published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

Black urban schools in South Africa are frequently beset by problems such as inadequate facilities and resources; poor motivation among teachers and pupils; poor family relations and a high incidence of violence. Against this background and in view of evidence that effective parent involvement in education addresses many of these problems, this study explored parent involvement in black urban communities. A literature study investigated existing theories and models of parent involvement; the urbanisation of and educational provision for black people in South Africa in historical perspective and the limited involvement of black parents in schools. Furthermore, legislation concerning education and parent involvement since 1994 was reviewed. A qualitative investigation of parent involvement in three primary schools in a black urban community in Gauteng was conducted. Data gathering was done by participant observation; in-depth interviews with three principals and focus group interviews with three groups of teachers and four groups of parents. Data were analysed, discussed and synthesised. The major findings emerged: school-home relations are shaped by the context of a particular school and community; as a result of changing family structures, children are cared for by different caregivers who require advice on parenting; poverty and overcrowded living conditions adversely affect family life and thus, home-school relations; caregivers experience difficulty in adjusting to changed family circumstances; young people often display behavioural problems and a lack of discipline; poor motivation to learn; are sexually active and require parental and teachers' guidance. Conditions in urban schools were exacerbated by disruption in primary and secondary schools during the apartheid era. Parents require advice in preparing children for school and supporting them at school. Teachers need parental support to fulfil their multiple roles; guidance in implementing a school policy on parent involvement; improving communication between the school and home; involving parents in children's home learning and decision making in the school. While the current government policy to establish governing structures in schools is commendable, it is recommended that, because comprehensive parent involvement programmes have long-term positive effects, parent involvement should be implemented more broadly than envisaged by present policy. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Thesis (MEd)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Poverty and a lack of parental involvement have a dual negative effect on the academic performance of learners with learning disabilities, and are prevalent in rural areas. While parental involvement in schools in impoverished rural communities is very low, research also indicates parental involvement is key in addressing barriers to learning and associated learning disabilities. This study sought to explore the nature and extent of parental involvement of learners with learning disabilities at schools in impoverished rural communities. The study targeted a specific impoverished rural community in the Western Cape where the combination of learning disability and a lack of parental involvement negatively affects the literacy and numeracy skills, resulting in learning outputs that are below standard. The study drew on Epstein’s theory of parental involvement. Thematic data analysis was used in employing a constant comparative method. By applying Epstein’s model, this study not only contributes to understanding the nature and dynamics of parental involvement in impoverished rural schools as well as factors contributing towards the improvement of parental involvement; it also contributes towards an understanding of Epstein by applying her model to a rural setting.

This project examines the impact factors such as parent involvement and teacher support have on Mexican American students' decisions about higher education.

The aim of this study was to examine the management of parent involvement in historically disadvantaged secondary schools in Tshwane West district, Gauteng. A literature study was undertaken to investigate the existing theories and models of parent involvement as well as their practical application. A literature study was also done to explore the historical development of the management of parent involvement in South Africa. The advantages of and barriers to parent involvement were also investigated through the review of both local and international literature. An interpretive, qualitative approach was adopted and an investigation of the management of parent involvement was conducted in three of the selected historically disadvantaged secondary schools in Tshwane West district, Gauteng. In-depth interviews were conducted with principals and focus-group interviews were held with three teachers as well as three members of the School Governing Bodies of each of the three selected schools. The overall impression was that the extent of parent involvement in the education of their children was very minimal due to the inability of the School Management Teams, especially school principals, to initiate, facilitate and sustain organisational structures and management processes which would ensure the effective involvement of parents in the education of their children. As a result of those findings, it was realised that a need existed to equip members of the management teams, including school principals, with appropriate skills that would assist in the implementation and sustenance of effective parent involvement programmes. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

MEd (Educational Management) / Department of Educational Management / See the attached abstract below

