Thesis (MEdPsych (Educational Psychology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study was conducted within historically black schools in the Western Cape. According to (HSRP@historicsschools.org.za) historically Black schools are identified as schools which under the apartheid government were racially segregated schools, situated mainly in residential areas populated by people classified as black, for the exclusive use of people in this racial classification category. The purpose of this study was to explore educators', parents' and learner understands of epilepsy. This study uses an interpretive research framework to obtain in-depth data on educators', parents' and learner’s knowledge of epilepsy, reactions of educators towards learners with epilepsy, the effect of epilepsy on learning and the inclusion of learners with epilepsy in a regular class. The thematic content analysis was the method of analysis. Participants’ experiences with regard to epilepsy were reconstructed according to themes. Recurring themes were linked with the literature. This study found that educators, parents and learners had little idea what epilepsy entails and their beliefs were often moulded by inaccurate information. Educators have received little or no training to provide meaningful support for learners with epilepsy. Despite policy changes the needs of learners with epilepsy are not met in the classroom. Educators and parents insist that they need information, skills and clear guidelines regarding epilepsy. Research indicates that educators find it difficult to cope with the demands of these learners, and often experience frustration and failure. It could benefit the schools if a supporting programme is developed to provide practical and comprehensive guidelines to assist educators to support learners with epilepsy. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie navorsing is in histories swart skole in die Weskaap onderneem. HSRP@historicschools.org.za beskryf ‘histories swart skole’ as skole wat tydens die apartheid-regime op grond van ras gesegregeer was, hoofsaaklik binne residensiële areas wat bewoon is deur mense wat as swart geklassifiseer is, vir die eksklusiewe gebruik van mense van hierdie rasseklassifikasie. Die doel van hierdie navorsing is om opvoeders, ouers en leerders se begrip van epilepsie te ondersoek. ’n Interpretatiewe navorsingsraamwerk is gebruik om in-diepte gegewens rakende opvoeders, ouers en leerders se kennis van epilepsie, opvoeders se reaksie teenoor leerders met epilepsie, die uitwerking van epilepsie op leer, en die insluiting van leerders met epilepsie in gewone klasse, in te win. Die tematiese inhoudsanalise is gebruik as ondersoekmetode. Deelnemers aan die studie se ervaringe van epilepsie is volgens temas gerekonstrueer. Herhalende temas is met die literatuur oor die onderwerp verbind. Die navorsing het bevind dat opvoeders, ouers en leerders weinig benul het van wat epilepsie is, en dat hulle begrip daarvan dikwels deur onakkurate inligting gevorm is. Opvoeders ontvang weinig of geen opleiding om betekenisvolle ondersteuning aan leerders met epilepsie te gee. Ten spyte van beleidsveranderinge word daar nie aan die behoeftes van leerders met epilepsie in die klaskamer voldoen nie. Opvoeders en ouers hou vol dat hulle inligting, vaardighede en duidelike riglyne rakende epilepsie nodig het. Navorsing wys dat opvoeders dit moeilik vind om raad te weet met hierdie leerders se behoeftes, en dat hulle dikwels frustrasie ervaar en voel dat hulle misluk het in hulle pogings. Die ontwikkeling van ’n ondersteuningsprogram, wat praktiese en omvattende riglyne daarstel om opvoeders met die behoeftes van leerders met epilepsie te assisteer, kan tot die voordeel van skole wees.

Thesis (MEd.) -- Stellenbosch University, 1993. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The aim of this investigation was to determine the needs and problems of Standard six pupils in schools controlled by the Department of Education and Culture (Administration: House of Representatives) and the extent to which these are being addressed by existing educational structures. The investigatior: consists of two parts, a literature study and an empirical investigation. The literature study consists of an examination of South African and international research relevant to the investigation. An analysis of South African and international school guidance programmes aimed at meeting the needs and solving possible problems is included and an overview is given of the role that the school, both nationally and internationally, can, is and should be playing to meet these needs and help solve these problems. The empirical investigation examined standard six pupils' problems and needs concerning extra-mural activities, relationships with peers and older pupils, teachers and parents and personal adjustment. A questionnaire to determine these needs and problems was administered to a representative random sample of secondary school pupils in the Cape Peninsula. To determine what is being done to address these needs and problems, a second questionnaire was sent to the 58 dual-medium state controlled schools in thE~ Cape Peninsula for standard Six guidance teachers. A third questionnaire was sent to the Department of Education and culture (Administration: House of Representatives) to determine whether the Department agreed that the school guidance programme for Standard six pupils had been adequately applied by the school guidance teachers. Both South African and internati.onal research indicates that many adolescents experience adjustment problems on entering secondary school. Education authorities worldwide address these problems in various ways. In South l~frica, guidance and counselling services are available through elll the education departments, but their effectiveness and implementation need to be clarified because uniform control is not being exercised. The present research showed that most of the secondary schools in the survey do not have an orientation programme to assist pupils to bridge the gap between the primary and the secondary schools. Although this research does not offer conclusive evidence that Standard Six pupils are adversely affected by their present circumstances, the following needs were established: pupils • need to belong, supported by their opinion that extra-mural activities should be compulsory pupils' need for parent~; to be more lnvolved in school activities pupils' need for satisfactory relationships with teachers pupils' need for satisfactory peer relationships. Bas~~ on the~e findings, a number of recommendations have been made. These include: a sound orientation programme and the Careful selection of teachers who are sensitive to the needs of standard six 1Jupils an extra-mural programme where teachers and senior pupils can play a significant role to enhance the formation of constructive social groups and engender a sense of belonging a guidance programme incorporating group work and which teaches coping and problem-solving skills one non-racial education department with equal financing for all pupils and a uniform system of examination and certifica.tion the establishment of "mini-schools" or "middle schools" and the adoption of extended support for pupils to reduce adjustment problems. