The aim of this study was to examine the management of parent involvement in multicultural schools in the Umlazi District, Kwa-Zulu Natal. A literature study investigated existing programmes and models of parent involvement, multicultural education in South Africa, legislation pertaining to parent involvement in South Africa and the advantages of and barriers to parent involvement. In addition, the role of school management in managing parent involvement was reviewed. A qualitative investigation of parent involvement in three secondary multicultural schools in Umlazi was conducted. The opinions and experiences of thirty three participants were obtained via focus group interviews. Major findings included: all parents, irrespective of race or culture have an interest in their child's education All parents require guidance and support in parenting skills and also school managers lack understanding with regard to their role in managing parent involvement. The study concludes with recommendations to improve the management of parent involvement in multicultural schools. / Educational Studies / M.Ed.(Education Management)

Includes bibliographical references (leaves 130-136) / The study focuses on the impact of the Boko Haram Muslim terrorist group on the socioeconomic well‐being and livelihood of the population in the north‐east of Nigeria. To research the social, economic, religious and political impact of attacks leading to the disruption of people in the north‐east who fled their homes for the safety of southern refugee camps, the study relies on three research questions to be answered, namely: Does the Boko Haram terrorist group pose a threat to the socio‐economic well‐being of people in north‐eastern Nigeria? How have Boko Haram terrorist attacks impacted on the livelihood of the population? What is a viable solution or intervention strategy to deal with the impact of and fight against terrorism in Nigeria in particular? The study adopts an in‐depth qualitative methodology. Different related research techniques are used in data collection and analysis. Focus group discussions, in‐depth interviews and documentary sources have different complementary strengths, which are more comprehensive when used together. Questionnaires will guide the discussions with groups of internally displaced people, who are the units of analysis. Data is gathered through snowball sampling of willing, available respondents to understand and explain their personal views and experiences, creating the meanings they have constructed around their disrupted livelihoods and well‐being in refugee camps. An overarching, broad conflict perspective is chosen, related to Dahrendorf’s views on power struggles of dominant interest groups, authority, inequality and marginalisation of opponents, which also includes complementary concepts of religiously inspired fundamentalist theory focusing on indoctrination, dominance, manipulation and marginalisation of interest groups. This broad conflict perspective will investigate the social, economic, political and religious impacts of Boko Haram in Nigeria. The findings indicate that the Boko Haram attacks had a negative effect on the livelihood of citizens and displaced persons in refugee camps, as well as on the social cohesion and development of the north‐eastern Nigerian state. Conflict resolution and intervention strategies will be implemented to curb the violence. Societal transformation is recommended for infrastructural development and job creation to solve poverty and gainfully cater for educated, unemployed youths, now recruited into the ranks of the Boko Haram Muslim sect. / Sociology / M.A. (Sociology)

The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of Environmental Education in learners with regard to unacceptable waste dumping which causes land degradation in Mkhondo village. Large parts of the Mkhondo area, including the informal settlement, the location and the local school, are very untidy due to littering by the residents and learners. The situation is contrary to the objectives of the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD). The study was focused on the impact that Environmental Education as an extracurricular activity would have on the students in reducing or eradicating littering. Data was collected through focus group interviews with the learners and the parents as well as observations. The study revealed that learners showed no concern about the negative impact of disposing of litter inappropriately even after the extra-mural activities on Environmental Education, which indicated that they were not concerned about the environment at school as well as at home. The initiative of Environmental Education was implemented in a short period, hence learners were not yet fully acquainted with the responsibility of taking care of the environment and alleviating littering on the school premises. I therefore recommend that educational campaigns on appropriate solid waste disposal should be initiated in the school and in the community. Further studies should be conducted on how Environmental Education can be integrated in the curriculum as an examinable subject. / Environmental Sciences / M. Ed. (Environmental Education)

