Synthesis and evaluation of the medicinal potential of novel 4-hydroxycoumarin derivatives
- Authors: Manyeruke, Meloddy Hlatini
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164458 , vital:41120 , doi:10.21504/10962/164458
- Description: This research has focused on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a broad range of compounds characterised by the presence of the pharmacologically significant 4-hydroxycoumalin scaffold. The compounds were designed to contain additional pharmachophoric centres to enhance bioactivity and generate lead compounds with dualaction potential. The use of 4-hydroxycoumarin as the primary synthon enabled access to various series of 4-hydroxycoumarin conjugates, the reactive 3-position on the 4-hydroxycoumarin moiety being exploited for regioselective construction of the targeted compounds in several steps. Some of the reactants required in the construction of these compounds were specially synthesised and included propargyloxy benzaldehydes, benzyloxy benzaldehydes and 2,3-dihydroxysuccino-dihydride. Overall, eight different families of novel compounds were accessed, comprising conjugates of 4-hydroxycoumarin with bisethylidenesuccinohyrazide, trifluoroacetamide, amino, benzyloxyphenyl-iminoethyl, benzylidenehyrazinyl-thiazoyl, benzylidenehydrazonoethyl, propargyloxybenzylidenehydrazonoethyl and phenylacryloyl moieties using protocols that required minimal work-up and purification. The eighty novel compounds synthesised in the study were fully characterised using HMRS and advanced NMR techniques. Cytotoxicity, HIV-1 IN and PR inhibitory, and antitrypanosomal, antimalarial and anti-Mtb assays were conducted on the synthesised coumarin derivatives. Several compounds exhibited activity against HIV-1 IN, the most potent being a bis-ethylidenesuccinohyrazide with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM. Various compounds exhibited anti-malarial activity (% pLDH viability in the range 62-77%), anti-trypanosomal activity (the most potent with an IC50 = 0.9 μM against T.b. brucei) and a measure of anti-Mtb activity. Apart from two chalconyl derivatives, none of the synthesised compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity. Conflicting results were obtained from the in silico docking studies; in some cases supporting the observed in vitro assay data while, in others, exhibiting no correlation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
- Authors: Manyeruke, Meloddy Hlatini
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Uncatalogued
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/164458 , vital:41120 , doi:10.21504/10962/164458
- Description: This research has focused on the synthesis and biological evaluation of a broad range of compounds characterised by the presence of the pharmacologically significant 4-hydroxycoumalin scaffold. The compounds were designed to contain additional pharmachophoric centres to enhance bioactivity and generate lead compounds with dualaction potential. The use of 4-hydroxycoumarin as the primary synthon enabled access to various series of 4-hydroxycoumarin conjugates, the reactive 3-position on the 4-hydroxycoumarin moiety being exploited for regioselective construction of the targeted compounds in several steps. Some of the reactants required in the construction of these compounds were specially synthesised and included propargyloxy benzaldehydes, benzyloxy benzaldehydes and 2,3-dihydroxysuccino-dihydride. Overall, eight different families of novel compounds were accessed, comprising conjugates of 4-hydroxycoumarin with bisethylidenesuccinohyrazide, trifluoroacetamide, amino, benzyloxyphenyl-iminoethyl, benzylidenehyrazinyl-thiazoyl, benzylidenehydrazonoethyl, propargyloxybenzylidenehydrazonoethyl and phenylacryloyl moieties using protocols that required minimal work-up and purification. The eighty novel compounds synthesised in the study were fully characterised using HMRS and advanced NMR techniques. Cytotoxicity, HIV-1 IN and PR inhibitory, and antitrypanosomal, antimalarial and anti-Mtb assays were conducted on the synthesised coumarin derivatives. Several compounds exhibited activity against HIV-1 IN, the most potent being a bis-ethylidenesuccinohyrazide with an IC50 value of 3.5 μM. Various compounds exhibited anti-malarial activity (% pLDH viability in the range 62-77%), anti-trypanosomal activity (the most potent with an IC50 = 0.9 μM against T.b. brucei) and a measure of anti-Mtb activity. Apart from two chalconyl derivatives, none of the synthesised compounds exhibited significant cytotoxicity. Conflicting results were obtained from the in silico docking studies; in some cases supporting the observed in vitro assay data while, in others, exhibiting no correlation. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Chemistry, 2020
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
The characterization of GTP Cyclohydrolase I and 6-Pyruvoyl Tetrahydropterin Synthase enzymes as potential anti-malarial drug targets
- Khairallah, Afrah Yousif Huseein
- Authors: Khairallah, Afrah Yousif Huseein
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum , Malaria Chemotherapy , Malaria Africa , Drug resistance , Drug development , Molecular dynamics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233784 , vital:50127 , DOI 10.21504/10962/233784