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die doel van hierdie ondersoek was om die behoeftes en probleme van Standerd Ses-Ieerlinge in skole onder die Departement van Onderwys en Kultuur (Administrasie: Huis van Verteenwoordigers) te bepaal asook die mate waarin hierdie behoeftes en probleme deur bestaande onderwysstrukture aangespreek word. Die ondersoek bestaan uit twee dele, 'n literatuurstudie en empiriese ondersoek. Die literatuurstudie bestaan uit 'n ondersoek van relevante suidAfrikaanse en internasionale navorsing. Dit sluit ook in 'n ontleding van beide Suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale skoolvoorligtingsprogramme wat op behoeftebevrediging asook probleemoplossing gemik is. 'n Oorsig word ook gegee van die rol wat die skool, op nasionale asook internasionale vIak, kan, moet en reeds speel om behoeftebevrediging teweeg te bring. Die empiriese ondersoek het standerd Ses-leerlinge se behoeftes en probleme met betrekking tot hul houding jeens die skool, akademiese prestasie, buitemuurse aktiwiteite, verhouding met die portuurgroep en ouer leerlinge, onderwysers en ouers, en persoonlike aanpassing ondersoek. 'n Vraelys om hierdie behoeftes en probleme vas te stel is deur 'n verteenwoordigende ewekansige monster van sekondêre skool leerlinge in die Kaapse Skiereiland ingevul. Om vas te stel wat reeds gedoen word om hierdie behoeftes en probleme aan te spreek, is vraelyste aan standerd Sesvoorligtingonderwysers van die 58 dubbelmedium staatsbeheerde skole in die Kaapse Skiereiland gestuur. 'n Derde vraely- is aan die Departement van Onderwys (Administrasie: Huis van Verteenwoordigers) gestuur met die doel om vas te stel of die skoolvoorligtingsprogram vir standerd sesleerlinge doeltreffend aangewend is deur die skoolvoorligtingsonderwysers. Beide suid-Afrikaanse en internasionale navorsing toon dat baie adolessente aanpassingsprobleme ondervind by toetrede tot die sekondAre skool. Onderwysowerhede wêreldwyd spreek hierdie probleme verskillend aan. In suid-Afrika is voorligtings- en raadgewende dienste deur middel van al die onderwysdepartemente beskikbaar, maar hul effektiwiteit en implementering moet ondersoek word aangesien eenvormige kontrole nie uitgeoefen word nie. Die onderhawige navorsing het getoon dat die meeste sekondere skole in die opname nie oor 'n orienteringsprogram beskik om leerlinge te help om die gaping tussen die primere en die sekondere skool te oorbrug nie. Alhoewel hierdie ondersoek nie afdoende bewys lewer dat Standerd Ses-leerlinge deur hul huidige omstandighede benadeel word nie, is die volgende behoeftes vasgestel: - leerlinge se behoefte om in te skakel, wat ondersteun word deur hul mening dat buitemuurse aktiwiteite verpligtend behoort te wees - leerlinge se behoefte dat ouers meer betrokke moet wees by skoolaktiwiteite - leerlinge se behoefte aan bevredigende verhoudings met hul onderwysers - leerlinge se behoefte aan In bevredigende verhouding met hul portuurgroep. 'n Aantal aanbevelings is op grond van hierdie bevindinge gedoen. Dit sluit in: - 'n goeie orienteringsprogram en die omsigtige seleksie van onderwysers wat sensitief is vir die behoeftes van Standerd Ses-leerlinge - 'n buitemuurseprogram waar onderwysers en senior leerlinge 'n doeltreffende rol kan speel om konstruktiewe sosiale groepe te bevorder sowel as In gevoel van samehorigheid - 'n voorligtingsprogram wat groepwerk insluit en wat lewens-en probleemoplossingsvaardighede onderrig - een nie-rassige onderwysdepartement met gelyke finansiering vir aIle leerlinge asook In uniforme eksamen- en sertifiseringstelsel - die oprig van "miniskole" of "middelskole" en die daarstel van aanvullende ondersteuning vir leerlinge om aanpassingsprobleme te verminder

Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the twenty years since Namibia declared independence many changes have taken place, especially in die educational system. One of these changes has been in pre-school education. Public pre-school institutions have been done away with. Only private institutions remain to attempt to furnish the demand in this field. Limited access to pre-school education has an impact on school-readiness as learners from different educational backgrounds start Grade 1 together. The primary purpose of this study is to collect the experiences of Grade 1 teachers, to analise those experiences and to describe them with reference to the diverse pre-school backgrounds of the learners. Grade 1 teachers interact with learners from three backgrounds: those with formal pre-school education; those with non-formal pre-school education; and those with no pre-school education. The Grade 1 teacher's experiences is the problem studied and it is done with reference to these forms of pre-school education. It focuses on the opinions of the teachers as formulated in their own words. A child's environment and early experiences, especially the level of education - or deprival thereof - has a marked effect on learning and development. Education in the early years of childhood can deliver an outstanding return on investment for a country. Phases of education should build on one another using syllabusses and working methods that work together. The logic is that a child should first be able to crawl before learning to walk and thus follow the right steps to the phonetics, spelling and writing required in Grade 1. The cost of neglecting some of the elementary steps will be borne by the Grade 1 teacher when he/she is forced to set time aside to repair the foundation that should have been in laid in the pre-school years. A qualitative research method was used to attain and analise the