An emphasis ·on creativity as well as its implications for teacher education is significant for the South African education system. In this study some relevant issues related to the creative teaching of English in the· Junior Primary phase of schooling as well as to the training of teachers are highlighted. The transitional changes that are taking place currently, present a challenge for all educators, particularly language educators. It is evident that teachers need to acquire competencies which would enable them to function effectively in a multicultural, multilingual society. They need to be a skilled, flexible and innovative work-force. The main area of focus. is the training programme used at Springfield College of Education. An analysis of the Junior Primary English Syllabus reveals that there is a need for the programme to be orientated towards the development of creative teachers. This study includes some recommendations for teaching practice and teacher training. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

This study was planned to explore “the role of e-learning on the professional development of student-teachers in Cameroon”. The researcher’s concern with elearning was sanctioned by the need for a teaching and learning strategy that can help institutions of learning address their problems and improve on their outcome. Seven (7) specific hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study also sought to find out challenges faced by student-teachers in the implementation of e-learning. The study involved a mixed methodological approach. In this respect, a survey of 796 student-teachers drawn from eight (8) Primary Government Teacher Training Colleges and three (3) Higher Teacher Training Colleges was carried out. Also, an experiment with 191 student-teachers of the Higher Teacher Training College was conducted using blended learning. Purposive sampling, cluster sampling, simple random sampling and systematic random sampling techniques were applied where necessary to obtain the sample. Moreover, in the survey, data was collected using a questionnaire while the experimental phase generated data in terms of scores from the first and second test respectively. The student t-test, One-way ANOVA, and Correlation Coefficient were used to test the research hypotheses. Findings of this study offer new evidence that elearning has a significant influence on the professional development of studentteachers in Cameroon. Findings revealed that slow Internet lines or access speed constitute a serious challenge to effective e-learning in Cameroon (Mean = 3.2852). Findings further suggest that Internet-Based Problem Solving and Computer-Based Direct Instruction have an unprecedented role in fostering the professional development of student teachers in Cameroon. Based on this result, recommendations are made to training institutions to embrace ICTs and become more flexible by adopting learning approaches that are dynamic and multi-dimensional as problems in education are becoming more complex. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Dissertation submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the Master's Degree of Technology: Information Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2010. / The main purpose of this study was to examine how e-learning can help resolve some of the most acute problems that are specific to the nature of the outcomes-based education (OBE) system in developing countries. This was accomplished by investigating the relevant literature on OBE and by designing an e-learning content prototype for the South African version of OBE, with the focus on the training of Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy educators. OBE is an education system centred on the theory of mastery of learning introduced by Bloom in the 1950s. It has been implemented worldwide in primary and secondary schools and also in tertiary institutions. Some studies have shown that OBE is problematic, and that both educators and learners are opposed to this system of education. Existing research also reports that the quality of education in OBE is very poor as compared to that of the traditional education system. This study was an attempt to identify the most acute problems experienced by educators and learners in the OBE context and to design a prototype for e-learning content that can be used in courses in an attempt to solve these problems. The research population of the perceptions survey consisted of Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy educators and learners from the 6 000 primary and secondary schools of the KwaZulu- Natal (KZN) province of South Africa. Eighteen schools formed part of the research sample, with an average of two schools per region (the KZN province is divided into nine regions). Both private and public schools were included in the study. Data for the study were collected from March 2007 to August 2007 in the form of a perceptions survey of 104 educators and 288 learners, yielding an average of six educators and sixteen learners for each randomly selected school. Results from the perceptions survey show that educators and learners do not understand OBE terminology. In addition, educators claim that they are not sufficiently trained for OBE. Research iii participants also report that schools’ basic infrastructure is unsatisfactory, and that their classrooms are overcrowded. Mathematics is perceived as the most difficult subject by both educators and learners. The survey also reveals that most public schools do not have computers and that neither educators nor learners have access to computers in their public libraries. A SCORM- (Sharable Content Object Reference Model) compliant e-learning course was developed in this study to address the most acute problems identified by the survey, based on the Software Engineering Unified Model. The designed e-course contains OBE terminology such as learning outcomes, OBE principles, assessment standards, assessment methods, national curriculum statement and learning fields. The e-learning course content also contains the Mathematics and Mathematical Literacy curriculum for grades 11 and 12. It was constructed using 16 documents extracted from the National Department of Education’s website: 7 documents under Further Education and Training, 4 under Teacher Guide, and 5 under General Education and Training. The evaluation of the e-learning content prototype was conducted through a survey among 36 educators from different primary and secondary schools of the Mnquma Municipality of the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. They were trained in the SCORM-compliant e-learning course content at the Walter Sisulu University’s Butterworth campus. The training took place from 10 to 13 November 2009. After the training, educators filled out a questionnaire on their perceptions of the effectiveness of the proposed e-learning content prototype with regard to the practice of OBE. Results from the SCORM e-course evaluation survey showed that the proposed SCORM software artefacts allow educators to have a better understanding of OBE terminology. The proposed software artefact is user-friendly and educators recommended its use not only for Mathematics but for all subjects.

