The word diversity can be described as being different or having differences. Furthermore, it also relates to variety or assortment. Diversity forms an integral part of society worldwide. It consists of many different aspects which are all evident in different ways in society. These aspects of diversity include culture, religion, race, language, socio-economic class, gender, ability, etc. Diversity also exists in education as an important part of society. Parental involvement is viewed by many people as an important part of the education process. It has many positives which include improved academic performance of the child, understanding of the schools circumstances, having a more positive attitude towards the school, improved community involvement and a positive school climate. Parental involvement enhances the complete learning experience of the child and focuses on the total development of the child. It includes the making of a commitment and the forming of a partnership between parent and school which is also fundamentally prescribed by legislation. When this partnership is engaged in properly there is a definite positive outcome for both the child and the school. Fundamentally, the purpose of parental involvement lies in the opportunities that it offers all the stakeholders involved to contribute towards the upbringing and development of the children. Managing the involvement of parents should be well planned and directed. School managers need to take into account the issue of diversity in relation to parental involvement. Schools have to make use of creative strategies and approaches as they deal with differences among people which need to be respected in such a way that everyone can be integrated into the school system. Diversity amongst people has an influence on parental involvement and need to be managed to good effect. Ultimately, positive parents will educate positive children who are what we strived for. What is interesting from the results of the study is that the respondents that participated in the research are of the opinion that racial differences as an aspect of diversity doesn‟t have a significant influence on parental involvement. Diversity aspects that are viewed as having a / Thesis (MEd (Education Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The word diversity can be described as being different or having differences. Furthermore, it also relates to variety or assortment. Diversity forms an integral part of society worldwide. It consists of many different aspects which are all evident in different ways in society. These aspects of diversity include culture, religion, race, language, socio-economic class, gender, ability, etc. Diversity also exists in education as an important part of society. Parental involvement is viewed by many people as an important part of the education process. It has many positives which include improved academic performance of the child, understanding of the schools circumstances, having a more positive attitude towards the school, improved community involvement and a positive school climate. Parental involvement enhances the complete learning experience of the child and focuses on the total development of the child. It includes the making of a commitment and the forming of a partnership between parent and school which is also fundamentally prescribed by legislation. When this partnership is engaged in properly there is a definite positive outcome for both the child and the school. Fundamentally, the purpose of parental involvement lies in the opportunities that it offers all the stakeholders involved to contribute towards the upbringing and development of the children. Managing the involvement of parents should be well planned and directed. School managers need to take into account the issue of diversity in relation to parental involvement. Schools have to make use of creative strategies and approaches as they deal with differences among people which need to be respected in such a way that everyone can be integrated into the school system. Diversity amongst people has an influence on parental involvement and need to be managed to good effect. Ultimately, positive parents will educate positive children who are what we strived for. What is interesting from the results of the study is that the respondents that participated in the research are of the opinion that racial differences as an aspect of diversity doesn‟t have a significant influence on parental involvement. Diversity aspects that are viewed as having a / Thesis (MEd (Education Management))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012

The purpose of the research focuses on the development of a strategy for the management of diversity in secondary schools of the North West Province. The nature of diversity is explained from an ontological point of departure as the multiplicity of things with distinctive characteristics and qualities. A structure analysis of diversity emphasises a balanced perspective in which the interdependence and mutual coherence of all aspects of diversity are acknowledged in all spheres of life. An analysis of the different perspectives concerning multicultural education as an approach to deal with diversity leads to the identification of a limited focus on culture related concerns that fail to account for diversity in totality. Culture related concerns are not regarded as an exclusive constituent of a complex phenomenon like diversity and a more inclusive approach of diversity in education is recommended. A mixed methods research design is chosen for this research to provide a purposeful research framework in which quantitative and qualitative methods are combined to meet the demands of a sophisticated research problem. Findings of the research include inter alia the principles of respect and caring that are in relation to the concept of Ubuntu with a focus on humaneness and the affirmation of unity in diversity. Another finding of relevance is that a diversity strategy involves a clear rationale and policy framework for a process consisting of phases, objectives, action steps and persons involved. It is recommended that a diversity strategy must be tailor-made according to situation-specific needs and the unique manifestation of diversity. The contribution of this research is seen as a clarification of the concept of diversity and the development of a generic strategy for the management of diversity. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

The purpose of the research focuses on the development of a strategy for the management of diversity in secondary schools of the North West Province. The nature of diversity is explained from an ontological point of departure as the multiplicity of things with distinctive characteristics and qualities. A structure analysis of diversity emphasises a balanced perspective in which the interdependence and mutual coherence of all aspects of diversity are acknowledged in all spheres of life. An analysis of the different perspectives concerning multicultural education as an approach to deal with diversity leads to the identification of a limited focus on culture related concerns that fail to account for diversity in totality. Culture related concerns are not regarded as an exclusive constituent of a complex phenomenon like diversity and a more inclusive approach of diversity in education is recommended. A mixed methods research design is chosen for this research to provide a purposeful research framework in which quantitative and qualitative methods are combined to meet the demands of a sophisticated research problem. Findings of the research include inter alia the principles of respect and caring that are in relation to the concept of Ubuntu with a focus on humaneness and the affirmation of unity in diversity. Another finding of relevance is that a diversity strategy involves a clear rationale and policy framework for a process consisting of phases, objectives, action steps and persons involved. It is recommended that a diversity strategy must be tailor-made according to situation-specific needs and the unique manifestation of diversity. The contribution of this research is seen as a clarification of the concept of diversity and the development of a generic strategy for the management of diversity. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.