The Sustainable Restitution Support – South Africa (SRS-SA) program aimed at the development of a post-settlement support model that could be used to support beneficiaries of land reform in South Africa, especially those who received the land through restitution. The two land restitution claims were identified namely Mashishimale in the Limpopo Province and Nkumbuleni in KwaZulu Natal Province in South Africa. The main objective of the study is to determine the essential elements of two post-settlement support models to successfully implement and manage land reform projects in a sustainable manner namely: Mashishimale Farm Management Model (FMM) and Nkumbuleni Strategic Partnership Model (SPM). The data was collected through meetings and interviews with different stakeholders or role players. “Farm management can be described as the rational decision-making to achieve the objectives of the particular farming enterprise” (Van Reenen and Marais, 1992: 2). The Community Property Association (CPA) with the support of the Mashishimale community and the Tribal Authority decided to manage the farm by themselves and appointed a knowledgeable and skillful CEO and managers to manage the farm. The Mashishimale Farm Management Model has a definite management structure that is responsible for various activities on the farm. The management structure consists of a CEO, six (6) managers and two (2) assistant managers. Three steering committees were established to help in the decision-making processes. The Oxford dictionary (1979) defines partner as “person associated with others in business of which he shares risks and profits.” Nkumbuleni Community Trust (CT) has appointed a Strategic Partner and form the Nkumbuleni Strategic Partnership Model. Nkumbileni CT together with the Strategic Partner formed a company consisting of five (5) Directors aimed to manage the farm as a business. The Mashishimale CPA and Nkumbuleni CT were assisted by specialists from the University of Pretoria to develop the Interim Business Plan for the farms. The specialists from the University of Pretoria together with the Strategic Partner, CT and Project facilitator/coordinator developed a Financial Plan for Nkumbuleni CT. The specialists, the CPA and Project facilitator/coordinator further developed a Financial Plan for Mashishimale CPA. No funds were available for the FMM to manage the farm. At the SPM, the Strategic Partner made funds available to manage the farm. Both farming enterprises applied for financial assistance from CASP but didn’t receive anything. FMM and SPM received training that was developed by the SRS-SA specialists and facilitated by Project facilitator/coordinator. The Limpopo Department of Agriculture is not visible at Mashishimale and as such the roles of local municipality and extension officers are non-existence. There is no a single extension officer that the CPA knows at this juncture. The Nkumbuleni CT members are uncertain about the role of the division of Agricultural extension (Provincial Department of Agriculture and Conservation, KwaZulu Natal) can play to support them because they only attend meetings but there is nothing from them or from their Department. Both FMM (CPA) and SPM (CT) are getting advisory and other support from the private sector and other stakeholders. The Transvaal Suiker Beperk (TSB) entered into a partnership with the Trusts of Siphumelele Community and Ingwenyama Community (separately) through its Agricultural services company known as Shubombo Agricultural Services (Chiyoka, 2009). Strategic Partnership Model has a definite management structure. Extension services are rendered in a joint venture whereby the TSB extension officials and the Provincial Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Land Administration extension officials work together to assist farmers. The South African Sugar Association is providing technical advices on production and other relevant aspects such as market trends, etc. TSB provides training on leadership, conflict resolution management and finance management, while extension managers and production managers provide mentorship to the trustees. The Business Plans, Financial Plans and Work Skills Plans were developed by TSB (TSB, 2009). Training is regarded as part of a developmental program that is aiming at building capacity on trustees and other beneficiaries. There is well developed communication policy which outlines the possible communication strategy. A comparison of the two models discloses several similarities namely according to FMM and SPM structures and their responsibilities to manage, control of farm assets on behalf of the communities; they use the same communication channel systems to communicate with the community and other stakeholders and the appointment of the project facilitator/coordinator to facilitate and coordinate the activities. The most important differences between the two models are: <ul> <li> A scientific company was formed by the SPM to manage the farm as a business while the CPA kept that responsibility to itself in the FMM.</li> <li> The Traditional Authority at the FMM attend all CPA meetings while at the SPM do not attend all the CT meetings.</li> </ul> The study reveals that the following actions are essential for the successful post-settlement to restitution farms: <ul> <li> The execution of baseline study (survey) to determine the socio-economic situation in a community (beneficiaries).</li> <li> The appointment of an independent Project facilitator/coordinator to ensure effective and efficient communication.</li> <li> A well defined management structure and the appointment of a knowledgeable, skilful and experienced farm manager(s) or Strategic Partner.</li> <li> The development of a business plan for the farm with the support of professional agriculturist.</li> <li> The identification of qualified professional extension advisor to provide advice and guidance to the manager(s) or Strategic Partner.</li> <li> Appointment of a mentor to guide, advice and train the manager(s) or Strategic Partner.</li> <li> Financial support to manage the farm (Grants; Comprehensive Agricultural Support Program; financial institutions and specifically the Land Bank)</li></ul>. / Dissertation (MSc (Agric))--University of Pretoria, 2012. / Agricultural Economics, Extension and Rural Development / unrestricted

The principal's role has evolved over the past two decades with the accountability demands that are forcing changes in school practices. In the age of school reform, the principal of the twenty-first century must provide the structure; resources and support that schools need to succeed. Research indicated that successful school leadership makes important contributions to the improvement of student learning (Leithwood & Riehl, 2003). One common trait identified that principals consistently demonstrate when exercising leadership is highly developed communication skills (Gurr, Drysdale, & Mulford, 2006). Some principals are finding it increasingly difficult to meet the needs of all students, reduce the achievement gap, find viable strategies for reaching adequate yearly progress, and have chosen to address these critical concerns by implementing school reform models. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine the characteristics of the principal's communication in the operation of the Comer School Development model. The Comer School Development model's emphasis on certain conditions improved the characteristics of the principal's communication with all stakeholders. This information can be beneficial to principals in any school as well as a Comer School Development model to improve school effectiveness. Data collection included: (a) descriptive data, (b) one principal interview, (c) focus group (n=6) (d) seven observations, (e) and the results discussed in themes. / Ph. D.

