An evaluation of the leadership development strategic plan of the Eastern Cape Department of Basic Education
- Authors: Saffa, Fundiswa Mabelwana
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Development leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40668 , vital:36211
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Leadership Development Strategic Plan and its implications on leadership development. This is on the backdrop of a revised five-year plan for 2015/16-2019/20, which was developed and tabled in Parliament in March 2015. The revised strategic plan identified vital outcomes, goals and objectives against which the Basic Education Department’s medium-term results will be measured as well as evaluated by Parliament. The goals of the strategic plan are based on the National Development Plan (NDP) and they are comprised of efficient and effective management and governance, improved teacher supply, utilisation and development, effective development, implemention, monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum, effective systems for information management, planning, co-ordination, district support and assessment, enhanced social cohesion in schools as well as the wellbeing of learners. It was noted in this research that various definitions of leadership exist and they were presented before an operational definition suitable for this study was selected. The aims of leadership development were elaborated while assessing the needs thereof. Thereafter, theories supporting leadership development were identified and explained. The study used a qualitative methodology to investigate and evaluate the Leadership Development Strategic Plan through document analysis, thereby gathering the views and perspectives of various stakeholders. This allowed the researcher to obtain in-depth information on the Leadership Development Strategic Plan in the Eastern Cape Province Department of Basic Education (DoE). In order to fulfil the objectives of the study, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire among the employees of the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape. The research revealed that employees from DoE encounter a number of challenges regarding the accessibility and availibality of services, consultations and facilities. The research discovered that there is a frequent change of management. There are also problems of communication within the hierarchy as well as with the match and placement of employees within the department, according to their qualifications. It was also evident that there is no strong leadership, no service delivery and a high employee turnover. The research also revealed that there is a lack of proper evaluation and monitoring, a resistance to change and a disregard of policies as well as a lack of leadership skills and an instability of the environment due to political interference. Yet it was evident in this research that there was an aspect of consultation during the development of the strategic plan and that the monitoring and implementation of the strategic plan is present, as planned by the department. The research also discovered that the level of leadership is high and of good quality, yet the challenges in the implementation of the plan are due to political appointing. The research therefore recommended that further research needed to be conducted to understand issues regarding this subject in greater detail. It also recommended the introduction of a curriculum that produces good education. More so, it recommended that there must be proper training regarding the monitoring and evaluation of the Leadership Development Strategic Plan. The study further recommended that the leadership must have access to leadership programs where they can receive the best practice as leaders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
- Authors: Saffa, Fundiswa Mabelwana
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Development leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Leadership -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Strategic planning -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/40668 , vital:36211
- Description: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Leadership Development Strategic Plan and its implications on leadership development. This is on the backdrop of a revised five-year plan for 2015/16-2019/20, which was developed and tabled in Parliament in March 2015. The revised strategic plan identified vital outcomes, goals and objectives against which the Basic Education Department’s medium-term results will be measured as well as evaluated by Parliament. The goals of the strategic plan are based on the National Development Plan (NDP) and they are comprised of efficient and effective management and governance, improved teacher supply, utilisation and development, effective development, implemention, monitoring and evaluation of the curriculum, effective systems for information management, planning, co-ordination, district support and assessment, enhanced social cohesion in schools as well as the wellbeing of learners. It was noted in this research that various definitions of leadership exist and they were presented before an operational definition suitable for this study was selected. The aims of leadership development were elaborated while assessing the needs thereof. Thereafter, theories supporting leadership development were identified and explained. The study used a qualitative methodology to investigate and evaluate the Leadership Development Strategic Plan through document analysis, thereby gathering the views and perspectives of various stakeholders. This allowed the researcher to obtain in-depth information on the Leadership Development Strategic Plan in the Eastern Cape Province Department of Basic Education (DoE). In order to fulfil the objectives of the study, a survey was conducted using a questionnaire among the employees of the Department of Basic Education in the Eastern Cape. The research revealed that employees from DoE encounter a number of challenges regarding the accessibility and availibality of services, consultations and facilities. The research discovered that there is a frequent change of management. There are also problems of communication within the hierarchy as well as with the match and placement of employees within the department, according to their qualifications. It was also evident that there is no strong leadership, no service delivery and a high employee turnover. The research also revealed that there is a lack of proper evaluation and monitoring, a resistance to change and a disregard of policies as well as a lack of leadership skills and an instability of the environment due to political interference. Yet it was evident in this research that there was an aspect of consultation during the development of the strategic plan and that the monitoring and implementation of the strategic plan is present, as planned by the department. The research also discovered that the level of leadership is high and of good quality, yet the challenges in the implementation of the plan are due to political appointing. The research therefore recommended that further research needed to be conducted to understand issues regarding this subject in greater detail. It also recommended the introduction of a curriculum that produces good education. More so, it recommended that there must be proper training regarding the monitoring and evaluation of the Leadership Development Strategic Plan. The study further recommended that the leadership must have access to leadership programs where they can receive the best practice as leaders.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2019
