The South African educational system has undergone many changes since 1994. The integration of previously segregated education departments has made it possible for different cultures to be in the same classroom. However, it is the researcher's view that the vast majority of learners in multicultural secondary schools do not exit the system with the skills and attitudes needed to contribute positively to nation-building. This is borne out by the fact that many learners continue to prefer the company and assistance of their own cultural groups for work in class and out of class. Incidents of racial conflict, religious intolerance and cultural discrimination are reported among learners from time to time. The researcher believes that the basis for creating a new society, that is free of fear and discrimination, lies in the imparting and assimilation of nation-building values at multicultural secondary schools. A qualitative method of research was employed as it lent itself to naturalistic inquiry, detailed thick description, inquiry of depth and direct quotations to capture people's personal perspectives and experiences. An extensive literature study of nation-building, nation-building values and multicultural education was conducted. The empirical study was conducted at a local multicultural secondary school. Research techniques such as observation, interviews, completion of an open-ended questionnaire and discussions were used. The researcher was able to ascertain the values that underpin nation-building; the factors that militate against the promotion of nation-building values and strategies that can be used to promote these values at multicultural secondary schools. He has made significant proposals to the Department of Education, which should be carefully considered. Ultimately, the promotion and assimilation of nation-building values at multicultural secondary schools should lead to a progressive and peaceful nation. / Educational Studies / (D.Ed.(Psychology of Education))

D.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Since 1989 most of the schools in Lenasia which were under the auspices of the now dissolved House of Delegates, began to 'admit black children. Most of these children live at the informal settlements in Lenasia. Soon after the admission of these children many Indian teachers expressed their difficulties with them, especially with regard to language, teaching and learning. Teachers also complained that children from the informal settlement lacked discipline, they often came to school late and they had difficulty in completing their homework. As a result of the several complaints from teachers the researcher decided to conduct a study on the experiences of children from the informal settlements at predominantly Indian schools in Lenasia. A pilot study revealed that the experiences of the children at the informal settlements also needed to be taken into consideration. Standard six children from the informal settlements, parents from the settlements and members of the camp education committee were identified as the target populations in the study. A qualitative research design that is explorative, descriptive and contextual, specifically to the experiences of standard six children from the informal settlements was used for the study. The study was conducted in two distinct phases. Phase one of the study involved the collection of data on the experiences of standard six children from the informal settlements both at their schools as well as their place of residence. Data was collected through the use of phenomenological interviews, focus group discussions, life studies and a projective test. Phase one of the study also focused on the analysis of the data that were obtained. The analysis of the data showed that children from the informal settlements had several negative experiences both at their schools as well as at the informal settlements which caused them to feel disempowered...

A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of Education University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy / In the mid 1970s certain hitherto white private schools began admitting pupils of other race groups. As desegregated schools become more common in this country, there is need for curriculum research that can inform both policy makers and practioners. This study explores curriculum issues at a secondary school ten years after it admitted pupils of all race groups. Located within the qualitative research paradigm, this research is an ethnographic case study based on a year's participant observation in the school The study focused on teachers' approaches to their work, their aims, choice of material and methodology, academic achievement patterns, perceptions of factors influencing these and strategies for dealing with them; pupils' responses to different curriculum content, teaching styles and strategies, and the interplay between social interaction and learning. Within a framework of Similarity, there were differences among black and white pupils' expectations of the school, their evaluation of subjects, their prioritization of constructs of good teaching and their evaluation of the school in fulfilling key expectations. Black pupils underachieved academically. and were relatively more sensitive to the subtle tension underlying race group interaction. The curriculum was perceived as basically assimilationist, and most teaching conservative. geared toward narrow academic aims. A small group of teachers who promoted a less Eurocentric approach which tended to be more pupil-centered, activity-based and issue-centered met some opposition from their colleagues. The study highlights the interplay between social interaction and achievement, the need to address both social and personal educational aims together with academic achievement. The findings suggest that unless certain key curriculum changes are implemented, black pupils are likely to remain academically marginalized in open schools, and desegregated schools run the risk of contributing little to social change. / AC2017