This dissertation examines the factors that have the most significant impact on the pace of change in the primary care (PC) sector in Ontario. In Canada, there have been many attempts to improve the PC system through the introduction of a variety of primary care reform (PCR) models. Some say that there is insufficient movement in the PC sector and that it is in a policy gridlock. Others assert that substantial progress has been made and that transformational change is proceeding. This dissertation demonstrates that PCR – the movement from PC to some form of primary health care (PHC) – is multi-dimensional and complex. It identifies the multiple dimensions of PHC and demonstrates that each dimension has implications for the structural relationships between the state and the medical association in the PC sector in Ontario. The framework for this dissertation was derived from three bodies of literature: PC/PHC, neo-institutionalism and professional autonomy. The research design used involves qualitative and quantitative methods, including historical analysis, document analysis, key informant interviews and qualitative data. The case study of PCR in Ontario demonstrates that while there have been some changes in the methods of physician payment and in the organization and delivery of PC, the majority of PCR models have not fundamentally altered the underlying institutional and structural relationships that characterize the sector. This includes the profession’s ability to control the political, economic and clinical aspects of care. Thus, the PCR models that propose the greatest amount of reform – those that alter structural relationships between the state and the medical association in a manner that results in a significant impact on the balance of power in the PC sector- are less likely to be adopted by physicians. This dissertation corroborates that the PCR models that have the greatest impact on professional autonomy are those that remain at the margins of the health care system, whereas the models that have little or no impact on autonomy have been more readily adopted.

This dissertation examines the factors that have the most significant impact on the pace of change in the primary care (PC) sector in Ontario. In Canada, there have been many attempts to improve the PC system through the introduction of a variety of primary care reform (PCR) models. Some say that there is insufficient movement in the PC sector and that it is in a policy gridlock. Others assert that substantial progress has been made and that transformational change is proceeding. This dissertation demonstrates that PCR – the movement from PC to some form of primary health care (PHC) – is multi-dimensional and complex. It identifies the multiple dimensions of PHC and demonstrates that each dimension has implications for the structural relationships between the state and the medical association in the PC sector in Ontario. The framework for this dissertation was derived from three bodies of literature: PC/PHC, neo-institutionalism and professional autonomy. The research design used involves qualitative and quantitative methods, including historical analysis, document analysis, key informant interviews and qualitative data. The case study of PCR in Ontario demonstrates that while there have been some changes in the methods of physician payment and in the organization and delivery of PC, the majority of PCR models have not fundamentally altered the underlying institutional and structural relationships that characterize the sector. This includes the profession’s ability to control the political, economic and clinical aspects of care. Thus, the PCR models that propose the greatest amount of reform – those that alter structural relationships between the state and the medical association in a manner that results in a significant impact on the balance of power in the PC sector- are less likely to be adopted by physicians. This dissertation corroborates that the PCR models that have the greatest impact on professional autonomy are those that remain at the margins of the health care system, whereas the models that have little or no impact on autonomy have been more readily adopted.

This dissertation explores factors that play a role in students' decisions to attend one Northern California Early College High School (NCECHS). It also examines how students perceive their experiences of their decision after they have enrolled. The history of the public education has long been marked by an achievement gap between White and Asian students and students from other ethnic groups. In spite of efforts to address this issue, the gap continues to widen. Early College High Schools (ECHS's) are examples of reform models that are developed to support student achievement among undeserved groups. Without an understanding of the factors that influence student decisions to attend ECHS's and an understanding of the ways students perceive their experiences in such schools; administrators and teachers in these schools are left to more or less "guess" at the most effective ways to structure curriculum and instruction. A qualitative analysis was used to explore student perception and experiences. A survey asked students to share the primary factors that influenced their decision to attend NCECHS, instead of a traditional public school. Findings from this research suggest that the participant's perceived costs and benefits were based on both personal preferences and rational choices. Some aspects of the program that were especially pleasing to students included having the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, earn college credit and earn an associate's degree at the same time. Many students expressed dissatisfaction and anxiety with attending this ECHS. Frustration with the college enrollment process, prerequisites, heavy workloads, time management, fear of academic failure, relationships with instructors and disassociation from friends were also among the findings of this study.

This study explores models for the reform of higher education in Egypt, and warns of potential consequences arising from the adoption of models based exclusively on the requirements of the knowledge economy and which fail to take account of the public role of national universities, socio-cultural realities and local as well as global pressures. The overall aim of the research is to identify the prerequisites for higher education reform in Egypt and the characteristics of a tailor-made reform model. It explores the role of higher education in Egypt, within the context of international organisations’ reform models for less-developed countries, and identifies the remits of the knowledge economy and knowledge society as frameworks for reforming higher education. This research has sought to answer questions on current conceptions of the role of higher education in Egypt and how these are being challenged by stakeholders. An exploratory study was designed using mixed methods. The research aim and objectives are achieved through a five-stage research process. The findings showed a general discontent among students and academics with higher education, and a near unanimity on the need for reform, particularly in the areas of teaching methods, curricula and university staff. The findings demonstrated that cultural issues deeply rooted in Egyptian society are preventing reform from being effective. The reform of higher education in Egypt should not only be part of an economic development vision, but a wider strategic vision for societal and cultural reform too. Reforming higher education in Egypt is a challenge, which will require consistent methodological rigour and a transformation of the current corrupted education culture prior to implementing the proposed OECD recommendations, or at the very least concurrent with any implementation.