Dissertation submitted to the Faculty of Education in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education in the Department of Philosophy of Education at the University of Zululand, 1996. / This research was mainly informed by the role and significance of mutual trust between the educator and the educand in senior secondary schools in particular. These schools were selected on the basis of the fact that more often than not they are disturbed. There are instances where classes are suspended. There are times where the culture of learning is seen to be totally absent. In some cases there is tension and confrontation between educators and educands. Sometimes schools grind to a total halt. In the process educators blame educands or vice versa. This then motivated the current researcher to hypothesize that there is inadequate realisation of mutual trust between the educator and the educand in some selected schools. To delimit the study certain schools in Maphumulo district were chosen. Chapter 9 One dealt with the statement of the problem. Chapter Two and Three dealt with literature preview, that is, the literary base to the study. Chapter four explained the procedure that was followed in conducting this study. Chapter five dealt with the analysis and interpretation of data. Finally Chapter six dealt with conclusions, findings and recommendations. Among the findings the following can be cited. * There is inadequate realisation of mutual trust between the educator and the educand in Maphumulo district. * Channels of communication between educators and educands are not well opened in Maphumulo district. * Freedom with responsibility is not well taught in Maphumulo district. * Tension, and confrontation between the educator that occurs to a certain extent minimises chances of mutual trust between the educator and the educand. * Where educands are not included in decision-making processes problems of mutual trust abound. In short if teachers do not involve pupils in decision-making there will be misunderstanding. * The question of mutual trust does not only involve teachers and pupils but it also embodies the parent community. On the basis of the findings the following are some of the recommendations the researcher made. * Channels of communication between educator and educands have to be opened. * Teachers, parents and pupils have to be thoroughly educated about the significance of mutual trust. * Activities that combine parents, teachers and pupils are undoubtedly essential and the importance of parent-teacher-pupil associations cannot be overemphasized. * Educands should be involved in decision-making processes of the school as this will make them feel that they are accepted and loved. This is the base on which trust is built. * Any discipline that is administered by parents and teachers should be dispensed with friendliness and love. * Whilst teachers and parents are firm thy must also be friendly. * Pupils have to be given a chance of doing some tasks independently and with minimum interference of parents for this sometimes makes them responsible in taking decisions.