focus of this study was to explore the experiences of secondary school educators concerning the educator-learner relationship. The study hopes to add value in developing sustainable support to enhance the quality of life and well-being of South African educators. The study highlights specific aspects of the educators’ perspective (Koomen et al., 2011; Philip, 2008; Skaalvik & Skaalvik, 2011; Easter et al., 2008), such as cultural perspective, attachment perspective, career satisfaction perspective and academic perspective. According to Philippson (2009) it is important to understand educators’ holistic experiences concerning the educator-learner relationship. The following research question arose: What are the experiences of secondary school educators in the Gauteng area, South Africa, of the educator-learner relationship? This research was conducted within a Positive Psychology framework and a qualitative method was used. Data were collected via personal interviews and focus group discussions as research techniques. Purposeful sampling was used and six secondary school educators from various secondary schools in the Gauteng Province of South Africa were participants of this study. The objective of this study was to understand and interpret holistic experiences of secondary school educators in the educator-learner relationship that contribute to the educators’ phenomenology. Data were gathered through individual interviews during which each participant was motivated through visual mapping to express his/her hierarchy of ideas contributing to the phenomenon. The collected data were audio-recorded and a narrative analysis was conducted in which trustworthiness was obtained through member checking to ensure that the recorded and observed data were correctly transcribed and evaluated accordingly. Findings of this study are presented by means of the following themes: Different aspects of the supportive educator-learner relationship; awareness of differences in the educator-learner relationship; important perspectives of “a calling” in respect of the educators’ experiences; role of emotions in an educator-learner relationship; challenges for the educator in the educator-learner relationship; role of discipline and values in an educator-learner relationship; phenomenology of the educators’ experiences. Results indicate that educators’ positive experiences of the educator-learner relationship can be viewed as an investment in the well-being and positive functioning of both the educator as well as the learners. A recommendation for future research is to develop a support system for secondary school educators to encourage them in a psycho-social, emotional and spiritual way towards sustainable well-being. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014

The current mainstream classroom presents several challenges for teachers and principals. Leaner diversity is seen as one of these challenges that teachers face. The Education White Paper 6 (South-Africa, 1996) recognizes all learner diversities, yet gifted-education is given minimal attention. The purpose of this qualitative research is to create a clear picture about the perspectives of high-school teachers, principals and parents of academically-gifted learners. This study seeks to identify the participants’ views about the education of academically-gifted learners and identify possibly gaps in ways of how academically-gifted learners can be supported productively. The research found that there is currently a lack of adequate educational support to academically-gifted learners. Research shows that there is a gap between official educational policies and the classroom situation. Participants in the study admit that academically-gifted learners are not effectively included in the mainstream classroom. Participants believe that the lack of a national definition of academic-giftedness, the deficit to appropriate training for teachers and the views of inclusive education puts strain on the education of these learners. Secondary school teachers and principals believe that the successful implementation of a policy an appropriate education of academically-gifted learners can only be accomplished if there is cooperation between all interested parties. Participants believe that both the parent and the teachers of academically-gifted learners should work together to form a support network for these learners. The findings of the research confirm the need for appropriate productive education and training to academically-gifted learners, so that all stakeholders can work together to help those learners develop. / MEd (Comparative Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2014