The diet of Merino and Dorper wethers and ewes, castrated Boer goats and Afrikaner oxen and heifers was ascertained in order to determine whether the species selection by these animals, during the various seasons of the year could offer an explanation for the changes in the floristic composition of mixed karoo veld. This study was also undertaken to determine the influence of the growth cycles of the different plants on the selection pattern of the animals. The study was carried out over a period of two years, August 1975 to August 1977, in a camp of the Agricultural Research Institute of the Karoo Region, Middelburg Cape. The vegetation of the camp could be discribed as a mixed grass and Karoo bush veld. In order to realize the abovementioned objectives the following data were recorded: *the available plant material during the various seasons of the year, *the floristic composition of the veld during the various seasons of the year, and the floristic composition of the diet of the different kinds of animals during the various seasons of the year. *The availability of plant material was determined by means of three monthly clipping trials. The clipped material was separated into edible and inedible material in order to determine the actual amount available as a source of food. *The floristic composition of the veld was determined by means of three monthly surveys using the descending point method described by Roux (1963). The results of the clipping trials were also used to express the floristic composition of the veld on a mass basis. *Samples of the diet were collected over a two year period, August 1975 to August 1977, every three months on four consecutive days by means of oesophageal fistulated animals.The floristic composition of the diet was determined by means of the microscope point method of Heady (1963) and expressed on a mass basis. Characteristics of a number of diagnostic elements of the species in the study area were described for the identification of the plant fragments in the diet samples. The results were presented as follows: *Graphs were drawn to illustrate, during the different sampling dates, the contribution of the various components of karoo veld to: *the diet of animals the available plant material, and the floristic composition of the veld. *Variation in the diet of the animals was discussed in terms of: *the available plant material, *the growth cycles of the different components, and *• the climate. *Variation in the availibility of plant material and the floristic composition of the veld was discussed and accounted for in terms of: *the diet of the animals *the growth cycles of the different components, and *the climate. The results revealed the following tendencies in the selection pattern:*Both the palatable and unpalatable karoo bush components were selected mainly during their active growth stages, that is, autumn and spring. Within these active growth stages the selection pattern of the animals varied. The animals showed a preference for the palatable karoo bush component during autumn and winter and for the unpalatable component during spring. *The grass component was, in the case of the small stock, selected mainly during the summer, in other words, the active growth stage. The large stock concentrated mainly on the grass component as a source of food throughout the study period. *Ephemerals were selected in large amounts only during the autumn, winter and spring of 1976. *The geophyte component constituted a significant part of the diet of the animals only during the autumn of 1976. The floristic composition of the veld changed over the study period. The contribution of the two karoo bush components increased over the study period, while the contribution of the grass component decreased. Only the change in the contribution of the palatable karoo bush component was statistically signficant on a 10 percent level. The changes may be attributed mainly to the species selection by the animals, although, influence of the climate, especially rain, may not be ignored. Owing to the tendency of the animals to select active growing plant material, it is essential to incorporate rotational rest periods in a veld management system in order to provide an opportunity for each component of karoo veld to grow and reproduce. / DSc, PU vir CHO, 1981

The diet of Merino and Dorper wethers and ewes, castrated Boer goats and Afrikaner oxen and heifers was ascertained in order to determine whether the species selection by these animals, during the various seasons of the year could offer an explanation for the changes in the floristic composition of mixed karoo veld. This study was also undertaken to determine the influence of the growth cycles of the different plants on the selection pattern of the animals. The study was carried out over a period of two years, August 1975 to August 1977, in a camp of the Agricultural Research Institute of the Karoo Region, Middelburg Cape. The vegetation of the camp could be discribed as a mixed grass and Karoo bush veld. In order to realize the abovementioned objectives the following data were recorded: *the available plant material during the various seasons of the year, *the floristic composition of the veld during the various seasons of the year, and the floristic composition of the diet of the different kinds of animals during the various seasons of the year. *The availability of plant material was determined by means of three monthly clipping trials. The clipped material was separated into edible and inedible material in order to determine the actual amount available as a source of food. *The floristic composition of the veld was determined by means of three monthly surveys using the descending point method described by Roux (1963). The results of the clipping trials were also used to express the floristic composition of the veld on a mass basis. *Samples of the diet were collected over a two year period, August 1975 to August 1977, every three months on four consecutive days by