The concluding chapter explores implications of the research findings for the accessibility of teachers' craft knowledge, wider issues about the conditions necessary for the potential of school-based initial teacher education to be realised, and future research in the field.

Thesis (MMus (Music))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009. / In 1994 the first democratic election took place in South Africa. Since then large initiatives have been undertaken on national level to redress the inequalities of the past. One of these areas where drastic transformation was needed, is the education system of the country. A National Qualifications Framework was created and Outcomes Based Education was used to implement a new curriculum. This required a total paradigm shift of teachers in terms of how they thought about education as well as changes in their teaching practice. The learning area Arts and Culture was included in the new curriculum to provide all learners with equal opportunities to take part in and enjoy the arts, cultural expression and conservation of heritage as a basic human right. The learning area however brought about unique problems for the teacher, as it is multidisciplinary and most teachers were not trained to facilitate it. Initially it was given to teachers who were specialists in one or the other of the arts disciplines, but these teachers progressively left the education system, and since then the learning area has fallen into the hands of nonspecialists. The Department of Education has launched various training opportunities to empower teachers, but without much success. Teachers remain inadequately qualified regarding subject knowledge and skills to bring the learning area to fruition and to reach the goals of the curriculum. In the process learners are deprived of important opportunities for experiences in the arts and teachers become increasingly demotivated. Thus, in South Africa there exists a dire need for effective in-service training and professional development of Arts and Culture teachers in order to empower them to take their place in the unlocking and transmission of the spiritual goods of the human race to our youth. This study investigates the true problems of Arts and Culture teachers in South Africa by placing the process of transformation in the education system after 1994 into context and viewing Outcomes Based Education, the learning area Arts and Culture and the development of teachers through the looking glass. Three forms of training for teachers are compared to try and find a possible best way to address these problems and to determine whether effective in-service training of Arts and Culture teachers leads to professional development, empowerment, a more positive vocational disposition and motivation. Training on a one-to-one basis lead by a specialist teacher emerges as the most effective alternative form of training.

Dissertation (PhD)--University of Stellenbosch, 2000. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South African society is currently undergoing a process of reconstruction and development, in social, economic and various other areas. South Africa struggles with problems such as unemployment and crime, which is also the case in many other countries. Socio-political and cultural factors, for example, poverty, unemployment, hunger and a shortage of housing, lends itself favourably towards criminal activities. These individual problems are regarded as reasons for the escalating crime in the country. The statistics pertaining to violence reflect that the level of acceptance of crime is embedded in the South African culture. As a result of the high crime figures, only the minority of the South African population have peace of mind. This situation influences the learners of the country because the school is directly connected to their society. Without peace, South Africa will be unable to prosper on any level and therefore it is essential that the present generation of learners be taught to resolve conflict in a peaceful manner. The statistics in respect of crime indicates that learners are influenced negatively and because of the democratic values of the country the various aspects of the rights of children do not carry any weight. The process of democracy has led to a total transformation at the educational level. A teaching system has evolved whereby teaching is more developmental, thereby stimulating people physically, emotionally, critically, aestheticaely and mentally. Outcomes Based Education is therefore regarded as a valuable shift in the direction for a better educational system. This education system strives to breach the social and historical inequalities. Aspects such as freedom, equality and peace which connect strongly to the process of Continuous Learning is emphasised in the