Koers (E-Journal)
Not a member yet
2282 research outputs found
Sort by
The Learner pregnancy in secondary schools in South Africa: Have attitudes and perceptions of teachers changed?
Full text linkMany secondary schools in South Africa have elaborate school policies on learner pregnancy. Many of these policies state that in the event of a female learner falling pregnant, the said learner will be suspended from the school. The application of these policies has been challenged in the courts of law either by the parents of the learners or the Department of Basic Education in South Africa. The study used a qualitative research approach to explore the perceptions of Life Orientation teachers with regards to learner pregnancy policies and their efficiency. A purposive sample of nine Life Orientation teachers was chosen, and a focus group was used to collect data from the respondents. There were five female and four male teachers in total who participated in the study. Their age ranged from 27 to 52 years with an average teaching experience of 15.3 years. The study showed that despite the legislation stating that schools should be supportive of the needs of the pregnant learners at the school, teachers interviewed demonstrated their unwillingness to adhere to the law. As a result, pregnant learners are advised or coerced to stay at home for the remainder of their pregnancy as the school environment is not tolerant towards them.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.2461
Teaching towards Christian environmental stewardship - to what extent are the Tbilisi Declaration objectives for environmental education relevant?
Full text linkChristians, as believers and followers of God’s word, are biblically appointed as stewards of the created biophysical world (Genesis, 1:26-31; Genesis, 2:15). This task is accomplished through practising environmental stewardship (ES). In a secular context, care for the environment is promoted through environmental education (EE). The Tbilisi Declaration (1977) articulates specific goals, objectives and principles of EE which have been followed by environmental educators for decades. This study aimed to determine to what extent the Tbilisi objectives of EE apply in the Christian context where EE is practised through educating towards ES. Research findings evidenced that apart from the five Tbilisi objectives, educating for ES employs an additional objective. This objective is the fostering of reverence for the environment which precedes the Tbilisi objective of cultivating environmental awareness. Reverence for God’s creation underlies the Christian yearning to obey, honour and bring glory to God. In the Church, educating for ES consequently should be based foremost on nurturing reverence for God’s creation. It is argued that ES will be more effective if reverence for creation is at the forefront.
Onderrig jeens Christelike omgewingsrentmeesterskap – tot watter mate is die Tbilisi-verklaring se doelwitte vir omgewingsleer relevant?
Opsomming
Christene, as gelowiges en navolgers van God se Woord, is aangestel volgens die Bybel as rentmeesters van die geskepte biofisiese wêreld (Genesis 1:26–31; Genesis 2:15). Hierdie taak word uitgevoer deur die beoefening van omgewingsrentmeesterskap (ES). In \u27n sekulêre konteks word omgewingsorg bevorder deur omgewingsleer (EE).
Die Tbilisi-verklaring (1977) verwoord spesifieke mikpunte, doelwitte en beginsels van EE wat al dekades lank deur omgewingsopvoeders gevolg word. Hierdie studie se doel was om te bepaal tot watter mate die Tbilisi-doelwitte van EE in die Christelike konteks van toepassing is waar EE beoefen word met die onderrig vir ES. Bevindings uit navorsing dui daarop dat buiten die vyf Tbilisi-doelwitte, daar \u27n addisionele doelwit is vir die onderrig vir ES. Hierdie doelwit is die bevordering van gesag vir die omgewing wat die Tbilisi-doelwitte vir die ontwikkeling van omgewingsbewustheid voorafgaan. Eerbied vir God se skepping lê die Christelike hunkering om God te gehoorsaam en ere aan God te betoon, ten grondslag aan. In die kerk moet die onderrig vir ES dus eerstens gebaseer wees op die kweking van eerbied vir God se skepping. Daar word geredeneer dat ES meer effektief sal wees indien eerbied vir die skepping op die voorgrond is.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.242
Indiscipline in South African Schools: the Parental / Community Perspective