- Description: Malaria remains a public health problem and a high burden of disease, especially in developing countries. The unicellular protozoan malaria parasite of the genus Plasmodium infects about a quarter of a billion people annually, with an estimated 409 000 death cases. The majority of malaria cases occurred in Africa; hence, the region is regarded as endemic for malaria. Global efforts to eradicate the disease led to a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates. However, an enormous burden of malaria infection remains, and it cannot go unnoticed. Countries with limited resources are more affected by the disease, mainly on its public health and socio-economic development, due to many factors besides malaria itself, such as lack of access to adequate, affordable treatments and preventative regimes. Furthermore, the current antimalarial drugs are losing their efficacy because of parasite drug resistance. The emerged drug resistance has reduced the drug efficacy in clearing the parasite from the host system, causing prolonged illness and a higher risk of death. Therefore, the emerged antimalarial drug resistance has hindered the global efforts for malaria control and elimination and established an urgent need for new treatment strategies. When the resistance against classical antimalarial drugs emerged, the class of antifolate antimalarial medicines became the most common alternative. The antifolate antimalarial drugs target the malaria parasite de novo folate biosynthesis pathway by limiting folate derivates, which are essential for the parasite cell growth and survival. Yet again, the malaria parasite developed resistance against the available antifolate drugs, rendering the drugs ineffective in many cases. Given the previous success in targeting the malaria parasite de novo folate biosynthesis pathway, alternative enzymes within this pathway stand as good targets and can be explored to develop new antifolate drugs with novel mechanisms of action. The primary focus of this thesis is to contribute to the existing and growing knowledge of antimalarial drug discovery. The study aims to characterise the malaria parasite de novo folate synthesis pathway enzymes guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) and 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) as alternative drug targets for malaria treatment by using computational approaches. Further, discover new allosteric drug targeting sites within the two enzymes' 3D structures for future drug design and discovery. Sequence and structural analysis were carried out to characterise and pinpoint the two enzymes' unique sequence and structure-based features. From the analyses, key sequence and structure differences were identified between the malaria parasite enzymes relative to their human homolog; the identified sites can aid significantly in designing and developing new antimalarial antifolate drugs with good selectivity toward the parasites’ enzymes. GCH1 and PTPS contain a catalytically essential metal ion in their active site; therefore, force field parameters were needed to study their active sites accurately during all-atom molecular dynamic simulations (MD). The force field parameters were derived through quantum mechanics potential energy surface scans of the metals bonded terms and evaluated via all-atom MD simulations. Proteins structural dynamics is imperative for many biological processes; thus, it is essential to consider the structural dynamics of proteins whilst understanding their function. In this regard, the normal mode analysis (NMA) approach based on the elastic network model (ENM) was employed to study the intrinsic dynamics and conformations changes of GCH1 and PTPS enzymes. The NMA disclosed essential structural information about the protein’s intrinsic dynamics and mechanism of allosteric modulation of their binding properties, further highlighting regions that govern their conformational changes. The analysis also disclosed hotspot residues that are crucial for the proteins' fold stability and function. The NMA was further combined with sequence motif results and showed that conserved residues of GCH1 and PTPS were located within the identified key structural sites modulating the proteins' conformational rearrangement. The characterized structural features and hotspot residues were regarded as potential allosteric sites of important value for the design and development of allosteric drugs. Both GCH1 and PTPS enzymes have never been targeted before and can provide an excellent opportunity to overcome the antimalarial antifolate drug resistance problem. The data presented in this thesis contribute to the understanding of the sequence, structure, and global dynamics of both GCH1 and PTPS, further disclose potential allosteric drug targeting sites and unique structural features of both enzymes that can establish a solid starting point for drug design and development of new antimalarial drugs of a novel mechanism of actions. Lastly, the reported force field parameters will be of value for MD simulations for future in-silico drug discovery studies involving the two enzymes and other enzymes with the same Zn2+ binding motifs and coordination environments. The impact of this research can facilitate the discovery of new effective antimalarial medicines with novel mechanisms of action. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
