A report on a research study presented to The Department of Social Work School of Human and Community Development Faculty of Humanities University of Witwatersrand In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree Master of Arts in the field of Social Development. March 2016. / Education plays an integral role in human development. It encompasses growth in several dimensions of human well-being. The purpose of this study was to explore factors that are contributing to unsatisfactory performance in Government Schools in the area of Duduza Township, a community in the East rand, Gauteng. Based on the qualitative research conducted, the researcher adopted a multiple case study as a research design. The researcher utilised purposive non-probability sampling in selecting the 15 learners and six key informants. Multiple methods of data collection were used through focus group discussions with learners and individual interviews with key informants. The most important problems that emerged from the thematic content analysis of the discussions included factors in the home environment of learners in that there is lack of parental involvement and motivation. In the school environment, the study showed that challenges were faced due to the usage of English as the medium of instruction, teachers’ discrimination of learners aged 18years and above, condoning or progressing of learners, overcrowding in classes and the usage of inexperienced teachers in critical grades. Furthermore, the study highlighted that one of the community related factors affected learners is their socio-economic background. In view of the study’s findings and conclusions in relation to the factors contributing to unsatisfactory performance in Government Schools, the researcher proposed intervention strategies to be implemented on micro, meso and macro level. In addition, emphasis should be put on revisiting the policy of progressing learners, the improvement of learning outcomes and raising passing grades. A multi-sectoral approach is crucial for all stakeholders comprising of the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Social Development, the school, parents and learners. Measures and recommendations to address the challenges of poor performance have been outlined / GR2017

This Mixed Method Research Project examines the possible marketing strategies that can be used to market township schools in the Gauteng province, within an increasingly competitive educational system. These strategies are investigated within the largely unbalanced infrastructural and resource dichotomy that exists between most township schools and the former Model C schools; the results of which has seen among many other challenges, the ever increasing learner migration from the township schools to the former Model C suburban schools. This pedagogical manuscript adopts a case study approach while simultaneously integrating the influences of established research paradigms like pragmatism and enterpretivism. Within the attempt to find the best marketing options for township schools, the project also consciously attempts to identify the challenges (and possible solutions) that the said schools face as they try to market themselves. The benefits of implementing the marketing matrix within the education product are henceforth highlighted within the narrative of the project. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

In this critical evaluation of the National Policy on Religion and Education (Republic of South Africa 2003) , I will invite a multiplicity of voices and opinions from various disciplines and discourses - a Bakhtinian carnival of heteroglossic play . As opposed to the official feast, one might say that carnival celebrated temporary liberation from the prevailing truth and from the established order; it marked the suspension of all hierarchal rank, privileges, norms, and prohibitions. Carnival was the true feast of time, the feast of becoming, change, renewal. It was hostile to all that was immortalised and completed (Bakhtin 1984:10). In this time of postmodern carnival, official 'Truth' is constantly questioned and treated with suspicion and replaced by new and unofficial truths (Scott 1986; Hiebert 2003). God (if not religion) has been proclaimed dead and yet at the same time seems to be more alive than ever. This is a time when 'all the conventional norms and protocols are suspended, as the common life is invaded by a great wave of riotous antinomianism which makes everywhere for bizarre mésalliances' (Scott 1986:6). And the presiding spirit of blasphemy finds its quintessential expression in the ritual of the mock crowning and subsequent decrowning of the carnival king - who is the very antithesis of a real king, since he is in fact often a slave or a jester. In short, everything is topsy-turvy, and the disarray thus engenders an uproarious kind of laughter (Scott 1986:6). In his presidential address to the American Academy of Religion in 1986 titled 'The house of intellect in an age of carnival: some hermeneutical reflections', Scott (1986:7) explores the impact of the "multiplicity and fragmentation and diversity" facing 'the house of intellect', and identifies the challenge of not resorting to the safety of 'any sort of reductionism, [but] how to understand and interpret the multitudinous messages and voices that press in upon us, each clamouring for attention and for pride of place'. After acknowledging the polyphony surrounding Religionswissenschaft on the one hand and on the other hand rejecting any hermeneutical attempts at a 'totalistic' synthesis, Scott proposes moving among the different 'modalities' of interanimation between [the various] modes of discourse' (Ricoeur quoted by Scott 1986:11). Scott (1986:15) closes his address by appealing for continued conversations and dialogue among discourses and 'scatterings' of truth (1986:15) as a hermeneutical method that would take the plurality and heteroglossia of this time in history seriously. This thesis is an attempt - a personal but also a scholarly and academically responsible attempt - to plot many of the voices and contexts that would help to evaluate the specific understanding of the role of the study of religion in the broader contexts of citizenship in a postmodern age where nationalities, nation states and allegiances are constantly in flux and complex. This thesis is also submitted as proof of the validity of my own voice as one of many voices in and surrounding the house of intellect in an age of carnival. / Religious Studies and Arabic) / D. Litt. et Phil. (Religious Studies and Arabic)

