Koers (E-Journal)
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\u27Caring schools\u27 – a solution for addressing challenging behaviour in schools?
Get PDFMedia reports suggest that challenging behaviour is no longer the exception to the rule in South African schools. Furthermore, such problem behaviour is increasingly violent in nature, thus constituting a particular cause for concern. In this article the concept of “caring schools” is explored as a means of addressing learners’ challenging behaviour. A research study was undertaken at eight South African primary schools. The conclusions drawn from this research were verified by the correlative research findings of other researchers, as ascertained from the literature study. A key element of this research was the identification of attributes associated with caring schools and the impact thereof on learners’ behaviour patterns. From the findings of this research study it is concluded that caring schools represent a possible solution for dealing with challenging behaviour in South African schools
In pursuit of a foundational accountancy philosophy
Get PDFRecent accounting history is characterised by many developments, including several high-profile corporate failures, such as Enron, Parmalat and even Saambou, as well as major developments in financial reporting standards, such as the broadbased acceptance of international financial reporting standards and the convergence efforts between the UK-based International Accounting Standards Board and the US-based Financial Accounting Standards Board. As a result, long-accepted accounting assumptions are being challenged in favour of new principles and practices. Furthermore, in academic circles the scientific foundation of accounting is being questioned. At many universities, limited education is taking place in the underlying theory and philosophy of accounting in favour of teaching prospective accountants how to pass difficult professional exams. Seen against this backdrop, a reconsideration of the objectives and purpose of accountancy may be overdue. This article attempts to illuminate the intrinsic assumptions and objectives of accountancy, seen in the light of modern-day accounting issues and developments
Project governance: selected South African government experiments
Get PDFSome form of accountability and power structure binds all organisations. Such structures are typically referred to as the “governance” structure of the organisation. In organisations that have relatively mature project applications and methodologies in place, governance mechanisms are established on more permanent bases. With its focus on performance, results and outcomes, project governance establishes decision-making structures, as well as accountability and responsibility mechanisms in public institutions to oversee projects. As government institutions increasingly place emphasis on project applications for policy implementation and service delivery initiatives, mechanisms or structures should be established to facilitate clear interfaces between the permanent organisation and the temporary project organisation. Such mechanisms or structures should enhance the governance of projects, that is, the strategic alignment of projects, the decentralisation of decision- making powers, rapid resource allocation, and the participation of external stakeholders. The purpose of this article is to explore the concept “project governance”, and to highlight examples of project governance as applied in selected government departments in provincial and national spheres. This would enable the establishment of best practice examples and assist to develop benchmarks for effective project applications for service delivery improvement
Die integrasie van humoristiese tekste by taalonderwys om studente se emosionele geletterdheid te ontwikkel: ’n gevallestudie
Get PDFThe integration of humorous texts in language education to develop students’ emotional literacy: a case study The integration of humorous material in language teaching can be instrumental in the development of emotional literacy, thereby fostering an aesthetic sensitivity in student teachers (as learners) in different social contexts. Texts containing humour can play a significant role in the development of learners’ understanding and appreciation of a language, as well as the cultural heritage it embodies. Furthermore, it offers learners the opportunity to become creatively and imaginatively involved with oral, visual and written texts. The article illustrates how the application of humorous material in the teaching of Afrikaans is not only rooted in responsive education, but complies with the objectives of the South African teaching policy documents. By concentrating on a literature review of research studies, the authors point out the correlation between humour and various factors that influence learners’ and students’ affective behaviour in the context of the language classroom. Particular reference is made to research results indicating that the use of humour induces a more positive attitude, while also motivating students (as learners) to participate constructively in language activities. Attention is also paid to the relationship between different personality types (based on cognitive style) and anxiety. Moreover, the established link between humour and anxiety justifies the inclusion of humorous texts to reduce language-related anxiety. Ultimately the research serves to support the authors’ argument in favour of incorporating humorous material in the teaching of Afrikaans, while several (practical) teaching strategies are suggested. The authors hope to enhance the educational value by pursuing a holistic approach to language teaching