Au Canada, les enfants autochtones sont surreprésentés dans les services de protection de l’enfance ainsi que dans les différents types de placement. En ce sens, le but de ce projet était de mieux comprendre la pratique des intervenants oeuvrant en centre jeunesse relativement aux décisions de compromission, de retrait du milieu familial et de placement (interethnique ou culturellement jumelé) des jeunes Autochtones. Les objectifs spécifiques qui découlaient de cet objectif général étaient au nombre de trois : 1. explorer, à travers le point de vue des intervenants oeuvrant à l’étape de l’évaluation/orientation, le processus de prise de décision en ce qui a trait à la compromission, ou non, de la sécurité ou du développement des jeunes autochtones; 2. explorer, à travers le point de vue des intervenants oeuvrant à l’étape de l’évaluation/orientation et de l’application des mesures (prise en charge), le processus de prise de décision en lien au retrait des jeunes autochtones de leur milieu familial et à leur orientation vers un placement en ressource de type familial (RTF) interethnique ou culturellement jumelé; 3. comprendre quels sont les facteurs qui influencent la prise de décision des intervenants dans les différentes étapes du processus de signalement et de prise en charge par rapport au placement des jeunes autochtones. Pour mener à bien ce projet, l’étudiante-chercheure a réalisé une première vague de cueillette de données, soit sept groupes de discussion composés d’intervenantes oeuvrant au sein d’un centre jeunesse situé en zone périphérique des grands centres et desservant plusieurs communautés autochtones. Puis, à partir des éléments ayant émergé de ce matériau, a procédé à une seconde vague, composée cette fois de seize entretiens individuels menés également auprès d’intervenantes oeuvrant à ce même centre jeunesse. La méthodologie utilisée était la théorisation ancrée, ce qui est cohérent avec le cadre théorique (ou concepts sensibilisateurs) utilisé, qui réfère pour sa part à l’interactionnisme symbolique (Blumer, 1969) de même qu’à la pratique réflexive et la construction des savoirs (Schön, 1994; Racine, 1995). Les résultats obtenus de ces deux phases ont permis de faire ressortir que le processus des intervenantes en ce qui concerne les décisions de compromission, de retrait et de placement des jeunes autochtones est hautement subjectif, dynamique et systémique. Il réfère aux caractéristiques intrinsèques des intervenantes (le Soi et le Savoir), à travers lesquels elles portent en fait un regard sur une multitude de contraintes (l’Autre et le Résultat des processus antérieurs et à venir) et parmi lesquelles on note, entre autres, le contexte de vie particulier des communautés autochtones, les caractéristiques liées aux dossiers des jeunes, les partenaires légaux, etc. Aussi, au fil de leurs interactions avec les contextes, les choses et les différents « autruis » auprès desquels elles oeuvrent ou avec qui elles collaborent (interactionnisme symbolique), de même qu’au gré des savoirs construits (Schön, 1994; Racine, 1995) qu’elles développent à mesure qu’elles gagnent en expérience, les intervenantes en sont venues à développer une façon particulière de prendre leurs décisions, façon qui, en fait, découle de pratiques silencieuses qui, ultimement, leur permettent de maintenir un certain équilibre au sein d’un système de protection peu adapté à la clientèle autochtone. À cet égard, plusieurs recommandations ont été formulées, dont des recommandations pour les centres jeunesse, ceci dans le but de favoriser une pratique qui soit davantage adaptée aux jeunes Autochtones vivant des situations de compromission, de retrait et de placement ainsi qu’à leur famille. / In Canada, Aboriginal children are over-represented in child welfare services as well as in different types of substitute care. In this sense, the goal of this project was the better understand the practice of child protection services workers in relation to decisions of compromise, family withdrawal from the family and placement (inter-ethnic or culturally matched) of Aboriginal youth. The specific objectives which flowed from this general objective were three in number: 1. explore, through the point of view of stakeholders working at the assessment/orientation stage, the decision-making process with regard to the compromise, or not, of the security or development of Aboriginal youth; 2. explore, through the point of view of stakeholders working