The experience of and need for training of school governors in rural schools in South Africa

The concept of decentralisation originates from the belief that the state cannot alone control schools, but should share its power with other stakeholders, particularly those closer to the school, on a partnership basis. The South African Schools Act (Act 84 of 1996) mandates the establishment of school governing bodies that allow stakeholders — such as the state, parents, educators and learners (in secondary schools) — to play an active role in taking decisions on behalf of the school. However, this can only happen if participants in school governance are trained to decide on matters affecting their schools. With this in mind, qualitative research was undertaken to determine what training school governing bodies had received in selected rural schools in the Free State and to what extent this had assisted them in fulfilling their tasks. Findings indicated perceptions of training and its effectiveness. Based on the findings, detailed recommendations for the improvement of practice are made. South African Journal of Education Vol. 28 (3) 2008: pp. 385-40

Oor die koninkryk van God

As Johannes die Doper spreek van die koninkryk van God wat naby gekom het (Matt. 3 : 12) en Jesus dat die koninkryk inderdaad gekom het (Matt. 12 : 28; Luk. 11 : 20; 17 : 21), spreek hulle oor ’n saak wat eers ver was en nou naby is, en wat eers nie was nie of elders was en nou gekom het

Model comparisons and genetic and environmental parameter estimates of growth and the Kleiber ratio in Horro sheep

No Abstract. South African Journal of Animal Science Vol. 35 (1) 2005: pp.30-4

The initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis of new cancers at a large pathology laboratory in the public health sector, Western Cape Province, South Africa

Background. The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted cancer diagnostic services. A decline in the number of new cancers being diagnosed over a relatively short term implies a delay in diagnosis and subsequent treatment. This delay is expected to have a negative effect on cancerrelated morbidity and mortality. The impact of the pandemic on the number of new cancer diagnoses in our setting is unknown.Objectives. To assess the impact of COVID-19 on the number of new cancers diagnosed at our institution in the first 3 months following the implementation of lockdown restrictions, by focusing on common non-cutaneous cancers.Methods. A retrospective laboratory-based audit was performed at a large anatomical pathology laboratory in Western Cape Province, South Africa. The numbers of new diagnoses for six common cancers (breast, prostate, cervix, large bowel, oesophagus and stomach) from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020 were compared with the corresponding period in 2019.Results. Histopathological diagnoses for the six cancers combined decreased by 193 (–36.3%), from 532 new cases in the 2019 study period to 339 in the corresponding period in 2020. Substantial declines were seen for prostate (–58.2%), oesophageal (–44.1%), breast (–32.9%), gastric (–32.6%) and colorectal cancer (–29.2%). The smallest decline was seen in cervical cancer (–7%). New breast cancers diagnosed by cytopathology declined by 61.1%.Conclusions. The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and the associated response resulted in a substantial decline in the number of new cancer diagnoses, implying a delay in diagnosis. Cancer-related morbidity and mortality is expected to rise as a result, with the greatest increase in mortality expected from breast and colorectal cancer

Corporate environmentalism in JSE listed gold, platinum and diamond mining companies : environmental leadership importance, business orientation and corporate strategy focus

Research report to the SBL, Unisa, MidrandThis study examines the importance of corporate environmentalism in the South African JSE listed gold, platinum and diamond mining companies. As this study is representative of 34% of the market capitalisation of the South African JSE listed mining companies, the findings could be extrapolated to the broader mining industry that ascribes to the principles of the JSE Sustainability Reporting Index.M.B.L

Community views on active case finding for tuberculosis in low- and middle-income countries: a qualitative evidence synthesis

Objectives: This is a protocol for a Cochrane Review (qualitative). The objectives are as follows:. To synthesize community views on tuberculosis active case finding programmes in low- and middle-income countries. Review question In areas of the world where tuberculosis is common, what views do communities and high-risk populations hold about tuberculosis active case finding programmes?. Target audience Policy groups at global, national and local levels considering, recommending, designing, or implementing active case finding programmes. Feasibility of programmes, as assessed by health staff, will not be part of this review

Threats to the quality of marking of the national senior certificate examinations in the Northern Cape

Examinations are regarded as vital instruments not only to determine the progress and success of learners, but also the quality of an education system. Owing to these high stakes, South Africa places enormous emphasis on the National Senior Certificate examination. Although quality should be ensured by an effective, accurate and a high standard in the marking process, complaints suggest that there may be threats to the quality of marking and, by implication, to the education system itself. This exploratory study reports on the possible threats to a high standard of marking that emerged from data generated through semi-structured interviews with various role-players involved in the marking process. The findings suggest that the threats relate to the appointment of markers, the competency of the markers and an overall lack of confidence in the marking process. We conclude the article by proposing various recommendations to curb the identified threats to accurate marking