A healthy and positive relationship between educators and learners is an important aspect in the establishment and sustainability of a nurturing and enabling school environment. However, research pertaining to South African schools shows that schools currently face many challenges that threaten relationships in schools and adversely affect the general well-being of the individuals concerned. The situation is problematic in every school context, but even more so in schools where risk factors are present in a concentrated form, as is the case in schools of skills. The researcher has been involved as a school counsellor at various schools of skills in the Western Cape for the past three years and has noticed that schools of skills are often exposed to various risk factors that influence the daily interaction between educators and learners and also impede the fostering of a healthy relationship between educators and learners. It is therefore logical that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills is influenced by the particular circumstances and that the relevant risk factors could be contributing to the current situation in schools of skills. Limited research about the relationship between educators and learners in the context of schools of skills impedes the situation even more. This research study aims to make a contribution to the solution of the identified problem by investigating ways in which the relationships between educators and learners can be improved within the context of schools of skills in the Western Cape. A literature study and empirical investigation were undertaken to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills and the way the respective parties experience it (the relationship). Therefore, the nature of the structure of this research study is qualitative phenomenological because it incorporates an investigation into the social relationships that connect educators and learners. The research study was done in four schools of skills in the Western Cape that is representative of the different settlement contexts in South Africa, namely urban, semi-urban and rural. The participants in the four various schools include educators (n=42) and learners (n=122). The collection of data took place in four phases and the following qualitative data collection methods were used: qualitative open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured individual interviews for educators as well as collages and semi-structured focus group interviews for learners. Thematic analysis of the respective data sets showed that the relationships between educators and learners can be improved by considering the contextual challenges both educators and learners are confronted with. Besides considering the contextual challenges it is also important to create spaces where relationships can be improved and learners can feel safe. This seems to be mainly the responsibility of the educators and can be done by setting clear boundaries and upholding healthy discipline. It was further demonstrated that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills can be improved by acting towards each other in such a way that mutual respect, mutual trust, the provision of care and support and open communication can be established as relationship-improving interaction patterns. In the light of the study’s findings, specific guidelines are provided to the educator at the school of skills and clear recommendations are made to the Department of Education with the aim of improving classroom relationships in schools of skills. In conclusion, recommendations are also made about further research to improve relationships between educators and learners in schools of skills. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

A healthy and positive relationship between educators and learners is an important aspect in the establishment and sustainability of a nurturing and enabling school environment. However, research pertaining to South African schools shows that schools currently face many challenges that threaten relationships in schools and adversely affect the general well-being of the individuals concerned. The situation is problematic in every school context, but even more so in schools where risk factors are present in a concentrated form, as is the case in schools of skills. The researcher has been involved as a school counsellor at various schools of skills in the Western Cape for the past three years and has noticed that schools of skills are often exposed to various risk factors that influence the daily interaction between educators and learners and also impede the fostering of a healthy relationship between educators and learners. It is therefore logical that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills is influenced by the particular circumstances and that the relevant risk factors could be contributing to the current situation in schools of skills. Limited research about the relationship between educators and learners in the context of schools of skills impedes the situation even more. This research study aims to make a contribution to the solution of the identified problem by investigating ways in which the relationships between educators and learners can be improved within the context of schools of skills in the Western Cape. A literature study and empirical investigation were undertaken to achieve a better understanding of the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills and the way the respective parties experience it (the relationship). Therefore, the nature of the structure of this research study is qualitative phenomenological because it incorporates an investigation into the social relationships that connect educators and learners. The research study was done in four schools of skills in the Western Cape that is representative of the different settlement contexts in South Africa, namely urban, semi-urban and rural. The participants in the four various schools include educators (n=42) and learners (n=122). The collection of data took place in four phases and the following qualitative data collection methods were used: qualitative open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured individual interviews for educators as well as collages and semi-structured focus group