- Authors: Khairallah, Afrah Yousif Huseein
- Date: 2022-04-08
- Subjects: Antimalarials , Plasmodium falciparum , Malaria Chemotherapy , Malaria Africa , Drug resistance , Drug development , Molecular dynamics
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral thesis , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/233784 , vital:50127 , DOI 10.21504/10962/233784
- Description: Malaria remains a public health problem and a high burden of disease, especially in developing countries. The unicellular protozoan malaria parasite of the genus Plasmodium infects about a quarter of a billion people annually, with an estimated 409 000 death cases. The majority of malaria cases occurred in Africa; hence, the region is regarded as endemic for malaria. Global efforts to eradicate the disease led to a decrease in morbidity and mortality rates. However, an enormous burden of malaria infection remains, and it cannot go unnoticed. Countries with limited resources are more affected by the disease, mainly on its public health and socio-economic development, due to many factors besides malaria itself, such as lack of access to adequate, affordable treatments and preventative regimes. Furthermore, the current antimalarial drugs are losing their efficacy because of parasite drug resistance. The emerged drug resistance has reduced the drug efficacy in clearing the parasite from the host system, causing prolonged illness and a higher risk of death. Therefore, the emerged antimalarial drug resistance has hindered the global efforts for malaria control and elimination and established an urgent need for new treatment strategies. When the resistance against classical antimalarial drugs emerged, the class of antifolate antimalarial medicines became the most common alternative. The antifolate antimalarial drugs target the malaria parasite de novo folate biosynthesis pathway by limiting folate derivates, which are essential for the parasite cell growth and survival. Yet again, the malaria parasite developed resistance against the available antifolate drugs, rendering the drugs ineffective in many cases. Given the previous success in targeting the malaria parasite de novo folate biosynthesis pathway, alternative enzymes within this pathway stand as good targets and can be explored to develop new antifolate drugs with novel mechanisms of action. The primary focus of this thesis is to contribute to the existing and growing knowledge of antimalarial drug discovery. The study aims to characterise the malaria parasite de novo folate synthesis pathway enzymes guanosine-5'-triphosphate (GTP) cyclohydrolase I (GCH1) and 6-pyruvoyl tetrahydropterin synthase (PTPS) as alternative drug targets for malaria treatment by using computational approaches. Further, discover new allosteric drug targeting sites within the two enzymes' 3D structures for future drug design and discovery. Sequence and structural analysis were carried out to characterise and pinpoint the two enzymes' unique sequence and structure-based features. From the analyses, key sequence and structure differences were identified between the malaria parasite enzymes relative to their human homolog; the identified sites can aid significantly in designing and developing new antimalarial antifolate drugs with good selectivity toward the parasites’ enzymes. GCH1 and PTPS contain a catalytically essential metal ion in their active site; therefore, force field parameters were needed to study their active sites accurately during all-atom molecular dynamic simulations (MD). The force field parameters were derived through quantum mechanics potential energy surface scans of the metals bonded terms and evaluated via all-atom MD simulations. Proteins structural dynamics is imperative for many biological processes; thus, it is essential to consider the structural dynamics of proteins whilst understanding their function. In this regard, the normal mode analysis (NMA) approach based on the elastic network model (ENM) was employed to study the intrinsic dynamics and conformations changes of GCH1 and PTPS enzymes. The NMA disclosed essential structural information about the protein’s intrinsic dynamics and mechanism of allosteric modulation of their binding properties, further highlighting regions that govern their conformational changes. The analysis also disclosed hotspot residues that are crucial for the proteins' fold stability and function. The NMA was further combined with sequence motif results and showed that conserved residues of GCH1 and PTPS were located within the identified key structural sites modulating the proteins' conformational rearrangement. The characterized structural features and hotspot residues were regarded as potential allosteric sites of important value for the design and development of allosteric drugs. Both GCH1 and PTPS enzymes have never been targeted before and can provide an excellent opportunity to overcome the antimalarial antifolate drug resistance problem. The data presented in this thesis contribute to the understanding of the sequence, structure, and global dynamics of both GCH1 and PTPS, further disclose potential allosteric drug targeting sites and unique structural features of both enzymes that can establish a solid starting point for drug design and development of new antimalarial drugs of a novel mechanism of actions. Lastly, the reported force field parameters will be of value for MD simulations for future in-silico drug discovery studies involving the two enzymes and other enzymes with the same Zn2+ binding motifs and coordination environments. The impact of this research can facilitate the discovery of new effective antimalarial medicines with novel mechanisms of action. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Science, Biochemistry and Microbiology, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-08