information in this study. Data was collected by studying relevant literature, using questionaires in interview situations and by conducting interviews with stakeholders. Data was analysed by doing content analysis of the transcripts from individual interviews and focus groups. The research takes the form of an interpretative epistemological construct as it focuses on the essence of the experiences of the Grade 1 teacher. It is an exploratory study that made use of a sample of the designated group. Contributing factors, such as government policy, the curriculum, training of teachers, language, poverty, school, parents and learners, reveal guidelines for improving the classroom experiences of Grade 1 teachers. This can be applied advantageously to the development of the educational sector. The study suggests that teachers and parents should collaborate more closely. It is further suggested that the curriculum be ammended to accommodate learners from diverse backgrounds leading to a more positive experience for Grade 1 teachers. The findings show that the experiences of Grade 1 teachers are not taken into account by many people, especially judging by the available literature. It is important to acknowledge what these teachers experience as well as the role it plays in their classrooms. Their experiences lead to certain reactions and changes. The point made by this study is that Grade 1 teachers display a definitive experience in their classrooms and that it has an effect on their learners. The point of departure is to let the Grade 1 teacher distinguish between the different groups of learners in the classroom and empower him/her to support each individual to ensure a positive experience. Not all teachers will have such a positive experience with a diverse group. Before the burden becomes too heavy alternative teaching methods should be employed. There is a shortage of research in this field and further study on the experiences of the Grade 1 teacher is needed to deepen the provision of support. Although this is a limited study, it can possibly encourage further research. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In die twintig jaar sedert Namibië se onafhanklikheidswording het baie veranderinge in die land plaasgevind, veral in die onderwysstelsel. Een van die veranderinge was die afskaf van openbare voorskoolse instellings. Slegs die private sektor voorsien steeds in dié behoefte. Die beperkte toegang tot voorskoolse onderrig het egter 'n invloed op skoolgereedheid. Die leerders wat Graad 1 betree, kom uit verskillende onderrigsagtergronde. Die primêre doelwit van hierdie studie is om die ervaringe van Graad 1-onderwysers te ondersoek, te analiseer en te beskryf aan die hand van hierdie diverse voorskoolse agtergronde van die leerders. Die Graad 1-onderwyser het te doen met leerders uit drie agtergronde: dié met formele voorskoolse onderrig; dié met nie-formele voorskoolse onderrig; en dié met geen voorskoolse onderrig nie. Met verwysing na dié vorme van voorskoolse onderrig word die probleem van die Graad 1-onderwyser se ervaring in die klaskamer ondersoek. Dit fokus op die opinies van die Graad 1-onderwysers geformuleer in hul eie woorde. 'n Kind se omgewing en vroeë ervaringe, veral die vlak van opvoeding - of die ontneming daarvan - het 'n groot effek op 'n kind se leer en ontwikkeling. Opvoeding in die vroeë kinderjare is 'n belegging wat uitstaande resultate vir die land kan oplewer. Onderwysfases behoort op mekaar te volg met leerplanne en werkmetodes wat aanvullend saamwerk tot die kind se opvoeding. Die logika daaragter is dat 'n kind eers moet kruip voordat hy kan loop en net so behoort 'n kind die regte stappe te volg ten einde gereed te wees vir die klank-, spel- en skryfwerk wat in Graad 1 vereis word. Die afskeep van sekere elementêre stappe kan tot gevolg hê dat die Graad 1-onderwyser waardevolle tyd sal moet afstaan om die basis, wat gedurende die pre-primêre fase (of in die voorskoolse instelling) gelê moes word, dan nou in Graad 1 te lê. Dit beklemtoon die groot taak wat op die Graad 1-onderwyser se skouers rus. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsontwerp is gebruik vir die verkryging en ontleding van inligting vir hierdie studie. Die data insamelingsmetodes sluit 'n literatuuroorsig, onderhoudsvraelyste en onderhoude met die betrokke rolspelers in. Data is geanaliseer met behulp van inhoud-analise van die transkripte uit die individuele en fokusgroep-onderhoude. Die navorsingstipe is 'n interpretatiewe epistemologiese konstruk omdat dit fokus op die essensie van die ervaringe van die Graad 1-onderwyser. Dit is 'n verkennende ondersoek en daar is gebruik gemaak van 'n doeldienende streekproefneming. Uit die aanleidende faktore soos regeringsbeleid, kurrikulum, opleiding van onderwysers, taal, armoede, skool, ouers en leerders kom daar riglyne na vore vir die verbetering van die ervaringe van die Graad 1-onderwyser in die klas. Dit kan met vrug aangewend word in die ontwikkeling van die onderwyssektor. Die studie maak die aanbeveling dat daar 'n nouer samewerking tussen onderwysers en ouers moet wees. Verder word voorgestel dat die kurrikulum aangepas word om diverse leerders te akkommodeer wat positiewe ervaringe vir die Graad 1-onderwyser tot gevolg sal hê. Die bevindinge toon aan dat die ervaringe van Graad 1-onderwysers in hul klaskamers nie deur baie mense in ag geneem word nie, veral as daar gekyk word na die literatuur. Dit is belangrik om te sien wat hul ervaar en watter rol dit speel in hul klaskamers. Hul ervaringe lei tot sekere reaksies en aanpassings wat hulle daagliks beleef. Die punt wat met hierdie studie gemaak word, is dat Graad 1-onderwysers 'n definitiewe ervaring in hul klaskamers openbaar wat só weer 'n uitwerking op die leerders het. Die uitgangspunt is om die Graad 1-onderwyser te laat onderskei tussen die verskillende groepe leerders in die klaskamer en sodoende in staat te stel om elkeen in die klas so te ondersteun vir 'n positiewe ervaring. Nie alle onderwysers gaan altyd met diverse leerders so 'n positiewe siening en ervaring hê nie. Voordat dit vir hul te veel raak moet alternatiewe benaderings en metodes gebruik word om leerders te onderrig. Ook wat hierdie aspek betref, is daar 'n tekort aan navorsing en is verdere ondersoeke oor die ervaringe van die Graad 1-onderwyser nodig, om sodoende die nodige ondersteuning te kan bied. Alhoewel hierdie 'n beperkte studie is, kan dit moontlike verdere navorsing aanmoedig.