White Paper of Education and Training (1995). The new education system requires that crime in schools be resisted and that education be utilised as an instrument for the promotion of peace in the country. The teaching of values and skills to handle conflict, conflict resolution, mediation, tolerance and co-operation can promote stability and peace within schools. These critical elements form part of Education for Peace. According to the literature, Education for Peace is seen both nationally and internationally as a possible solution to crime. Outcomes Based Education has made a tremendous impact on schools and educators. The National Qualification Framework requires of the educator to be a facilitator, which changes the task and nature of the teacher. The teacher must realise that change is an ongoing process and that the process of empowerment is necessary. Empowerment in Outcomes Based Education system and also in respect of Education for Peace demands a prominent role from the teacher as curriculum agent and developer. The development of an effective curriculum is rather difficult and demands dynamic teachers that can positively handle these changes. The teacher is regarded as the stimulant of behavioural changes within the learner. Teachers are therefore responsible to empower learners within the school context to think critically about social problems, conflict and crime. In this study acknowledgement is given to the importance of participation of the teachers in decision making. The opinions of teachers with regard to Education for Peace are obtained by an empirical investigation through interviews and questionnaires. Responding teachers have indicated that there is a vacuum in respect of Education for Peace. In this study teachers have: taken cognisance of Education for Peace and highlighted its critical elements; declared that Education for Peace (and the critical elements within) be applied as a mechanism to combat crime; determined that Education for Peace is essential within Outcomes Based Education and that specific skills be carried over to learners and that certain critical outcomes be reached. In response teachers have indicated that South Africa is not a peaceful country and that each teacher and learner make a personal contribution to the attainment of peace in schools, as well as in the community. Through Education for Peace learners can realise that they have an important role to playas peace makers in South Africa. This research has led to the compilation of a theoretical curriculum framework which has specific critical elements of Education for Peace as its foundation. The curriculum framework can be changed or adapted according to the needs of the learner and the community. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Suid-Afrika is tans op ekonomiese, sosiale en ander terreine in 'n proses van heropbou en ontwikkeling. Soos baie ander lande worstel Suid-Afrika ook met probleme soos werkloosheid en misdaad. Sosio-politieke en kulturele faktore, byvoorbeeld armoede, hongersnood werkloosheid en 'n tekort aan huise, verskaf 'n ideale omgewing vir kriminele aktiwiteite. In hierdie studie word enkele van die probleme as agtergrond vir die toenemende geweld in die land aangedui. Die statistiek ten opsigte van geweld toon aan dat die aanvaarding van geweld diep gewortel is in die Suid-Afrikaanse kultuur. As gevolg van die hoë misdaadsyfer het slegs 'n klein persentasie van die Suid-Afrikaanse bevolking algehele gemoedsrus. Hierdie situasie beïnvloed die leerders van die land omdat die skool inherent deel ls van die samelewing. Sonder vrede kan Suid-Afrika nie op enige terrein vooruitgaan nie en daarom is dit so essensieel dat die huidige generasie leerders geleer moet word om konflik vreedsaam op te los. Die statistiek ten opsigte van geweld dui egter daarop dat die leerders van die land nadelig beïnvloed word omdat die demokratiese waardes en die regte van kinders nie gewig dra nie. Die proses van demokrasie het gelei tot 'n totale verandering op opvoedkundige gebied. 'n Onderwysstelsel is gevestig waar onderwys tans in 'n ontwikkelingsproses is en sodoende mense verstandelik, fisies, emosioneel, krities en esteties ontwikkel. Uitkomsgebaseerde onderwys word daarom beskou as 'n waardevolle skuif in die rigting van 'n beter onderwysstelsel. Met hierdie onderwysstelsel word daarna gestreef om die sosiale en historiese ongelykhede in gemeenskappe te oorbrug. Aspekte soos vryheid, gelykheid en vrede wat aansluit by die proses van lewenslange leer, word in die Witskrif oor Onderwys en Opleiding (1995) beklemtoon. Die nuwe onderwysstelsel vereis dat geweld in skole teengestaan moet word, en dat opvoeding benut kan word as 'n instrument vir die bevordering van vrede in die land. Die onderrig van waardes en vaardighede in konflikhantering, konflikresolusie, mediasie, verdraagsaamheid