A phenomenological investigation of Windhoek Senior Secondary school principals' perceptions and experiences of their leadership roles
- Authors: Boys, Ben
- Date: 2002
- Subjects: School principals -- Namibia Educational leadership -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1700 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003583
- Description: Namibia, having been a former colony of South Africa, was equally subjected to apartheid laws and practices. Independence, achieved in March 1990, signaled the dawn of a new era of access, equity, quality and democracy in the Namibian education sector. A unified system of educational administration, management, and control was established. The whole educational corps, especially the principals of all our schools, is expected to implement this new system as agents of change. In terms of the vision for a new Namibia, therefore, school principals are seen as occupying positions of central importance. This notion resonates strongly with recent and contemporary leadership thinking. However, a number of concerns prevalent in schools - particularly, increasing student underperformance, worsening disciplinary problems, increasing teenage pregnancy and HIV/AIDS pandemic, teacher qualification, decreasing teacher motivation, lack of training including induction for principals, inadequate support from the top (lack of a support system) and insufficient parental involvement in school matters – make the task of running schools extremely challenging and increasingly complex. How do principals experience these challenges and deal with the complex situations? How do they perceive their role, particularly in light of national aspirations and leadership theory? These are questions I think need to be explored. My research goal was to gain an understanding of Windhoek senior secondary school principals’ perceptions and experiences of their leadership role. My focus was on three purposively selected Windhoek senior secondary school principals representative of both the Namibian ethno-cultural diversity and gender. Data was collected through interviews. I found that the situations in which the principals found themselves during the pre- and post independent periods mainly determined their leadership style and behaviour, however, that did not deter their vision for the transformation of the society, as the ultimate objective and essence of their leadership. The appropriate practicing of their leadership role was being hampered by lack of induction and training, lack of a support system and insufficient parental involvement.
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- Date Issued: 2002
Portfolio of three projects
- Authors: Thomas, Lorraine
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Educational leadership Organizational change Educational change School management and organization -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1707 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003590
- Description: Educational leadership and management is a very wide field of study with interdependent components that should form a chain reaction in order to bring about effective management. This study attempts to investigate planning in schools which is one of the educational leadership and management components or functions. Very little research work has been done on educational planning in the Ciskei schools. This is a shortcoming since the number of secondary schools has mushroomed in the late twentieth century. The Ciskei educational managers and parents need to know and take note of the possible situations in the various schools. This is opportune time, particularly that recent events, i.e. students' demands and strikes, are drawing parents closer to the education of their children. The researcher's experience of inspecting school administration since 1990 has reinforced his conviction that the managerial teams in the Ciskei secondary schools have little knowledge of management, and of planning in particular. Although the investigation is into secondary school administration, it is also pertinent to primary school planning. Management, i.e. school year-planning, control of work, staff development, appointment of teachers, policy governing students and teachers are discussed at length . Joint planning, i.e. a participative or consultative approach, and advance planning, are investigated in relation to the school year-programme. The existence of statutory bodies in the various schools is assessed in order to test parents' involvement in the education of their children. School tours are discussed in relation to students' involvement in the school activities. The analysis of the results highlights areas that require attention, and the recommendations given address the controversial issues in planning in the various schools.
