World-wide research has shown that educators are suffering physical as well as psychological symptoms because of their experiences in their school environment. A large body of legislation, including the Bill of Rights, general and education legislation protect the rights of educators to working conditions which are safe and healthy. It seems clear from the literature that protecting the security of the educator implies the inclusion of psychological security. One of the aims of this research was to establish to what extent legislation succeeds in protecting the psychological security of educators at school. The study showed that although a large body of legislation exists, a lacuna exists in the application of this legislation. Furthermore, the research showed that educators are not experiencing this protection in actuality, are suffering several stress symptoms and are generally not aware of the rights which should protect them. The findings revealed that learner discipline and work overload were experienced as the main causes of psychological insecurity for participating educators. During the research it was investigated whether the development of creative skills could enhance the ability of educators to cope with the psychological insecurities in their workplace. Further aims of the study were to design a theoretical creativity development model and to determine the characteristics of an effective programme to enhance workplace psychological security in education. The literature and findings revealed that creativity programmes which could inter alia enhance attitude and general health should include aspects such as problem solving processes, the development of positive attitudes and the enhancement of the psychological work environment. The study also includes the design of a creativity programme which can be applied in the participating and similar schools in order to develop creativity skills which may be able to assist educators to cope more effectively in their work environment. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

World-wide research has shown that educators are suffering physical as well as psychological symptoms because of their experiences in their school environment. A large body of legislation, including the Bill of Rights, general and education legislation protect the rights of educators to working conditions which are safe and healthy. It seems clear from the literature that protecting the security of the educator implies the inclusion of psychological security. One of the aims of this research was to establish to what extent legislation succeeds in protecting the psychological security of educators at school. The study showed that although a large body of legislation exists, a lacuna exists in the application of this legislation. Furthermore, the research showed that educators are not experiencing this protection in actuality, are suffering several stress symptoms and are generally not aware of the rights which should protect them. The findings revealed that learner discipline and work overload were experienced as the main causes of psychological insecurity for participating educators. During the research it was investigated whether the development of creative skills could enhance the ability of educators to cope with the psychological insecurities in their workplace. Further aims of the study were to design a theoretical creativity development model and to determine the characteristics of an effective programme to enhance workplace psychological security in education. The literature and findings revealed that creativity programmes which could inter alia enhance attitude and general health should include aspects such as problem solving processes, the development of positive attitudes and the enhancement of the psychological work environment. The study also includes the design of a creativity programme which can be applied in the participating and similar schools in order to develop creativity skills which may be able to assist educators to cope more effectively in their work environment. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Education))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2009.

Current policy to extend early childhood education by placing grade R in public primary schools is politically, economically and educationally motivated. Quality education in grade R has definite long term economic advantages and could ensure equal educational opportunities. The educator is a key factor in this issue and her perception of her work life determines to a large extent the success of the initiative. The work fulfilment of the grade R educator is approached in this research from a labour law perspective and was conducted in the field of Education Law. The philosophic base of Education Law is found in the German educational term geborgenheit, which refers to the safety and security of all role players in education. The experience of security is regarded as a prerequisite for work fulfilment. The Constitution, education legislation, labour law, relevant case law and the common law were studied as legal determinants for work fulfilment. A qualitative enquiry into educators’ perceptions of their work life was conducted amongst participants in a specific area, which included schools from different socio–economic and cultural backgrounds. The essence of the findings is that, in spite of the existence of legislation which in principle should provide for physical and psychological security, educators still experience insecurity and therefore a lack of work fulfilment because of the ineffective implementation of law and policy. Widespread ignorance regarding the nature of quality education in grade R exists and the insistence on educator centralised teaching limits the work fulfilment of especially well–trained educators. Awareness of the advantages of a play based, whole–child approach has to be developed. This approach, as well as knowledge of legal determinants, promote work fulfilment, since both serve the best interests of the child as well as the educator. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

Current policy to extend early childhood education by placing grade R in public primary schools is politically, economically and educationally motivated. Quality education in grade R has definite long term economic advantages and could ensure equal educational opportunities. The educator is a key factor in this issue and her perception of her work life determines to a large extent the success of the initiative. The work fulfilment of the grade R educator is approached in this research from a labour law perspective and was conducted in the field of Education Law. The philosophic base of Education Law is found in the German educational term geborgenheit, which refers to the safety and security of all role players in education. The experience of security is regarded as a prerequisite for work fulfilment. The Constitution, education legislation, labour law, relevant case law and the common law were studied as legal determinants for work fulfilment. A qualitative enquiry into educators’ perceptions of their work life was conducted amongst participants in a specific area, which included schools from different socio–economic and cultural backgrounds. The essence of the findings is that, in spite of the existence of legislation which in principle should provide for physical and psychological security, educators still experience insecurity and therefore a lack of work fulfilment because of the ineffective implementation of law and policy. Widespread ignorance regarding the nature of quality education in grade R exists and the insistence on educator centralised teaching limits the work fulfilment of especially well–trained educators. Awareness of the advantages of a play based, whole–child approach has to be developed. This approach, as well as knowledge of legal determinants, promote work fulfilment, since both serve the best interests of the child as well as the educator. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.