A biography on inkosi Albert John Mvumbi Luthuli as an African intellectual
- Mngadi, Samkelo Ntobeko Vukani
- Authors: Mngadi, Samkelo Ntobeko Vukani
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Luthuli, A J (Albert John), 1898-1967 , Luthuli, A J (Albert John), 1898-1967 Political and social views , Africans Intellectual life , South Africa History , South Africa Politics and government , African National Congress Biography , Apartheid South Africa , Political activists South Africa Biography , Intellectuals Political activity South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294493 , vital:57226
- Description: [Excerpt taken from Introduction] The purpose of this study is to take a look at one of these African leaders, inkosi Albert Luthuli through a biographical lens to assess whether he should be recognised as an African intellectual. Sifiso Mxolisi Ndlovu states that inkosi Luthuli is recognised as the father of South Africa’s non-racialism. He used his moral authority in a historic fashion to influence the liberation movement to adopt non-violent resistance. During his time as President-General, he became the beacon of non-violent resistance. As the president of the liberation organisation, he delivered speeches that steered the African National Congress (ANC) and the liberation movement when the State escalated its oppression against Africans. The State retaliated by deposing him as an elected Chief, imprisoned him, imposed multiple bans on him in attempts to silence him. His intellect proved to be a threat to the State. He spoke out boldly against the apartheid state and advocated for chiefs, African people, African women, sugar farmers, and all oppressed racial groups. Inkosi Luthuli used his speeches to deliver political concepts like non-racialism, multiracialism, African nationalism and democracy into the public space. He cemented ANC’s cooperation policy that created the environment for the existence of the Congress Alliance that produced the Freedom Charter. He spoke out against the oppression of not just South Africans but Africa and all oppressed groups internationally. He illustrated that he possessed geopolitics that would gain the attention of the world. He illustrated his geopolitics through his internationalism philosophy gained the international community’s attention. Inkosi Luthuli was revered and respected by his Groutville community, the African community, South Africans of all racial groups and the international community. His impact can be seen through him being the first African-born Nobel Peace Prize recipient. He pushed for the international community to place economic sanctions and believed that international sanctions were the appropriate non-violent method the global community could get involved in fighting apartheid.5 The purpose of this study will be to explore how a Christian Zulu Chief’s intellectual thinking was able to move South Africa towards a multiracial democracy using non-violent resistance as a strategy to gain Africa and the world’s attention—looking at him from the vantage point of being an African intellectual. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
- Authors: Mngadi, Samkelo Ntobeko Vukani
- Date: 2022-04-07
- Subjects: Luthuli, A J (Albert John), 1898-1967 , Luthuli, A J (Albert John), 1898-1967 Political and social views , Africans Intellectual life , South Africa History , South Africa Politics and government , African National Congress Biography , Apartheid South Africa , Political activists South Africa Biography , Intellectuals Political activity South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Academic theses , Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/294493 , vital:57226