means of oesophageal fistulated animals.The floristic composition of the diet was determined by means of the microscope point method of Heady (1963) and expressed on a mass basis. Characteristics of a number of diagnostic elements of the species in the study area were described for the identification of the plant fragments in the diet samples. The results were presented as follows: *Graphs were drawn to illustrate, during the different sampling dates, the contribution of the various components of karoo veld to: *the diet of animals the available plant material, and the floristic composition of the veld. *Variation in the diet of the animals was discussed in terms of: *the available plant material, *the growth cycles of the different components, and *• the climate. *Variation in the availibility of plant material and the floristic composition of the veld was discussed and accounted for in terms of: *the diet of the animals *the growth cycles of the different components, and *the climate. The results revealed the following tendencies in the selection pattern:*Both the palatable and unpalatable karoo bush components were selected mainly during their active growth stages, that is, autumn and spring. Within these active growth stages the selection pattern of the animals varied. The animals showed a preference for the palatable karoo bush component during autumn and winter and for the unpalatable component during spring. *The grass component was, in the case of the small stock, selected mainly during the summer, in other words, the active growth stage. The large stock concentrated mainly on the grass component as a source of food throughout the study period. *Ephemerals were selected in large amounts only during the autumn, winter and spring of 1976. *The geophyte component constituted a significant part of the diet of the animals only during the autumn of 1976. The floristic composition of the veld changed over the study period. The contribution of the two karoo bush components increased over the study period, while the contribution of the grass component decreased. Only the change in the contribution of the palatable karoo bush component was statistically signficant on a 10 percent level. The changes may be attributed mainly to the species selection by the animals, although, influence of the climate, especially rain, may not be ignored. Owing to the tendency of the animals to select active growing plant material, it is essential to incorporate rotational rest periods in a veld management system in order to provide an opportunity for each component of karoo veld to grow and reproduce. / DSc, PU vir CHO, 1981

No abstract / Mini Dissertation (LLM)--University of Pretoria, 2019. / Private Law / LLM / Unrestricted

Workplace bullying is creating negative physical and psychological effects on employees and has a serious impact on the organisations’ bottom line. Workplace bullying has been related to excessive absenteeism, high employee turnover and hostile work environments. However, no recent studies on the prevalence of workplace bullying in the South African context are available. This is important because of the multicultural, multiracial composition of the South African workforce, and socio–demographic factors such as race, gender, age, education level and type of industry should be investigated to determine if differences exist with regard to the experience of workplace bullying. The personality resource, sense of coherence, should add an important element to this study, as the results could offer an important indicator for managers to change the employee’s environment in order to render the stimuli to which they are exposed more understandable, significant and manageable. In South Africa, diversity, multiculturalism, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are words in common currency in a newly democratic country. Literature suggests that if diversity within African organisations is positively experienced, it could enhance harmony and effectiveness within that organisation. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the relationship between workplace bullying, socio–demographic characteristics, sense of coherence and diversity experiences according to the literature; 2) to determine how frequently employees in South Africa experience acts of workplace bullying; 3) to determine if there are significant differences between socio–demographic groups (including race, gender, age, education and industry) with regards to workplace bullying; 4) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regards to sense of coherence; and 5) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regard to diversity experiences. An availability sample (N = 13 911) was utilised to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying in a sample of South African employees. Frequencies were used to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying for the total sample and MANOVA was used to determine differences between the groups. The results indicated that workplace bullying is a prevalent problem in South Africa, as people experience frequent overall bullying (4% reported being often bullied; 31,1% reported being always bullied). On the socio–demographic characteristics, Blacks experienced a higher level of workplace bullying in comparison with the other race groups, and men and women experience statistically significant differences with regards to workplace bullying. It was evident that older employees experience statistically significantly lower levels of bullying, and a statistically significant difference between those employees with a secondary and tertiary education was found. It seems that the highest levels of direct bullying by supervisors occurred in the government industry, followed by the mining industry. Individuals with a higher SOC experienced lower levels of bullying compared to individuals with a lower SOC. Statistically significant differences were found on all bullying dimensions with regards to diversity experiences. Recommendations were made for future research and organisations. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Workplace bullying is creating negative physical and psychological effects on employees and has a serious impact on the organisations’ bottom line. Workplace bullying has been related to excessive absenteeism, high employee turnover and hostile work environments. However, no recent studies on the prevalence of workplace bullying in the South African context are available. This is important because of the multicultural, multiracial composition of the South African workforce, and socio–demographic factors such as race, gender, age, education level and type of industry should be investigated to determine if differences exist with regard to the experience of workplace bullying. The personality resource, sense of coherence, should add an important element to this study, as the results could offer an important indicator for managers to change the employee’s environment in order to render the stimuli to which they are exposed more understandable, significant and manageable. In South Africa, diversity, multiculturalism, affirmative action and equal employment opportunity are words in common currency in a newly democratic country. Literature suggests that if diversity within African organisations is positively experienced, it could enhance harmony and effectiveness within that organisation. The objectives of this study were to 1) determine the relationship between workplace bullying, socio–demographic characteristics, sense of coherence and diversity experiences according to the literature; 2) to determine how frequently employees in South Africa experience acts of workplace bullying; 3) to determine if there are significant differences between socio–demographic groups (including race, gender, age, education and industry) with regards to workplace bullying; 4) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regards to sense of coherence; and 5) to determine if there are significant differences between the different types of bullying (direct, indirect, supervisor and colleague bullying) with regard to diversity experiences. An availability sample (N = 13 911) was utilised to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying in a sample of South African employees. Frequencies were used to determine the prevalence of workplace bullying for the total sample and MANOVA was used to determine differences between the groups. The results indicated that workplace bullying is a prevalent problem in South Africa, as people experience frequent overall bullying (4% reported being often bullied; 31,1% reported being always bullied). On the socio–demographic characteristics, Blacks experienced a higher level of workplace bullying in comparison with the other race groups, and men and women experience statistically significant differences with regards to workplace bullying. It was evident that older employees experience statistically significantly lower levels of bullying, and a statistically significant difference between those employees with a secondary and tertiary education was found. It seems that the highest levels of direct bullying by supervisors occurred in the government industry, followed by the mining industry. Individuals with a higher SOC experienced lower levels of bullying compared to individuals with a lower SOC. Statistically significant differences were found on all bullying dimensions with regards to diversity experiences. Recommendations were made for future research and organisations. / Thesis (M.Com. (Industrial Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Die navorsing is onderneem om die invloed van koöperatiewe leer as „n onderrigstrategie op Graad 8 wiskundeleerders se houding teenoor probleemoplossing en hul prestasie in wiskunde te bepaal. Die doelstellings van die empiriese ondersoek was: - om die houding van Graad 8 leerders teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde te ondersoek; - om die invloed van koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie op die houding van graad 8 wiskunde-leerders teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde te ondersoek; en - om die invloed van koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie op die prestasie van Graad 8 leerders in wiskunde te ondersoek. Deur middel van „n literatuurstudie as onderrig-leerraamwerk, is die aard van skoolwiskunde; benaderings ten opsigte van die leer van skoolwiskunde, naamlik die behavioristiese-, die kognitiewe- en die konstruktiwistiese leerbenaderings; die rol van probleemoplossing in die onderrig en leer van skoolwiskunde; asook die houding van leerders teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde, bespreek. Na aanleiding van die gebruik van direkte- en indirekte onderrigstrategieë, is die volgende elemente van koöperatiewe leer (indirekte onderrigstrategie) beklemtoon: individuele verantwoordelikheid, interpersoonlike sosiale vaardighede, positiewe persoonlike interaksie, groepvordering en positiewe interafhanklikheid. Koöperatiewe leermetodes en die implementering van koöperatiewe leer in die wiskundeklaskamer is vervolgens bespreek, asook leerders se houding teenoor koöperatiewe leer. Vir die empiriese ondersoek is „n opeenvolgende verklarende gekombineerde navorsingsmetode-ontwerp gebruik, wat bestaan het uit die insameling en ontleding van kwantitatiewe- en kwalitatiewe data in opeenvolgende fases. „n Voor-eksperimentele evaluering (voortoets) is gedoen om die eksperimentele en kontrolegroepe te vergelyk ten opsigte van hul houding teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde deur die gebruik van „n aangepaste houdingsvraelys (ATMI), asook ten opsigte van leerders se wiskundeprestasie. Die intervensie (koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie) is vervolgens vir „n tydperk van sestien weke op die eksperimentele groep toegepas. Die aangepaste houdingsvraelys (ATMI) is ook tydens „n na-eksperimentele evaluering (natoets) vir beide (kontrole- en eksperimentele) groepe gebruik, asook vir die vergelyking van genoemde groepe se wiskundeprestasie. Die kwalitatiewe ondersoek is uitgevoer deur individuele gestruktureerde taakgebaseerde onderhoude met geselekteerde deelnemers van die eksperimentele groep te voer. Inligting oor leerders se houding en ervaring ten opsigte van probleemoplossing in wiskunde, hul houding teenoor koöperatiewe leer, asook hul probleemoplossingsvaardighede, is met behulp van die onderhoude bekom. Uit die resultate van die empiriese navorsing is bevind dat koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie geen beduidende invloed op Graad 8 leerders se houding teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde gehad het nie. Die gebruik van koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie daarenteen, het „n beduidende toename in Graad 8 leerders se prestasie in wiskunde tot gevolg gehad. / MEd (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Die navorsing is onderneem om die invloed van koöperatiewe leer as „n onderrigstrategie op Graad 8 wiskundeleerders se houding teenoor probleemoplossing en hul prestasie in wiskunde te bepaal. Die doelstellings van die empiriese ondersoek was: - om die houding van Graad 8 leerders teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde te ondersoek; - om die invloed van koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie op die houding van graad 8 wiskunde-leerders teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde te ondersoek; en - om die invloed van koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie op die prestasie van Graad 8 leerders in wiskunde te ondersoek. Deur middel van „n literatuurstudie as onderrig-leerraamwerk, is die aard van skoolwiskunde; benaderings ten opsigte van die leer van skoolwiskunde, naamlik die behavioristiese-, die kognitiewe- en die konstruktiwistiese leerbenaderings; die rol van probleemoplossing in die onderrig en leer van skoolwiskunde; asook die houding van leerders teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde, bespreek. Na aanleiding van die gebruik van direkte- en indirekte onderrigstrategieë, is die volgende elemente van koöperatiewe leer (indirekte onderrigstrategie) beklemtoon: individuele verantwoordelikheid, interpersoonlike sosiale vaardighede, positiewe persoonlike interaksie, groepvordering en positiewe interafhanklikheid. Koöperatiewe leermetodes en die implementering van koöperatiewe leer in die wiskundeklaskamer is vervolgens bespreek, asook leerders se houding teenoor koöperatiewe leer. Vir die empiriese ondersoek is „n opeenvolgende verklarende gekombineerde navorsingsmetode-ontwerp gebruik, wat bestaan het uit die insameling en ontleding van kwantitatiewe- en kwalitatiewe data in opeenvolgende fases. „n Voor-eksperimentele evaluering (voortoets) is gedoen om die eksperimentele en kontrolegroepe te vergelyk ten opsigte van hul houding teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde deur die gebruik van „n aangepaste houdingsvraelys (ATMI), asook ten opsigte van leerders se wiskundeprestasie. Die intervensie (koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie) is vervolgens vir „n tydperk van sestien weke op die eksperimentele groep toegepas. Die aangepaste houdingsvraelys (ATMI) is ook tydens „n na-eksperimentele evaluering (natoets) vir beide (kontrole- en eksperimentele) groepe gebruik, asook vir die vergelyking van genoemde groepe se wiskundeprestasie. Die kwalitatiewe ondersoek is uitgevoer deur individuele gestruktureerde taakgebaseerde onderhoude met geselekteerde deelnemers van die eksperimentele groep te voer. Inligting oor leerders se houding en ervaring ten opsigte van probleemoplossing in wiskunde, hul houding teenoor koöperatiewe leer, asook hul probleemoplossingsvaardighede, is met behulp van die onderhoude bekom. Uit die resultate van die empiriese navorsing is bevind dat koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie geen beduidende invloed op Graad 8 leerders se houding teenoor wiskunde en teenoor probleemoplossing in wiskunde gehad het nie. Die gebruik van koöperatiewe leer as onderrigstrategie daarenteen, het „n beduidende toename in Graad 8 leerders se prestasie in wiskunde tot gevolg gehad. / MEd (Mathematics Education), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Summaries in English and Afrikaans / Text in Afrikaans / Key terms in English and Afrikaans / Verskeie tekortkomings is in die bestaande konseptuele model en kwantitatiewe navorsingsliteratuur oor skofwerk geidentifiseer. Ontevredenheid met die oorvereenvoudigde oorsaak-gevolg-verklarings vir getroude vroue se skofwerkervaring het in die studie gelei tot die ontwikkeling van 'n ekologiese model van vroueskofwerk. Hierdie nuwe konseptuele model weerspieel 'n altematiewe benadering waar erkenning gegee word aan die bestaan van meervoudige realiteite wat mense in konsensus deur taal konstrueer. Die oogmerk met die ekologiese model is om, met inagneming van vroueskofwerkers se wyer konteks, patrone te ondersoek van hoe die verskillende beskrywings van getroude vroue se ervaring van skofwerk bymekaar pas. Daarmee kan 'n meer sistemiese begrip verkry word wat die kompleksiteit van menslike interaksie respekteer. Die ekologiese model van vroueskofwerk is ontwikkel as 'n hulpmiddel vir die waamemer om ryk, beskrywende ekologiese verhale te kan konstrueer van hoe getroude vroue se belewing van skofwerk tot sistemiese ontwrigting of behoud kan lei. / Several shortcomings have been identified in the existing conceptual model and quantitative research literature regarding shiftwork. Dissatisfaction with the oversimplified cause-effect-explanations for married women's shiftwork experience has led to the development of an ecological model of women shiftwork in this study. This new conceptual model reflects an alternative approach where recognition is given to the existence of multiple realities which are consensually created by people through language. The aim with the ecological model, by taking into account the broader context of women shiftworkers, is to search for patterns of how the different descriptions of women's experience of shiftwork fit together. This offers a more systemic view that respects the complexity of human interaction. The ecological model for women shiftwork is developed as an aid to the observer to construct rich, descriptive ecological stories about how married women's experience of shiftwork can lead to systemic disruption or conservation. / Psychology / M.A. (Clinical Psychology)