en samewerking kan vrede en stabiliteit in skole bevorder. Hierdie kritiese elemente vorm deel van Opvoeding vir Vrede. Volgens die literatuur word Opvoeding vir Vrede, internasionaal sowel as nasionaal, as 'n moontlike oplossing vir geweld gesien. Uitkomsgebaseerde onderwys het 'n geweldige impak op skole en die onderwyser. Omdat die Nasionale Kwalifikasieraamwerk van die onderwyser verwag om 'n fasiliteerder te wees, verander die aard van die onderwyser se taak. Die onderwyser moet besef dat verandering 'n voortdurende proses is en dat die proses van bemagtiging noodsaaklik is. Bemagtiging in 'n uitkomsgebaseerde onderwysstelsel, en ook ten opsigte van Opvoeding vir Vrede, vereis dat die onderwyser as kurrikulumagent en ontwikkelaar In groter rol moet speel. Die ontwikkeling van 'n effektiewe kurrikulum is uiters moeilik en vereis dinamiese onderwysers wat hierdie veranderinge positief kan hanteer. Die onderwyser word beskou as die stimuleerder van gedragsverandering in die leerder, en is daarom verantwoordelik om leerders binne die skoolkonteks te bemagtig om krities oor sosiale probleme, konflik en geweld te dink. In hierdie studie word gefokus op die belangrikheid van die onderwyser se deelname aan besluitneming. Die menings van onderwysers ten opsigte van Opvoeding vir Vrede word in "n empiriese ondersoek uit onderhoude en vraelyste verkry. Responderende onderwysers het aangedui dat daar "n leemte is ten opsigte van Opvoeding vir Vrede. In die ondersoek het responderende onderwysers: bepaalde gebreke ten opsigte van kennis en vaardighede met betrekking tot Opvoeding vir Vrede getoon en is bepaalde kritiese elemente daarin geïdentifiseer; verklaar dat Opvoeding vir Vrede (en die kritiese elemente daarin) aangewend kan word as "n meganisme om geweld te bekamp; bepaal dat Opvoeding vir Vrede essensieel is binne uitkomsgebaseerde onderwys. Bepaalde vaardighede word op hierdie wyse aan leerders oorgedra en sekere kritiese uitkomste kan bereik word. Responderende onderwysers het aangedui dat Suid-Afrika nie "n vreedsame land is nie en dat elke onderwyser en leerder "n persoonlike bydrae kan lewer tot die verkryging van vrede in die skole, asook in die gemeenskap. Deur Opvoeding vir Vrede kan leerders besef dat hulle "n belangrike rol as vredemakers in Suid-Afrika het. Hierdie navorsingsondersoek het gelei tot die opstel van "n teoretiese kurrikulumraamwerk wat die geïdentifiseerde kritiese elemente van Opvoeding vir Vrede as onderbou neem. Die kurrikulumraamwerk kan verander en aangepas word na gelang van die behoeftes van die leerder en die betrokke gemeenskap.

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2015 / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: An analysis of a teacher development programme known as the Cluster Project is central to this research. Study of the form, processes and outcomes of the project model draws attention to teacher professional development (TPD) as a critical strategy for improving science education in primary schools. High quality teaching at the foundational level supports children develop the appropriate level of knowledge that would allow them to take up and succeed at science at higher levels. With the object of strengthening primary science education the Primary Science Programme (PSP) implements a Cluster Project in Western Cape schools. The project model offers training workshops, classroom guidance and essential resources to support teachers develop both their knowledge and teaching competencies to teach science well. Training workshops are designed to build teachers’ understanding of critical science concepts, improve science content knowledge, and offers guidance with curriculum implementation and assessment of learning. In-classroom support and team-teaching, supported with teaching and learning materials and other resources, assists with improving teaching practice in context. This interpretive case study analyses the Cluster Project model and its processes within three theoretical frames: activity theory, complexity theory, and a research-developed qualitative framework to trace teacher professional development. Activity theory is applied to the purpose, organization and function of the Cluster Project, while complexity theory probes the meaning and implications of educational change for teachers and TPD. The qualitative framework with its five critical indicators of autonomy, knowledge, practice, and collaboration and continuing development analyses empirical evidence of TPD with respect to six teacher participants. Activity theory draws attention to the use of flexible adaptive teacher professional learning models which can accommodate frequent change to curriculum and context, and further highlights the importance of promoting collaboration and reducing contradictions in