This research focuses on problems encountered by School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in executing their financial task in four schools situated in the Ramotse Area, Hammanskraal, north-east of the city of Tshwane. The research methodology, which was employed, can be described as qualitative, exploratory and descriptive by nature. Data was collected by means of two focus group interviews, one involving the chairpersons of SGBs and the other involving the managers of the same schools. An analysis of the data has revealed a number of financially related problems, which SGBs in the Ramotse Area experience, amongst other things that parents fail to meet their financial obligations and subsidies tend to arrive late. The most important recommendation made is that SGBs should be trained both better and more frequently. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of this research was to support new mothers in groups, so that they can function optimally as educators. During the research mothers with babies up to three months of age were used by means of a support group. This research project was done after it became evident from a literature study that new mothers suffered with unique problems during this adaption phase. In the empirical survey the researcher gave attention to the new mothers' specific needs and problems during this trimester. The researcher aimed to explore the experiences of the new mother as educator through weekly group sessions. From the results it was clear that there was a need of support from other mothers that is going through the same experiences. In this way new mothers could receive emotional support and obtain knowledge regarding relevant issues experienced during this unique life phase. / Educational Studies / M. Ed. (Guidance and Counselling)

No description available.

The research deals with the losses the 7-11 year old child in die single parent family may experience. The research has been conducted from a practical theological (pastoral) perspective. The goal of the study was to investigate and elaborate upon the various losses the child may experience on a physical, cognitive, social, spiritual and an emotional level. In order to complement and verify the literature study, empirical methods of research were utilised. Focus groups were conducted within the framework of Gestalt Play Therapy. Parent interviews were used as an additional method of research. It became apparent, as a result of the literature and empirical studies, that the loss of a parent (whether by divorce/ abandonment/unmarried status/ death) affects the child on all levels of his/her development. Guidelines for the support of such a child are suggested. / Die navorsing handel oor die verlies(e) wat die 7-11 jarige kind in die enkelouergesin mag beleef. Die navorsing geskied vanuit 'n prakties-teologiese (pastorale) perspektief. Die doel van die studie was om die verliese wat die kind op fisiese, kognitiewe, emosionele, sosiale en geestelike vlak mag ervaar, te ondersoek en omskryf. Om die literatuurstudie aan te vul en te verifieer, al dan nie, is daar van empiriese navorsing gebruik gemaak. Fokusgroepe het plaasgevind binne 'n gestalt spelterapeutiese raamwerk. Oueronderhoude was as nog 'n wyse van ondersoek gebruik. Vanuit die literatuurstudie en empiriese navorsing het dit duidelik geword dat die verlies aan 'n ouer (vanwee egskeiding/ verlating/ongetroude status/ sterfte) die kind op al die vlakke van sy/haar ontwikkeling beinvloed. Riglyne tot ondersteuning aan hierdie kind is voorgestel. / Social work / M.Diac. (Youth Work)

This study attempted to design and implement an intervention programme to improve the self-concepts and attitudes of prospective primary school teachers. The possible effects of the programme were researched by means of a combined quantitative and qualitative approach. A questionnaire to determine the effectiveness of the programme was also designed. Important findings of this study are that: (a) the Cronbach Alpha Coefficient indicated a 0,9 reliability of the designed questionnaire; (b) the average self-concepts of prospective teachers improved after the intervention programme was implemented, though not significantly and (c) the self-concepts of prospective teachers not majoring in Mathematics also improved after the intervention, though not significantly. A focus group interview was conducted to improve the intervention programme. On the basis of the responses of the participants in the focus group interview as well as of the quantitative study and of the literature reviewed, an improved version of the intervention programme was designed. According to the research, the programme should include: cooperative learning; everyday life contexts; manipulatives; hands-on activities, encouraging the asking of questions; a positive relationship between lecturer and student; writing assignments before doing a new topic; content relevance; a positive communication of assessment; games; various approaches to solving problems; understandable language; gender sensitivity and positive role modeling. The intervention programme implemented in this study was tested over a period of three months; hence the recommendation in this research for the replication thereof over a longer period. The study further recommends that since the study was conducted in one college of education only, there is a need for it to be conducted in a number of colleges, in order to elicit a broader and more representative picture of the impact of the intervention programme. The findings of this study advocate the need to combine both quantitative and qualitative research in studies: the results of the quantitative research did not conclusively indicate a positive impact of the intervention programme. However, the qualitative research saw respondents expressing improved confidence and attitudes. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Dissertation / This study explores the role of the principal in the management of parent involvement in secondary schools in Northern Province. A literature study investigated existing theories and models of parent involvement; parent involvement in the South African context and the provision of education in South Africa in historical perspective. It also investigated the managerial role of the principal in parent involvement. A qualitative investigation in three secondary schools in Northern Province was done. Data were gathered by means of participant observation in-depth interviews with principals and focus-group interviews with teachers and three parents on the school governing bodies. Analysed data revealed the following findings: principals lack knowledge on parent involvement and schools lack policies and organisational structures dealing with parent involvement as well as home-school relations. As a result of these findings, there is a need to equip principals with ways in which they can involve parents in their schools. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Educational Management)

