Thesis (MEd)-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The political dispensation in South Africa after 1994 experienced a complete change in different spheres of life. Not only was the country greeted with a new democratic government system, but also with widespread educational reform, of which curriculum reform in schools was one of its main drivers. This study focuses on implementation dynamics related to the latest iteration of curriculum reform namely the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) that was introduced in all public schools in 2005. Educators were sent for in service training in order to implement the new curriculum in their classrooms. Continuous assessment (CASS) became the operative on everybody’s lips, though learners would be assessed according to continuous assessment activities. These assessment marks or codes, obtained by the learners, would determine progression to the next grade. This resulted in a new educator practice, namely an assessment practice. Their initial encounter was somehow problematic because they found it difficult in marrying this new practice with their teaching and learning practices due to various reasons. One of the main reasons was that the NCS was never part of their tertiary education. The study’s main point of departure is that the assessment practices of primary school educators are diverse and divergent in response to the expectations of the NCS. The study uses the analytical lenses of forward and backward mapping as well as the ambiguity-conflict model in order to investigate and ascertain the underlying relationship between educator’s assessment practices and the assessment policy. The study belongs within the qualitative interpretative paradigm, as I attempt to form an understanding of the nature and range of their assessment practices. It emphasises the manifestation of the assessment practices of educators. Qualitative research instruments, which include individual interviews, were used to answer the research question and achieve the research objectives of the thesis. The research shows how these educators experience, interpret and implement the assessment policy in unique ways. It indicates how they, in striving to adhere to the expectations of the NCS, respond by tackling their respective assessment practices in a diverse and divergent way and at times deviate from what is expected of them as set out in the NCS. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die politieke bestel in Suid-Afrika het na 1994 ‘n ommeswaai op vele terreine beleef. Die land was nie net begroet met ‘n nuwe demokratiese regeringstelsel nie, maar ook met grootskaalse onderwyshervorming, met spesifieke verwysing na kurrikulum- hervorming, wat een van die vernaamste dryfvere sou wees. Hierdie studie fokus op die implementeringsdinamieke van die Nasionale Kurrikulumverklarin (NKV) wat in 2005 ingefaseer was en wat eintlik ‘n heromskrywing of herhaling van bestaande kurrikulumhervorming is. Opvoeders was bekend gestel en van nuuts af opgelei om ‘n nuwe kurrikulum in hul klaskamers te implementeer. Deurlopende assessering (DASS) was die nuwe wagwoord op almal se lippe, want leerders sal voortaan aan die hand van deurlopende assesseringsaktiwiteite geassesseer word. Hierdie assesseringspunte of kodes sal bepaal of leerders na ‘n volgende graad vorder. Dit het ‘n nuwe opvoederpraktyk, naamlik ‘n assesseringspraktyk, genoop en opvoeders het dit problematies gevind om hierdie nuwe praktyk met die onderrig- en leerpraktyk te laat trou. Die hoofuitgangspunt is dat hierdie laerskoolopvoeders se assesseringspraktyke divers en uiteenlopend tot die verwagtinge van die NKV is. Die studie gebruik die analitiese lense van voorwaartse en terugwaartse kartering asook die dubbelsinnige konflikmodel ten einde ondersoek in te stel na die onderliggende verwantskap tussen opvoeders se assesseringspraktyke en die assesseringsbeleid. Die studie hoort tuis binne ‘n kwalitatief-interpretivistiese paradigma, aangesien ek ‘n verstaan rondom die aard en omvang van hul assesseringspraktyke probeer vorm en verstaan. Die klem val op hoe hierdie assesseringspraktyke sigself in die klaskamerpraktyke van opvoeders manifesteer. Kwalitatiewe navorsingsinstrumente, wat individuele onderhoude van laerskoolopvoeders insluit, is gebruik om die navorsingsvraag te beantwoord en die navorsingsdoelwitte van die tesis te bereik. Die navorsing toon hoe hierdie opvoeders die assesseringsbeleid op unieke maniere ervaar, beleef, interpreteer en gevolglik in hul klaskamers implementeer. Dit lewer verder bewys hoe elkeen, in hul strewe om aan die verwagtinge van die NKV te voldoen, hul assesseringspraktyke divers en uiteenlopend aanpak en tot volvoering probeer bring en by geleenthede daarvan afwyk.