at the assessment/orientation stage and application of measures stage, the decision-making process related to the withdrawal of Aboriginal youth from their family and their orientation towards an inter-ethnic or culturally matched foster family; 3. understand what are the factors which influence the decision-making of the interveners in the different stages of the process of reporting and application of measures in relation to the placement of Aboriginal youth. To carry out this project, the student-researcher carried out a first wave of data collection (seven focus groups made up of woman workers working in a child protection services located on the outskirts of major centres and providing services to several Aboriginal communities). Then, based on the elements that emerged from this material, a second wave proceeded, this time made up of sixteen one-on-one interviews, also carried out with workers working at the same child protection service. The methodology used is grounded theory, which is consistent with the theoretical framework (or sensitizing concepts) used, which refers to symbolic interactionism (Blumer, 1969) as well as reflective practice and the construction of knowledge (Schön, 1994; Racine, 1995). The results obtained from these two phases have shown that the workers’ process has to the decisions concerning the situation of endangerment, withdrawal and placement of Aboriginal youth is highly subjective, dynamic and systemic. It refers to the intrinsic characteristics of the workers (the Self and Knowledge), through which they actually examine a multitude of constraints (the Other and the Result of past and future processes) and among which we note, among other things, the particular life context of Aboriginal communities, characteristics related to youth files, legal partners, etc. Also, throughout their interactions with contexts, things and different “others” with whom they work or with whom they collaborate (symbolic interactionism), as well as the knowledge they build (Schön, 1994; Racine, 1995) that they develop as they gain experience, they have come to develop a particular way of making their decisions, a way that, in fact, stems from silent practices that, ultimately, allow them to maintain a certain balance within a protection system that is unsuitable for Aboriginal clients. In this regard, a number of recommendations were made, including recommendations for youth centres, with a view to promoting a practice that is more adapted to Aboriginal youth in endangered situations, withdrawal and placement and to their families.

Summaries in German, English and Zulu / Text in German / Die praktisch-theologische Studie untersucht spirituelle Bedürfnisse von ambulanten Palliativpatienten. Dazu wurden Fokusgruppendiskussionen mit Teams aus der ambulanten Palliativversorgung in Nordhessen durchgeführt und diese nach ihren Erfahrungen und Beobachtungen gefragt. Theoretische Grundlagen zur Spiritualität im Kontext der Palliativversorgung bilden den Rahmen zur Auswertung der empirischen Masterarbeit mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Der Befund zeigt, dass das Erkennen von spirituellen Bedürfnissen bei Patienten die Teammitglieder mehrheitlich vor Herausforderungen stellt und multiple Verunsicherung sowie Probleme im Umgang bestehen. Außerdem prägen persönliche Überzeugungen ihre Wahrnehmung maßgeblich. Die beobachtete Spiritualität ist überwiegend kirchlich geprägt und beruht auf christlichen Elementen wie Gebete, Glauben oder Begleitung durch PfarrerInnen. Teammitglieder sprechen zudem Begegnungen, „Dasein“ und (Kirchen)Musik eine spirituelle Dimension zu. Es gibt auch Patienten, die keine spirituellen Bedürfnisse haben oder derartiges ablehnen. Die Praktische Theologie könnte zukünftig als bedürfnisorientierte Kompetenzgeberin dienen, damit Mitarbeitende aus dem Gesundheitssystem befähigt werden, spirituelle Bedürfnisse ihrer Patienten wahrzunehmen, zu reflektieren und ihnen angemessen zu begegnen. / This practical theological study examined the spiritual needs of outpatient palliative care patients. Focus group discussions were conducted with outpatient palliative care teams. They were asked about their experiences and observations. Theoretical foundations of spirituality and palliative care formed the framework for the evaluation of empirical research by using qualitative content analysis. Findings show that recognition of spiritual needs in patients poses a challenge to the majority of team members, as well as insecurities and problems in dealing with them. The observed spirituality is predominantly ecclesiastical and based on Christian elements such as prayers, faith and accompaniment by pastors. Team members address encounters, "being" and music as spiritual dimensions. There are also patients who have no spiritual needs. In future, practical