Thesis / This research is mainly concerned with determining whether the existing evaluation methods/measurement instruments used in Business Management at Technikon SA, are still suitable, adequate and acceptable enough for continued use, or whether there is a need for the introduction of alternative methods. The first objective in this research was to determine what the exact role and function of evaluation in the education process is. On the basis of literature, it was determined that evaluation, and by implication measurement, is a crucial component of the education process and that no real teaching or learning can occur without it. Second, an attempt was made to determine what the nature and extent of the shortcomings of the existing measurement instruments were. Also on the basis of literature it was found that there are numerous and serious disadvantages in the existing measurement instruments. Third, the researcher also attempted to determine whether any other (alternative) measurement instruments, in addition to the existing ones, were available. It was discovered that there are a variety of alternative evaluation/measurement instruments available. Fourth, the measurement instruments used in Business Management were analysed and compared to the Business Management curriculum objectives to determine whether they were indeed suitable for the subject. It was found that, although a positive correlation seems to exist between the measurement instruments and the curriculum objectives, there were certain definite shortcomings in the existing measurement instruments in terms of the realization of some of the curriculum objectives. Fifth, focus group interviews were used as a research method to get an understanding of the views of TSA learners on the aspect of evaluation and the methods/instruments currently used. Most of the participants expressed a need for more practical types of measurement/evaluation. However, many participants felt the written examination should not be abolished entirely, but be used in conjunction with other more practical methods. The research concluded with a number of recommendations based on the findings in this research. / Curriculum and Instructional Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

Text in English / In Swaziland, family nurse practitioners (FNPs) are professional nurses who have undergone preparation as general nurse, midwife and FNP. These nurses play an important role in the delivery of primary health care (PHC). Family nurse practice is an evolving concept introduced in Swaziland in 1979. It is a means of exploring nursing roles and primary health care services for deployment in under-served areas and to enable nurses to serve as the primary providers of health care services in clinics, health centres and in the outpatient departments of hospitals. Changing responsibilities within the health care setting require different skills and more knowledge. The expansion and extension of the nurses' role, including the techniques of diagnosing and treating, was a priority of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOH&SW) in Swaziland's five-year development plan for 1978-1983. It was regarded as a necessary component for raising the quality and effectiveness of PHC services. Some of the major and urgent challenges that confront FNPs today are the advent of the human immune virus/acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) scourge and the re-emergence of the tuberculosis epidemic. Both these health problems require proficient diagnosis and case management skills as well as new approaches. If FNPs are to remain relevant and to continue to provide quality services in spite of prevailing challenges, they have to engage in continuing education (CE). The main aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions of the FNP role, CE needs and issues relevant to the current practice of FNPs in Swaziland. A further aim was to establish a structure or framework for a CE programme that would contribute to the strengthening of CE for FNPs and identify enabling factors and barriers in the practice and education ofFNPs. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were used for data collection. A survey was conducted to collect data from 5 7 FNPs and 11 nurse managers and nurse educators. The transcript from the questionnaires was subjected to quantitative-based content analysis. A total of thirty nurse managers, nurse educators and MOH&SW nurse executives participated in the focus group interviews. The collected data was subjected to qualitativebased content analysis. The findings identified the role of the FNP as manager, clinical practitioner, educator and researcher. The analyses highlighted the CE needs of FNPs, and the question of updating and upgrading the skills of practising FNPs. The identified enabling factors and barriers, although perceived as issues that are peripheral and auxiliary to the curriculum, appeared to have a strong bearing on programme planning. The findings from this study have implications for a structured CE programme for FNPs at the University of Swaziland. / Health Studies / D. Litt et Phil. (Nursing Sciences)

This research study employs explorative and descriptive qualitative research conducted in a naturalistic environment to identify factors that drive children from their homes to the streets of Bulawayo city suburban in Zimbabwe. The research study answers the question: How do children`s experiences drive them from their homes and why do they decide to live on the streets of Bulawayo city centre? Literature search was conducted after data collection to confirm findings. Data collection was conducted at Thuthuka Street Children`s project where an increase in the number of registered street children has been observed. Purposive sample selection of street children was conducted. Selection criteria was based on the participant being registered with Thuthuka Street Children`s Project, for one year being on and off the streets and volunteer to participate. Ethical consideration such as fairness justice and honest were observed. Soundness to establish trustworthiness rather than validity, the following alternative constructs were applied, credibility, transferability, dependability, conformability and authenticity. Focus group discussions using a guide with open-ended questions were conducted to collect data from 12 street children, which was then analysed by coding into themes, notably forms of abuse such as emotional, physical, and sexual and neglect, poverty, deviant behaviour and future plans. Children went onto the streets because they suffered abuse, and/or wanted freedom without parental dominance and to acquire fast riches in the streets. Based on the conclusions, the research makes recommendations from the participants and the researcher to policymakers, non-governmental organisations, parents and social workers, to address this deep-seated problem. / Health Studies / M.A. (Public Health)

