This study investigated teachers' attitudes towards a career in rural schools. The aims of this study were broken into two, namely, the primary and secondary aims. The primary aim was to find out whether rural secondary school teachers hold a positive or a negative attitude towards a career in rural schools. The secondary aim was also broken into two. The first secondary aim was to find out whether rural secondary school teachers' personal characteristics such as age, sex, marital status, rank, qualification and teaching experience in rural school(s), as well as the school in which the teacher teaches, have a significant influence on their attitudes towards a career in rural schools. The second secondary aim was to determine the nature of attitudes with regard to A-B-C components of attitudes. To this end, a questionnaire was compiled and used as an attitude rating scale. The questionnaire was administered to a representative sample of one hundred and thirty four rural secondary school teachers from six schools, under Mehlwesizwe circuit in KwaZulu-Natal. Statistical analyses were conducted to fulfil the aims of the study and to test the research hypotheses stated. This study revealed that rural secondary school teachers hold a negative attitude towards a career in rural schools. It also revealed that, irrespective of teachers' personal characteristics, their attitude towards a career in rural school is the same, that is, it is negative. Therefore it was concluded that teachers' personal variables have no significant influence on their attitudes. This study also revealed that, statistically, there were significant differences in the affective and cognitive components of attitude but differences in the behavioural component were not significant. This indicated that the affective and cognitive components are more closely related to each other than they are with the behavioural component. On the basis of teachers' responses to attitude statements, the researcher offered two lines of direction as recommendation, namely, "Rethink resource allocation" and "Direction of restructuring". The former will assist in improving the conditions under which rural teachers work and the circumstances surrounding their workplace. The latter will assist in collaborating the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) structures at national, regional and local level with the Department of Education and Culture, as well as with the private sector, for improving the conditions under which rural teachers work. In that case teachers' attitudes towards a career in rural schools might be changed from negative to positive. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

This research is directed at the investigation of teacher education and the professional status of the teacher in the Northern Province. The literature study examined the essential characteristics of a profession and these were rephrased as criteria to evaluate to what. extent education . meets these criteria. Education is a profession although it does not fully meet the criteria of such traditional professions as law and medicine. A qualitative investigation was undertaken to determine how successfully teacher education is realised in the Northern Province. It was revealed that teacher education is not founded on a pedagogically justifiable theory. The status of the teacher is low. To redress this situation, continuous research and in-service education are recommended whereby the teachers' status and the standard of teacher education may be enhanced Culture needs recognition in the curricula that need to be changed to meet the demands of a changing society. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Philosophy of Education)

The purpose of this study was to explore teachers’ experiences of curriculum change in two under-resourced primary schools in the Durban area. By examining the experiences of educators using a qualitative approach the researcher was able to identify problems that prevent a smooth transition from one curriculum to another. The introduction of the Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements in January 2012 necessitated a plethora of adjustments for teachers at schools. Changes were made to the number of subjects to be taught, the notional time for each subject as well as a renewed emphasis on textbooks as a vital teaching resource in the classroom. This study was conducted in under-resourced primary schools in the Durban area. Data collection in both these schools shows that despite the lack of essential resources such as text books, teachers still manage to implement change and follow policy, whilst at the same time ensuring that their learners benefit from the curriculum. This study also highlights the challenges experienced by teachers in under-resourced schools that need to be confronted for effective curriculum implementation. The researcher makes recommendations to address these challenges as well as suggestions for future research. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

Many schools in South Africa face challenges of poor teacher performance as a result of implementing performance evaluation systems that are not developmental. In an attempt to resolve the current implementation challenges of the South African Integrated Quality Management System (IQMS) which is theoretically aligned to the TQM principles, the focus in this study is on the perceptions of school-based managers and educators regarding the effectiveness of the developmental supervision model as a possible tool for improving the quality of teaching. A mixed methods research design characterised by the explanatory sequential design was used to address the research questions. Out of the 350 randomly selected participants in all 15 districts of the Gauteng Province responded to the quantitative phase in the form of questionnaires. This was followed by analysis of the qualitative data from three focus group interview sessions that were conducted in Sedibeng East, Sedibeng West and Johannesburg North districts of the Gauteng Province in order to get in-depth explanations on perceptions of school-based managers and educators. Each of the three focus group interviews comprised of ten purposefully selected participants embracing two principals, two vice principals, two HODs and four educators per district. The results indicate that school-based managers and educators strongly believed that the developmental supervision model is an excellent tool for improving quality of teaching by applying implementation strategies comprising of the clinical supervision, self-directed supervision, peer supervision and connoisseurship strategies. These results were based on the opinion of the participants that the characteristics of the developmental supervision implementation strategies align with the Total Quality Management principles which were perceived to have a positive influence on improving the quality of teaching. The same supervision strategies were also found to match different levels of teacher development according to their levels of expertise and commitment. In contrast, the IQMS performance evaluation process, which also involves self-evaluation and peer evaluation, was believed to lack compliance with the developmental supervision strategies and the TQM principles during practical implementation because of characteristics related to the traditional inspection approaches to professional development. It is therefore recommended that the developmental supervision model should be introduced in South African schools to effectively implement the IQMS in order to ensure improved quality of teaching. / Educational Management and Leadership / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of the study was to investigate strategies that could be used to equip Grade 10 teachers to teach accounting effectively. The aim was addressed by conducting the relevant literature survey and an empirical investigation. A qualitative approach which was modeled on the interpretive perspective was used to explore challenges faced by accounting teachers and learners. Five schools were selected in the Johannesburg Ekurhuleni District. Here, three HODs and two Grade 10 teachers were interviewed and observed while teaching. Strong and weak Grade 10 learners from each school were interviewed. The data was analysed and findings presented. The findings revealed that Grades 8 and 9 lack accounting exposure due to 40% weighting on financial literacy on the syllabus which then causes problems in Grade 10 from both the teaching and learning perspectives. The main recommendations arising from this study are that the Department of Education must relook at the syllabus and involve teachers in the planning of the curriculum in order to bridge the gap between the syllabuses. Accounting teachers should use variety of learning and teaching strategies, and create a supportive effective classroom environment in order to increase the learner’s interest. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Didactics)