- Description: [Excerpt taken from Introduction] The purpose of this study is to take a look at one of these African leaders, inkosi Albert Luthuli through a biographical lens to assess whether he should be recognised as an African intellectual. Sifiso Mxolisi Ndlovu states that inkosi Luthuli is recognised as the father of South Africa’s non-racialism. He used his moral authority in a historic fashion to influence the liberation movement to adopt non-violent resistance. During his time as President-General, he became the beacon of non-violent resistance. As the president of the liberation organisation, he delivered speeches that steered the African National Congress (ANC) and the liberation movement when the State escalated its oppression against Africans. The State retaliated by deposing him as an elected Chief, imprisoned him, imposed multiple bans on him in attempts to silence him. His intellect proved to be a threat to the State. He spoke out boldly against the apartheid state and advocated for chiefs, African people, African women, sugar farmers, and all oppressed racial groups. Inkosi Luthuli used his speeches to deliver political concepts like non-racialism, multiracialism, African nationalism and democracy into the public space. He cemented ANC’s cooperation policy that created the environment for the existence of the Congress Alliance that produced the Freedom Charter. He spoke out against the oppression of not just South Africans but Africa and all oppressed groups internationally. He illustrated that he possessed geopolitics that would gain the attention of the world. He illustrated his geopolitics through his internationalism philosophy gained the international community’s attention. Inkosi Luthuli was revered and respected by his Groutville community, the African community, South Africans of all racial groups and the international community. His impact can be seen through him being the first African-born Nobel Peace Prize recipient. He pushed for the international community to place economic sanctions and believed that international sanctions were the appropriate non-violent method the global community could get involved in fighting apartheid.5 The purpose of this study will be to explore how a Christian Zulu Chief’s intellectual thinking was able to move South Africa towards a multiracial democracy using non-violent resistance as a strategy to gain Africa and the world’s attention—looking at him from the vantage point of being an African intellectual. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, History, 2022
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2022-04-07
An ethnographic investigation of the implementation of the bilingual-bicultural approach for educating deaf learners focusing on South African sign language teaching at FET level
- Authors: Tunzelana, Nomava Mercy
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: South African Sign Language Study and teaching (Higher) , Sign language acquisition South Africa , Education, Bilingual South Africa , Biculturalism South Africa , Ethnology South Africa , Culturally relevant pedagogy South Africa , Deaf students South Africa , South Africa. Department of Basic Education , Curriculum-based assessment South Africa , South African Curriculum Assessment and Policy Statement (CAPS)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192353 , vital:45218
- Description: This half-thesis reports on an ethnographic investigation of the implementation of the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach for educating Deaf learners, focusing on South African Sign Language (SASL) teaching at the Further Education and Training (FET) level in a South African School for the Deaf in the Eastern Cape. The investigation occurs within the context of the introduction, in 2015, of the SASL Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The SASL CAPS introduces an approach to teaching the Deaf known as the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach. This is an approach in which natural sign language (such as SASL) is taught first and used to learn a spoken language such as English for reading and writing. Previous research on a contrastive analysis of South African English and SASL reveals that SASL is a Topic-Comment language. It is sometimes Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) or Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) while the word order of South African English is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). Semi-structured interviews of hearing and Deaf participants reveal serious tensions between the staff and the hearing staff because Deaf culture is not adhered to by some of the hearing staff. These tensions have a negative impact on the culture of learning and teaching at the school. Observations of four lessons at an FET class taught by an SASL FET teacher show that in her teaching, SASL syntax is used in keeping with the principles of the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach. However, her signing is accompanied by unvoiced spoken language due to the influence of a previously used approach called Total Communication (TC). One of the learners, Lulu, who contributes considerably more often than other learners in the lesson, also shows the same influence of TC. Other learners are either withdrawn or copy signs from Lulu. The study concludes with the recommendation that SASL be used for initiating newcomers to school as opposed to Signed English because research in bilingualism suggests that second language learners need one natural language established first before attempting to learn a second language. Teachers are recommended to immerse themselves into Deaf culture to acquire fluency. Comments from some participants suggest that teachers require vigorous training in the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach on a continuous basis. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Languages Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
- Authors: Tunzelana, Nomava Mercy