The South African educational system has undergone many changes since 1994. The integration of previously segregated education departments has made it possible for different cultures to be in the same classroom. However, it is the researcher's view that the vast majority of learners in multicultural secondary schools do not exit the system with the skills and attitudes needed to contribute positively to nation-building. This is borne out by the fact that many learners continue to prefer the company and assistance of their own cultural groups for work in class and out of class. Incidents of racial conflict, religious intolerance and cultural discrimination are reported among learners from time to time. The researcher believes that the basis for creating a new society, that is free of fear and discrimination, lies in the imparting and assimilation of nation-building values at multicultural secondary schools. A qualitative method of research was employed as it lent itself to naturalistic inquiry, detailed thick description, inquiry of depth and direct quotations to capture people's personal perspectives and experiences. An extensive literature study of nation-building, nation-building values and multicultural education was conducted. The empirical study was conducted at a local multicultural secondary school. Research techniques such as observation, interviews, completion of an open-ended questionnaire and discussions were used. The researcher was able to ascertain the values that underpin nation-building; the factors that militate against the promotion of nation-building values and strategies that can be used to promote these values at multicultural secondary schools. He has made significant proposals to the Department of Education, which should be carefully considered. Ultimately, the promotion and assimilation of nation-building values at multicultural secondary schools should lead to a progressive and peaceful nation. / Educational Studies / (D.Ed.(Psychology of Education))

Thesis (Phd.) - Central University of Technology, Free State, 2008 / This study investigates whether five former Model C schools in Bloemfontein are inclusive of diverse cultures found among their learner population. In apartheid South Africa segregation on the basis of racial and cultural difference was policy. Therefore, post apartheid legislation and policies, coupled with the fact that inclusion is not always understood or welcomed where people are used to segregated systems necessitated this investigation. The study was qualitative in nature and Buskens-Meulenberg’s Free Attitude Interview (FAI) was used as a main source of data collection. Principals of the five former Model C schools that formed part of this study and three university students who are former Model C schools learners were interviewed using open ended questions. It was important to employ the Free Attitude Interview because it meant the interviewees were free to talk about anything they felt like, as long as it was within the framework of the starting question. Secondly, it allowed for reflection on the dominant discourse and also gave a voice to the dominated discourse. To arrive at the findings data was analyzed and interpreted using Fairclough’s Textual Oriented Discourse Analysis (TODA). This method of analysis allowed the researcher to look not only at the text of the interviews but also at their discursive practices. The following findings emerged from the data analysis. The general finding from the data collected from both the principals and students was that these schools expected learners from diverse cultural backgrounds to adapt to the existing ‘school culture’ which is white middle class. The curriculum delivery, staff provisioning, and everything within the schools was found to reflect ‘white middle class culture’. The interviews from both the principals and students indicated that instead of being inclusive of all learners these schools go out of their way to assimilate children from other cultures especially black children. While this is the case it is also clear that the two groups of respondents view this differently. To the white school principals this is an accepted and normal way consciously encouraged and promoted. On the other hand this is a sore point to the black students which led them to feel that they did not belong in these schools and left them with feelings of alienation. I therefore argue that in spite of the rhetoric endorsing equity, redress, justice and respect for difference including cultural diversity, little has changed in terms of educational outcomes. Young black children who go to these former Model C schools still face exclusionary practices despite the fact that these schools have been open to all racial groups and they are physically there. While I have taken care not to generalize from the findings, – since this was never the intention of the study - I nevertheless drew the conclusion that these schools are actually not inclusive of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds. Adhering to the ‘ethos’ of the school and thereby maintaining the status quo seems to be the main objective of the schools (principals). In-fact black learners in these schools continue to experience exclusion and explicit racism. The study concludes that power structures in these schools – management and governance -, curriculum and the way it is delivered and all other activities within the school are used to reinforce domination of the learners from cultural backgrounds other than that of the school. From the findings the study recommend that for these schools to be truly inclusive of learners from diverse cultural backgrounds the Department of Education should take a leading role in ensuring that transformation takes place in these schools and they become inclusive of all learners. For this nation to be a true rainbow nation the Department of Education should not leave the transformation of these schools to the School Management Teams and Governing Bodies. Recommendations on what schools themselves can do to ensure that they accommodate, acknowledge and reflect cultural diversity and as such are inclusive of all learners are also given. Furthermore suggestions for relevant future research, based on the findings are made.