D.Ed. / Schools have to provide quality education and maintain appropriate educational standards. Over and above that, schools have to deliver acceptable results. That will be the hallmark of schools being effective. Again, modem day schools can no longer be managed on an old fashioned way like in the past. School conditions have changed and keep on altering. Effectiveness and ineffectiveness could result from the changed teaching and learning environment. The main focus of this study is to investigate how public secondary schools in the Northern Province could be assisted to overcome ineffectiveness through the employment of vision and mission statements. Attention is placed on how clearly formulated vision and mission statements could be utilized to create effective schools. The main research question which has been driving the entire study is: What is the role and importance of clearly formulated vision and mission statements in developing and promoting school effectiveness in schools in the Northern Province? What are the perceptions of educators (principals and teachers) and parents with regard to the development and implementation of vision and mission statement in their schools? As already stated, the principal focus of the research is to address the problem of ineffectiveness as witnessed by some public secondary schools. The problem of ineffectiveness by schools is investigated from the point of view of vision and mission statements. This therefore, suggests that vision and mission statement have to be comprehended as interventionist strategy to assist ineffective schools to replace ineffectiveness with effectiveness. Vision and mission statements are located within a school as a learning organization. The reason for this is that in a learning organization every member feels an urge and drive to contribute his or her talent to the development of school as an organization. Again, in a school setting, these statements need to be approached as part of the school's comprehensive strategic plan. It is in that way that vision and mission statements could impact the school's organization structure, management process, management strategy, innovative ideas, values and culture. This will enable these statements to facilitate the occurrence of quality teaching and learning in schools.

M.Ed. (Educational Management) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Ed. / This research study set out to determine parents' expectations regarding public schooling in the Northern Province of the Republic of South Africa. This was done based on the fact that education in the country has undergone tremendous changes. As parents are, undoubtedly, stakeholders in the field of education, it was important to determine as to whether the present set up is what they expect. Further, it was also important to determine as to whether parents' expectations are in line with policy; and if not, to suggest what should be done. It was impossible, however, to look at all facets of public schooling. As a result, attention was given only to the following: adulthood, culture, moral development, sexuality education, discipline, parents' participation, citizenship, employment and cognitive development. To provide a theoretical background of the aspects mentioned above, a literature survey was conducted. The connection between each aspect and the schooling system was highlighted. After this review, question items were drawn and compiled into questionnaires which were used as data collection instruments. Such questionnaires were administered to parents of learners in five secondary schools in the Province. Stratified random sampling was used in the selection of schools taking into account language representation. Further, questions were drawn based on the literature review and administered to departmental officials in the form of structured interviews. A factor analysis was conducted on the question items and the following dimensions were arrived at: Providing learners with skills and knowledge to become independent. Helping learners in the acquisition of moral and ethical values for selffulfilment. The development of responsible socio-cultural conduct. The research came up with the following findings: Parents' expectations of the school's involvement are high on the following aspects: career and employment issues, development of potential and citizenship. The following aspects were ranked very low in terms of the level to which parents expect schools to be involved: involvement of parents in school administration and curriculum design, sexuality issues, participation in the politics of the state and following up issues of discipline beyond the school. Parents and departmental officials are in agreement with regards to the level of the school's involvement regarding the following issues: career and employment issues, development of potential, moral issues and citizenship. Parents and departmental officials do not agree on the level of the school's involvement regarding the following: parents' involvement in education, sexuality matters, development and transmission of culture as well as participation in the politics of the state.