theology could serve as a needs-based provision of competences, so that employees of health systems can be empowered to perceive, reflect on and adequately respond to the spiritual needs of their patients. / Boithuto jwa thutobomodimo bo tlhatlhobile ditlhokwa tsa semoya tsa balwetse ba tlhokomelo ya malwetse a bofelelo ya kalafo ya balwetse ba kwa ntle. Dipuisano tsa setlhopha tsa tsepamo di ne tsa dirwa ka ditlhopha tsa tlhokomelo ya malwetse a bofelelo a kalafo ya balwetse ba kwa ntle. Ba ne ba bodiwa ka maitemogelo le ditemogo tsa bona. Metheo ya thutobomodimo le tlhokomelo ya malwetse a bofelelo di bopile letlhomeso la tlhotlhwafatso ya patlisiso ya mmatota ka go dirisa tshetshereganyo ya diteng tsa boleng. Dipatlisiso di bontsha fa kamogelo ya ditlhokwa tsa semoya mo balwetseng e tlisa kgwetlho mo bontsing jwa ditokololo tsa setlhopha, ga mmogo le go sa itshepeng go gontsi le mathata a go samagama le tsona. Bosemoya jo bo bonwang bontsi ke jwa sekeresete, mme bo ikaegile ka dielemente tsa Bokeresete jaaka dithapelo, tumelo le tshwaragano le baruti. Ditokololo tsa setlhopha di bua ka ga dikgolagano, "go nna" le mmino jaaka ditekanyo tsa semoya. Gape go na le balwetse ba ba se nang ditlhokwa tsa semoya. Mo bokamosong, thutobomodimo ya tiriso e ka dira jaaka kabelo e e ikaegileng ka ditlhokwa tsa dikgono, gore bathapi ba dithulaganyo tsa boitekanelo ba maatlafadiwe go lemoga, go supa tshwano le go tsibogela ditlhokwa tsa semoya tsa balwetse ba bona. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

This thesis considers two questions, "How children aged 12 to 15 years rethinking of biblical texts? And how can using the Philosophy for Children stimulate thinking about faith of children aged 12 to 15 years?" To answer these questions, I chose the qualitative research, which consisted in various discussions in selected focus groups. This dialogue was guided by the principles of philosophy for children. The theoretical part of my thesis deals with the definition of important concepts, such as religious education, catechesis from the perspective of various documents of the Church and other educational programs, and specifying the key differences between these two concepts, define the structure and principles of philosophy for children, but also the historical development of this program. The practical part deals with the qualitative research in focus groups. This research includes discussion of selected focus groups, where individual statements are encoded and then included in the table of frequencies. According to these tables discussions is evaluated in terms of statements frequencies. Subsequently the content of discussions is also evaluated. The codes are divided into categories from which discussions are evaluated in the final summary with answers to the key questions.

Text in German, with German, English and Southern Sotho summaries / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 149-153) / Die praktisch-theologische Studie untersucht spirituelle Bedürfnisse von ambulanten Palliativpatienten. Dazu wurden Fokusgruppendiskussionen mit Teams aus der ambulanten Palliativversorgung in Nordhessen durchgeführt und diese nach ihren Erfahrungen und Beobachtungen gefragt. Theoretische Grundlagen zur Spiritualität im Kontext der Palliativversorgung bilden den Rahmen zur Auswertung der empirischen Masterarbeit mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse. Der Befund zeigt, dass das Erkennen von spirituellen Bedürfnissen bei Patienten die Teammitglieder mehrheitlich vor Herausforderungen stellt und multiple Verunsicherung sowie Probleme im Umgang bestehen. Außerdem prägen persönliche Überzeugungen ihre Wahrnehmung maßgeblich. Die beobachtete Spiritualität ist überwiegend kirchlich geprägt und beruht auf christlichen Elementen wie Gebete, Glauben oder Begleitung durch PfarrerInnen. Teammitglieder sprechen zudem Begegnungen, „Dasein“ und (Kirchen)Musik eine spirituelle Dimension zu. Es gibt auch Patienten, die keine spirituellen Bedürfnisse haben oder derartiges ablehnen. Die Praktische Theologie könnte zukünftig als bedürfnisorientierte Kompetenzgeberin dienen, damit Mitarbeitende aus dem Gesundheitssystem befähigt werden, spirituelle Bedürfnisse ihrer Patienten wahrzunehmen, zu reflektieren und ihnen angemessen zu begegnen. / This practical theological study examined the spiritual needs of outpatient palliative care patients. Focus group discussions were conducted with outpatient palliative care teams. They were asked about their experiences and observations. Theoretical foundations of spirituality and palliative care formed the framework for the evaluation of empirical research by using qualitative content analysis. Findings show that recognition of spiritual needs in patients poses a challenge to the majority of team members, as well as insecurities and problems in dealing