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- Date Issued: 2000
The need for a multicultural approach to mathematics curriculum design for the senior secondary school phase: a case study conducted at the Woolhope Secondary School, Port Elizabeth
- Authors: Govender, Vasuthavan Gopaul
- Date: 1994
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Curricula -- South Africa -- Case studies Multicultural education -- South Africa -- Case studies Education, Secondary -- Research -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1676 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1003559
- Description: Multicultural countries such as England have recognised the need to multiculturalise their mathematics curricula to cater for the needs of all ethnic/cultural groups, to encourage racial harmony and have pupils of a specific culture learn about, and accord respect to, another culture (Duncan, 1986;Dyson, 1986; Gilbert, 1984). However, in South Africa, a multicultural country with its large Black majority, such an approach has not been given the necessary attention. Laridon (1990) has criticised the way in which curriculum development in mathematics is conducted in South Africa. He describes it as a "top-down" approach and based on input from non-representative samples of teachers and not taking into account the needs of all cultural groups in South Africa. He criticises the manner in which topics are added to or removed from the syllabus and calls this "syllabus tinkering". With a number of, mostly English medium, schools opening their doors to all races, it is possible that certain cultural groups are at a disadvantage when compared with others if modifications to the syllabus, to accommodate their needs, are not made. This study is a small scale case-study, conducted at Woolhope Secondary, a predominantly Indian school, but with a significant number of Black pupils (approximately 25%). The study focusses on the need for a multicultural approach to mathematics curriculum design. The views of the senior mathematics pupils and mathematics teachers are considered in this regard, and together with the relevant literature, broad guidelines for a multicultural mathematics curriculum design in South Africa are suggested.
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- Date Issued: 1994
An investigation into some of the problems affecting the teaching and learning of biochemistry in Transkei Colleges of Education
- Authors: Qokweni, Patiswa
- Date: 1990
- Subjects: Biochemistry -- Study and teaching -- South Africa -- Transkei
- Language: English
- Type: text , Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1350 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001416
- Description: The study investigated some of the problems experienced in the teaching and learning of biochemistry - a section in the Senior Certificate biology syllabus - in the Transkei Colleges of Education. Biochemistry is often labelled a difficult area, therefore, the study was an attempt to identify the problems encountered by biology teachers and lecturers in teaching biochemistry and by student-teachers in learning it. Questionnaires were admlninistered to final-year biology major student-teachers in the colleges, and to the biology teachers and college lecturers. Examiners and subject advisers for biology were interviewed. The questionnaires required the respondents to identify the following: 1. Areas of biochemistry they find difficult. 2. Areas of biochemistry they find easy to understand. 3. Possible reasons for the students' poor performance in biochemistry. 4. Possible suggestions for improvement. The student-teachers were further given a concept test to test their understanding of the concept 'photosynthesis'. After analysing the data, the findings were used to make some recommendations, in an attempt to improve the teaching of biochemistry by the teachers and lecturers and of the learning of biochemistry by the students
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- Date Issued: 1990
The karyology and taxonomy of the southern African yellowfish (Pisces : cyprinidae)
- Authors: Oellermann, Lawrence Keith
- Date: 1989
- Subjects: Barbus -- South Africa Cyprinidae -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5192 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1001968
- Description: The southern African yellowfish (Barbus aeneus, B. capensls, B. kimberleyensis, B. natalensis and B. polylepis) are very similar, which limits the utility of traditional taxonomic methods. For this reason yellowfish similarities were explored using multivariate analysis and karyology. Meristic, morphometric and Truss (body shape) data were examined using multiple discriminant, principal component and cluster analyses. The morphological study disclosed that although the species were very similar two distinct groups occurred; B. aeneus-B. kimberleyensis and B. capensis-B. polylepis-B. natalensis. Karyology showed that the yellowfish were hexaploid, B. aeneus and B. kimberleyensis having 148 chromosomes while the other three species had 150 chromosomes. Because the karyotypes of the species were variable the fundamental number for each species was taken as the median value for ten spreads. Median fundamental numbers were B. aeneus = 196, B. natalensis = 200, B. kimberleyensis = 204, B. polylepis = 206 and B. capensis = 208. The lower chromosome number and higher fundamental number was considered the more apomorphic state for these species. Silver-staining of nucleoli showed that the yellowfish are probably undergoing the process of diploidization. Southern African Barbus and closely related species used for outgroup comparisons showed three levels of ploidy. The diploid species karyotyped were B.anoplus (2N=48), B. argenteus (2N=52), B. trimaculatus (2N=42-48), Labeo capensis (2N=48) and L. umbratus (2N=48); the tetraploid species were B. serra (2N=102), B. trevelyani (2N=±96), Pseudobarbus afer (2N=96) and P. burgi (2N=96); and the hexaploid species were B. marequensis (2N=130-150) and Varicorhinus nelspruitensis (2N=130-148). The taxonomic implications of polyploidy for the African cyprinids were considered, and its effect on species was discussed.