According to the South African White Paper 5 on Early Childhood Development (ECD), the initiative of the Department of Education (DoE), whereby grade R is being implemented as part of compulsory education, is directed at the poorest of the poor. Grade R teachers responsible for the education of 5/6 year old learners will therefore have to possess knowledge and skills to enable them to lead grade R learners from deprived circumstances to optimal development and learning readiness. For under-or unqualified Foundation Phase teachers who work and live in rural areas, distance learning is often the only option for professional development and concurrent increase in compensation. The School of Continuing Teacher Education of the North-West University designed an open distance learning model to provide in the educational needs of under and unqualified teachers. The Foundation Phase Curriculum within the Professional Educator Development programme of the Advanced Certificate in Education presented by the North West University (hereafter referred to as the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme) is delivered via open distance learning. The National Curriculum Statements (Grade R-9) include grade R to three in the Foundation Phase Curriculum and therefore the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme will be a financially viable option to train a large number of grade R teachers to provide in the need for qualified grade R teachers. This study investigates the way in which the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enables grade R teaching competency as programme outcome. To attain the research aims of the study a literature and empirical study were performed. The research aims of the literature study include the establishment of the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be included in a training programme with the aim of capacitating grade R teachers to facilitate the optimal development of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. The literature is further researched to determine national and international criteria for effective design and content for training programmes for teachers of 5/6 year old learners. Through the literature study the criteria for effective training programmes for grade R teachers are determined and more specific the criteria for the effective implementation of distance learning for the training of grade R teachers. A comparative study between the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and similar distance learning programmes implemented internationally also serves as benchmarking for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme. Findings from the literature study serves as benchmark for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and for the designing of questionnaires as measurement instruments for the empirical study. The empirical research has as its first aim to determine how the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme provides grade R teacher-students the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to facilitate the optimal development and learning readiness of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. Secondly the empirical study aims to determine how the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme accommodates the profile and educational needs of the target population namely the teacher who will be responsible for the education of five/six year old learners from deprived circumstances. Although a combination of both qualitative and quantitative statistical methods is used in the empirical study, this evaluation research is primarily seen as a quantitative study grounded in the post-positivist epistemology. The mixed method serves as verification of findings on the data. Empirical data were captured by means of questionnaires comprising structured and open questions. Data captured through structured questions were statistically analysed Iwhile responses in open questions were interpreted qualitatively by the researcher. Data triangulation serves as verification of findings as the researcher gathered data from three study populations namely the NWU Foundation Phase ACE teacher-students, the facilitators who facilitate the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme at the various contact centres countrywide as well as lecturers presenting a similar Foundation Phase ACE programme at other tertiary institutions in the country. A comparison of responses from the structured questions and open questions with data from related literature further provides for methodological triangulation and verification of findings. Data from the literature study as well as from all three study populations in the empirical investigation converged regarding inadequacies in the way the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enable the development of grade R teaching competencies as outcome. Deficiencies were identified in the way the programme accommodates the situated and personal circumstances of the teacher student. The opportunity provided by programme design and content for an inexperienced grade R teacher-student to develop grade R knowledge and skills through experience learning, social learning and learning through reflection within the grade R teaching and learning context, was also found to be lacking. Recommendations based on the findings are made for consideration of future programme design. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.