order to improve learning outcomes. Complexity theory expands understanding of teacher professional learning through its focus on the critical concepts of pedagogy, holism, learning as a nonlinear process, the unpredictability of teaching and learning, networking and connectedness, change by emergence and self-organization, changing environments, and teacher development programmes as open, complex adaptive systems. This research observed the six teacher participants were able to improve aspects of their teaching of science, thereby achieving a measure of professional development, although this was not a general observation within the Cluster Project teacher population. Research findings show that teachers’ active participation in meaningful practical science experiences promotes teacher learning, improves practical science in the classroom, and encourages the ready take-up of helpful and innovative science teaching ideas and strategies. This research recommends that practical science teaching, integrated with language and mathematics teaching, should form an essential part of education and training programmes for both pre-service and in-service primary and high school science teachers. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die analise van`n onderwyser-ontwikkelingsprogram, bekend as die Groepsondersteunings Projek, is die kern van diè navorsing. Studie van die vorm, prosesse en uitkomste van die projekmodel, vestig die aandag op onderwysers se professionele ontwikkeling as `n kritiese strategie vir die verbetering van wetenskaponderrig in primêre skole. Hoë gehalte onderwys in die grondslagfase, ondersteun die kinders se ontwikkeling op `n geskikte vlak van kennis wat hulle in staat sal stel om wetenskap verder te neem en daarvan `n sukses te maak op senior vlak. Met die doel om wetenskaponderrig te versterk in die primêre skool, implimenteer die Primêre Wetenskap Program (PSP) tans `n Groepsondersteunings Projek in die Wes-Kaapse skole. Die model voorsien opleiding deur slypskole, klaskamerleiding en noodsaaklike leerhulpmiddels om onderwysers se kennis en onderrigvaardigheid, om wetenskap as vak goed te onderrig, te ontwikkel. Opleidingsslypskole fokus daarop om onderwysers se begrip van kritiese wetenskaplike konsepte en opgradering van wetenskapinhoudskennis op te bou en ook om te help om die kurrikulum te implimenteer en kinders se leerwerk te assesseer. Klaskamer ondersteuning en span-onderrig, met die hulp van onderrig-en leerhulpmiddels, help met die verbetering van die onderwyspraktyk in konteks. Diè interpreterende gevallestudie analiseer die Groepondersteunings Projek model en die prosesse binne drie teoretiese raamwerke, die aktiwiteits-teorie, kompleksiteits-teorie en `n stel aanwysers wat ontwikkel is om bewyse van onderwysers se professionele ontwikkeling te ontleed. Die aktiwiteits-teorie is toegepas op die doel, organisering en funksie van die Projek, terwyl die kompleksiteits-teorie die betekenis en implikasies van die opvoedkundige verandering vir onderwysers en onderwysers se professionele ontwikkeling ondersoek. Die stel aanwysers met vyf kritiese fokuspunte: outonomie, kennis, praktyk, samewerking en voortdurende ontwikkeling, lei die analise van ses onderwyser-deelnemers se professionele ontwikkeling. Die aktiwiteits-teorie beklemtoon die belangrikheid van aanpasbare professionele leermodelle wat gereelde verandering aan die konteks en kurrikulum kan akkommodeer, en beklemtoon ook die belangrikheid om samewerking bevorder, teenstrydigheid te verminder en om sodoende die leeruitkomste te versterk. Die kompleksiteits-teorie verbreed die insig van onderwyser se professionele leer deur die fokus te plaas op die kritiese konsepte van pedagogiek; holisme; leer as `n nie-lineêre proses; die onvoorspelbaarheid van onderrig en leer; netwerk en aaneenskakeling; verandering deur die ontstaan en self-organisasie; veranderende omgewings en onderwyser-ontwikkelingsplanne as oop, komplekse aanpasbare stelsels. Diè navorsing het waargeneem dat die ses onderwyser-deelnemers in staat was om aspekte van hul wetenskap-onderrig te verbeter en sodoende was hulle in staat om `n mate van professionele ontwikkeling te behaal alhoewel dit nie `n algemene waarneming binne die Groepsondersteunings Projek se onderwyspopulasie was nie. Navorsingsbevindings dui aan dat onderwysers se aktiewe deelname aan betekenisvolle, praktiese wetenskapondervindings, leer kan bevorder en begrip kan bevorder van `n praktiese implimentering daarvan in die klaskamer en moedig die geredelike opname van nuttige en innoverende leer-idees en strategieë aan. Die navorsing beveel aan dat praktiese wetenskap-onderrig, integreer met tale en wiskunde, `n noodsaaklike deel moet vorm van onderwys-en opleidingsprogramme vir voor-diens en in-diens primêre en hoërskool wetenskaponderwysers.