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- Date Issued: 1989
Changes in the image of the feminine from Giotto to Raphael
- Authors: Crossley, Elizabeth Ellen
- Date: 1985
- Subjects: Giotto, 1266?-1337 Feminine beauty (Aesthetics) Women in art
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MFA
- Identifier: vital:2471 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1009448
- Description: From Introduction: The ideal of femininity which developed in Renaissance painting, was a visual and psychological type which was to become the Western European Christian formula of the feminine. This type has survived until the present day, so a discussion of its origins can be revealing for us in the twentieth century, especially as it has been neglected in traditional art historical works. In this essay, the changes in the image of the feminine, in just under three hundred years of Florentine painting, starting with Giotto1. and ending with Raphael~· will be covered. The images will be taken from the wo rk of artists who were Florentine in training, who worked in the city or who were strongly influenced by the Florentine style of painting. I have divided the paintings I have studied into three sections. In the Religious section the paintings are mainly of Mary. The Mythological images refer to Greek and Roman myths and the humanistic interpretations of them. Finally, the Portrait and Genre images are selected on the following basis: In the genre paintings they are sometimes part of works related to religion or mythology, but, in their handling, the painters treat the figures as real human beings rather than holy or mythological figures. In others they are bona fide portrait representations. 3. I have made the above distinction because I expect that the gap between religio-mythological images and portraits will give some indication of the difference between the ideal and the reality for women of that time. The images will be analysed and changes noted in favoured types, gestures, expressions, movements, placing in the composition, relationships to others, favoured themes, costume, colour and symbols. I will point out as I proceed the effects that these elements had on the mood and tone of each image.
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- Date Issued: 1985
A preliminary investigation into the development of computer ability, mathematics concepts and problem solving techniques using turtle geometry
- Authors: Stoker, John
- Date: 1984
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Computer-assisted instruction Geometry -- Computer-assisted instruction Computer-assisted instruction Geometry -- Study and teaching LOGO (Computer program language) Mathematics -- Study and teaching
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: vital:1865 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1004598
- Description: From Introduction: The impact of computer technology has not yet been felt in South African primary schools. Yet it is believed that the effect of microelectronics on society will cause a revolution as significant as the industrial revolution. Whereas the industrial revolution amplified and extended the power of human muscles, the new microcomputer technology will mostly be concerned with amplifying and extending the power of the human mind. In order that the future generation might come to terms with the rapidly changing conditions, it is suggested that children of school age benefit by gaining experience with the new technology. It was against this background of challenge that I began to explore various uses of the new technology. The Cockcroft Committee (1982) investigation considered many aspects of mathematics teaching in primary and secondary schools in England. They gave a clear indication of the place of the microcomputer in mathematics teaching when they made this significant observation, "There can be no doubt that the increasing availability of microcomputers in schools offers considerable opportunity to teachers of mathematics to enhance their existing practice and also to work in ways which have not hitherto been possible." (para. 402). The aspect of 'doing' mathematics 'in ways which have not hitherto been possible' caught my attention. I saw the microcomputer as a powerful tool which would extend the children's range of mathematical experiences through the use of simulations. Seymour Papert (1980) propounds an exciting vision of education for the future which consists of collaboration between computers and children. His philosophy does not allow for computers programming children through drill and practice methods. He envisages the child programming the computer and mastering the powerful technology by using a highly active problem solving method. Besides learning problem solving skills, the aspect most emphasized by Papert (1971, 1972, 1980) is that through building and experimenting with computer programs, a child ought to gain new mathematical insights in the topic under investigation.
