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A study of the provision of distance education for the upgrading and improvement of the qualifications of teachers in the province of Kwazulu-Natal

This research is predicated in the firm conviction that the quality of education is
dependent upon the quality of teachers. Teachers as the bedrock of education must
participate actively and conscientiously in their intellectual growth through various
forms of INSET discussed in the research.
From an international comparative perspective DE as a strategy of INSET is deemed
as the most functional, if not prudent and efficacious educational experience for the
upgrading and improvement of the qualifications of teachers. In this research the origin
of DE in terms of its antecedents and evolution, the raison d'etre and the advantages
and limitations of DE are adumbrated in order to focus on the complexity and diversity
of DE.
As part of the conceptual and theoretical framework various terms used synonymously
with DE are considered. A syntagma of principles providing a utilitarian and pragmatic
connotation for DE is then postulated. Selected theories relevant to DE provide the
synthesis for theoretical perspectives. The typology of DE institutions comprising
autonomous, dedicated providers of DE and those that are mixed or hybrid or dual
mode systems is analyzed.
In koeping with the theme of educational borrowing fundamental to comparative
education studies provision of DE by the UKOU and AU for developed countries,
IGNOU and the ZINTEC model for developing countries is discussed. National
examples are UNISA, Vista University and SACTE. The provincial institutions
discussed are the former SCE, NCE, UCFE and the newly formed SACOL.
General and specific recommendations for the provision of DE programmes for the
upgrading and improvement of the qualifications of teachers in the Province of
KwaZulu-Natal are adumbrated. By way of conclusion, it is iterated that the provision
of DE for the upgrading and improvement of the qualifications of teachers is irrefragably
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the quintessential factor in the new generation of teacher education and a pivotal
element for INSET. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Comparative Education)

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:unisa/oai:umkn-dsp01.int.unisa.ac.za:10500/18030
Date11 1900
CreatorsBagwandeen, Dowlat Ramdas
ContributorsVan Niekerk, Lourens Johannes Rasmus, Higgs, Philip
Source SetsSouth African National ETD Portal
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis
Format1 online resource (xxvii, 716 leaves) : illustrations

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