Thesis (MEdPsych )--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Adequate literacy skills form the basis for learning and development. Unfortunately, a lack of adequate literacy skills is a world-wide tendency. Literacy in South Africa is part of this problem. The Department of Basic Education has, since 2000, been using the National Systemic Evaluation (NSE) to determine the level of learners' literacy skills. This evaluation takes place in grades 3 and 6 every alternate year. The latest evaluation indicated that the number of Intermediate Phase learners in South Africa who do not have the required literacy skills has increased over the last few years. The school where this research was undertaken also experiences problems with learners whose literacy skills are not up to standard. The results of the National Systemic Evaluation (NSE) of 2005 indicate that only 30% of the grade 6 learners in the school are able to read and write at the required age level. As a result, a large percentage of the learners' reading and writing skills can be compared to learners in the Foundation Phase. Teachers in the Intermediate Phase have indicated that they do not have sufficient knowledge and self-confidence to support learners whose literacy skills are comparable with those in the Foundation Phase. It is within this frame of reference that I developed a support programme for teachers who teach in the Intermediate Phase. The aim of the research was to evaluate the efficacy of the Literacy Support Programme (GOP) for the Intermediate Phase. The study will determine if the teachers' self-confidence, skills and strategies for literacy support have improved. Transformation of the learners' backlog cannot take place before their teachers' self-confidence to support them has improved dramatically. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Voldoende geletterdheidsvaardighede vorm die basis van leer en ontwikkeling. Ongelukkig is 'n gebrek aan voldoende geletterdheidsvaardighede 'n wêreldwye tendens. Suid-Afrika ondervind ook hierdie probleem. Die Departement van Onderwys gebruik sedert 2000 die Nasionale Sistemiese Evaluering (NSE) om die vlak van leerders se geletterdheidsvaardighede te bepaal. Hierdie evaluering vind al om die ander jaar in graad 3 en 6 plaas. Die evaluering het getoon dat die aantal Intermediêre Fase-leerders in Suid-Afrikaanse skole wat nie oor voldoende geletterdheidsvaardighede beskik nie, die afgelope paar jaar toegeneem het. Die skool waar hierdie navorsing gedoen is ondervind ook probleme met leerders se geletterheidsvaardighede wat nie op standaard is nie. Die sistemiese evalueringsuitslae van 2005 het getoon dat slegs 30% van die Graad 6-leerders in dié skool volgens hul ouderdomsvlak kan lees en skryf. Gevolglik is daar 'n baie groot persentasie leerders wie se lees- en skryfvaardighede met leerders in die Grondslagfase (GF) vergelyk kan word. Die onderwysers in die Intermediêre Fase het aangedui dat hulle nie oor genoeg kennis of selfvertroue beskik om leerders te ondersteun wie se geletterdheidsvaardighede steeds met die van die Grondslagfase vergelyk kan word nie. Dit is binne hierdie verwysingsraamwerk dat ek 'n ondersteuningsprogram vir onderwysers van die Intermediêre Fase ontwikkel het. Die doel van die navorsingstudie was om die effektiwiteit van die Geletterdheidsondersteuningprogram (GOP) vir die Intermediêre Fase te evalueer. Die studie wil bepaal of die onderwysers se selfvertroue en vaardighede/strategieë vir geletterdheidsondersteuning in die Intermediêre Fase verbeter het. Transformasie van leerders se agterstande kan nie plaasvind alvorens die onderwysers nie oor genoeg selfvertroue beskik om hierdie leerders te ondersteun nie.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Assessment in the inclusive classroom poses specific challenges to the educator. Due to the diversity of learners' needs, a need exists for adapted assessment. One standard type of assessment does not adequately satisfy the individual needs which exist due to the influence of various barriers on learners. The pursuit of human rights, democratic principles and the promotion of equality acknowledges that learners' differences need to be taken into consideration, also during the assessment process. The Education White Paper 6 for Inclusive Education (Department of Education, 2001, p.49) states that the principle of inclusion is applicable to the assessment process in: considering special circumstances, the adaptation of assessment tasks, the adaptation of the time allocated for the completion of a task, individual assessment strategies and techniques, and the provision of extended opportunities. This study therefore aimed to understand educators' experiences of adapted assessment in the inclusive classroom and to gain insight into the challenges encountered and the support needed. The researcher worked from an interpretive paradigm. An action research design was used, as action research attempts to actively involve participants in the research process. A qualitative research methodology was followed and included the following: purposive sample selection to identify research participants, open questionnaires, individual and focus group interviews and field notes to generate data, and content analysis to analyze data. Research findings indicate that educators experience the use of adapted assessment positively, because of the space it provides to meet individual needs and address barriers to learning in the inclusive classroom. Furthermore, it became evident that educators need support and guidance to adapt assessment to the individual needs of learners appropriately. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Assessering in 'n inklusiewe klaskamer stel bepaalde uitdagings aan die opvoeder. Daar ontstaan 'n behoefte vir die aanpassing van assessering as gevolg van die diversiteit van leerderbehoeftes. Een standaardvorm van assessering voldoen nie aan die individuele behoeftes wat weens die invloed van verskillende hindernisse op leerders bestaan nie. Die strewe na menseregte, demokratiese beginsels en die bevordering van gelykheid is juis gelee binne die erkenning dat die verskille van alle leerders in ag geneem moet word, ook tydens die proses van assessering. Met verwysing na Onderwys-witskrif 6 vir Inklusiewe Onderwys (DoE, 2001, p.49), moet die beginsel van inklusie tydens die assesseringsproses geld: die inagneming van spesiale omstandighede, die aanpassing van assesseringtake, die aanpassing van die tyd wat toegelaat word vir die voltooiing van take, individuele assesseringstrategiee en -tegnieke en die daarstelling van uitgebreide geleenthede. Daarom het hierdie studie gepoog om die opvoeder se ervaring van aangepaste assessering in 'n inklusiewe klaskamer te verstaan en insig te bekom met betrekking tot die uitdagings wat hulle ondervind en die ondersteuning wat hulle benodig. Die navorser het binne 'n interpretivistiese paradigma gewerk. 