Koers (E-Journal)
Not a member yet
2282 research outputs found
Sort by
Missed opportunities: The rhetoric and reality of social justice in education and the elision of social class and community in South Africa Policy
Full text linkThis article will examine the paradox of post-apartheid education policies which established the formal basis for social justice and equity through legislation while in reality these laudable goals remain unattainable and elusive.The article will be informed by and build on the conceptualisation and analysis of the barriers to social justice and equality in education by global and local critical, postcolonial and political economy of education scholars. It will critically outline the key arguments and studies around these concepts and will show the strengths and limitations of their analyses.Conceptual coherence will be achieved through a theoretical framework which focuses on social class, community and critical education policy. An original contribution will be made by extending and adapting some of these views, beyond their initial application, to support the education initiatives of South African social movements in poor communities. In concert with the latter, local education policy analyses will be critiqued for not paying sufficient attention to issues of social class, context and community voices in education.https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.83.1.233
Challenges for rural school leaders in a developing context: A case study on leadership practices of effective rural principals
Full text linkSchool leaders in all settings require suitable integration of leadership knowledge and skills to respond effectively to the many challenges that beset them in their daily work. However, it is argued that the rural context creates additional and distinctive challenges for school leaders, as rural schools have unique challenges and traits that differentiate them markedly from those in urban areas. To help understand how rural leaders in rural schools deal with the challenges and complexity in their work five schools were selected for the study. A qualitative research paradigm was selected. The selection process involved a purposive sample. Three of the five principals on whom the case studies were based were in their first year and the other two, were in their third and fourth year as a permanent teaching principal, respectively. Principals were interviewed using semi-structured, in-depth interviews.It was found that the desirability of principals acquiring a rural lens as a strategy for enhancing leadership has important implications for their initial preparation and also for their ongoing professional training. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.3.233
Professional development of newly appointed principals at public High Schools in Gauteng-matter of social justice
No full textAbstractGauteng, the smallest province with the highest per capita income in South Africa, should not have any dysfunctional schools. As a province, Gauteng spends a large portion of their annual budget on education, thus the professional development of principals should be the central focus point of their education system. Principals should be equipped or have the necessary knowledge, skills and values with which to manage and lead an effective and efficient school. The aim of this paper is to determine what knowledge and skills newly-appointed high principals need to fulfil this function and if they have been a part of any induction programme designed to guide and equip successfully principals to manage their schools. The success of a high school principal is measured against a schools final Grade 12 results. Keywords: newly-appointed principals, professional development, skills, induction programmeOpsommingGauteng, die kleinste provinsie met die hoogste per capita inkomste in Suid Afrika, behoort geen disfunksionele skole te hê nie. As ‘n provinsie spandeer Gauteng ‘n groot deel van hul jaarlikse begroting op opvoeding, daarom moet die professionele ontwikkeling van hoofde die sentrale fokuspunt van die onderwysstelsel wees. Skoolhoofde behoort toegerus te word met kennis, vaardighede en waardes, om ‘n effektiewe en doeltreffende instelling te kan bestuur en te lei. Die doel van die navorsing is om vas te stel wat die behoeftes van nuutaangestelde skoolhoofde is, hetsy kennis en/of vaardighede. Het die nuutaangestelde hoofde aan enige intreeprogram deelgeneem om hulle toe te rus om ‘n skool suksesvol te bestuur? Die sukses van hoërskoolhoof word gemeet aan die skool se finale Gr 12 resultate.Sleutelwoorde: nuutaangestelde hoofde, professionele ontwikkeling, vaardighede, intreeprogram
“Sapere audite ...” Melanchthon – sestiende-eeuse humanis en belangrike reformator
Full text linkOpsommingTerwyl Philipp Melanchthon allerweë in wetenskaplike kringe in Wes-Europa sowel as die VSA erkenning geniet vir sy reuse bydrae tot die Reformasie en die Westerse universiteitswese, is hy in sommige dele van die wêreld, ongelukkig ook in Suid-Afrika, taamlik onbekend. Dikwels verdwyn hy in die skadu van Luther en Calvyn. In eie reg was sy bydrae tot die hervorming van die kerk, sowel as die ontwikkeling van geesteswetenskappe en feitlik die volledige spektrum van wetenskappe in sy tyd egter só geweldig groot dat dit moeilik is om nie slegs in die oortreffende trap daarvan te praat nie. In hierdie artikel word doelbewus aandag aan die verhouding tussen sy rol as humanistiese geleerde in die sestiende-eeuse konteks en sy bydrae as kerkhervormer gegee, om sodoende meer insig oor die agtergrond van die komplekse reformasiegeskiedenis te bied.AbstractWhile Philip Melanchthon enjoys wide acclaim in scientific circles in Western Europe as well as the USA for his tremendous contribution to the Reformation and establishment of Western universities, he is unfortunately relatively unknown in some parts of the world, including South Africa. Often he recedes into the shadow of Luther and Calvin. In his own right his contribution to the sixteenth-century reformation of the church and the development of the Humanities – and in fact close to the entire spectrum of the sciences of his time – was so profound that it is hard not to acclaim him to the superlative degree. In this article, attention is deliberately given to the relationship between his role as humanistic scholar in the sixteenth century context and his contribution as church reformer, in order to provide more clarity on the context of the complexity of church reformation history. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.2.235
An Essay on What the Reformation could not Prevent the Identification of Church and ‘Volk’. Three Examples Reconsidered
Full text linkIn this year of REFO 500 the author investigates the question why the Reformation with its ‘theology of sola Scriptura and solus Christus’ could not prevent the successive identification of church and ‘volk’ in history and why it could not prevent the fatal consequences this identification had for the gospel message of reconciliation, the exemplary existence of the church of Christ and the coming of the kingdom of God. Three examples serve as proof for this statement: the attitude of the Anglican Church in England during the second Anglo-Boer War (now called the South African War)(1899-1902); the Lutheran Church in Germany during the Second World War (1939-1945) and the Reformed Churches in South Africa during the years of apartheid (1948-1994). All three examples reveal an untenable identification of church and ‘volk’, although in varying degrees. How could that happen?