Thesis (M.Ed. (Community and Continuing Education)) -- University of Limpopo, 2022 / The study reports on an exploration of the challenges affecting School-Family Community partnerships in two secondary schools located in the remote rural areas of Mogodumo Circuit, in Lebowakgomo District in Limpopo Province, South Africa. The main research question answered was. What are the challenges of School-Family-Community partnerships in rural areas at Mogodumo Circuit in Limpopo Province? This study is qualitative in design and is embedded within the interpretive epistemology. The two secondary schools were conveniently sampled due to their accessibility whereas participants were also purposefully sampled. The number of participants sampled was n=32. Data was collected through documents analysis, semi-structured questionnaires involving sampled participants, and observation by the researcher as a silent and non-participant observer. Inductive analysis was applied to arrange and organise data in thematic categories. From the themes discovered, intervention strategies were developed in order to address the challenges affecting the School-Family-Community partnerships at the two rural secondary schools. The study revealed that there is little or no involvement of stakeholders such as parents, community leaders (including priests, pastors, headmen, and the chief), and community based businesspeople, and non-governmental organisations in school events, activities and functions. The study recommends that developmental programmes such as parenting, literacy and numeracy, and parent involvement in the education of their children be organised for parents and community members. These challenges affecting School-Family-Community partnerships need to be dealt with accordingly by the active involvement and engagement of various stakeholders including, more especially, the DBE, SMTs, NGOs, educators, learners, parents, various community members, and private sectors.

The aim of the study was to investigate teacher practices to involve parents in homework in Namibian schools, particularly in the Ombuumbuu cluster in the Onesi circuit. The problem was conducted by a literature study and empirical investigation. The literature review explored the views of teachers regarding the involvement of parents in their children's homework, the need for parent involvement in homework and an exploration of models of effective practices to ensure parent involvement in homework. The empirical study investigated the nature and effectiveness of teacher practices to involve parents in homework in schools in the Ombuumbuu cluster. The findings indicated that although most teachers in the study agreed that parent involvement in homework is important for learners' success, the literature review and the empirical investigation showed little parent involvement in homework in many schools. Based on the literature and the empirical investigation, recommendations were made for teachers with regard to the improvement of parent involvement in homework. / Educational studies / M. Ed.

Dissertation submitted in partial compliance with the requirements for the Master's Degree in Technology: Chiropractic, Durban University of Technology, 2008. / The aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting the career choice of selected health-care students (physiotherapy, chiropractic, medicine and occupational therapy) in KwaZulu Natal. Multiple reasons exist for choosing careers. However, the set of factors involved when students commit to at least 4 to 7 years of their lives to these alternative and mainstream health care professions are of particular interest to this study. This was a demographic-epidemiological, cross-sectional survey-type quantitative study, based on a pre-validated questionnaire which was administered to the participants. The questionnaire was distributed to 29 first year chiropractic students of the Durban University of Technology, 32 first year physiotherapy and 22 occupational therapy students of the University of KwaZulu Natal, and 55 first year medical students of the Nelson Mandela School of Medicine. The results revealed that parents were a major factor influencing career choice (68.1%), as were significant other people (42%). However, siblings, peers and television did not have a major influence. Only television had a differential influence on the student groups (p<0.001). The medical students (20%) were influenced by television to a greater extent than the other professions. The majority of respondents obtained information from professionals visiting schools (56.5%), while family and guidance counsellors were also important sources of information (52.2% and 50.7% respectively). These results also revealed that chiropractic students were more likely to use the Internet to find out about careers than the other student groups. Previous past experience with a professional from their chosen career field did have a relatively strong influence (46.4%) whereas physiotherapists and chiropractors were more likely than the other two groups to be influenced by a professional from that career. V Working with people was the most important personal factor influencing career choice. The altruistic factor of helping others was the second most important factor. The least important personal factors were prestige, variety, lifestyle and enjoyment of working with their hands. Another result indicated that the ability to define personal goals was important for medical students but it was not very important for occupational therapy students. The joy of working with their hands was more important for chiropractic and physiotherapy students. The motivation to help others was more important to occupational therapy students. Finally, the results showed that prestige was most important for chiropractic students. A good work atmosphere was the most important work-related factor (75.4%), followed by the ability to run their own office (64.5%) and working conditions (55.1%). Of least importance was the presence of blood (7.2%). “The ability to run your own office” was significantly different between the student groups (p=0009) and chiropractic students were significantly influenced by this factor.