interviews for learners. Thematic analysis of the respective data sets showed that the relationships between educators and learners can be improved by considering the contextual challenges both educators and learners are confronted with. Besides considering the contextual challenges it is also important to create spaces where relationships can be improved and learners can feel safe. This seems to be mainly the responsibility of the educators and can be done by setting clear boundaries and upholding healthy discipline. It was further demonstrated that the relationship between educators and learners in schools of skills can be improved by acting towards each other in such a way that mutual respect, mutual trust, the provision of care and support and open communication can be established as relationship-improving interaction patterns. In the light of the study’s findings, specific guidelines are provided to the educator at the school of skills and clear recommendations are made to the Department of Education with the aim of improving classroom relationships in schools of skills. In conclusion, recommendations are also made about further research to improve relationships between educators and learners in schools of skills. / Thesis (MA (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Text in Afrikaans, with abstracts in Afrikaans, English and Xhosa / Dissipline in skole en leerders se uitslae het sedert 1994 baie verswak. Aanranding op opvoeders haal daagliks die nuus wat 'n swak beeld van die stand van onderwys in Suid-Afrika die wêreld instuur. Hierdie studie het die rol wat die skoolbestuurspanne kan doen om 'n effektiewe dissiplinebeleid in plek kan stel ten einde die gedrag van die leerders te verbeter, ondersoek. Die studie het bevind dat die skole dissiplinebeleide aangekoop het wat deur 'n eksterne maatskappy saamgestel is. Die opvoeders, ouers en leerders het geen aandeel in hierdie beleid nie en daarom neem hulle nie eienaarskap daarvan nie. Dit het ook aan die lig gekom dat die opvoeders verskillende metodes, sommige selfs onwettig, gebruik om leerders te straf. Hulle fokus op straf in plaas daarvan om die gedrag van die leerders te herstel. Die studie doen aanbevelings oor wat die skoolbestuurspan kan doen en gee riglyne vir die opstel van 'n effektiewe dissiplinebeleid. / The systemic test results shows that since 1994, discipline in schools and amongst learners has drastically deteriorated. Assaults on educators on a daily basis reach the news, which leaves a bad image to the world on the state of education in South Africa. This study investigates the role that school management teams can play to put an effective discipline policy in place to improve the behaviour of learners. The study found that schools have acquired policies on school discipline that were developed by an external company. Educators, learners and parents were not involved in the development thereof and for this reason they do not take ownership of it. It has come to light that educators use different methods, sometimes even unethical and illegal, to discipline learners. They focus on discipline (punitive) instead of trying to correct the behaviour of the learner (remedial). The study gives recommendations on what school management teams can do with guidelines on how to develop an effective discipline policy. / Iziphumo zibonisa ukuba ukususela ngo-1994 ukuqeqeshwa ezikolweni kwaye abafundi baye bahlaselwa kakhulu. Ukuhlaselwa kootitshala kwimihla ngemihla kufikelela kwiindaba ezishiya umfanekiso ombi kwihlabathi kwimfundo eMzantsi Afrika.Olu pho nonongo luphanda iqela lokulawula isikolo lingalidlala ukubeka umgaqo-nkqubo osebenzayo wokuphucula ukuziphatha kwabafundi. Olu pho nonongo luye lwabonisa ukuba izikolo zifumene imigaqo-nkqubo yokuqeqeshwa kwesikolo eyenziwe yinkampani yangaphandle. Ootitshala, abafundi nabazali abazange bathathe inxaxheba ekuphuhlisweni kwayo ngenxa yeso sizathu abakhange bawuthathe ubunini bayo. Kwaye kwacaca ukuba ootitshala basebenzisa iindlela ezihlukeneyo, ngamanye amaxesha nangona zingekho mthethweni, ekuqeqeshweni labafundi. Zijolise ekuqeqesheni (isigwebo) endaweni yokuzama ukulungisa ukuziphatha komfundi (ukulungiswa).Uphononongo unikeza iingcomo malunga naziphi iikomiti zolawulo lwesikolo ezinokukwenza nezikhokelo malunga nokuphuhlisa umgaqo-nkqubo osebenzayo. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

Protective, as well as punitive legal measures applicable to education, are embedded in various acts. Despite these legal measures, incidences of educator misconduct occur at schools and often go unpunished. The implied situation, namely that the legal measures are not applied correctly, as well as the effect that educator misconduct has on educator security, is a cause for concern. This study is embedded in Education Law as the subject area and aimed to determine the effect of educator misconduct on educator security. Factors contributing to the phenomenon of non-punishment of educator misconduct were also investigated and determined. By utilising a qualitative research design and participants from a specific geographical area, a variety of findings have been made. The most important finding is that particular instances of educator misconduct has a detrimental effect on educator security which manifests on the physical as well as psychological levels of the participants in this study. Educator misconduct not only impacts educator security, but may also lead to a dysfunctional equilibrium, rendering schools ineffective. Some reasons for not applying legal measures include an unacceptably low standard of legal knowledge among employees, union involvement, ubuntu and the tribal hierarchy system. These reasons have, however, been found to be perfunctory. The deep-seated reason can be attributed to the quest for modernisation. Not all societies have fully modernised and rural societies, in particular, are still trapped in a transition period. The expectancy levels for service delivery and professionalism in these societies are low, thus contributing to educators‟ misconduct and unprofessional behaviour. / MEd (Education Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Protective, as well as punitive legal measures applicable to education, are embedded in various acts. Despite these legal