Exploring an operational strategy for South African electron microscopy facilities
- Authors: Olivier, Ezra Jacobus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electron microscopy , Production management -- South Africa Strategic planning -- South Africa Performance -- Management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34465 , vital:33383
- Description: Electron microscopy is a versatile and widely used technique in the fields of physical and biological sciences. It is a strategic enabling resource needed for innovative science and technology research to occur in the areas of nanotechnology developments. The availability of these resources worldwide are typically seen within dedicated shared electron microscopy research facilities due to the costs and operational support required in acquisition and operation of these instruments. A consequence of this is that these facilities require carefully designed operational management approaches. One of the pertinent questions within the electron microscopy community of South Africa is if electron microscopy core facilities in the country could be judged successful in the execution of their operations. Some concerns related to the skills present at these facilities as well as the management philosophy of these facilities have been raised. This study aims to investigate these factors within an South African context. In the current study, a combination of the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms was used. A survey was conducted amongst South African electron microscopy core facility users to measure their level of satisfaction and needs related to electron microscopy core facilities in South Africa. Furthermore, insights where gathered from experienced managers of electron microscopy core facilities nationally and internationally using a case study based approach. The findings were combined and compared to identify the critical factors needed to optimise the operational approaches of electron microscopy facilities in South Africa and to develop a standardised approach in judging a facility’s performance. The study provided valuable insights as to the level of satisfaction present within the electron microscopy community of South Africa related to the use of electron microscopy core facilities in the country. It also yielded important information regarding the areas where the highest need for improvement lies. The outcome of the study provides a standardized approach to the operations of electron microscopy research facilities in South Africa and their performance evaluation. A possible limitation to the study is the population sample used for the survey. The survey was completed by existing electron microscopy core facility users in South Africa. However, the experiences and needs of less frequent or potential new users of such facilities were not probed. Thus, the developed strategy may lack factors related to growing the field in South Africa if the needs of inexperienced users are not taken into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
- Authors: Olivier, Ezra Jacobus
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Electron microscopy , Production management -- South Africa Strategic planning -- South Africa Performance -- Management -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MBA
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/34465 , vital:33383
- Description: Electron microscopy is a versatile and widely used technique in the fields of physical and biological sciences. It is a strategic enabling resource needed for innovative science and technology research to occur in the areas of nanotechnology developments. The availability of these resources worldwide are typically seen within dedicated shared electron microscopy research facilities due to the costs and operational support required in acquisition and operation of these instruments. A consequence of this is that these facilities require carefully designed operational management approaches. One of the pertinent questions within the electron microscopy community of South Africa is if electron microscopy core facilities in the country could be judged successful in the execution of their operations. Some concerns related to the skills present at these facilities as well as the management philosophy of these facilities have been raised. This study aims to investigate these factors within an South African context. In the current study, a combination of the quantitative and qualitative research paradigms was used. A survey was conducted amongst South African electron microscopy core facility users to measure their level of satisfaction and needs related to electron microscopy core facilities in South Africa. Furthermore, insights where gathered from experienced managers of electron microscopy core facilities nationally and internationally using a case study based approach. The findings were combined and compared to identify the critical factors needed to optimise the operational approaches of electron microscopy facilities in South Africa and to develop a standardised approach in judging a facility’s performance. The study provided valuable insights as to the level of satisfaction present within the electron microscopy community of South Africa related to the use of electron microscopy core facilities in the country. It also yielded important information regarding the areas where the highest need for improvement lies. The outcome of the study provides a standardized approach to the operations of electron microscopy research facilities in South Africa and their performance evaluation. A possible limitation to the study is the population sample used for the survey. The survey was completed by existing electron microscopy core facility users in South Africa. However, the experiences and needs of less frequent or potential new users of such facilities were not probed. Thus, the developed strategy may lack factors related to growing the field in South Africa if the needs of inexperienced users are not taken into account.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2018
Antimicrobial activity of selected Eastern Cape medical plants
