This research is an attempt to determine the extent to which the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) in higher education promotes social transformation. Through analysing the case study of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) RPL programme, some conclusions on this matter were drawn. This research, a qualitative study, analyses key official documents, institutional reports, learning portfolios - produced by RPL candidates wherin they narrated their autobiographical learning histories - extensively. In addition, qualitative data were incorporated into this study to assist in the construction of the context within which RPL is being offered ...

A quantitative, descriptive, explorative design was used to evaluate a decentralised primary health care training programme at a training unit in the Limpopo Province. The study sought to determine to what extent the newly qualified diplomates were able to manage patients appropriately when faced with the realities, such as the shortage of personnel, large numbers of patients, shortage of resources and time constraints in the real situation without the support and guidance from medical practitioners and senior nursing personnel. Data were collected by observing the diplomates as they managed patients with hypertension by making use of checklists. The diplomates were also interviewed by making use of an in interview schedule. The major inferences drawn from this study was that these diplomates were competent in the management of these patients and were satisfied with their abilities and training. / Health Studies / M. A. (Health Studies)

Background: The Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Framework established by the South African Nursing Council (SANC) states that organisations have a responsibility to create enabling environments in which the development of nurses can take place. Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the CPD of nurses at a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal. Method: A quantitative descriptive design was followed. Convenience sampling yielded a sample of 166 nurses consisting of the registered nurse (63.2%) and enrolled nurse categories (36.8%). Data collection was done using a self-designed questionnaire. Statistical analysis was done using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS) Version 9.4 programme. Results: The findings revealed that CPD was ranked the least important area in terms of management priorities. Key barriers to development included staff shortages, lack of funding, poor resources and competing personal responsibilities. The study found that CPD had positive outcomes for nursing practice. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

The purpose of this study was to investigate ICT literacy in adult education and training within a public adult learning centre. A literature study was conducted to identify a theoretical framework for a comparative study of different national ICT policies. A qualitative research design was used to conduct an empirical investigation through the use of data collection instruments such as focus group interviews, semi-structured interviews, questionnaires and non-participant observation. Data analysis was conducted, during which various themes emerged, which led to the findings and conclusions regarding the study. Recommendations were made with regard to improving the ICT literacy level in adult education and training. Limitations of the study were described and recommendations for future research were made. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics)

The purpose of this study was to describe the perceptions/views of student nurses, nurse educators and unit supervisors on accompaniment of student nurses in clinical settings of the Northern Province of the RSA A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional survey was used in this study to describe the perceptions/views of student nurses, nurse educators and unit supervisors on apcompaniment of student nurses in clinical settings. Data was collected during February and March 200 I when student nurses, nurse educators and unit supervisors in the Northern Province completed questionnaires. The study revealed positive and negative perceptions regarding accompaniment of student nurses in clinical settings, including that: • accompaniment in the clinical settings enhanced student nurses' clinical learning experiences • the presence of nurse educators in the clinical settings improved student nurses' accompaniment • facilitators played an important role in the accompaniment of student nurses • accompaniment enhances correlation of theory and practice / Health Studies / MA (Advanced Nursing Sciences)

Most adolescents place pressure on their parents. The pressure varies, so there must be factors that contribute to the variance. An important objective of the investigation was to determine such factors from the parent’s side and from the adolescent’s side. It was also important to determine the most important factors in family functioning, and in the wider social context that affect the placement of pressure on parents by adolescents. A sample of 177 high school adolescents and their parents was used. Variables such as age, gender, family structure, working circumstances of parents, birth order position of adolescents, peer pressure, the parent-adolescent relationship, self-concept and personality were included in the study. The results indicate that the pressure that parents experience is associated with parental variables rather than adolescent variables. Parental self-concept, personality, and the parent-adolescent relationship (from the parent’s side) explained almost 63% of the variance in the pressure that parents experience. The conclusion can be made that it is not adolescents who deliberately plan to place their parents under pressure, but rather parents who make themselves vulnerable to such a situation. Any remedy or guidance programme will have to focus primarily on the parent, and the success of such a programme will depend on the way in which it supports the self-concept of the parent. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Aim: The aim of the study is to explore the perceptions of the nurses’ CPD and its contribution to quality patient care in the Gauteng province of the Republic of South Africa. Significance of the study: The significance of the study is to highlight the importance of CPD as one of the contributing factors to the quality of patient care through on-going competence. The researcher hopes the recommendations from the study may serve as a motivation to health institutions that are not actively involved in continuing professional development. Method and data analysis: Quantitative descriptive explorative design was used to achieve the objectives of the study. The study involved registered professional nurses (n =105) and enrolled nurses (n=56) employed in a state health institution. Data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire.A total of 200 questionnaire were distributed and 162 completed questionnaires were returned, giving a response rate of 162/200=81%. Statistical analysis was conducted using the SAS software version 9.3.The internal and external validity was enhanced by selecting a large homogenous sample. Ethical issues: An information leaflet indicating the key elements of the study such as the research title, the purpose of the study, voluntary participation and when to withdraw from the study was distributed to all the participants. Results: The study found that nurses participate in CPD activities to maintain their professional competence, thereby contributing to quality patient care. The findings are consistent with the findings from other studies / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