This research explores the impact of curriculum changes on primary school teachers at Seshego Circuit, Limpopo Province. It focuses on issues that influence teachers implementing curriculum changes. Impact of curriculum changes was examined. Principals and teachers were the respondents. The study confirmed several consequences of curriculum change. In-service training is recommended to assist the necessary adjustments to curriculum changes. Sufficient time for training is required to avoid covering an excessive amount of work during too short a time. This results in confusion and discontent. Training enables teachers to feel confident and competent. Their task becomes rewarding for them. Curriculum changes are intended for the benefit of learners and teachers. Teachers should not be discouraged when they encounter some of the more challenging impacts of curriculum changes. Attitudes should also be motivated in subjects such as Mathematics. The Department of Education is exhorted to support and guide its teachers to become a force for the greater good of South Africa. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The education ministry has introduced a number of important curriculum forms, including Curriculum 2005 (C2005) in 1998, the National Curriculum Statement (NCS) in 2002, and most recently, the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) in 2012 in Grade 10. The latter was aimed at replacing the NCS in order to improve the quality of teaching and learning. The need for replacement was necessitated by problems that teachers experienced concerning understanding and implementing various previous curriculum policies. The literature study and theoretical framework explored scholarly contributions that are relevant to CAPS implementation. The purpose of this study is to determine teachers‟ perceptions, and identify and clarify possible barriers relating to the implementation of CAPS in Grade 10 in selected schools at Ndwedwe in Durban. For sampling purposes, rural disadvantaged schools were selected to explore the knowledge and experiences teachers hold with regard to curriculum implementation. Exploratory qualitative research design was executed with a sample of purposively selected participants which constitute one Head of Department and two teachers from each of the five different schools. Data collection was facilitated by means of interviews. The findings revealed that teachers were at first eager to welcome and accept CAPS. Furthermore, this study indicated that some challenges emerged and impeded teachers from effectively implementing CAPS. The challenges experienced relate to resource shortages, teacher training, resistance to change, class size, lack of time, professional development, workload, administrative support, monitoring and language as a barrier ( on the part of the learners). The study argues that without proper infrastructure, schools can neither hope nor manage to successfully implement CAPS. Based on the findings from literature and interviews, teachers still need immediate assistance with CAPS related matters. Recommendations are made to teachers, head of departments, principals, subject advisors, DBE and parents to aid effective implementation of CAPS. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of this study is to explore what knowledge and experiences teachers hold about curriculum implementation and how their knowledge and experiences influence teaching and learning practices. This study is qualitative in nature and adopted a case study research design to explore the Foundation Phase teachers’ experiences of curriculum implementation. Semi-structured interviews, observations, and document analyses were used for collecting data. The study utilised a constructivist theoretical framework on knowledge and experiences of curriculum implementation. Four Foundation Phase teachers from two different schools in the Eastern Cape Province were interviewed and observed. Document analysis was used to corroborate the data collected through observations and interviews. The findings indicated that teachers had different knowledge levels and understanding of curriculum content and components. Furthermore, this study revealed that teachers’ instructional planning was inadequate. It was indicated that teachers needed comprehensive training, relevant resources, monitoring and support, conducive teaching and learning environment, further orientation in teaching First Additional Language, multi-grade teaching skills, and parental cooperation in the education of children. The findings highlighted that, although teachers experienced challenges in curriculum implementation, there were some who showed willingness to implement curriculum changes and who acknowledged the benefits of NCS previous workshops. I recommend that in order to ensure that teachers implement curriculum changes according to the requirements; the Department of Education and curriculum designers must consider the context in which the curriculum has to be delivered. Amongst all other requirements for curriculum implementation, teachers have to be monitored and supported to enhance the quality of teaching and learning. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Curriculum Studies)

The purpose of the study was to identify factors that motivate teachers to teach after hours. It was a qualitative study employing the interpretive research paradigm. The study employed a case study design of three secondary schools. Twelve teachers were purposively selected. Data was collected through focus groups and open-ended questionnaires of which thematically analyzed. Key findings revealed that teachers are motivated to teach after hours by among others their ability, pertinent PD, resources, positive environment, theories of motivation and goals set. The study concluded that these factors should be upheld. The study also recommended enough time for PD, bursaries and salary adjustments, teacher involvement in textbook requisition, excellence awards, incentivisation and goal setting. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of the study was to understand the teachers’ experiences of learners with disciplinary problems. A literature study was conducted on various issues related to disciplinary problems in schools. In the empirical investigation a qualitative research approach with a phenomenological research design was used. The study was conducted in one secondary school in KwaZulu-Natal. The purposive sample comprised of 10 teachers who experienced discipline problems and two teachers who were knowledgeable about the issue. Semi-structured interviews were conducted and the data were analysed and interpreted by means of the theoretical frameworks of the Bar-On Model of Emotional Intelligence and the Bronfenbrenner ecological model of child development. The findings revealed how disciplinary problems impacted negatively on the emotional and social well-being of the teachers. It was concluded that teachers needed improved coping strategies and collaborative support from the School Management Team and the Department of Education to deal with disciplinary problems. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)