<p>The purpose of this study was to describe the extent to which the B.Cur. programme at the University of the Western Cape prepared graduating learners for professional competence. The results of the study indicated progression in competence did not occur as students progressed through higher levels of their training, except the third year of study.</p>

<p>This thesis was undertaken as an empirical study which focused on curriculum implementation in a remote geographical region in post-apartheid South Africa, known as the Overberg. The identity basis on which teachers receive and implement CUrriculum 2005 in the Overberg region, served as the cenrtal focus for undertaking this study. Accordingly, it was found that the personal, ontological, contextual, training, professional and pedagogical influences have had an impact on the composition of the identity basis of teachers in the Overberg region. The teachers received and implemented Curriculum 2005 in the light of the impact of their prior identities.</p>

<p>Existing situations at various schools, especially in post apartheid South Africa suggest that the education environment for effective teaching and learning is problematic for several reasons namely a lack of safety and security, poor governance and management and a lack of community ownership and partnership. This research however assumed that the implementation of safety related policies and other departmental guidelines is the foundation for effective learning, especially in the Western Cape. The primary aim and objective of this research was to ensure that learning takes place in an environment free from crime, violence, drugs, intimidation and fear. It was an assessment to acquire information from schools and other role-players regarding the status of safety and security in schools and to verify whether crime prevention policies are implemented.</p>

No abstract available. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 2004.

Wetlands have been described as “one of the most globally threatened and important ecosystems”, with most wetlands providing a variety of important ecosystem services, including water quality enhancement. Despite their importance the loss of wetlands is more rapid than that of any other ecosystem, which is of particular concern in South Africa, where many communities are directly and indirectly dependent on wetlands for survival. Two useful wetland assessment tools are currently used in South Africa, but a system that assesses the extent to which wetland ecosystem services (water quality enhancement in particular) are lost as a result of wetland degradation in a landscape context does not currently exist. This study therefore aims to develop a method to determine the cumulative effect of wetland degradation on water quality, which involves the exploration and integration of a number of issues, including land-cover and its effects on water quality, wetland health and its influence on the provision of ecosystem services such as water quality enhancement, and the spatial configuration of wetlands in a landscape, and its effect on water quality at a landscape scale. The method that has been developed is applied to a case study that comprises a quaternary catchment of the upper reaches of the Goukou River Wetlands in the Western Cape of South Africa. Prioritisation criteria are also explored in a series of scenarios, and the criterion and rehabilitation method that gives the best outcome in terms of water quality enhancement is applied to the case study catchment. The workings of the method are scrutinized and benefits and limitations are subsequently highlighted. An important benefit of the methodology is that many previously inadequately explored issues are integrated into a single tool that allows for prioritisation of wetlands for rehabilitation and conservation. This was achieved with South African contexts in mind. Limitations include poor responses by potential questionnaire respondents, while the scope of the study limits the inclusion of detailed aspects which would have further enhanced the accuracy of the tool and of the level of water quality enhancement explored. The methodology that is developed in this research has also not been applied to catchments with good long term water quality data in order to improve its validity. Recommendations for future research are made, which include possible refinement of the system by accounting for factors not included in the current methodology, validation of the system by applying it to a catchment with good water quality data, and the creation of software to make the system easier to use. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Westville, 2009.

The seasonal production of 11 pastures was evaluated in dryland and irrigated trials at eight sites in the Winter Rainfall Region. These data were related to climatic conditions using the Growth Index concept to produce a model for pasture growth. Under dryland at Tygerhoek, the animal production potential of lucerne and medic was compared in grazing trials. Lucerne was found to be the higher producing of the two. At this site also, the influence of chemical control of volunteer grasses in dryland pastures on animal production potential was tested. Weed control had a positive influence on animal production at low, but not at high stocking rates. Under irrigation at complex grass/legume Tygerhoek, the grazing capacity of a mixture was established under continuous and rotational grazing. While rotationally grazed pastures produced the highest yields, the clover component of these pastures proved to be most productive under continuous grazing. As a result, rotationally grazed pastures, could carry more animals, but animal production was generally highest under continuous grazing. Under irrigation at Outeniqua, seven grass and grass/legume mixtures were compared in grazing trials. Pastures based on fescue generally had the highest grazing capacity, but those based on white clover the highest animal production potential. These data were used to produce a climate:pasture:animal which was validated using independent This model was used to predict animal production model, grazing trial data. performance of two-species mixtures at a number of sites. These results suggested that while grass pastures allowed more animals to be carried than did mixtures, both animal performance and gross returns were highest in grass/legume mixtures. / Thesis (Ph.D.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1986.

The aim of this study was to investigate vicarious trauma experienced by caregivers working with children in residential care, who were victims of sexual abuse or assault. The objectives of the study were to determine the occurrence of vicarious trauma among caregivers working with victims of sexual abuse or assault / to describe the experiences of caregivers working with children who were victims of sexual abuse / to describe the caregiver's experience of staff support within the facility.

The Outreach Project of the University of the Western Cape has since 1982 through various computer supported services been assisting grade 12 mathematics learners and educators at previously disadvantaged Western Cape high schools. This thesis described and appraised the MICSES2000 program of the Outreach Program, the latest innovative computer enhancing service to schools, with respect to its implementation, perceived and achieved programs by participating educators.

The premise of this research was focused on ascertaining how variables such as work environment, pay, supervision, co-workers and promotion impacts on job satisfaction of civil servants at an institution residing under the Department of Health in the Western Cape.

Eleven years into the South African democracy there are still huge challenges facing South African public schools, especially with regard to the notions of equity and redress. Increasingly historically advantaged and disadvantaged South African schools are entering into partnerships in an attempts to address the challenges facing them. This study focused on one such a partnership between two primary schools in an attempt to ascertain whether partnerships can in fact improve the situation.