with them. The observed spirituality is predominantly ecclesiastical and based on Christian elements such as prayers, faith and accompaniment by pastors. Team members address encounters, "being" and music as spiritual dimensions. There are also patients who have no spiritual needs. In future, practical theology could serve as a needs-based provision of competences, so that employees of health systems can be empowered to perceive, reflect on and adequately respond to the spiritual needs of their patients. / Boithuto jwa thutobomodimo bo tlhatlhobile ditlhokwa tsa semoya tsa balwetse ba tlhokomelo ya malwetse a bofelelo ya kalafo ya balwetse ba kwa ntle. Dipuisano tsa setlhopha tsa tsepamo di ne tsa dirwa ka ditlhopha tsa tlhokomelo ya malwetse a bofelelo a kalafo ya balwetse ba kwa ntle. Ba ne ba bodiwa ka maitemogelo le ditemogo tsa bona. Metheo ya thutobomodimo le tlhokomelo ya malwetse a bofelelo di bopile letlhomeso la tlhotlhwafatso ya patlisiso ya mmatota ka go dirisa tshetshereganyo ya diteng tsa boleng. Dipatlisiso di bontsha fa kamogelo ya ditlhokwa tsa semoya mo balwetseng e tlisa kgwetlho mo bontsing jwa ditokololo tsa setlhopha, ga mmogo le go sa itshepeng go gontsi le mathata a go samagama le tsona. Bosemoya jo bo bonwang bontsi ke jwa sekeresete, mme bo ikaegile ka dielemente tsa Bokeresete jaaka dithapelo, tumelo le tshwaragano le baruti. Ditokololo tsa setlhopha di bua ka ga dikgolagano, "go nna" le mmino jaaka ditekanyo tsa semoya. Gape go na le balwetse ba ba se nang ditlhokwa tsa semoya. / Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theology / M. Th. (Practical Theology)

Background InVietnam, the proportion of people aged 60 and above has increased rapidly in recent decades. The majority live in rural areas where socioeconomic status is more disadvantaged than in urban areas.Vietnam’s economic status is improving but disparities in income and living conditions are widening between groups and regions. A consistent and emerging danger of communicable diseases and an increase of non-communicable diseases exist concurrently. The emigration of young people and the impact of other socioeconomic changes leave more elderly on their own and with less family support. Introduction of user fees and development of a private sector improve the coverage and quality of health care but increase household health expenditures and inequalities in health care. Life expectancy at birth has increased, but not much is known about changes during old age. There is a lack of evidence, particularly in rural settings, about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older people within the context of socioeconomic changes and health-sector reform. Knowledge of long-term elderly care needs in the community and the relevant models are still limited. To provide evidence for developing new policies and models of care, this thesis aimed to assess general health status, health care needs, and perspectives on future health care options for community-dwelling older people. Methods An abridged life table was used to estimate cohort life expectancies at old age from longitudinal data collected by FilaBavi DSS during 1999-2006. This covered 7,668 people aged 60 and above with 43,272 person-years. A 2007 cross-sectional survey was conducted among people aged 60 and over living in 2,240 households that were randomly selected from the FilaBavi DSS. Interviews used a structured questionnaire to assess HRQoL, daily care needs, and willingness to use and to pay for models of care. Participant and household socioeconomic characteristics were extracted from the 2007 DSS re-census. Differences in life expectancy are examined by socioeconomic factors. The EQ-5D index is calculated based on the time trade-off tariff. Distributions of study subjects by study variables are described with 95% confidence intervals. Multivariate analyses are performed to identify socioeconomic determinants of HRQoL, need of support, ADL index, and willingness to use and pay for models of care. In addition, four focus group discussions with the elderly, their household members, and community association representatives were conducted to explore perspectives on the use of services by applying content analysis. Results Life expectancy at age 60 increased by approximately one year from 1999-2002 to 2003-2006, but tended to decrease in the most vulnerable groups. There is a wide gap in life expectancy by poverty status and living arrangement. The sex gap in life expectancy is consistent across all socioeconomic groups and is wider among the more disadvantaged populations.  