'n Aksienavorsingsontwerp is gebruik, omdat dit ten doel het om die deelnemers aktief betrokke te maak by die proses van navorsing. 'n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsmetodologie is gebruik en het die volgende ingesluit: doelbewuste seleksie om te bepaal wie die deelnemers was, oop vraelyste, individuele onderhoude, fokusgroeponderhoude en veldnotas om data te genereer, en inhoudsanalise om die data te analiseer. Navorsingsbevindinge dui daarop dat die opvoeders se ervaring van die gebruik van aangepaste assessering positief was, juis omdat dit voldoen aan die individuele behoeftes wat in 'n inklusiewe klas ontstaan. Uit die studie was dit egter duidelik dat opvoeders leiding en ondersteuning benodig om die assessering toepaslik aan te pas by die behoeftes van die individu.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: South African youth are confronted by a range of challenges on a daily basis which can potentially evolve into serious barriers to learning and development. Life Orientation is a critical subject offered by the Further Education and Training (FET) band as it aims to prevent the development of such problems. Furthermore, the role played by the teacher in successfully and meaningfully presenting Life Orientation is a pivotal one. This study therefore aimed at understanding the support needs of Life Orientation teachers in the FET band in order to gain insight into the challenges experienced and what recommendations can be made to improve support to teachers, and consequently, learners. The theoretical framework on which this study was based was positive psychology as its emphasis on the fostering of positive individual traits, emotions and institutions is an appropriate and constructive way of understanding teachers’ support needs within their school communities. This study’s research methodology can be described as basic qualitative research which is embedded within an interpretive paradigm. Purposive sampling was used to select three schools and their Life Orientation departments as research participants. Three methods of data collection were employed, namely written reflective notes and semistructured focus group- and individual interviews. Furthermore, qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data. The research findings indicated that Life Orientation teachers in the FET band experience a range of support needs across the various levels within the school community. Teachers experience a tension between the expectations of the Department of Education, the needs of the learners, and their own expectations with regards to the facilitation of a community of care within the Life Orientation classroom. Support therefore needs to be aimed at increasing teachers’ competencies and providing opportunities to collaborate with other teachers to develop positive individual traits and foster positive emotions. Furthermore, school communities need to become aware of their attitudes and perceptions towards the subject so as to initiate processes which can lead to the promotion and development of positive, supportive institutions. A critical step in doing so is to consider policies regarding the appointment of Life Orientation teachers and ensure that qualified, specialist teachers who believe in the value of the subject are employed in these posts. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die Suid-Afrikaanse jeug word daagliks gekonfronteer met ‘n wye spektrum uitdagings wat potensiëel tot ernstige hindernisse vir leer en ontwikkeling kan ontwikkel. Lewensoriëntering is ’n noodsaaklike vak in die Verdere Onderwys en Opleidingsband (VOO) juis omdat dit poog om die ontwikkeling van hierdie hindernisse te verhoed. Die rol van die opvoeder in die suksesvolle en betekenisvolle aanbieding van Lewensoriëntering is deuslaggewend. Daarom poog hierdie studie om die ondersteuningsbehoeftes van Lewensoriënteringopvoeders te verstaan ten einde insig te verkry in die uitdagings wat hulle ondervind. Sodoende kan aanbevelings gemaak word vir die ondersteuning van opvoeders wat dan sal deurvloei na die leerders. Die teoretiese raamwerk van hierdie studie is positiewe sielkunde, aangesien dit die ontwikkeling van positiewe individuele kenmerke, emosies en organisasies beklemtoon. Dit is dus ’n toepaslike en konstruktiewe manier om die ondersteuningsbehoeftes van opvoeders binne hulle skoolgemeenskappe te verstaan. Die navorsingsmetodologie wat in hierdie studie gebruik is, kan beskryf word as basiese kwalitatiewe navorsing binne ’n interpretivistiese paradigma. ’n Doelgerigte steekproef is gebruik om drie skole en hul Lewensoriënteringdepartemente as deelnemers te identifiseer. Drie metodes van data-insameling is gebruik, naamlik geskrewe reflektiewe notas, semigestruktureerde fokusgroeponderhoude en individuele onderhoude. Verder is kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise gebruik om die data te analiseer. Die navorsingsbevindinge het aangedui dat Lewensoriënteringopvoeders in die VOO band ’n wye verskeidenheid ondersteuningsbehoeftes binne die verskillende vlakke van die skoolgemeenskap ervaar. Opvoeders ervaar spanning tussen die verwagtinge van die Departement van Onderwys, die behoeftes van leerders en hul eie verwagtinge met betrekking tot die fassilitering van ’n omgeegemeenskap in die Lewensoriënteringklaskamer. Ondersteuning behoort dus te poog om die bevoegdhede van die opvoeder te verbeter en geleenthede daar te stel vir die ontwikkeling van positiewe individuele kenmerke en die vestiging van positiewe emosies. Verder behoort skoolgemeenskappe meer bewus te raak van hul persepsies en houdings teenoor die vak ten einde prosesse in plek te kan stel vir die bevordering en ontwikkeling van positiewe organisasies. ’n Kritiese stap in die bereiking hiervan, is die oorweging van beleide met betrekking tot die aanstelling van Lewensoriënteringopvoeders en die versekering dat gekwalifiseerde, gespesialiseerde opvoeders wat in die waarde van die vak glo, in hierdie poste aangestel word.