M.Tech. (Construction Management) / Focusing on the dilapidated state of public schools infrastructure in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, this study presents findings on the current state of public schools infrastructure, why public schools infrastructure is in a dilapidated state, various factors which contribute to the dilapidated state of public schools infrastructure, an overview of measures which have been undertaken to improve the state of public schools infrastructure and subsequently proposes a multi stakeholder framework for the maintenance of public schools infrastructure. To achieve the objectives of the study, a detailed literature review of Botswana, Nigeria, United States of America and South Africa were compiled on public schools infrastructure. A set of multiple questionnaires were designed to collect data from 34 public schools in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The field survey comprised of Department of Education Officials, maintenance contractors, school governing body members, school Teachers, school principals and community members. There are multiple factors which when they occur lead to the dilapidation of public schools infrastructure. The primary factors include that maintenance works are undertaken in a disjointed manner with no clear strategy, inadequate government intervention, no sense of ownership for the schools by learners, teachers, parents and community members, inadequate funds allocated to schools, vandalism, lack of maintenance, funds not allocated based on individual school needs, neglect, deferred maintenance and overcrowding. The study is restricted to the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The selection of Gauteng as a case study has been mainly influenced by accessibility to the researcher and its high rate of overcrowding in schools which is also accompanied by high public schools infrastructure backlog. The findings of the research will be taken as representative for the entire country.The study provides a detailed comprehension on the various factors which contribute to the dilapidated state of public schools infrastructure and further proposes a multi stakeholder framework for the proper maintenance of public schools infrastructure.The study provides an understanding of the various factors so as to enhance maintenance of existing public schools infrastructure and the capability of the government to build new schools or extend the existing schools to meet the demand.

Thesis (Ph.D. (English Studies)) -- University of Limpopo, 2023 / Technology use is gaining momentum the world over, including South Africa. Therefore, technology use presupposes technology integration, and educators appear better positioned to ensure its integration. As a result, the integration of technology by English First Additional Language (EFAL) educators is of significant importance to learners’ academic development. The purpose of this research study was to investigate South African rural public schools EFAL educators’ readiness to integrate technology into EFAL content. The study was underpinned by a combination of two theoretical frameworks, the Technology Readiness Index (TRI) and the Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK). The study followed a quali-quantitative approach and an exploratory research design. The triangulation data collection method employed questionnaires, interviews and equipment checklists. Findings indicated that EFAL educators in rural public schools are not ready to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) and lack relevant and adequate infrastructure to integrate technology. Findings further revealed that EFAL educators need proper training in technology skills and technical support in order to be ready to integrate technology into EFAL. Pertinent intervention strategies should include the collaboration of all stakeholders to improve the Information Communication Technology (ICT) context in rural public schools. Additionally, the Department of Basic Education (DBE) has to bridge the gap between rural and urban schools in SA by providing adequate technology support to rural public EFAL educators.

Thesis (masters)--University of South Africa, 2001.

Thesis (MEd)--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2016. / Many schools in the Western Cape Province of South Africa have opted to change from a fee-paying school to that of no-fee paying school, due to the small or no income of funding received annually from learners from poor economic backgrounds. The study aimed to investigate whether this school fee system was able to successfully address barriers which the previous system was unable to, and for this reason I addressed the stakeholders who are involved in the implementation of this no-fee school policy. This study aimed to explore the experiences of teachers and parents at the no-fee school well after its transition from feepaying. In summary, the study examined whether the no-fee allocated funds per learner were able to improve the school performance indicators (school facilities, resources, teacher complement, pass rates, infrastructure, etc.), since the change took place. The study applied a qualitative case study methodology to realize its purpose. I used purposeful sampling to select one newly declared no-fee school. From this school, one principal, six teachers and four sets of parents were interviewed on their experiences regarding this policy. Semi-structured interviews and observation with document analysis were triangulated to collect and enrich the data. The study revealed that this no-fee school was able to address the needs of the poor in the Lotus River historically disadvantaged community.