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- Date Issued: 1984
A 22 GHz water maser radiometer
- Authors: Nunn, Brian J
- Date: 1975
- Subjects: Masers , Radiometers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:5535 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1012987
- Description: This thesis describes the properties of interstellar water maser sources, and other sources near 22 GHz. Calculations based on manufacturer's specifications of the 22 GHz mixer, which was to be used in a water radiometer, and on the size antenna aperture of the proposed antenna aperture, show the viability of constructing such a radiometer for spectral line and continuum work. Various sections of the radiometer were constructed, including the Cassegrain feed system and its support, an intermediate frequency amplifier and buffer, a timing control unit, and a data processor. These units are part of the radiometer, which is almost ready for observations of sources.
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- Date Issued: 1975
Studies on anaerobic R factor transfer in facultative and anaerobic enteric bacteria
- Authors: Moodie, Hildegard Laura
- Date: 1974
- Subjects: Anaerobic bacteria , R factors
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:4252 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1007684 , Anaerobic bacteria , R factors
- Description: Introduction: R factor mediated transfer of antibiotic resistance between Enterobacteriaceae has been reported to occur in the mammalian gastrointestinal tract (Farrar et al, 1972; Guinée, 1970; Kasuya, 1964; Reed et al, 1969; Wiedemann et al, 1970). In vivo conjugal transfer of genetic material has also been demonstrated with F¹, F⁺ and Hfr Escherichia coli strains (Jones & Curtiss, 1970). The environment in the lower gastrointestinal tract, where bacteria are abundant, is mainly anaerobic. This is demonstrated by the dominance of obligately anaerobic bacteria such as Bacteroides species (Finegold, 1969; Moore et al, 1969) and direct studies of intestinal gas composition (Askevold, 1956). However, most laboratory investigations of the incidence of R factors and their transfer frequencies have been performed under aerobic conditions using faecal facultative strains. The only investigation of resistance transfer under anaerobic conditions in vitro is that of Mitsuhashi (1965), who reported complete inhibition of transfer of an R factor from a Shigella flexneri donor to an Escherichia coli recipient. In addition, Fisher (1957) reported restriction of chromosomal transfer by an E. coli Hfr strain under anaerobic conditions in various media. On the basis of these results, it could be questioned whether in vivo R factor transfer is in fact possible (Chabbert et al, 1969). The contradictory situation prompted a reexamination of conjugation in facultative strains under anaerobic conditions. Both Fisher (1957) and Mitsuhashi (1965) obtained anaerobic conditions by evacuation. In this investigation, both mating and selection of recombinants were performed under stringent anaerobic conditions using methods developed for the isolation of obligate anaerobes (Hungate, 1969) to obtain a degree of anaerobiosis similar to that found in vivo.
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- Date Issued: 1974
Vere deus vere homo: a critical assessment of Christological discourse concluding with a brief appraisal of selected Christological hymns
- Authors: Gamley, Anthony M
- Date: 1963
- Subjects: Jesus Christ -- History of doctrines Hymns, English Theology, Doctrinal Barth, Karl., 1886-1968
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Bachelor , BDiv
- Identifier: vital:1253 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1011938
- Description: "We preach Christ crucified, a stumbling-block to Jews and folly to Gentiles". In so writing, St. Paul stated in its briefest form the scandal of the Christian faith. To human reason it is nonsense to suppose that a man who grew up and lived like other men, and who ultimately died on a cross, could at the same time be the Son of God, equal to God, eternal like God, and Creator of the world with Him. Contrary to the painfully-evolved and carefully formulated conclusion reached by philosophers, that God is one, and diametrically opposed to the monotheistic divine revelation given to Israel, the belief that Jesus was Son of God and equal to His Father seemed; when it was first postulated, to imply some kind of flaw in the indivisibility of God. Men were being asked to believe that they could see God incarnate, that is, in a being of flesh and blood. Yet all our faith hovers around this precise point.
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- Date Issued: 1963