Die intrinsieke verband tussen opvoeding en spiritualiteit
Get PDFThe intrinsic relationship between education and spirituality After having researched the phenomenon of (especially young) people turning their backs on mainstream religions and finding refuge in “new” forms of spirituality, the authors concluded that, as always, the education of children cannot be done justice to unless attention is also devoted to the development of their spirituality. To defend this contention, they firstly analyse religion as a phenomenon. They find it to be multi-layered, with spirituality forming the innermost layer. They then discuss the emergence of “new” forms of spirituality and find them to be alien to the Biblical concept of spirituality. After discussing the intrinsic link between education and both the “new” and the Biblical forms of spirituality, the authors find their initial conclusion to have been vindicated
Die bydrae van stigma en diskriminasie jeens MIV-positiewe adolessente tot die verspreiding van die MIV- en VIGSpandemie
Get PDFContribution of stigmatisation and discrimination against HIVpositive adolescents to the occurance of the HIV and AIDS pandemic Although researchers all over the world study ways to curb the HIV and AIDS pandemic, the disease seems to be flourishing in sub-Saharan Africa. Many and varied reasons can be given for the apparently limited success of prevention programmes. This article focuses on stigma and discrimination as contributing factors, and reports on research undertaken to explore perceptions and attitudes towards adolescents who are HIV-positive. The experiences of these adolescents are also described. HIVpositive adolescents were selected in a focused way for individual interviews; parents, teachers and members of the community were selected randomly for focus group interviews. Data analysis revealed that stigma and discrimination are still very much a part of the everyday experiences of HIV-positive adolescents, and that people still harbour the misconception that the infection can be spread through normal interaction, despite information to the contrary. Results were presented after a brief discussion of stigma in general and specifically in the HIV and AIDS context. Characteristics of adolescents that render them especially vulnerable to infection are also presented. In conclusion some suggestions are made with regard to intervention and prevention programmes
Aftrede as integrasionele taak
Get PDFRetirement as integrational task In this article, the stance is taken that retirement can be viewed as a critical life phase. Depending on how retirees cope with this phase, they can either experience feelings of futility or engage in an optimal use of this promising period. The critical task of the retirement phase could therefore be outlined as achieving a deep sense of fulfillment and optimisation of lifeopportunities during the so-called golden years. This article will explore retirement as integrational task, the challenge being to guide retirees to an integration of life and faith experiences in order to experience meaning. A narrative approach to pastoral care is suggested as a mode for integration as it takes the generated experiences (stories) of people seriously. Within a reformational view of the narrative the Word of God is also taken seriously. In this fusion between the Story of God and man’s story lies the integration which will result in the creation of meaning during the final stage of man’s journey through life
Die hart van die mens herontdek: op die spoor van ’n Skrifgetroue mensbeskouing in die filosofie van D.H. Th. Vollenhoven
Get PDFThe heart of humankind rediscovered: on the track of a Scriptural view of being human in the philosophy of D.H. Th. Vollenhoven This article provides a summary of the anthroplogy of the reformational philosopher, D.H. Th. Vollenhoven (1892-1978). Such a synopsis is needed because Vollenhoven himself never worked out his views on being human in detail. The “fragments” from his different writings as well as some books about his philosophy are therefore collected in order to clarify the basic contours as well as uniqueness of his viewpoint. This is done in the light of the fact that many Christians even today are still influenced by all kinds of unbiblical anthropological ideas. The investigation develops from an introduction that indicates the need and topical nature of the research. This is followed by an explanation of Vollenhoven’s historical and systematic approach as well as the development of his own anthropological views. It is then indicated how he (with his problem-historical method) analysed the great variety of anthropologies throughout history. The next section contains a systematic exposition of his own views on being human, which is followed by an indication of its contemporary relevance. The concluding section consists of a review and final evaluation
Preface
Get PDFThis commemorative edition is a product of the subprogram for Governance and Transformation. As such it is an opportunity for various young academicians to publish alongside masters of the art such as Proff. B.J. (Bennie) van de Walt and J.F. (Johan) Kirsten. Within these pages an overview is provided of contemporary politics, with perspectives ranging from analytical, descriptive and normative to the practical appraisal of the new challenges facing institutions for higher education. In a nutshell this edition of Koers provides a window on current realities and an ever-changing environment