M.Tech. (Construction Management) / Focusing on the dilapidated state of public schools infrastructure in the Gauteng Province of South Africa, this study presents findings on the current state of public schools infrastructure, why public schools infrastructure is in a dilapidated state, various factors which contribute to the dilapidated state of public schools infrastructure, an overview of measures which have been undertaken to improve the state of public schools infrastructure and subsequently proposes a multi stakeholder framework for the maintenance of public schools infrastructure. To achieve the objectives of the study, a detailed literature review of Botswana, Nigeria, United States of America and South Africa were compiled on public schools infrastructure. A set of multiple questionnaires were designed to collect data from 34 public schools in Gauteng Province of South Africa. The field survey comprised of Department of Education Officials, maintenance contractors, school governing body members, school Teachers, school principals and community members. There are multiple factors which when they occur lead to the dilapidation of public schools infrastructure. The primary factors include that maintenance works are undertaken in a disjointed manner with no clear strategy, inadequate government intervention, no sense of ownership for the schools by learners, teachers, parents and community members, inadequate funds allocated to schools, vandalism, lack of maintenance, funds not allocated based on individual school needs, neglect, deferred maintenance and overcrowding. The study is restricted to the Gauteng Province of South Africa. The selection of Gauteng as a case study has been mainly influenced by accessibility to the researcher and its high rate of overcrowding in schools which is also accompanied by high public schools infrastructure backlog. The findings of the research will be taken as representative for the entire country.The study provides a detailed comprehension on the various factors which contribute to the dilapidated state of public schools infrastructure and further proposes a multi stakeholder framework for the proper maintenance of public schools infrastructure.The study provides an understanding of the various factors so as to enhance maintenance of existing public schools infrastructure and the capability of the government to build new schools or extend the existing schools to meet the demand.

This research study examined whether the physical resources in rural secondary schools are adequate and are managed properly by the school principals, for quality education to be achieved in the Eastern Cape Province. The dramatic changes in South Africa recognized that the future depends on an education system which develops the full potential of all learners. Although the Constitution of South Africa is advocating for equal education for all, there are disparities which are evident in the quality of the infrastructure, especially in remote rural areas where the fundamental requirements for effective education are lacking such as, water, electricity, sanitation and basic educational equipment. This shows that, although policy and legislative frameworks for transforming the education system have been put in place, managing the change is still a key challenge especially that of physical resources. Management of physical resources illustrates the problems facing principals by pointing to the lack of basic facilities in many rural secondary schools. In terms of the provision and management, many challenges remain, like most schools do not have adequate physical facilities. School buildings such as classrooms are inadequate or unsafe with no toilets, libraries, laboratories and many learners and teachers do not have learner teaching support materials (LTSMs). On the other hand, in terms of the Constitution, the Department of Education is responsible for bringing redress, equality and to upholding the Constitutional values such as shared decision-making, transparency, shared accountability and empowerment for equal partnership with other stakeholders. The physical resource management is one of the major responsibilities of principals. Their leadership is largely about ensuring that a clear and shared sense of direction is developed for both leadership and management. The school viii system meant that schools have moved nearer to the communities they serve and this has led to schools being more accountable to their communities. This study further investigated whether there is a significant correlation between the management of physical resources and quality education as well as the eradication of poverty in the rural secondary schools of the ECP. The proper execution of the management tasks of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling (POLC) by the principals have contributed extensively to the success of the schools. Therefore, this will mean that the act of managing physical resources through POLC and the process of working with or through SGBs, teachers, parents, learners, EDOs and the community at large to achieve set goals of education of relevance, excellence and quality education by effectively and efficiently using the physical resources in a school climate and environment that is collegial. The study showed that there is a link between management tasks (POLC) and collegial style of leadership in the school. The literature reviewed supported the view that the invitational style of leadership and collegiality increase the potential of a school to manage its physical resources economically, efficiently and effectively, particularly in a climate where the resource handlers take ownership of the school especially in remote rural settings. The 255 out of 300 subjects (85%) chosen to participate in this study were selected on the basis of their accessibility. Convenience sampling was used to conduct the study as this ensured that the population represented stakeholders that manage physical resources at schools, such as deputy principals, head of departments and teachers. Questionnaires were distributed, completed and collected personally. The questionnaires were analyzed and gaps such as the effects of lack of physical resources and how the learners’ profile were affected were reinforced by individual and group interviews that were semi-structured as ix well as participant observations from principals at O.R Tambo, Chris Hani and Amathole District Municipalities were conducted. It was deduced from the statistical data presented that there is a significant correlation between the principals’ management tasks and the quality of education. This shows that the more the principals blend properly planning, organizing, leading and control management tasks the more the physical resources will be managed better, that is, effectively, efficiently, economically and transparently and the less the bringing together of management tasks the less the meaningful management of physical resources will be. The study supported the hypothesis that a combination of management tasks performed by the principals positively influences the proper management of physical resources in rural secondary schools of ECP. The study rejects both null hypotheses that there is no significant correlation between planning, organising, leading and controlling as leadership functions of PRs and the quality of education in rural secondary schools of ECP as well as, that principals of rural secondary schools are not expected to possess adequate leadership knowledge and skills to effectively manage available PRs in their rural secondary schools. This study affirms the view that adequate physical resources are crucial as well as the appropriate management skills of principals for high quality education to be achieved in rural secondary schools. Without adequate physical resources, proper handling of the limited physical resources and the possession of management skills by principals, rural schools are less likely to succeed in their efforts to improve education.

