Educational Studies / MED (EDUC MANAGEMENT)

The aim of this research is to establish the extent to which principals of schools in Gauteng are implementing co-operative school governance. The shift to co-operative governance is a result of new legislation, and in particular the South African Schools Act 84 of 1996, which aims at redressing the inequalities of past legislation. To determine the extent, to which principals are engaged in co-operative governance, a questionnaire was designed to elicit essential information as to how co-operative governance has been practically implemented. The research attempted to evaluate the commitment and dedication of principals to the process of shared decision-making; decentralisation and accountability; to engendering healthy relations with governors; to ensure that legislation is complied with as regards the composition of governing bodies; and to encourage governors to attend training. / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Education Management)

Rural education in South Africa, particularly within the black communities, has suffered neglect under Apartheid education policies. This has resulted in an array of problems which continue to beset the country's education system. The community, through its various institutions, has a major role to play in the whole education renewal process. The business sector is one such a community institution, which is directly affected by the quality of school education. Countries such as Britain and the U.S. provide excellent examples of close co-operation between business and schools in an effort to prepare pupils in accordance with the needs of the workplace. The qualitative study conducted in schools, within the Dzumeri community, showed that there is a dire need for business involvement with schools in order to address important areas of mutual concern. It is finally recommended that the government must formulate enabling policies, which will promote business education partnership activities and ensure proper coordination at all administrative levels / Educational Studies / M.Ed. (Comparative Education)

The aim of this study was to explore fathers’ role in supporting their children’s learning in selected urban primary schools in the East London Education District. Epstein parental involvement theory informed the study. The study was located in the interpretivist research paradigm and it qualitative in nature. It followed a case study research design. Participants were selected through the use of purposive sampling. A total of fifty two (52) participants were selected and these included school teachers, fathers and learners. Semi-structured interviews (for school teachers and fathers) and focus group interviews (for learners) were used in the four selected primary schools. The data was coded and thematic content analysis was used. The findings from the research indicated that fathers’ and teachers had a very limited understanding of fathers’ support in children’s learning. They generally thought that it was confined to activities done at school such as payment of school fees and levies, providing labour for the construction or renovation of school buildings and providing teaching/learning resources. Participants confirmed that the majority of fathers were too poor and with low education to be meaningfully involved in their children’s learning. However, there were a few fathers who believed that their socio-economic status did not prevent them from participating in their children’s learning. They actually indicated useful ways in which they could be involved. It was found that a minority group of fathers who were unemployed spent time helping their children in their learning whilst, those working worked long hours and had no time to help their children. Among the significant findings of the study was the fact that educated fathers were too involved in their children’s learning and even reserved time on weekend to be part of their children’s life and learning. The research also revealed that fathers and teachers had wrong perceptions about themselves and each other in connection with limited fathers’ support in their schools. The study recommends, among other issues, enhanced school/parent partnership with emphasis on the involvement of fathers in academic activities meant to improve their children’s learning.

Thesis (MTech (Education Management))--Peninsula Technikon, 2002 / In this thesis it is argued that attempts by teachers to 'simulate' middle class home based reading practices in working class schools is not effective in building a reading culture among young learners. The "mismatch' between learners' home and school cultures inhibits this. Instead, an understanding of the different ways in which learners construct their view of literacy through their interactions at school should be sought. This can be achieved through an analysis of a range of literate actions and interactions in the school context. As reading is associated with academic success more generally" it is proposed that integrating supplementary reading into mainstream academic subjects, particularly ,,"here those subjects are interesting to learners, is more effective in the promotion of reading practices than the traditional provision of supplementary reading material. Thus, it is proposed that supplementary reading should be introduced to support mainstream academic work, particularly in those subjects which are of interest to learners at this level. But offering learners a variety of reading situations in this research project. it was found that learners felt more "empowered' to make reading choices and to become intrinsically motivated to read. What has emerged from this research is that children's reading is very complex - and if it is to be adequately supported, it is likely to need a "multipronged' approach, By this it is meant that it not sufficient to offer supplementary reading texts and activities at school when these are not consistent with practices in the home.

D.Ed. / The aim of this research is to explore affective, historical, social and educational factors that led to poor management or the break-down in school management due to local interest group structures in the Kathorus area. In order to achieve the designated goal the following aspects will be investigated: the opinion of members of variotis local interest group organisational structures regarding the role of school management in Kathorus; the level of commitment of these structures in school management/administration to achieve the culture of teaching and learning; identification of a suitable, practical strategy for overcoming the problems caused by the local interest group organisational structures at schools and local levels.

M.Ed. (Educational Guidance) / Truancy is a grave problem because truants are wasting their opportunities and are in danger of not becoming productive members of society. Teachers, parents, peers, psychologists, psychiatrists and other important people (see Chapter 5) can play a decisive role in preventing truancy. The literature study states that peer group pressure is one of the main causes of truancy (see Chapter 2) . An empirical research study has been done at Mamelodi high schools. Certain criteria were followed in order to identify truants (see Appendix B). Chapter 4 shows clearly the results of the research project. The significant findings are as follows : more truants are among std 9 than std 8 more truants than non-truants have failed three times or more more truants than non-truants expect to obtain lower marks in the coming examination ; more friends of truants than those of non- truants expect them to obtain lower marks in the coming examination ; truants have less friends than non-truants who are at school ; truants have less friends than those of non-truants who think they are good in their school work.

M.Ed. (Community Education) / The use of the school to address problems in society is accepted to an increasing extent. In this study it was endeavoured to establish whether the school could successfully be used as a changing agent. Determining factors which could exert an influence on the successful achievement of this objective were examined and a theory was developed for future use. It was established that the school could foster change in society through its educational and schooling functions. It is however also true that these changes are not initiated by the school. The school is in an unique position to accelerate the changes which have already taken place in society through an evolutionary process. The most important factors which can influence the successful use of the school as a changing agent are the following: The attitude of the Governing Authority in respect of the anticipated changes. The form of state and education systems. The availability of qualified teachers with a specific and unique combination of invaluable characteristics. The change orientated curriculum. The absence of any of these factors will delay or even wreck the use of the school as a changing agent. The presence, on the other hand, of the right attitude and form of government with an education system to enhance change will enable dedicated teachers to achieve the desired objective through a curriculum aimed at change. The theory formulated in this study could be used as a guideline in cases where the school could deliberately be used to promote specific changes in society.

M.Ed. (Educational Psychology) / Please refer to full text to view abstract

D.Ed. / A child is educated with the aim of being able to comply with all the demands of life. One of these demands is having an occupation. In our contemporary society, the demand for work is far greater than the supply, which leads to unemployment. This is one reason for the actuality of this research. The lack of entrepreneurs is a national problem. Generally, parents are of the opinion that someone out there is waiting to employ their child. Children are thus brought up to believe that they must be employees or job seekers. At an early stage, the awareness and attitudes of the youth can be changed by means of entreprenedrial education as a method of combatting unemployment. This study concerns the task of the parental home as creator of a culture characterised by entrepreneurship. A twofold approach, consisting of a literature study (chapters 2-4) and an empirical study (chapters 5-6) was used. The purpose of the study is to determine: • what is understood by entrepreneurship (chapter 2); • the task of the parental home (chapter 3) and • the contribution of the parental home to the encouragement of entrepreneurship (chapter 4). The empirical investigation was undertaken with reference to the above theoretical framework. Teachers and businessman in the Springs Magisterial District were involved in the research. The purpose of this research is to determine which factors or circumstances in the parental home encourage entrepreneurship. Since this information could not be acquired by means of a known or existing instrument, a suitable instrument was designed.