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.83.1.240
Healing and hope: using life-coaching principles within the context of pastoral care
Full text linkThis article is the product of a qualitative, trans-disciplinary study that aimed to explore the use of life-coaching principles within the context of pastoral care. The research relied on the theoretical underpinnings of pastoral theology and life coaching. The problem that the article considers is that, while pastors are equipped with counselling skills, most of them are not equipped with the life-coaching skills necessary to assist people with personal and spiritual growth. We argue that pastors can enhance the pastoral care process by using basic life-coaching principles. Furthermore, we propose a pastoral care process that, on the one hand, focuses on counselling that addresses the coachee’s past as part of a healing process and, on the other hand, on life-coaching principles that look to the future while encouraging growth, as well as personal and spiritual development.GENESING EN HOOP: DIE GEBRUIK VAN LEWENSAFRIGTINGSBEGINSELS BINNE DIEKONTEKS VAN PASTORALE SORGOpsommingHierdie artikel is die produk van ‘n kwalitatiewe, trans-dissiplinêre studie wat ten doel gestel het om lewensafrigtingsbeginsels binne die konteks van pastorale sorg te ondersoek. Die beginsels van Pastorale Teologie en Lewensafrigting het die vorm die teoretiese onderbou van die studie. Die artikel besin oor die probleem dat, alhoewel pastors oor beradingsvaardighede beskik, hulle meestal nie met die nodige lewensafrigtingsvaardighede toegerus is nie en dus nie bekwaam genoeg is om mense met persoonlike en geestelike groei te help nie. Ons redeneer dat pastors die proses van pastorale sorg kan versterk deur van basiese lewensvaardigheidsbeginsels gebruik te maak. Verder stel ons voor dat die proses van pastorale sorg nie net fokus op berading waar die person wat berading ontvang se verlede in ag geneem word nie, maar ook op lewensafrigtingsbeginsels wat kyk na die toekoms, terwyl groei, asook persoonlike en spirituele ontwikkeling aangemoedig word.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.83.1.231
Calvijns uitleg van Romeinen 9-11 tegen de achtergrond van de geschiedenis van de exegese van Origenes tot de Glossa ordinaria
Full text linkThe purpose of this article is to listen to John Calvin’s view on the place of Israel from his exegesis of Romans 9-11, against the backdrop of the history of Christian exegesis of this same passage. After establishing that Calvin’s view of Israel and the Jews was primarily determined by his biblical exegesis (and not so much by any noteworthy interaction with the Jews of his time), the historical voices of Origen, Ambrose, Augustine, Pelagius and Glossa Ordinaria are explored. In the last part Calvin’s exegesis of Romans 9-11 is investigated. This investigation makes clear that Calvin is not caught up in a dogmatic discussion of predestination, but that he rather focuses on Paul’s preaching with regards to Israel. There is the scandalum of Israel’s unbelief whereby the visible body of the people of Israel has been generally rejected. But this is not a complete rejection. The secret election of God means that there is still an adoption, which is completely grounded in God’s grace. Calvin has a broad understanding of ‘Israel’ which includes both Jewish and gentile Christians. But for the reformer of Geneva the Jews always remain the firstborn in God’s house. Regarding the Jewish people as a collective, Calvin does not harbour any particular expectations. OpsommingDie doel van hierdie artikel is om te luister na Johannes Calvyn se visie op die plek van Israel vanuit sy eksegese van Romeine 9-11, teen die agtergrond van die geskiedenis van die Christelike Bybeluitleg van dieselfde gedeelte. Nadat vasgestel is dat Calvyn se visie op Israel en die Jode primêr bepaal is deur sy Bybeluitleg (en nie soseer deur enige noemenswaardige omgang met die Jode van sy tyd nie), klink agtereenvolgens die stemme van Origenes, Ambrosius, Augustinus, Pelagius en die Glossa Ordinaria. In die laaste gedeelte word Calvyn se eksegese van Romeine 9-11 ondersoek. Hierdie ondersoek maak duidelik dat Calvyn nie vasgevang is in ’n dogmatiese behandeling van die uitverkiesing nie, maar dat hy eerder die aandag rig op Paulus se prediking met betrekking tot Israel. Deur die scandalum van Israel se ongeloof is daar ’n algemene verwerping van die sigbare volk. Maar dit is geen algehele verwerping nie. Die geheime uitverkiesing van God beteken dat daar steeds ’n aanneming is, wat volledig in God se genade gegrond is. Calvyn het ’n breë verstaan van ‘Israel’ – dit sluit sowel Joodse Christene as Christene uit die heidendom in. Vir die Geneefse hervormer bly die Jode egter altyd die eersgeborenes in God se huis. Wat betref die Joodse volk as kollektief, koester Calvyn geen besondere verwagting nie. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.82.1.235
