This thesis seeks to explore the role of the performing arts in reconfiguring an unjust spatial history. By exploring the performing arts as a vehicle for creativity, freedom and a new consciousness within the city. Alexandra Township is still one of the impoverished settlements with very few public facilities, amenities and public space. The quality of its infrastructure is timeworn and does not meet all the needs of a society that is modernising. Finally there is now an increase in learners passing matric and wanting exposure to potential career options in the performing arts. This thesis will critically explore performance in the city - where the performer is seen as the self of all selves. It will also explore the meaning of public space in Alexandra and how the residents of Alexandra utilise public space for the purpose of performance. The idea of the building is to borrow from Alexandra where the building is seen as backstage and the township as the backdrop; A building that shapes and watches the urban life of Alexandra. This building speaks of an architecture which is connected with pockets of dignified public space. Fused with green spaces to create a theatre which becomes a green node for public space and the celebration of a performance culture found in Alexandra Township.

The exploratory study investigated school related factors responsible for high matriculaion failure rates in physical science in public high schools of Alexandra Township in South Africa. The target population included all Further Education and Training (FET) science educators and learners in Alexandra Township. An extreme-case sampling method was used to select a sample of two schools. Data was collected through two different closed questionnaires, one for educators (n=10) and the other for learners (n=250). The results were analyzed using mainly descriptive tatistics. The results, according to the views and opinions of educators and learners showed that the main causes of high failure rates are poor educator qualifications, outdated teaching methods, massive workloads, high levels of absenteeism and acute deficiencies in aspects related to: resources, subject content, classroom management skills, proficiency in language of instruction and assessment, motivation and perseverance. Recommendations for practice and policy are suggested. / Further Teacher Education / M. Ed. (Natural Science Education)