The Basic Concepts Mediated Learning Programme (BCMLP) was developed to enhance the cognitive and scholastic functioning of learners who experience barriers to learning in the early years of schooling in the South African context. The study aimed to initiate a process of evaluation of the efficacy of this metacognitive programme with Grade 2 learners from the &lsquo / Cape Flats&rsquo / , an historically disadvantaged community in Cape Town. The study was conducted simultaneously in two local education authorities by independent teams of fieldworkers in each of the education authorities. This quantitative, quasi-experimental, non-equivalent comparison group design study was implemented with learners who were equally assigned to an Experimental group (N=54) or Comparison group (N=55). English home-language and Bilingual (English and Afrikaans) learners made up a majority of the study sample. The study was conducted in English.<br /> <br /> Extensive pre-test and post-test batteries consisting of cognitive (information-processing), cognitive modifiability (dynamic assessment), and scholastic tests were used to collect data. A number of structured interview schedules including post-intervention teacher rating scales were also used for the purpose of data gathering. The results from the parametric and non-parametric methods of data analysis selected, revealed a pattern of significant pre- to post-study cognitive and scholastic gains in scores for learners in both the Experimental and Comparison groups (p&lt / 0.05). In addition, it was found that the study participants, irrespective of their designation to the Experimental or Comparison group became more modifiable and demonstrated enhanced information-processing abilities at the end of the study. Significantly greater gains were, however, attained by learners in the Experimental group in a majority of the areas assessed (7 out of 12) (p&lt / 0.05). Learners in the Experimental group were also found to be more responsive to instruction and modifiable than learners in the Comparison group.<br /> <br /> Learners who participated in the BCMLP were found to benefit with respect to their knowledge of basic concepts, cognitive and scholastic functioning. However, it was not possible to infer from the current study that findings were attributable to any one specific procedure (mediational teaching, concept teaching, vocabulary teaching and teaching to enhance information-processing) or process (Basic Concept Teaching Model) of this metacognitive programme. Furthermore, the study had a number of limitations and findings should be regarded with some caution until replication studies can be completed and the long-term effects of the study can be evaluated.<br /> <br /> The study provides some evidence for the efficacy of short-term, small group intervention programmes implemented by Learning Support Teachers within disadvantaged communities. The study also provides some initial evidence for the efficacy of the BCMLP (a specially designed metacognitive programme). The BCMLP was found to be both appropriate and manageable for Learning Support Teachers to implement in the South African context.

The schooling of twins can be daunting and challenging for twins, parents and educators. Separation or non-separation during the foundation phase cannot be left to chance. The process of deciding whether it is in both twins’ best interest to school them together or separately relies on various factors, which includes premature birth, individuality, dominance, relationship type and friendship-forming patterns. Parties involved in making the decision must consider each twin’s emotional, cognitive, behavioural, and social development. Premature separation of twins can lead to internal as well as external behaviour problems, while non-separation of mature twins may be detrimental to each twin’s individual progress and development. The study aimed to identify the determining factors when deciding upon schooling twins together or separately when they enter into the foundation phase. Existing school policies regarding classroom allocation of twins were considered. Three sets of twins, including teachers, parents, twins and other significant individuals involved in the process of separation or non-separation, were interviewed. Based on the findings, recommendations were made to assist parents and educators in making informed decisions about the schooling of twins. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

A research report submitted to the school of education, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education Johannesburg, September, 2016 / School development planning (SDP) is a major driving force to achieve improvements in the quality of teaching and learning, and participation of stakeholders in school management. This study discusses research findings on the planning practices in primary schools based on the perceptions and experiences of principals of the impact of development planning towards improving learner achievement in Johannesburg District East in Gauteng, South Africa. A qualitative methods approach involving survey and case study was utilized to address research questions. This study identifies principals’ leadership, networking and teamwork amongst stakeholders, and improvements in teaching and learning as some of the benefits of SDP. This is premised on the fact that SDP is a highly technical process that requires skills and know-how to be executed successfully. However, the implementation of development planning is limited by inadequate Department of Education support, resources and continuous professional development of principals. It is argued that SDP is fraught with numerous challenges that require an approach that focuses on its, that is, school improvement and management of planned change. The findings will assist the district to design strategies to improve management schools through SDP. / MT2017