This study is a micro level case study which in addition to attempting to establish whether integration in sport lends itself to the integration of broader society, documents and analyses the integration experiences of two Durban amateur soccer clubs. Because soccer in most South African schools currently forms part of the school curriculum which is relatively neglected when compared with sports such as rugby and cricket, it was necessary to focus on amateur club soccer which caters for the soccer playing aspirations of the youth. Areas focussed on included the ways in which historical, race, class, cultural, ethnic and gender dynamics which operate within South African society influenced the integration process. The integration experiences of players and officials from both clubs were recorded and presented as findings. These findings were analysed against the background of local and international multicultural, sport and gender literature. The two key questions asked were: i) does integration in sport rend itself to integration in society; and ii) does the shared understanding of masculinities within male sports lend itself to integration within male dominated teams. It was established that although integration in sport can assist with the broader integration of South African society, important historical, cultural, class, ethnic and gender dynamics which operate within society have to be negotiated by all role players before a significant iintergation can take place. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-University of Natal, Durban,1997.

This study reports on the practice of inclusive education in three rural disadvantaged communities within the Eastern Cape. The research focused on the development of inclusive educational practices such as teaching, assessment and support in inclusive education. Recognizing the changing needs in the teaching profession and consequently the changing needs of both in service and pre-service educators, this project was conceived as providing an insight into the response of educators to the challenges of inclusive education and the meanings that these experiences have for educators who have had practical exposure to inclusive education. The need to acknowledge barriers which have implications for planning, expectations and effectiveness of implementing inclusive education in this specific context is acknowledged. In South Africa direct support service delivery is only to a few advantaged schools and communities. Learners who are economically and environmentally disadvantaged are excluded even though they have an equal right to effective support. / Educational Studies / M. A.(Educational Management)

This study reports on the practice of inclusive education in three rural disadvantaged communities within the Eastern Cape. The research focused on the development of inclusive educational practices such as teaching, assessment and support in inclusive education. Recognizing the changing needs in the teaching profession and consequently the changing needs of both in service and pre-service educators, this project was conceived as providing an insight into the response of educators to the challenges of inclusive education and the meanings that these experiences have for educators who have had practical exposure to inclusive education. The need to acknowledge barriers which have implications for planning, expectations and effectiveness of implementing inclusive education in this specific context is acknowledged. In South Africa direct support service delivery is only to a few advantaged schools and communities. Learners who are economically and environmentally disadvantaged are excluded even though they have an equal right to effective support. / Educational Studies / M. A.(Educational Management)

The research sought to study the integration experiences and challenges of immigrant students in a private secondary school in the Tshwane North district in Gauteng. The study focused on investigating the experiences of immigrant learners when integrating with the local learners at the private secondary school. Integration denotes how various cultural groups interact within the bounds of a single society. Scholars argue that the dominant group in a society sets the tone and determines the nature of the integration activities and objectives. However, in other instances integration is facilitated by both the immigrants and the host people. Literature review helped the researcher to gain a broader and deeper knowledge base of the concept of migration and experiences faced. Literature review indicated the sociological and economic explanations for migration. Literature covered integration of immigrants, assimilation and acculturation. Sources of stress for immigrant students and cross-cultural adaptation were also outlined. The investigation was a case study research. Mixed methods were used to collect data. The researcher used questionnaires, interviews and observations. Questionnaires were issued to 28 immigrant learners who participated in the study. The 28 immigrant learners were also interviewed in order to obtain richer data. All indications show that the integration process at the school was positive. The results of the study showed that most immigrant learners have friends among local learners. The immigrant learners disclosed that local learners were friendly to them. Many immigrant learners indicated that they would be interested in learning local languages. / M. Ed. (Socio-Education)