Die invloed van die werksomstandighede van hoërskoolonderwysers op hulle houding teenoor hulle werk en hulle motiveringsvlak

The influence of the work circumstances of high school teachers on their attitude towards their work and their levels of motivation. 1Introduction The working circumstances of high school teachers have changed over the past few years, and more specifically since the implementation of OBE and the rationalisation of teachers. The research presumption is that, as a result of the changes, teachers’ workloads have increased and consequently, they have less time to complete more work. The latter includes preparation for the various learning areas, as well as OBE administration. 2Background Certain elements in teachers’ work circumstances which influence attitudes include the following: The change in work circumstances has resulted in a greater workload which consequently led to an increase in stress levels. Higher stress levels are experienced by teachers worldwide, and not only in South Africa. Teachers have to work longer hours to complete their work. Many teachers don’t experience job satisfaction in their present circumstances. Changes in education influence the attitudes, achievements and performance of teachers. This causes a decrease in their motivation levels. Statistics prove that teachers have a low morale country wide. 3Research Methodology Research question: How did the changed work circumstances of teachers influence their attitude towards their work and their motivation levels? This is a qualitative study in which interviews, six in total, with teachers with more than eight years’ experience of parallel medium (former Model C schools) and black schools were used.Dissertation (MEd (Educational Leadership))--University of Pretoria, 2006.Education Management and Policy StudiesMEdunrestricte

The impact of university incorporation on college lecturers

In South Africa, recent government plans to change the institutional landscape of higher education have resulted in mergers of colleges into universities or technikons. The research reported in this article focuses solely on the impact of a "college-into-university" incorporation as manifested in the personal, emotional and career experiences of these college staff members. It traces the changes in their perceptions and emotions during and after the incorporation process. It also identifies recurring themes and issues evident in the personal lives of those affected by this incorporation. A unique research methodology was engaged: The College staff who had been appointed to the university after the merger, identified seven critical themes and then designed and conducted 30 semi-structured interviews among themselves. This article thus documents the impact of incorporation into a university on the individual and collective lives of the researchers themselves. The data suggest that the emotional impact of incorporation was intense and that the uncertainty, especially, led to considerable trauma. The most important concern emanating from this joint research project is that while a certain degree of distress is unavoidable in any institutional merger, inattention to the management of human resources, emotions and aspirations could linger on, possibly having a negative effect on the ambitions for the transformation of the new entity.The original publication is available at www.springerlink.co