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2013. / Bibliography / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In recent years there has been an expanse in the literature that is drawing attention to selfinjury and research studies indicate that self-injurious behaviour is prevalent in the age group of thirteen to fifteen years. Although it remains unclear, whether the increased focus on self-injury is due to a greater amount of adolescents who engage in self-injury, or whether it is due to more young people identifying themselves as self-injurers, it has now become an integral component of adolescent behaviour that teachers, parents and other significant role players have to be knowledgeable about, as the likelihood that they will encounter self-injury amongst a young adolescent population is on the increase. As research studies in this arena have been mostly of a quantitative nature and have focused predominately on psychiatric populations, there was a gap in the research to contribute to the limited qualitatively generated knowledge base on self-injury. In this study, a narrative inquiry design was used to make sense of the stories of self-injury that the participants told. Four adolescent girls between the ages of fourteen and seventeen years with no history of mental illness and who were not receiving psychiatric or psychological intervention or showed significant levels of anxiety or depressive symptoms, were selected for the study. Two interviews were conducted with each girl using the fish bowl game and the memory box making to explore their stories of self-injury. The findings of this study suggest that cutting behaviour has purpose in the lives of the girls who participated in this study. Apart from having meaning in their lives, cutting behaviour also served to fulfill various functions, depending on the kind of problem and feelings that would be experienced in that moment. These functions ranged from providing relief, to being a form of punishment, to being a temptation, to becoming a comforting habit and a way to feel alive again. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oor die afgelope paar jaar is daar ‘n toename in die literatuur wat handel oor selfbesering en navorsingstudies dui daarop dat die voorkoms van selfbeserende gedrag veral ‘n faktor is in die ouderdomsgroep tussen dertien en vyftien jaar. Dit is egter steeds onbekend of die toenemende fokus op selfbeserende gedrag toegeskryf kan word aan ‘n toename in die voorkoms van selfbesering en of dit eerder toegeskryf kan word aan meer jong mense wat hulself identifiseer as selfbeseerders. Hoe dit ookal sy, selfbesering is tans 'n integrale komponent van adolessente gedrag en om hierdie rede is dit 'n noodsaaklikheid dat onderwysers, ouers en ander belanghebbende rolspelers kennis moet dra daaroor omdat die waarskynlikheid dat hulle sulke gedrag sal teëkom, onder 'n jong adolessente populasie, aan die toeneem is. Aangesien navorsingstudies binne hierdie veld hoofsaaklik kwantitatief van aard is, is daar 'n leemte m.b.t. navorsing wat kan bydra tot die klein hoeveelheid kwalitatiewe studies wat wel al gedoen is. In hierdie studie, is 'n narratieweondersoekontwerp gekies omdat die studie wou sin maak van die stories van selfbesering wat die deelnemers vertel het. Vier adolessente meisies tussen die ouderdom van veertien en sewentien jaar het aan die studie deelgeneem wat geen geskiedenis van geestessiekte gehad het nie en ook nie ten tyde van die ondersoek psigiatriese of sielkundige intervensie ontvang het nie. Die deelnemers moes verder ook geen betekenisvolle hoë vlakke van angs of depressie getoon het nie. Twee onderhoude is met elke deelnemer gevoer waartydens die Visbak speletjie (Fish Bowl game) en 'n Herrinneringdosie (Memory Box) gebruik is om die meisies se stories van selfbesering te ontgin. Die bevindinge van hierdie studie stel voor dat snygedrag 'n besliste funksie in die lewens van die deelnemers gehad het. Buiten die feit dat snygedrag vir hulle betekenisvol was, het snygedrag ook verskeie funksies vervul wat hoofsaaklik afgehang het van die tipe probleem en die emosies wat daarmee gepaard gegaan het. Snyfunksies het gewissel van 'n manier om verligting te kry, 'n manier om die self te straf, 'n vertroostende gewoonte en 'n manier om weer iets te kan voel.

Thesis (MEd(Psych))-- Stellenbosch University, 2013. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Gifted children represent an important component of a nation's intellectual capital, with the resources to find innovative solutions to scientific and social challenges. Since the advent of democracy in South Africa in 1994, limited attention has been paid to gifted education as a research focus. To ensure quality education for all learners, current educational policy supports inclusive education. However, there is a gap between the policies which have been developed and their implementation at grassroots level in the school and classroom. In particular, several recent South African studies on gifted education suggest that gifted learners are at the end of the queue for educational provision. In this qualitative and collective instrumental case study, framed within an interpretive paradigm, I set out to explore the lived experiences of academically gifted Grade 11 learners. I wanted to gain an insight into how it felt to be gifted, and how their experiences played out in the various systems in their respective contexts. A further aim was to assess their specific academic support needs, in order to make a contribution to designing quality education for this particular group. The expression of giftedness is viewed as dependent on the interactions of the child with his or her environment, so Bronfenbrenner's bio-ecological model was taken as the theoretical framework for the study. I chose a descriptive multiple case study design, using purposive sampling to select six participants, three from each of two schools in sharply contrasting socio-economic backgrounds in a large rural town. I used three methods of data collection, semi-structured individual interviews, a semi-structured focus group interview, and collages. Qualitative content analysis was used for both phases of data analysis, within-case analysis and cross-case analysis. The findings showed that gifted learners from both affluent and disadvantaged backgrounds faced similar challenges in developing their potential. They often felt neglected and academically under-stimulated. They identified specific deficiencies in both their schools and communities which needed to be addressed to ensure optimal learning opportunities. Despite the similarity of their experiences, the learners from the school in the disadvantaged community had to combat greater challenges than those from an affluent background. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Begaafde kinders verteenwoordig 'n baie belankrike komponent van 'n nasie se intellektuele kapitaal. Hulle beskik oor innerlike bronne om innoverende oplossings vir wetenskaplike asook sosiale uitdagings te bied. Vanaf die aanvang van demokrasie in 1994 in Suid-Afrika, is beperkte aandag aan begaafdekindonderwys as navorsingsfokus gegee. Die huidige onderwysbeleid ondersteun inklusiewe onderwys om sodoende kwaliteit onderrig aan alle leerders te verseker. Daar blyk egter 'n gaping te wees tussen beleidsontwikkeling en die inplementering daarvan op grondvlak, in skole en klaskamers. Verskeie onlangse Suid-Afrikaanse studies oor begaafdekindonderwys dui in die besonder daarop dat begaafde leerders agter in die ry staan as dit kom by voldoende onderwysvoorsiening. In hierdie kwalitatiewe, kollektiewe en instrumentele gevallestudie, ingebed binne die raamwerk van 'n interpretatiewe paradigma, het ek my beywer om die beleefde ervaringe van akademies begaafde Graad 11 leerders te ondersoek. Ek wou insig bekom oor hoe hulle, hulle eie begaafdheid ervaar, asook hoe dit uitspeel in die verskillende sisteme binne hulle onderskeie kontekste. 'n Verdere doelwit van hierdie studie was ook om spesifiek hulle akademiese ondersteuningsbehoeftes te evalueer ten einde sodoende 'n bydrae te lewer ten opsigte van die ontwerp van kwaliteit onderrig vir hierdie spesifieke groep. Die interaksies tussen die kind en sy of haar omgewing speel 'n belangrike rol in die uitdrukking van begaafdheid. Om hierdie rede is Bronfenbrenner se bio-ekologiese model as teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie studie aangewend. Ek het 'n beskrywende, veelvuldige gevallestudie-ontwerp gekies en doelmatigheid-steekproefneming aangewend om die ses deelnemers, drie van twee skole in sterk kontrasterende sosio-ekonomiese agtergronde in 'n groot plattelandse dorp, te selekteer. Ek het drie metodes, naamlik semi-gestruktureerde individuele onderhoude, 'n semi-gestruktureerde fokusgroep-onderhoud asook collages, ingespan om data in te samel. Kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise is gebruik vir beide data-analisefases, naamlik binne-geval-analise en kruis-geval-analise. Die bevindinge het getoon dat begaafde leerders van beide welvarende en benadeelde agtergronde soortgelyke uitdagings ten opsigte van die ontwikkeling van hul potensiaal in die gesig staar. Hulle het dikwels verwaarloos en akademies onder-gestimuleer, gevoel. Hulle het spesifieke leemtes in beide hulle skole en gemeenskappe geïdentifiseer wat aangespreek moet word om optimale leergeleenthede te verseker. Ten spyte van die ooreenkomste in hul ervarings, moes die leerders van die skool in die agtergeblewe gemeenskap groter uitdagings die hoof bied as die leerders van die meer gegoede agtergrond.

Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Even though dyspraxia is a fairly new and unknown disorder, especially in South Africa, a fair amount of research has been conducted on what this condition entails, its causes and symptoms, as well as the resources available to deal with children with dyspraxia. However, research on the emotions, frustrations and concerns of the parents of children with dyspraxia is not as readily available. Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological perspective was used as it identifies the family’s diferrent systems where-in it functions. This can possibly identify and bring to attention the existing support systems within the family’s community. The research methodology of this study is qualitative research within the interpretive paradigm. The researcher made use of two case studies as this research explored a specific phenomenon. Through purposive sampling, four parents of children with dyspraxia was identified as participants. The research question guiding this study explores the personal experiences of the parents regarding their children’s dyspraxia. Individual semi-structured interviews and reflective journals were used as methods of data collection. According to existing literature, parents of children with disorders experience their children’s disorders on an emotional, physical as well as social level. The data analysis have shown that parents of children with dyspraxia also experience their children’s condition on these three levels. From this study, it was concluded that parents’ knowledge of dyspraxia, their living environment, the measure of support and resources available, as well as the number of children in the family are all factors that influence their experiences across the three aforementioned levels. The research provides insight into the parents’ experiences and the importance of adequate support for parents, and should promote general awareness and acknowledgement of dyspraxia as a significant barrier in a child’s development. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Alhoewel dispraksie veral in Suid-Afrika nog ’n betreklik nuwe en onbekende versteuring is, is daar al heelwat navorsing gedoen oor wat dié toestand behels, hoe dit ontstaan, met watter simptome dit gepaardgaan, en die beskikbare hulpbronne om ʼn kind met dispraksie te hanteer. Tog is navorsing oor die emosies, frustrasies en bekommernisse van die ouers van kinders met dispraksie nie ewe geredelik beskikbaar nie. Bronfenbrenner se bio-ekologiese teorie is gebruik, omdat dit die gesin se verskeie sisteme identifiseer waarbinne hulle funksioneer. Sodoende kan moontlike ondersteuning in die gesin se gemeenskap geïdentifiseer en bewerkstellig word. Die navorsingsmetodologie van hierdie studie is kwalitatiewe navorsing binne ʼn interpretatiewe paradigma. ʼn Spesifieke fenomeen is ondersoek en die navorser het gebruik gemaak van twee gevallestudies. Die deelnemers, soos geïdentifiseer deur ʼn doelgerigte steekproef, is vier ouers van kinders met dispraksie. Die navorsingsvraag wat hierdie studie lei handel oor die ouers se ervarings en persoonlike belewings rakende hul kinders se dispraksie. Individuele, semi-gestruktureerde onderhoude, sowel as reflektiewe joernale, is as metodes van data-insameling gebruik. Volgens bestaande literatuur beleef ouers van ʼn kind met ʼn versteuring hul kinders se toestand op ʼn emosionele, fisiese én sosiale vlak. Die data analise het gedui dat ook ouers van kinders met dispraksie hul kinders se toestand op hierdie drie vlakke ervaar. Die studie het ook daarop gedui dat ouers se kennis van dispraksie, die omgewing waar hulle woon, die mate van ondersteuning en hulpbronne waaroor hulle beskik, sowel as die getal kinders in die gesin, alles faktore is wat hul ervarings op voormelde drie vlakke beïnvloed. Die navorsing bied insig in die ouers se ervarings en die noodsaaklikheid van genoegsame ondersteuning vir ouers, en behoort algemene bewustheid en erkenning van dispraksie as ʼn hindernis vir ʼn kind se ontwikkeling te bevorder.