The EQ-5D index at old age is 0.876. Younger age groups, position as household head, working, literacy, and belonging to better wealth quintiles are determinants of higher HRQoL. Ageing has a primary influence on HRQoL that is mainly due to reduction in physical (rather than mental) functions. Being a household head and working at old age are advantageous for attaining better HRQoL in physical rather than psychological terms. Economic conditions affect HRQoL through sensory rather than physical functions. Long-term living conditions are more likely to affect HRQoL than short-term economic conditions. Dependence in instrumental or intellectual activities of daily living (ADLs) is more common than in basic ADLs. People who need complete help are fewer than those who need some help in almost all ADLs. Over two-fifths of people who needed help received enough support in all ADL dimensions. Children and grand-children are confirmed to be the main caregivers. Presence of chronic illness, age groups, sex, educational level, marital status, household membership, working status, household size, living arrangement, residential area, household wealth, and poverty status are determinants of the need for care. Use of mobile teams is the most requested service; the fewest respondents intend to use a nursing centre. Households expect to use services for their elderly to a greater extent than did the elderly themselves. Willingness to use services decreases when potential fees increase. The proportion of respondents who require free services is 2 to 3 times higher than those willing to pay full cost. Households are willing to pay more for day care and nursing centres than are the elderly. The elderly are more willing to pay for mobile teams than are their households. ADL index, age group, sex, literacy, marital status, living arrangement, head of household status, living area, working status, poverty and household wealth are factors related to willingness to use services.   Conclusions                                                                                         There is a trend of increasing life expectancy at older ages in ruralVietnam. Inequalities in life expectancy exist between socioeconomic groups. HRQoL at old age is at a high level, but varies substantially according to socioeconomic factors. An unmet need of daily care for older people remains. Family is the main source of support for care. Need for care is in more demand among disadvantaged groups.  Development of a social network for community-based long-term elderly care is needed. The network should focus on instrumental and intellectual ADLs rather than basic ADLs. Home-based care is more essential than institutionalized care. Community-based elderly care will be used and partly paid for if it is provided by the government or associations. The determinants of elderly health and care needs should be addressed by appropriate social and health policies with greater targeting of the poorest and most disadvantaged groups. Building capacity for health professionals and informal caregivers, as well as support for the most vulnerable elderly groups, is essential for providing and assessing the services. / Aging and Living Conditions Program / Vietnam-Sweden Collaborative Program in Health, SIDA/Sarec

No / Aims and objectives To (1) investigate the organisation, provision and practice of oral care in typical UK stroke units; (2) explore stroke survivors', carers' and healthcare professionals' experiences and perceptions about the barriers and facilitators to receiving and undertaking oral care in stroke units. Cerebrovascular disease and oral health are major global health concerns. Little is known about the provision, challenges and practice of oral care in the stroke unit setting, and there are currently no evidence-based practice guidelines. Design Cross-sectional survey of 11 stroke units across Greater Manchester and descriptive qualitative study using focus groups and semi-structured interviews. Methods A self-report questionnaire was used to survey 11 stroke units in Greater Manchester. Data were then collected through two focus groups (n = 10) with healthcare professionals and five semi-structured interviews with stroke survivors and carers. Focus group and interview data were recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using framework approach. Results Eleven stroke units in Greater Manchester responded to the survey. Stroke survivors and carers identified a lack of oral care practice and enablement by healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals identified a lack of formal training to conduct oral care for stroke patients, inconsistency in the delivery of oral care and no set protocols or use of formal oral assessment tools. Conclusion Oral care post-stroke could be improved by increasing healthcare professionals' awareness, understanding and knowledge of the potential health benefits of oral care post-stroke. Further research is required to develop and evaluate the provision of oral care in stroke care to inform evidence-based education and practice.