This is a study of the utilization of industrial arts personnel and equipment for school maintenance in Texas secondary schools.

It was the purpose of this study (1) to present the proposed plans for the music building at the Amos Alonzo Stagg High School, and (2) to show the growth in school population and interest in music which guided the planning of new music buildings over the past ten years (1945-1955) in Stockton that led up to the plans for this school’s music wing.

The aim of this thesis is to design a kindergarten in new, expanding district Sadová. To create space for preschool children but also a place which will support local community. This thesis is based on intergenerational support, specific needs of children and their space perception.

The main idea of the project is the ambition to create an ageless school design, which is able to react flexibly to the constantly evolving educational system and changing space requirements. Philosophy is based on the principle of "open school". School as an important public building has a great potential to act as a catalyst within the neighbourhood. On one hand, it is open to the public by the means of shared facilities (library, gymnasium, multipurpose hall, art classrooms, language labs…). But on the other hand, openness is also important within the school itself. School can be understood as a small community. And because every community needs a public space as a platform for common activities, the school may have its own in the form of a central atrium. It acts as a "piazza", where numerous diverse activities are allowed to happen. Proposal for a school organization is based on the ability of social integration, which is gradually formulated throughout the childhood.

Indoor air quality (IAQ) has a direct impact on our health, as more than half the air we inhale throughout our lifetimes is indoor air. With an increasing trend in dampness in modern buildings due to urban expansion into wetland environments and increased use of gypsum board in construction, hydrolysis in indoor surface films has been suggested to be an important chemical process in the indoor environment. Several synthetic esters (SEs) found in building materials, electronics, and consumer products may undergo hydrolysis to produce harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to which building occupants may be exposed. In this dissertation, the impact of hydrolysis on indoor air quality is explored by experiments on alkaline hydrolysis kinetics and ventilation, followed by simulations of VOC production from hydrolysis. Alkaline hydrolysis kinetics of four SEs, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (TMPD-MIB), butylparaben (BP), bis (2-ethylhexyl) adipate (DEHA), and butyl benzyl phthalate (BBzP), in bulk solutions are investigated in chapter 2. With concentration decay profiles following pseudo first-order kinetics, the second order-rate constants were determined from measured pH values. The determined rate constants of the aforementioned SEs are compared with those of respective ester categories (e.g., parabens, phthalates), and the steric/polar effects of the ester substituents are discussed in detail. The results of this study contributed to the completion of the indoor chemistry box model GAMMA-CIE which was used for simulation studies in chapter 4. Room-level ventilation measurements in educational spaces across different US regions (e.g., Northeastern, Southeastern, Western) are presented in chapter 3. In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, ventilation data on a room-by-room basis were critical in planning a safe reopening in schools and universities. Three major approaches to ventilation measurements are outlined in this chapter: direct flow measurement, controlled release, and passive/in-situ monitoring. The application of these approaches is presented in case studies across various educational institutions, showcasing their advantages and disadvantages. The frequently observed range of 0.5-5.5 ACH in this study is taken into account in simulation conditions in chapter 4. The predicted indoor generation of VOCs from alkaline hydrolysis of SEs occurring in surface aqueous films is discussed in chapter 4. Simulations were performed using GAMMA-CIE, which considers aqueous hydrolysis kinetics, interphase mass transport, and loss by ventilation. Three different scenarios were studied: (1) installation of PVC flooring on concrete; (2) coating of latex paint on concrete; and (3) uptake of airborne SEs by surface aqueous films. The simulation results suggested that: (1) the rate of hydrolysis of DEHA and DEHP from PVC flooring is not fast enough to generate high concentrations of 2-ethylhexanol observed during episodes of sick building syndrome (SBS); (2) fresh application of latex paint may cause acute exposure to 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol (TMPD); and (3) hydrolysis of SEs diffused from indoor air is unlikely to produce significant amounts of alcohols associated with SBS.

The School of Homeric Studies is thing apart; a numbered artifice of pieces, and this is a place apart: a place of song, a place of anger, a place of prayer. / Master of Architecture

The thesis is an exploration of architectural ideas. An exploration which is still ongoing. It is learning how the ideas are realized in terms of materiality and structure. It is how the ideas become the structural, visual language of the building. The thesis is also the study of the institution of school. It is how the school, through its architecture, becomes a place. A place to provide inspiration. / Master of Architecture

To create a place of repose through the balance of architectural and natural elements. Repose- peace or calm; harmony in the disposition of the parts, colors, etc. such as gives rest to the eye or ear. Balance- state of equipose as between weights different elements or opposing forces; equilibrium, steadiness, as in one’s emotional balance. / Master of Architecture