’n Perspektief op die voorkoms van dissiplineprobleme in Afrikaanse skole

Discipline problems in Afrikaans schools – a perspective The aim of this article is to report on an investigation into the incidence and extent of discipline problems in Afrikaans schools, especially in the light of fundamental changes that have occurred during the past ten years within these schools. This report is also placed in the context of a reformational perspective on discipline, disciplinary problems and the role of educators in eradicating such problems. An empirical investigation was conducted, in which the experience of 76 principals of Afrikaans schools was probed by means of two questionnaires. The responses revealed that the overwhelming majority of principals opined that the discipline situation at their schools was either average or good, and that feelings of despondence and defaitism regarding discipline did not exist. In line with new official education policy, they had implemented new procedures, in order to address discipline problems. The incidence of disciplinary problems was not higher in multicultural schools. The incidence was, however, higher at urban than in rural schools. Parental involvement was identified as an essential factor in combatting disciplinary problems in schools. It was also found, on the basis of a Biblically-based view of education, that parents and other educators had a significant role to play in eradicating such problems

Die geborgenheid van die onderwyser as voorwaarde vir opvoedende skoolonderwys

Teacher security as a pre-condition for adding pedagogical value to teaching in schools Since 1994 the new political dispensation in South Africa has led to several disruptions in the education system. Teachers have not escaped the effects of this disruption, and many teachers manifest symptoms of insecure behaviour. Because of their insecurity, many teachers are unable to add pedagogical value to their teaching efforts. The disruption they are currently experiencing is, however, by no means more radical or acute than in other periods in South African history. A number of guidelines are offered by means of which (teachers’ perceptions of) teacher security can be improved. This is done on the premise that strengthening teacher security and safety will not only enable teachers to understand their divine calling as well as the nature of pedagogical involvement with learners, but will indeed motivate them to also apply pedagogical principles and insight in actual classroom practice

Performatiwiteit en die hedendaagse skool(hoof)

Performativity and the modern school (principal) Based on observations in the field of education management science, including the results of a recent empirical survey, we concluded that schools and their principals have become inundated with the demands for performativity, i.e. the demand to achieve in measurable terms as well as submit to the cult of efficiency and effectiveness. After briefly considering recent developments and changes in schools and in the work of school principals, we refer to the findings of the empirical survey. This is followed by a discussion of three key objections to performativity in schools and in the work of principals, namely the reductionism that it presupposes, its non-pedagogical tendencies and its negative effects on the school as a societal relationship. The discussion is conducted within a Christian-reformational frame of reference

Onderwys-/opleidingsvoorsiening en ekonomiese aanvraag

Education/training and economic demand Education systems and their output appear to be out of step with the demands of the economy in many countries, including South Africa. Massive education investment and expansion seem to have resulted, especially in developing countries, in schooled unemployment rather than economic development, modernisation and full employment. A historicalcomparative overview reveals how economically successful countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Germany, and (until recently) the new economic giants of South-East Asia and the Far East, succeeded in aligning education and training with the economy. In conclusion the implications of their strategies for South Africa are explored. A combination of the British and Singaporean models is recommended for South Africa. A warning is, however, sounded throughout that economic systems that do not adhere to the principles of human stewardship and responsible management should not be supported by education and training in their present forms. Those involved in education and training should rather call for reform of the systems that they are expected to support

Applicability of the organisational climate description questionnaire - Rutgers elementary: a South African case study

The Organisational Climate Description Questionnaire – Rutgers Elementary (OCDQ – RE) was used to determine the current organizational climate of primary schools in North-West Province, South Africa. This questionnaire evaluates the actions of principals and educators; the current organizational climate in primary schools can be determined from the results. A quantitative research approach, with 904 teachers from 68 schools, was used to determine the applicability of the measuring instrument. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses revealed that certain items measuring directive behaviour in the OCDQ-RE grouped with supportive behaviour of the principal. Hence, in this study, these items were regarded as supportive towards the educators and their work by the respondents. According to Cronbach’s alpha coefficient the questionnaire can be regarded as reliable. Recommendations are made to render the questionnaire even more applicable for the South African context

Educators and the quality of their work environment: an analysis of the organisational climate in primary schools

The prevalent organisational climate in primary schools in the North West Province was determined in order to formulate management strategies to increase the organisational climate. For this purpose, a quantitative research method, founded in post-positivistic points of departure, was applied. In the process, the Organizational Climate Description Questionnaire – Rutgers Elementary (OCDQ-RE) was applied in order to determine the behaviour of principals and school educators. The investigation indicated that the behaviour of the principals and that of the educators contributed only to an average degree to the establishment of a more effective organisational climate in the primary schools investigated. Furthermore the exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that certain items in the original climate questionnaire, which were grouped in the directive behaviour of the principal, were viewed by the respondents in South Africa as supportive but, in some instances, also as restrictivehttp://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/article/view/520/28