- Authors: Mohlakoana, Keneuoe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1199 , Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Description: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a great problem for many years. The degree of resistance and the speed with which resistance develops varies with different organisms and different drugs. Enzymes called β-lactamases are produced by bacteria and are one mechanism in which bacteria develop antimicrobial resistance. Gram-negative bacteria producing enzymes called ESBLs because of their wide substrate range are of a particular concern in nosocomial infections. In many countries people still use traditional medicine derived from plants as an alternative to the Western medicine due to increased cost of Western medicine and microbial resistance of antibiotic treatments. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants species are used in herbal medicine. Because of the high prevalence of the ESBLs and their increasing resistance to the antibiotics, this research study was done to test the antimicrobial activities of selected medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape; G. incanum, D. angustifolia and E. autumnalis which were traditionally used to treat various infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of three different extracts (acetone, methanol & distilled water) and the traditional preparations of the three plants were tested against the selected strains of ESBL-producing bacteria, non β-lactamase producers and the different fungal species. The extracts were screened against 26 Gram-positive bacterial strains, 53 Gram-negative bacterial strains and 15 fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacteria included strains from S. aureus, B. cereus and E. faecalis. The Gram-negative bacteria included strains from E. ii coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The fungal strains included 9 strains of Candida albicans and a single strain of each of the following opportunistic fungi, Mucor sp, Geotrichium sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp and Rhizopus sp. The agar dilution assay was used for the antimicrobial screening of the plants extracts and for the determination of the MICs. The Ames test was performed for the determination of probable carcinogenicity of the extracts of G. incanum and D. angustifolia. The distilled water extracts followed by acetone extracts of the plants revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against the different microbial strains. The extracts of G. incanum followed by the extracts of D. angustifolia inhibited the highest number of microbial strains. The extracts of E. autumnalis did not show any antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens in this study. More of the Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by the plant extracts. The lowest MIC was obtained with Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial strains of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were not inhibited by any of the plants extracts in the agar dilution assay yet Acinetobacter species which are MDR were inhibited by the distilled water and methanol extracts of G. incanum. A single strain of Mucor sp was the only spore forming fungi that was inhibited by the distilled water extracts of G. incanum. None of the plants extracts showed any mutagenic effects on the TA100 S. typhimurium strains incorporated on the Ames test. Apart from revealing of new antimicrobial agents that may be used against resistant organisms, the proper use of antimicrobial agents should be recommended. The study has highlighted a need for further investigations on the properties of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
- Authors: Mohlakoana, Keneuoe
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MTech
- Identifier: vital:10120 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/1199 , Materia medica, Vegetable -- South Africa , Drug resistance in microorganisms -- South Africa , Anti-infective agents -- South Africa , Antibiotics
- Description: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a great problem for many years. The degree of resistance and the speed with which resistance develops varies with different organisms and different drugs. Enzymes called β-lactamases are produced by bacteria and are one mechanism in which bacteria develop antimicrobial resistance. Gram-negative bacteria producing enzymes called ESBLs because of their wide substrate range are of a particular concern in nosocomial infections. In many countries people still use traditional medicine derived from plants as an alternative to the Western medicine due to increased cost of Western medicine and microbial resistance of antibiotic treatments. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants species are used in herbal medicine. Because of the high prevalence of the ESBLs and their increasing resistance to the antibiotics, this research study was done to test the antimicrobial activities of selected medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape; G. incanum, D. angustifolia and E. autumnalis which were traditionally used to treat various infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of three different extracts (acetone, methanol & distilled water) and the traditional preparations of the three plants were tested against the selected strains of ESBL-producing bacteria, non β-lactamase producers and the different fungal species. The extracts were screened against 26 Gram-positive bacterial strains, 53 Gram-negative bacterial strains and 15 fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacteria included strains from S. aureus, B. cereus and E. faecalis. The Gram-negative bacteria included strains from E. ii coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The fungal strains included 9 strains of Candida albicans and a single strain of each of the following opportunistic fungi, Mucor sp, Geotrichium sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp and Rhizopus sp. The agar dilution assay was used for the antimicrobial screening of the plants extracts and for the determination of the MICs. The Ames test was performed for the determination of probable carcinogenicity of the extracts of G. incanum and D. angustifolia. The distilled water extracts followed by acetone extracts of the plants revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against the different microbial strains. The extracts of G. incanum followed by the extracts of D. angustifolia inhibited the highest number of microbial strains. The extracts of E. autumnalis did not show any antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens in this study. More of the Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by the plant extracts. The lowest MIC was obtained with Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial strains of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were not inhibited by any of the plants extracts in the agar dilution assay yet Acinetobacter species which are MDR were inhibited by the distilled water and methanol extracts of G. incanum. A single strain of Mucor sp was the only spore forming fungi that was inhibited by the distilled water extracts of G. incanum. None of the plants extracts showed any mutagenic effects on the TA100 S. typhimurium strains incorporated on the Ames test. Apart from revealing of new antimicrobial agents that may be used against resistant organisms, the proper use of antimicrobial agents should be recommended. The study has highlighted a need for further investigations on the properties of the medicinal plants used in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2010
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