Thesis (MEdPsych)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Education White Paper 6, implemented in 2001, completed a significant period of policy development and change after the end of Apartheid in South Africa. The change in South African educational policy and the schooling system has given rise to many changes in the governance of special schools; this has further influenced this study. Education White Paper 6 (2001) introduced a comprehensive range of educational support services; schools now include mainstream schools, full-service schools and special schools. These schools offer varying levels of support with the view to minimise barriers to learning. While this research was conducted in a private special school, the parents who participated had all transitioned their child from a mainstream school. This research study attempted to understand parents’ perspectives of transitioning their child from a mainstream school to a special school, focusing in particular on parents whose children were in the Senior Phase of their school career. Bronfenbrenner’s bio-ecological model was used as the theoretical framework for this study because of the overlapping systems that are interconnected and influence the participants’ lives and the lives of their children. For the research study, the parents were placed in the centre of the model; the other microsystems include the school, family and the child. This study made use of a qualitative case study design and a qualitative methodology which is rooted within an interpretive paradigm. Purposeful sampling was used to select the parents from the selected special school in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, as participants for the study. The study made use of three measures to collect data; a semi-structured interview, a life-line activity, as well as an open-ended questionnaire the parents were asked to complete at home. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse the data generated by means of the three data collection methods. The findings of this research paper suggest that the transient process at a later stage in the child’s academic career was a difficult experience for the parents who participated in the study. However, as the children gradually adjusted to the change, the parents felt the move had been worth it and had experienced a positive change in their children’s academic achievements. It should also be noted that the parents’ perspectives on special education were not based on the policy documents governing the South African school system and more parental education is needed regarding this area. While the findings of the study cannot be generalised to all schools in South Africa, from this research study recommendations could be made to the special school to assist in ensuring a smoother transition for both the parents and the learner. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Onderwyswitskrif 6 wat in 2001 geïmplementeer is het die periode van die beleidsverandering ná die beëindiging van apartheid in Suid-Afrika voltooi. Die verandering in die Suid-Afrikaanse opvoedkundige beleid en die skoolstelsel het aanleiding gegee tot baie veranderinge in die bestuur van spesiale skole, en dit het hierdie studie beïnvloed. Onderwyswitskrif 6 (2001) het 'n omvattende reeks van opvoedkundige ondersteuningsdienste voorgestel wat die volgende strukture insluit; hoofstroom-, voldiens- en spesiale skole. Hierdie skole bied verskillende vlakke van ondersteuning aan met die oog om die hindernisse tot leer te oorbrug. Die navorsing is vanuit 'n privaat spesiale skool gedoen. Die ouers wat deelnemers aan die navorsing was, het hulle kinders uit 'n hoofstroomskool gehaal en oorgeplaas na ‘n spesiale skool. Hierdie navorsingstudie het gepoog om ouers se perspektiewe te verstaan rakende die oorplasing van hulle kind vanuit ‘n hoofstroomskool na 'n spesiale skool, met spesifieke fokus op die ouers wie se kinders in die Senior Fase van hul skoolloopbaan was. Bronfenbrenner se bio-ekologiese model is as die teoretiese raamwerk vir hierdie studie gebruik in die lig van die klem op die oorvleuelende sisteme wat met mekaar verbind is en die invloed daarvan op die deelnemers se lewens en die lewens van hul kinders. Vir hierdie navorsingstudie is die ouers in die middel van die model geplaas, met die skool, gesin en die kind as verdere mikrosisteme. Hierdie studie het van 'n kwalitatiewe gevallestudie en 'n kwalitatiewe metodologie gebruik gemaak wat in 'n interpretatiewe paradigma gegrond is. Doelgerigte steekproefneming is gebruik om die ouers te kies uit die aangewese spesiale skool in die suidelike voorstede van Kaapstad, as deelnemers vir die studie. Die studie het gebruik gemaak van drie maatreëls om data in te samel: 'n semi-gestruktureerde onderhoud, 'n lewens-lyn aktiwiteit, en 'n oop vraelys wat die ouers tuis voltooi het. Kwalitatiewe inhoudsanalise is gebruik om die data wat gegenereer is deur middel van die drie data–insamelingsmetodes, te ontleed. Die bevindinge van hierdie navorsing suggereer dat die oorgangsperiode op 'n later stadium in die kind se akademiese loopbaan 'n moeilike ervaring vir die ouers, wat aan die studie deelgeneem het, was. Namate die kinders egter by hulle veranderde omstandighede aangepas het, het die ouers gevoel dat die skuif die moeite werd was en hulle het 'n positiewe verandering in hul kinders se akademiese prestasies opgemerk. Kennis moet ook daarvan geneem word dat die perspektief van die ouers op spesiale onderwys nie gebaseer was op die beleidsdokumente van die Suid-Afrikaanse skoolstelsel nie. Dit beklemtoon dat ouerontwikkeling ten opsigte van hierdie aspek noodsaaklik is. Die bevindinge van die studie kan wel nie na alle skole in Suid-Afrika veralgemeen word nie, maar daar kan vanuit hierdie navorsing aanbevelings gemaak word om spesiale skole by te staan ten einde die oorgang vir beide ouers en leerders makliker te maak.