- Date: 2021-10-29
- Subjects: South African Sign Language Study and teaching (Higher) , Sign language acquisition South Africa , Education, Bilingual South Africa , Biculturalism South Africa , Ethnology South Africa , Culturally relevant pedagogy South Africa , Deaf students South Africa , South Africa. Department of Basic Education , Curriculum-based assessment South Africa , South African Curriculum Assessment and Policy Statement (CAPS)
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/192353 , vital:45218
- Description: This half-thesis reports on an ethnographic investigation of the implementation of the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach for educating Deaf learners, focusing on South African Sign Language (SASL) teaching at the Further Education and Training (FET) level in a South African School for the Deaf in the Eastern Cape. The investigation occurs within the context of the introduction, in 2015, of the SASL Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) by the Department of Basic Education (DBE). The SASL CAPS introduces an approach to teaching the Deaf known as the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach. This is an approach in which natural sign language (such as SASL) is taught first and used to learn a spoken language such as English for reading and writing. Previous research on a contrastive analysis of South African English and SASL reveals that SASL is a Topic-Comment language. It is sometimes Object-Subject-Verb (OSV) or Subject-Object-Verb (SOV) while the word order of South African English is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO). Semi-structured interviews of hearing and Deaf participants reveal serious tensions between the staff and the hearing staff because Deaf culture is not adhered to by some of the hearing staff. These tensions have a negative impact on the culture of learning and teaching at the school. Observations of four lessons at an FET class taught by an SASL FET teacher show that in her teaching, SASL syntax is used in keeping with the principles of the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach. However, her signing is accompanied by unvoiced spoken language due to the influence of a previously used approach called Total Communication (TC). One of the learners, Lulu, who contributes considerably more often than other learners in the lesson, also shows the same influence of TC. Other learners are either withdrawn or copy signs from Lulu. The study concludes with the recommendation that SASL be used for initiating newcomers to school as opposed to Signed English because research in bilingualism suggests that second language learners need one natural language established first before attempting to learn a second language. Teachers are recommended to immerse themselves into Deaf culture to acquire fluency. Comments from some participants suggest that teachers require vigorous training in the Bilingual-Bicultural Approach on a continuous basis. , Thesis (MA) -- Faculty of Humanities, Linguistics and Applied Languages Studies, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-10-29
Participation of stakeholders in the rationalisation of schools: a case of closure and merger of schools in the Amatole West Education District of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Authors: Mahanjana, Litha Lennox
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Public school closings
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20108 , vital:45274
- Description: The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa has shut down many public schools in the last few years and several other township and rural schools face imminent closure. The major reason adduced for this disturbing development is the increasing reduction of pupils because of poor performance. However, it is not clear whether all stakeholders are involved in the school rationalisation programme. Schools are custodians of children’s education and thus stakeholders such as parents, teachers, learners, community members and traditional leaders are important stakeholders in the education system and therefore, should participate fully in policy development and implementation processes. This study investigated how stakeholders in the school system such as teachers, learners, parents, and traditional leaders participated in the implementation of the school rationalisation policy. Using a qualitative approach within the interpretive research paradigm, the study investigated the case of two secondary schools that were closed and merged in the Amatole West Education District of the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher adopted this research approach because of its exploratory, descriptive, and contextual nature. A non-probability purposive sample was selected from the categories of teachers, learners and parents including traditional leaders of the communities of the two schools that were investigated. Data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions, while the content analysis technique was used to analyse the data. The data collected and analysed was also tested for its trustworthiness and ethical imperatives were also considered. The study revealed a lack of proper consultation of stakeholders prior to and during the implementation of school rationalisation policy. The DoE, to give an impression that stakeholders participated, in order to comply with the legislation, adopted a pseudo-participation strategy. This lack of consultation and pseudo-participation of stakeholders declared their participation as undemocratic. As a result, many challenges emerged and there were also unintended consequences that manifested themselves in the process. These findings were then translated into conclusions. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the authorities should consult with the relevant stakeholders and create platforms that will allow them to express their views about any proposed school rationalisation policy before it can be implemented. The DoE should also consider all relevant legislative imperatives before embarking to the implementation of its decision to close or merge schools. In compelling situations where school closures are necessary, the anticipated social and economic impacts and unintended impacts on learners must be planned and mitigated before the school closure policy can be implemented. Lastly, the relevant authorities should develop an alternative policy framework to address the gaps and challenges that manifested themselves during the implementation of the current school rationalisation policy framework. Recommendations for further research like widening the scope of the investigation to in include primary schools, urban schools and participants from the district office were also proposed. , Thesis (MEd.) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
- Authors: Mahanjana, Litha Lennox
- Date: 2021-04
- Subjects: Public school closings
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/20108 , vital:45274
- Description: The Department of Basic Education (DBE) in South Africa has shut down many public schools in the last few years and several other township and rural schools face imminent closure. The major reason adduced for this disturbing development is the increasing reduction of pupils because of poor performance. However, it is not clear whether all stakeholders are involved in the school rationalisation programme. Schools are custodians of children’s education and thus stakeholders such as parents, teachers, learners, community members and traditional leaders are important stakeholders in the education system and therefore, should participate fully in policy development and implementation processes. This study investigated how stakeholders in the school system such as teachers, learners, parents, and traditional leaders participated in the implementation of the school rationalisation policy. Using a qualitative approach within the interpretive research paradigm, the study investigated the case of two secondary schools that were closed and merged in the Amatole West Education District of the Eastern Cape Province. The researcher adopted this research approach because of its exploratory, descriptive, and contextual nature. A non-probability purposive sample was selected from the categories of teachers, learners and parents including traditional leaders of the communities of the two schools that were investigated. Data was collected using semi-structured face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions, while the content analysis technique was used to analyse the data. The data collected and analysed was also tested for its trustworthiness and ethical imperatives were also considered. The study revealed a lack of proper consultation of stakeholders prior to and during the implementation of school rationalisation policy. The DoE, to give an impression that stakeholders participated, in order to comply with the legislation, adopted a pseudo-participation strategy. This lack of consultation and pseudo-participation of stakeholders declared their participation as undemocratic. As a result, many challenges emerged and there were also unintended consequences that manifested themselves in the process. These findings were then translated into conclusions. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that the authorities should consult with the relevant stakeholders and create platforms that will allow them to express their views about any proposed school rationalisation policy before it can be implemented. The DoE should also consider all relevant legislative imperatives before embarking to the implementation of its decision to close or merge schools. In compelling situations where school closures are necessary, the anticipated social and economic impacts and unintended impacts on learners must be planned and mitigated before the school closure policy can be implemented. Lastly, the relevant authorities should develop an alternative policy framework to address the gaps and challenges that manifested themselves during the implementation of the current school rationalisation policy framework. Recommendations for further research like widening the scope of the investigation to in include primary schools, urban schools and participants from the district office were also proposed. , Thesis (MEd.) -- University of Fort Hare, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-04
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