Thesis (M.Ed.) -- University of Limpopo, 2012 / The purpose of this study was to look at the experiences, trainings, resources, benefits and challenges faced by schools in the implementation of the Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) in the primary schools of the Nkowankowa Circuit at the Mopani District of Limpopo Province. As a result, the researcher was motivated to conduct a study on this topic. The scope of the research was restricted to two primary schools in the circuit. The government officials, principals, school development teams and educators had to respond to the questions asked during the interview between the researcher and the participants. Thus, the research methodology was qualitative in which a case study design was used. The sampling strategy was non-probability which led to purposive sampling to schools and participants. Data were collected through interviews, observations and documents and were analysed using the spiral steps of Creswell (2007). The findings of this study were that training was inadequate to the implementers. The support given by the Department was not enough. The resources at schools were lacking, hence little benefit by educators since IQMS started. The results showed disclosed that the majority of the participants feel that many things still have to be done for the effective implementation of IQMS, and all role players in schools need to join hands and assist one another. That is why there were lot of challenges which schools are encountering. This will give schools new shapes and performance in general will improve. Therefore, IQMS is partially implemented

Integrated curriculum has received a great deal of attention in education settings and the word 'integration' in the integrated curriculum is viewed as a method of teaching and learning underpinned with the theory of constructivism. Integration is one of the approaches in the present curriculum of South Africa and the / Thesis (M.Ed.) - University of Kwazulu-Natal, Durban, 2005.

This study examines how educators in a primary school view the teaching of HIV and AIDS and sexuality in the context of delivering the LO curriculum. It seeks to establish whether the educators are properly trained for and supported in their tasks and further seeks to establish their attitudes towards teaching these sensitive subjects. The study is based on semi-structured interviews with eight Life Orientation (LO) teachers who work at CJ Primary School (CJPS) in Durban. CJPS is a well established school that formerly served only a white learner community. Since the early 1990s its racial demography has changed and it is now racially mixed with Indian learners constituting a slight majority. The school offers classes from Grade 0 to Grade 7. The teachers interviewed for this study were all involved in teaching LO in the senior primary phase and all had delivered lessons on HIV/ AIDS and sexuality. The sample comprised one African, one White and six Indian teachers and was made up of three males and five females. The school timetable includes two LO periods a week (i.e. 2 hours per week is devoted to LO) and evidence suggests that teachers are serious about the teaching they do in these periods. It was found that levels of both pre and in-service training in the areas of HIV and AIDS and sexuality and gender were low. Only 2 out of the 8 teachers had been trained in HIV and AIDS and sexuality education. 5 of the 8 educators had received some form of training, (weeklong workshops, for example) but many still felt unconfident about teaching sexuality. Although national policy for teaching HIV and AIDS and sexuality does exist and the school also has its own set of policy documents relating to the LO curriculum, most of the teachers had not seen the national documents and were unaware of the school's policy. HIV and AIDS and sexuality are themes which are taught across the curriculum but rather cramped into one term's allotment of LO lessons which results in a lack of depth being achieved. Understandings of sexuality were basic and generally devoid of 'gender'. It appears as though the female teachers were more enthusiastic about teaching HIV and AIDS and sexuality than were the men and the lone African educator was the most strident in demanding that the school devote more attention to these subjects, possibly because in her own life she had already directly encountered the ravages of the pandemic. There is some competition within the curriculum about which subjects should get the most attention and priority. Generally speaking, language teaching and mathematics were considered more important than the LO. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