The present research seeks to analyze the conceptions about CTS (Science-Technology-Society) and about the teaching in this perspective, of graduates in Chemistry of an IES of the state of Sergipe (Institutions of Higher Education) of the private network (Association of Education and Culture Pio Tenth), relating such conceptions to relevant aspects of their initial formation. This IES is located in the city of Aracaju, located in the state of Sergipe.. The research was developed through a qualitative approach. For this, the data collection was divided in three moments. In the first collection, there was the analysis of the curricular matrix of the course of Degree in Chemistry offered by the IES. This analysis was not an in-depth analysis, since the objective of this stage was to analyze the existence or not of subjects that contemplate the CTS conceptions, as well as to analyze the philosophical line that this curricular matrix seeks to follow. Type of state of the art, that sought to select works that already exist in the academic environment that approach or resemble the subject of the research. In the second stage of the research, an investigative questionnaire was applied, consisting of two parts: the first one was the application of the Portuguese version abbreviated by Canavarro (1999) containing 14 questions from the VOSTS (Views on Science-Technology-Society) questionnaire. The second part of the questionnaire was composed of 06 open questions about C-T-S teaching and the initial training of subjects related to this teaching paradigm. In the third moment of the data collection, there was the application of a focal group with 06 of the 07 subjects of the research. For the analysis of the data collected through the VOSTS questionnaire, a categorization of the responses was chosen considering the categories that were established by Canavarro (1999) in his adapted version of the VOSTS questionnaire. For the analysis of the second stage of the questionnaire and the data collected through the focus group, we used the Discursive Textual Analysis, proposed by Moraes and Galiazzi (2011). The results obtained in the research allow to show that the CTS conceptions that the subjects possess, in their majority, are in agreement with the already defined categories in the literature as realistic and acceptable on Science and Technology and its influences in the Society. Therefore, the members of the research have CTS conceptions acceptable to their formation. / A presente pesquisa busca analisar as concepções sobre C-T-S (Ciência-Tecnologia-Sociedade) e sobre o ensino nessa perspectiva, de formandos em Química de uma IES do estado de Sergipe (Instituições de Ensino Superior) da rede privada (Associação de Ensino e Cultura Pio Décimo), relacionando tais concepções a aspectos relevantes de sua formação inicial. Esta IES encontra-se localizada na cidade de Aracaju, situada no estado de Sergipe. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida por meio de uma abordagem qualitativa. Para tal, a coleta de dados dividiu-se em três momentos. Na primeira coleta, houve a análise da matriz curricular do curso de Licenciatura em Química ofertado pela IES. Essa análise, não foi uma análise aprofundada, pois o objetivo desta etapa foi analisar a existência ou não de disciplinas que contemplam as concepções CTS, bem como analisar a linha filosófica que esta matriz curricular busca seguir, ainda nesta etapa, foi realizado uma pesquisa do tipo estado da arte, que buscou selecionar trabalhos que já existem no meio acadêmico que se aproximam ou assemelham-se ao tema objeto da pesquisa. Na segunda etapa da pesquisa houve aplicação de um questionário investigativo, composto por duas partes: a primeira constituiu-se na aplicação da versão portuguesa abreviada por Canavarro (1999) contendo 14 questões do questionário VOSTS (Views on Science-Technology-Society). A segunda parte do questionário compôs-se por 06 questões abertas sobre ensino de C-T-S e a formação inicial dos sujeitos relacionada a esse paradigma de ensino. No terceiro momento da coleta de dados, houve a aplicação de um grupo focal com 06 dentre os 07 sujeitos da pesquisa. Para a análise dos dados coletados por meio do questionário VOSTS, optou-se por uma categorização das respostas tendo em vista as categorias que foram estabelecidas por Canavarro (1999) em sua versão adaptada do questionário VOSTS. Para a análise da segunda etapa do questionário e dos dados coletados por meio do grupo focal, foi utilizada a Análise Textual Discursiva, proposta por Moraes e Galiazzi (2011). Os Resultados obtidos na pesquisa permitem evidenciar que as concepções CTS que os sujeitos possuem, em sua maioria, são consentâneas com as categorias já definidas na literatura como realistas e aceitáveis sobre Ciência e Tecnologia e suas influencias na Sociedade. Sendo assim, os integrantes da pesquisa possuem concepções CTS aceitáveis a sua formação.