The present study examines whether recognition of prior learning (RPL) is being implemented in the workplace, its effectiveness and impact on improving the lives of the previously disadvantaged groups and its contribution towards enhancing a culture of lifelong learning in South Africa. The main aim of this research is to explore the implementation of RPL and the extent of its effectiveness in the workplace, with particular focus on Northern Region of the Eskom Distribution. This was hoped to be addressed through the following objectives: The first objective was to determine the extent to which Eskom employees are aware of the RPL practices and to ascertain the level of awareness among employees. The second objective was to explore the current trends and practices on RPL at the workplace. The third objective was to determine and identify if there are any gaps. The last objective was to suggest ways that can be used to strengthen the RPL practice in the workplace. To this end, a questionnaire was administered to a randomly selected sample of 242 employees. In addition, interviews were conducted with three purposively selected (information rich) participants. The findings reveal that Eskom has policies and guidelines on RPL and a clearly stipulated purpose which is in line with the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), however, the current RPL policies and procedures have not been piloted within the Northern Region, the information has not yet reached everyone in the business, and employees’ level of awareness is still low. Findings also reveal that RPL does exist in Distribution and efforts to implement it are visible/traceable. A number of milestones and achievements are noted in the business as a whole as well as in the region, although a lot still needs to be done to ensure full and effective implementation. The last finding shows that there are a number of gaps and challenges impeding the success of RPL. These range from capacity building to quality assurance. On the basis of the findings, a number of recommendations to strengthen the RPL practice in the workplace are proposed and suggested. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Although South African teachers have ample opportunities for professional development (PD), weak results of learners show that these opportunities have had a limited effect on the development of the Mathematics teachers’ instructional skills. The improvement of the teaching of Mathematics is regarded as a solution to learners’ poor performance, because teachers play a key role in the improvement of pupils’ learning. In the light of this, a Mathematics PD programme implemented in a province of South Africa was evaluated and served as a case study. The aim of this evaluation was to probe the quality of the programme since it had been suggested that improving the quality of teaching can be achieved by offering effective PD programmes. Thus, the evaluation was done in an attempt to establish the academic value of the intervention. The investigated programme – which was implemented in a rural and under-resourced setting – focused on FET Mathematics teachers and used mentoring and workshops as its key intervention implementers. Five teachers were involved in this programme. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, mentoring and workshop reports, the results of learners, and pre- and post-test results of the participants. The evaluation of the PD programme revealed the following: that the workshops addressed the participants’ content knowledge gap to a limited degree; that mentoring was able to assist with the individual classroom-related needs of the participants, and that the community of practice formed in the workshops helped the participants to develop by means of working together on lesson preparation, micro-teaching, and content knowledge exercises. Other findings revealed that the duration of the workshops were adequate, however their intensity was insufficient to effectively address the participants’ needs, and that the workshops were carefully planned, given that the same topics were repeated. The mentor teachers and other facilitators encountered challenges relating to the long intervals between the mentoring sessions, the limited post-lesson-observation discussion time, the significant distances between the involved schools and the heavy teaching load of the participants. Nevertheless, recommendations on improving the effectiveness of future PD programmes included careful selection of the dosage of interventions, site-based mentoring, to incentivise participants of PD programmes, alleviating the teaching load of overburdened participants and the creation of conducive environments in rural areas for the formation of communities of practice. / Mathematics Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Mathematics Education))

Technical Vocational Education and Training colleges (formerly known as Further Education and Training colleges) in South Africa have undergone many changes since 1994. In 2007, a new curriculum, the National Certificate Vocational, was rolled out. The new curriculum brought an approach of outcome-based teaching and learning to continuous assessment, with a National Summative Examination set by the National Department of Higher Education Examinations and Assessments, and programme certification conducted by Umalusi (Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education). When the National Certificate Vocational was introduced in 2006, lecturers attended training prior to the implementation of the new curriculum. However the training was inadequate, as it was a once-off; after the implementation of the National Certificate Vocational, new lecturers never received training. Umalusi reports from 2009–2013 stated that the implementation of Internal Continuous Assessment needed attention, highlighting challenges faced by lecturers regarding its implementation. The purpose of the study is to explore the factors that impact on the quality of Internal Continuous Assessment practices in NCV Business Studies. The constant comparison analysis developed by Glaser and Strauss (1967) was used in analysing the data collected during the interviews. A qualitative research approach was employed, specifically a case-study research design. Purposive sampling was used to select lecturers as participants of this study. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Findings revealed that there was lack of standardisation and uniformity in all four campuses, poor-quality assessment tasks were set using old exam papers and textbook exercises, designing of assessment tools was limited to the use of few tools and the colleges gave little attention to the policies and documents regarding implementation of Internal Continuous Assessment. Recommendations have been formulated that may add value or make an educational contribution to the growing body of knowledge by strengthening Internal Continuous Assessment processes and ensuring quality of assessment practices at these colleges, to significantly enhance students’ academic performance, competence and throughput rate. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / M. Ed. (Didactics Studies (Curriculum Studies))