South Africa has undergone many changes in the past decade in terms of political, economic and educational transformations. The year 1994 was the turning point in which our education system underwent a major paradigm shift. The sands have been shifting in education ever since, beginning with the National Curriculum Statement, then the introduction of OBE and Curriculum 2005 and the most recent, CAPS. The question that intrigued me about curriculum change was how educators experienced these changes. This study therefore explored how educators experienced curriculum change in South Africa, particularly how they experienced the new Life Skills curriculum in the Foundation Phase. The following research questions were addressed in this study: 1) What are grade one educators’ experiences of the new CAPS Life Skills curriculum? 2) Why do educators experience the new curriculum the way they do? A qualitative research approach was used, making use of a case study design. Participants were purposely selected using non-probability sampling. Semi-structured interviews and diaries were used as data collection methods. The data from this study revealed that educators experienced challenges in terms of the content, planning and preparation, assessment and dealing with contextual factors in the classroom. It was also found that educators experienced a lack of training and support in implementing the new Life Skills curriculum. A positive experience was that educators enjoyed teaching Life Skills. It was also found that educators welcomed and embraced curriculum change. / M. Ed. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 2013.

The Basic Concepts Mediated Learning Programme (BCMLP) was developed to enhance the cognitive and scholastic functioning of learners who experience barriers to learning in the early years of schooling in the South African context. The study aimed to initiate a process of evaluation of the efficacy of this metacognitive programme with Grade 2 learners from the &lsquo / Cape Flats&rsquo / , an historically disadvantaged community in Cape Town. The study was conducted simultaneously in two local education authorities by independent teams of fieldworkers in each of the education authorities. This quantitative, quasi-experimental, non-equivalent comparison group design study was implemented with learners who were equally assigned to an Experimental group (N=54) or Comparison group (N=55). English home-language and Bilingual (English and Afrikaans) learners made up a majority of the study sample. The study was conducted in English.<br /> <br /> Extensive pre-test and post-test batteries consisting of cognitive (information-processing), cognitive modifiability (dynamic assessment), and scholastic tests were used to collect data. A number of structured interview schedules including post-intervention teacher rating scales were also used for the purpose of data gathering. The results from the parametric and non-parametric methods of data analysis selected, revealed a pattern of significant pre- to post-study cognitive and scholastic gains in scores for learners in both the Experimental and Comparison groups (p&lt / 0.05). In addition, it was found that the study participants, irrespective of their designation to the Experimental or Comparison group became more modifiable and demonstrated enhanced information-processing abilities at the end of the study. Significantly greater gains were, however, attained by learners in the Experimental group in a majority of the areas assessed (7 out of 12) (p&lt / 0.05). Learners in the Experimental group were also found to be more responsive to instruction and modifiable than learners in the Comparison group.<br /> <br /> Learners who participated in the BCMLP were found to benefit with respect to their knowledge of basic concepts, cognitive and scholastic functioning. However, it was not possible to infer from the current study that findings were attributable to any one specific procedure (mediational teaching, concept teaching, vocabulary teaching and teaching to enhance information-processing) or process (Basic Concept Teaching Model) of this metacognitive programme. Furthermore, the study had a number of limitations and findings should be regarded with some caution until replication studies can be completed and the long-term effects of the study can be evaluated.<br /> <br /> The study provides some evidence for the efficacy of short-term, small group intervention programmes implemented by Learning Support Teachers within disadvantaged communities. The study also provides some initial evidence for the efficacy of the BCMLP (a specially designed metacognitive programme). The BCMLP was found to be both appropriate and manageable for Learning Support Teachers to implement in the South African context.

Part of my responsibilities as Life Orientation teacher at Sagewood School is the Community Outreach Programme. In particular encouraging participation and ensuring that learners enjoy a life giving and reciprocal experience as they focus beyond themselves in the wider community. Information for this research was gathered from other independent schools, parents and learners from Sagewood. Sources included answers to questionnaires, class discussions and feedback from past experiences. My focus included a study of the history of outreach, works on postmodernism, social construction, practical theology and my position of co-constructor with the learners. Important outcomes included ensuring that the voices of the learners are heard in decision making and planning for future outreach activities. Given the constantly changing nature of society such activities need to be evaluated regularly. Lastly, people care in different ways and about different things and we need to encourage learners to care, in their own unique way. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M.Th. (Specialisation in Pastoral Therapy)