According to the South African White Paper 5 on Early Childhood Development (ECD), the initiative of the Department of Education (DoE), whereby grade R is being implemented as part of compulsory education, is directed at the poorest of the poor. Grade R teachers responsible for the education of 5/6 year old learners will therefore have to possess knowledge and skills to enable them to lead grade R learners from deprived circumstances to optimal development and learning readiness. For under-or unqualified Foundation Phase teachers who work and live in rural areas, distance learning is often the only option for professional development and concurrent increase in compensation. The School of Continuing Teacher Education of the North-West University designed an open distance learning model to provide in the educational needs of under and unqualified teachers. The Foundation Phase Curriculum within the Professional Educator Development programme of the Advanced Certificate in Education presented by the North West University (hereafter referred to as the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme) is delivered via open distance learning. The National Curriculum Statements (Grade R-9) include grade R to three in the Foundation Phase Curriculum and therefore the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme will be a financially viable option to train a large number of grade R teachers to provide in the need for qualified grade R teachers. This study investigates the way in which the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enables grade R teaching competency as programme outcome. To attain the research aims of the study a literature and empirical study were performed. The research aims of the literature study include the establishment of the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be included in a training programme with the aim of capacitating grade R teachers to facilitate the optimal development of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. The literature is further researched to determine national and international criteria for effective design and content for training programmes for teachers of 5/6 year old learners. Through the literature study the criteria for effective training programmes for grade R teachers are determined and more specific the criteria for the effective implementation of distance learning for the training of grade R teachers. A comparative study between the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and similar distance learning programmes implemented internationally also serves as benchmarking for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme. Findings from the literature study serves as benchmark for the evaluation of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme and for the designing of questionnaires as measurement instruments for the empirical study. The empirical research has as its first aim to determine how the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme provides grade R teacher-students the opportunity to develop the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to facilitate the optimal development and learning readiness of five/six year olds from deprived circumstances. Secondly the empirical study aims to determine how the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme accommodates the profile and educational needs of the target population namely the teacher who will be responsible for the education of five/six year old learners from deprived circumstances. Although a combination of both qualitative and quantitative statistical methods is used in the empirical study, this evaluation research is primarily seen as a quantitative study grounded in the post-positivist epistemology. The mixed method serves as verification of findings on the data. Empirical data were captured by means of questionnaires comprising structured and open questions. Data captured through structured questions were statistically analysed Iwhile responses in open questions were interpreted qualitatively by the researcher. Data triangulation serves as verification of findings as the researcher gathered data from three study populations namely the NWU Foundation Phase ACE teacher-students, the facilitators who facilitate the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme at the various contact centres countrywide as well as lecturers presenting a similar Foundation Phase ACE programme at other tertiary institutions in the country. A comparison of responses from the structured questions and open questions with data from related literature further provides for methodological triangulation and verification of findings. Data from the literature study as well as from all three study populations in the empirical investigation converged regarding inadequacies in the way the design and content of the NWU Foundation Phase ACE programme enable the development of grade R teaching competencies as outcome. Deficiencies were identified in the way the programme accommodates the situated and personal circumstances of the teacher student. The opportunity provided by programme design and content for an inexperienced grade R teacher-student to develop grade R knowledge and skills through experience learning, social learning and learning through reflection within the grade R teaching and learning context, was also found to be lacking. Recommendations based on the findings are made for consideration of future programme design. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2010.