The Role of Contexts in the Construction of Academic Identity in Selected South African Universities

Using qualitative interviews and document analysis, that is, national and institutional policies, the study is embedded on the assumption that the purpose of the academic career is knowledge creation, dissemination, and the acquisition and promotion of high-level skills that contribute to scholarship and the support of the economy of knowledge. This implies that academics create knowledge in pursuit of the academic career to develop scholarship. Given the identity-subjectivity-agency theory, the study set out to examine the global and local contexts or dynamics that affect the academic career in constructing academic identity and how they apply to the South African higher education landscape. We argue that the legacy of apartheid affected academic careers differently as higher education institutions were divided, separated, and segregated along racial lines with different purposes. They shaped the roles of academics in different ways, with some enjoying academic freedom and autonomy while some are operating as public servants. Moreover, university academic staff should be encouraged and enabled to advance knowledge. Thus, the study recognizes the need for high-level skills and knowledge creation, which require greater attention to the nature of academic careers

Equity in Admissions Policies of Undergraduate Students in Post Democracy in Selected South African Universities

This paper investigates the policy pathways that inform and regulate student selection and admission at three selected universities in South Africa, namely the University of the Witwatersrand, the University of Cape Town and the University of KwaZulu-Natal. We argue that these universities have progressed a long way in addressing the race problem in their enrolment strategies. However, their main target group remains students from rich or affluent communities, to the exclusion of potentially good students from marginalised groups, particularly those from under-resourced township and rural schools. As a result, their main challenge in the context of formal access to higher education in South Africa has largely shifted from a race problem to one of social class. This is due to an overemphasis on narrow conceptions of merit that cannot be reconciled with equity and social justice concerns. The paper suggests that current notions of merit warrant reconceptualization in order to embrace these missing dimensions. While there is plenty of evidence that most institutions agree on the need to embrace a particular form of affirmative action to address current social imbalances, given the fierce contestation of redress policies within the South African higher education sector, they find it difficult to develop and implement adequate admission strategies in practice

Reconsidering digital strategies for recruiting and organising young emerging teachers in chosen teachers' unions in South Africa

The International Labour Organisation (ILO) reports that, in most of its member countries, the percentage of employed individuals who are members of trade unions has decreased significantly over the past few decades, with less than 20 percent. Some of the studies done on this subject unequivocally acknowledge that low membership turnover and dwindling trade union densities are caused by the incapacity to mobilize, organize, and serve members. In order to determine the most effective and efficient way to use these integrated digital strategies, this research investigates types of digital modes for organising, mobilising, and retaining new coming educators. Data were gathered through interviews with ten SADTU organisers and ten students from particular South. African universities, using the qualitative method. The data was analysed using a grounded (thematic) approach. The study's overall findings shows that digital technologies play a significant role in luring newer generations of trade union members. The findings of this study directly influenced the creation of more precise and efficient digital strategies for recruiting and organizing young emerging teachers, leading to an overall enhancement in the recruitment and retention of talent within the education sector

Understanding academic identity within subjectivity and agency in selected South African universities

Abstract: This study is an exploration of how individuals in the pursuit of an academic career produce subjectivities which allow for a greater sense of academic identity. It highlights the complex process of becoming an academic by examining the conditions of possibility and the dynamics of such a process. The study discusses subjectivities produced by both discourses of the academic career and practical experiences, and tries to understand the individual identities that emerge from the process. It is based on case studies of selected South African universities with a focus on academic staff members, including junior and senior lecturers, professors, head of departments and deans of faculties which were interviewed. Documentary analysis provided an understanding of the content and assumptions underpinning the policy documents at the national and institutional levels, and the implications for the academic practice in South Africa...D.Phil. (Education

SOCIAL CHALLENGES ON LOW-COST HOUSING

MM - P&DMSouth Africa is faced with housing problems as a result of a legacy of poverty and inequality. This paper examine what has arguably become a salient features on the delivery of the low-cost housing in Alexandra Township. It focuses on the low-cost housing delivery as part of the Alexandra Renewal Project (ARP) in order to obtain an understanding of the delivery process. The research makes use of qualitative methodology in order to collect in-depth information from various informants. The purpose of this research is to examine the underlying reasons which affect the delivery of low-cost housing and find out how the delivery process could be improved. It is also aimed at describing a deeper understanding of the relevance of ARP in the delivery process. The research shows that ARP has played a prominent role for the delivery of low-cost housing in Alexandra Township. However, its momentum will take a long time as the majority of the marginalized people in Alexandra still looking for shelter and basic services such as electricity and wate

Reengineering mathematics teaching within culturally relevant pedagogy framework

Poor learner performance is one of the major global concerns that education systems all over the world have to address. This is more so when it comes to mathematics. This paper analyses the challenges that are encountered by teachers in the teaching and learning of Mathematics in rural secondary public schools in the North West Province. The study argues that we do not only need interaction with teachers, but a deep culturally relevant pedagogy is also required. One of the ways to achieve this is by engaging meaningfully with teachers and this study does so through interviews so as to determine their perspective on how learners can best be helped to succeed in Mathematics. Furthermore, in this engagement process, this paper considered circumstances surrounding its environment and the specific facets which exist in its environment in order to ensure maximum reach and effectiveness and consequently the success of Mathematics teaching.Keywords: Culture, mathematics, culturally relevant pedagogy, generational divide, public secondary school