This study draws upon a methodological approach based on the use of objects to explore the experiences of a group of teachers undertaking a Masters-level Continuing Professional Development programme. Eight Respondents were invited to bring three objects to their interview that represented significant aspects of their practice in relation to the course. These objects afforded an exploration of respondents’ views, experiences and consideration of the impact of the programme on their professional identities. In order to engage analytically with the data the work draws upon notions of spatiality as well as the later work of Foucault on truth and subject formation. The thesis considers the role of professional learning as shaped by the current policy process and, how professional learning is, in turn, shaped by the teachers undertaking the course. Such a consideration allows for a methodological take on the CPD process as one whereby people, as well as objects, such as ‘standards’, play equally important roles. In drawing upon the later work of Foucault (1984a, 1984b) analysis of the data considered the ways in which the practices of the course that the teachers engaged with (Askēsis) lead to a desire to speak their mind and express ideals of truth about educational practice (Parrhēsia). This means that in thinking about their practice through the activities and processes of the programme encourages the development of the ethical work of the teacher. In the light of such problematisation, this study encourages a rethinking of both policy and practice and argues for a change in the discourse of education from the concept of professional development to that of professional learning within a relational and ethical framing.

The major tenets of teacher pre-service education enumerated by John Baptist de La Salle, Founder of the Brothers of the Christian Schools in 1680, and modified and approved in the current documents of the General Chapter, were compared with current teacher pre-service education programs of selected Christian Brothers' Colleges in the United States. This study included an analysis of the philosophical and historical tenets of Lasallian pre-service teacher education, on-site field work, and interviews with educational leaders at selected Christian Brothers' Colleges. Four colleges were selected: Manhattan College, Bronx, New York; La Salle College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Lewis University, Lockport, Illinois; and St. Mary's College of California, Moraga, California. The college catalogues, accreditation reports where possible, and any other published documentation on the teacher pre-service education programs provided by the selected colleges and Provincial and General Chapter Guidelines were subjected to content and descriptive analysis. Field collected data from the observations and scheduled interviews were subjected to content analysis by categories and placed in juxtaposition with the Lasallian tenets and philosophy of teacher pre-service education. The data were subjected to a balanced comparison, indicating equivalency, or a descriptive comparison, indicating no equivalency (Noah and Eckstein, 1969). According to the analysis of data, there is some correspondence between the Lasallian tenets of teacher preservice education and the current programs of teacher preservice education at the selected colleges in the areas of professional education and certification requirements. The Brothers receive a different training in their pre-service teacher education programs. These Brothers receive course work in the life and pedagogy of John Baptist de La Salle. Lay teachers at the selected colleges receive no training in the philosophy, methodology, and spirituality of John Baptist de La Salle. At present, little effort is being made to educate teachers for Catholic schools and particularly for schools conducted by the Christian Brothers. Implications were discussed and related to the design and conclusions of the study. Recommendations were made for further study.

Thesis (MEd (Curriculum Studies))--University of Stellenbosch,2007. / This mini-thesis documents a Narrative Inquiry as a phenomenon with special focus on reflective accounts of my experiences, opportunities and constraints in the process of self development as an environmental education practitioner in an environmental education centre situated in a nature reserve. I provide some background information on the environmental education centre, the reserve and the broader structure in which it functions. Through the process of reflection I try to clarify some of the issues that I grappled with in my practice as an environmental educator in nature conservation. A critical discussion of the projects, activities and programmes offered through the centre provide clarity and insight into the work I am doing as well as my role as environmental education officer in the broader context of my job and the organisation for which I work. Reflection of my personal experiences over a period of time is weaved throughout this study in order to contribute to/or provide a sense of clarity and understanding of my believes as an environmental educator responsible for an environmental education centre situated in a nature reserve. Through this study the importance of training for education officers, engaging with research and the need for clearly defined aims and objectives for the centres funded by nature conservation became apparent. The study demonstrates that the implementation of environmental education is possible and can be achieved, but with the necessary capacity.