"Flourishing with music": from music students to well-rounded musicians of the 21st century
Full text linkPeople need music to sing, dance, play, work and listen to during a substantial part of their daily lives. Musicians understand and communicate life through music, a form of art that individuals and societies treasure. Tertiary music educators invest time and energy in order to assist music students in creating their own successful careers, but does their teaching and learning include holistic education approaches that develop the student into a well-rounded person? As a “think piece”, this article advocates a few important perspectives that will encourage undergraduate music educators to structure a music programme that will prepare music students to flourish in their lives and future work place. 21st-century skills for living and lifelong learning recommended by researchers, business leaders and education specialists are acknowledged and related to the challenges of teaching music as a well-rounded person. Wellbeing, flow and mindfulness are aspects that open up other dimensions such as meaningfulness and spirituality. Opsomming:Musiek speel ?n belangrike rol in mense se alledaagse lewe. Hulle sing, dans op die maat van musiek, luister daarna wanneer hulle werk, kuier en sport beoefen. Musikante verstaan en kommunikeer die lewe deur musiek sodat individue en die samelewing dit as ?n kunsvorm kan ervaar en koester. Tersiêre musiekopvoeders spandeer tyd en energie om musiekstudente vir produktiewe betekenisvolle musiekloopbane voor te berei. Maar word daar ooit aandag gegee aan holistiese onderrig en leer wat musiekstudente se menswees ook aanraak en afrond? In hierdie artikel beredeneer ek ?n paar standpunte wat tersiêre musiekopvoeders sal aanmoedig om voorgraadse musiekkursusse so te struktureer dat musiekstudente in hul lewens en werkplek sal floreer. Ek ondersoek lewenslange leervaardighede wat deur sakeleiers, navorsers en onderrigdeskundiges aanbeveel word. Hierdie vaardighede word verbind met die uitdagings om musiekstudente te laat fokus op hul persoonlike welstand, die hier-en-nou, betekenisvolle lewe en hul verbintenis met spiritualiteit deur musiek en musiekaktiwiteite. https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.83.1.230
Peer review, scholarship and editors of scientific publications: the death of scientific knowledge in Africa
Full text linkThis paper argues that the manner in which the scholarship peer review as a process of scientific quality is conducted and perceived in the editorial arena is a cause of insufficient knowledge production in Africa and developing countries. Arguments still persist that the developing countries such as Africa contribute at least 1.25% of the world knowledge production. This paper does not aim to support the idea that the peer review process of scholarship in the publication of scientific material is unnecessary, but argues that the mannerof using it to judge scholarship quality is often flawed in many academic publications. This paper uses an analytical approach from literature sources to argue that the usage of peer review without considering the complex process affecting peer review will result in the death of knowledge in the academic enterprise of developing countries such as Africa. This paper concludes that only if editors of scientific publishing can conduct peer reviews in an ethical manner without biasedly directing knowledge, knowledge generation will increase to solve economic problems in Africa.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.83.1.231
Politocratic communitarianism, immanentist sociology and sphere sovereignty
Full text linkPolitocratic communitarianism supports the historic revival of ancient Greek notions of social life in opposition to the nominalist trends in modernistic philosophy of society. The need for a penetrating normative philosophy of society from an integral non-dualistic angle to social life is manifest from Danie Goosen\u27s and Koos Malan\u27s pursuit of the neo-Aristotelian philosophical revival of the Greek polis: their formalistic approach to sociology, the dialectical tension between "normativity" and "factuality", and the juxtaposing of the "general" and the "specific" in their approach to social phenomena. In this article the shortcomings of politocratic communitarianism are traced to its immanentist approach to social theory with all the ensuing dialectical tensions emanating from its social philosophy and its views on the role of the state in society.
Key terms: Goosen, Malan, politocratic communitarianism, sociology
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.83.1.231