measures, incidences of educator misconduct occur at schools and often go unpunished. The implied situation, namely that the legal measures are not applied correctly, as well as the effect that educator misconduct has on educator security, is a cause for concern. This study is embedded in Education Law as the subject area and aimed to determine the effect of educator misconduct on educator security. Factors contributing to the phenomenon of non-punishment of educator misconduct were also investigated and determined. By utilising a qualitative research design and participants from a specific geographical area, a variety of findings have been made. The most important finding is that particular instances of educator misconduct has a detrimental effect on educator security which manifests on the physical as well as psychological levels of the participants in this study. Educator misconduct not only impacts educator security, but may also lead to a dysfunctional equilibrium, rendering schools ineffective. Some reasons for not applying legal measures include an unacceptably low standard of legal knowledge among employees, union involvement, ubuntu and the tribal hierarchy system. These reasons have, however, been found to be perfunctory. The deep-seated reason can be attributed to the quest for modernisation. Not all societies have fully modernised and rural societies, in particular, are still trapped in a transition period. The expectancy levels for service delivery and professionalism in these societies are low, thus contributing to educators‟ misconduct and unprofessional behaviour. / MEd (Education Law), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Text in Afrikaans / Uit 'n literatuurstudie en empiriese ondersoek wat onderneem is, blyk dit dat 15-40% van alle adolessente subkliniese depressie ervaar. Veranderinge en toenemende druk en eise eie aan die adolessente-fase, bring by baie adolessente depressiewe gevoelens mee. Ten spyte van hierdie omstandighede is daar egter ook baie adolessente wat hierdie fase van ontwikkeling sonder enige noemenswaardige probleme deurloop. Aaron Beck is van mening dat dit nie die omstandighede opsigself is wat tot depressie aanleiding gee nie, maar wel die betekenis wat individue aan omstandighede gee. Beck noem dat depressiewe persone tot irrasionele oortuigings, foutiewe inligting-prosessering en disfunksionele outomatiese gedagtes geneig is. Om hierdie probleem aan te spreek is ses adolessente, wat subkliniese depressie ervaar, aan Beck se kognitiewe terapie onderwerp. Die primere doel van Beck se terapie is die regstelling van bogenoemde disfunksionele kognisies. Die gevolgtrekking is dat wanneer adolessente wat subkliniese depressie ervaar, se disfunksionele kognisies reggestel word, hulle depressiewe gevoelens opgehef word. / From a literature study and empirical research which was undertaken, it seems that 15-40% of all adolescents experience subclinical depression. Changes and increasing pressure and demands, typical of the adolescent phase, causes many adolescents to experience depressing emotions. In spite of these circumstances there are also many adolescents who go through this phase in development without any significant problems. Aaron Beck is of opinion that it is not the circumstances in and of itself that lead to depression but rather the meaning that individuals attached to these circumstances. Beck mentions that depressive people are inclined to irrational beliefs, erroneous information-processing and dysfunctional automatic thoughts. To address this problem, six adolescents who experience subclinical depression, were subjected to Beck's cognitive therapy. The primary target of Beck's therapy is the correction of above mentioned dysfunctional cognitions. The conclusion is that when the dysfunctional cognitions of adolescents who experience subclinical depression can be corrected, their depressive feelings will diminish. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Text in Afrikaans / Uit 'n literatuurstudie en empiriese ondersoek wat onderneem is, blyk dit dat 15-40% van alle adolessente subkliniese depressie ervaar. Veranderinge en toenemende druk en eise eie aan die adolessente-fase, bring by baie adolessente depressiewe gevoelens mee. Ten spyte van hierdie omstandighede is daar egter ook baie adolessente wat hierdie fase van ontwikkeling sonder enige noemenswaardige probleme deurloop. Aaron Beck is van mening dat dit nie die omstandighede opsigself is wat tot depressie aanleiding gee nie, maar wel die betekenis wat individue aan omstandighede gee. Beck noem dat depressiewe persone tot irrasionele oortuigings, foutiewe inligting-prosessering en disfunksionele outomatiese gedagtes geneig is. Om hierdie probleem aan te spreek is ses adolessente, wat subkliniese depressie ervaar, aan Beck se kognitiewe terapie onderwerp. Die primere doel van Beck se terapie is die regstelling van bogenoemde disfunksionele kognisies. Die gevolgtrekking is dat wanneer adolessente wat subkliniese depressie ervaar, se disfunksionele kognisies reggestel word, hulle depressiewe gevoelens opgehef word. / From a literature study and empirical research which was undertaken, it seems that 15-40% of all adolescents experience subclinical depression. Changes and increasing pressure and demands, typical of the adolescent phase, causes many adolescents to experience depressing emotions. In spite of these circumstances there are also many adolescents who go through this phase in development without any significant problems. Aaron Beck is of opinion that it is not the circumstances in and of itself that lead to depression but rather the meaning that individuals attached to these circumstances. Beck mentions that depressive people are inclined to irrational beliefs, erroneous information-processing and dysfunctional automatic thoughts. To address this problem, six adolescents who experience subclinical depression, were subjected to Beck's cognitive therapy. The primary target of Beck's therapy is the correction of above mentioned dysfunctional cognitions. The conclusion is that when the dysfunctional cognitions of adolescents who experience subclinical depression can be corrected, their depressive feelings will diminish. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Voorligting)