Full text linkSouth Africa is struggling with the problem of indiscipline in schools. The issue of indiscipline in South African schools has been subjected to research for almost two decades. This research has revealed that learner (in)discipline in a school is related to six sets of factors, namely learner-related factors, teacher-related factors, school-related factors, education system-related factors, parent-related factors, and society-related factors. All of these factors have now been researched in respect to the situation in South Africa, with the exception of the parent / community factor. The aim of this article is to report on research that was done regarding this outstanding factor with regard to learner (in)discipline in South African schools. The constructivist-interpretivist approach was employed, in order to recast information gleaned from available international literature into a theoretical framework. The South African context was then analysed by using the theoretical framework. It was found that within the parental-community factor in determining the state of learner-discipline in schools four sub-factors can be distinguished, namely parental style, parental model, for example, family stress and parent-school relations. These have definite life-philosophical underpinnings, which are also outlined in analysing and interpreting the South African situation.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.243
\u27n Pleidooi vir die kriminalisering van stigma teen vrygelate gevangenes in Suid-Afrika
Full text linkA plea for the criminalization of stigma against ex-offenders in South AfricaAgainst the backdrop of Agrizzi’s testimony of large-scale corruption in the Department of Correctional Services (the Bosasa scandal) and the new Minister’s initiative in assisting ex-offenders with job opportunities and resettlement, the question is asked whether or not the paralysing impact of post-release stigma is justified. From a comparative perspective, my point of departure is that imprisonment as South Africa’s dominant sentencing regime has not impacted our unsustainable rates of recidivism and may in fact have made the situation worse. A post-Marxist theoretical perspective questions and problematises the stigma which haunts ex-offenders in stigmatising shaming cultures (such as in South Africa and the US). After examining and rejecting as irrational, the justifications for stigma – since these either apply to the stereotype or are backed by unexamined prejudice – the largely discredited idea of individual responsibility is taken to task. The multi-level complexity of crime is considered, and criminogenic structural oppressions (racism, poverty, sexism, stigma against ex-offenders, growing inequality) are highlighted. It is submitted that stigma qualifies both as hate speech and as being unconstitutional in South Africa. A number of interventions are proposed (such as the criminalisation of stigma against ex-offenders) which are aimed at the promotion of an integrative shaming culture and in a deeply reflective conclusion, the hypocrisy in the wider community is lamented. OPSOMMINGTeen die agtergrond van Agrizzi se getuienis van grootskaalse korrupsie in die Departement van Korrektiewe Dienste (die Bosasa-skandaal) en die nuwe Minister se oogmerk om vrygelate gevangenes behulpsaam te wees met werksverskaffing en hervestiging, word die vraag gevra of die verlammende invloed van post-vrylatingstigma geregverdig is. Vanuit ?n volksvergelykende perspektief is die vertrekpunt dat gevangenisstraf as Suid-Afrika se oorheersende strafparadigma nie ons onhoudbare hoë oortredingsyfers enigsins verlaag het nie en dit inderdaad aangeblaas het. ?n Post-Marxistiese teoretiese raamwerk bevraagteken en geproblematiseer die stigma waaronder vrygelate oortreders in harde stigmatiserend-beskamingskulture (Suid-Afrika, die VSA) gebuk gaan. Nadat die regverdigings vir stigma oorweeg en as onsinnig verwerp is – dit slaan op die stereotipe óf ongeregverdigde vooroordeel – word die grootliks gediskrediteerde gedagte aan indiwiduele aanspreeklikheid aan die orde gestel. Die multivlak-kompleksiteit van misdaad as ?n maatskaplike verskynsel word ondersoek en strukturele verdrukkings (rassisme, chauvinisme, armoede, stigma teen vrygelate voormalige oortreders, verdiepende ongelykheid) wat as teelaarde vir misdaad dien, word ook belig. Ek doen aan die hand dat sodanige stigma op beide haatspraak en ongrondwetlikheid in Suid-Afrika neerkom. Ten slotte word ingrype (byvoorbeeld kriminalisering van stigma) ter bevordering van ?n integrerend-beskamende kultuur aan die hand gedoen en in ?n bepeinsende slotsom word die maatskaplike huigelary rondom hierdie vraagstuk bekla.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.247
Teachers’ Views on Support by Environmental Non-Governmental Organisations in Selected Alexandra Township Primary Schools
Full text linkThis article explores teachers’ views regarding the support by environmental non-governmental organizations in managing environmental education (EE) projects in primary schools. In this qualitative case study research, a purposive sampling approach was used to sample thirteen (n=13) teachers from thirteen primary schools. Data was collected by means of using semistructured interviews and findings were analysed and discussed. The study was grounded in the total quality management theory and the interpretive paradigm, as it was concerned with the management of environmental education projects in primary schools. In order to examine how the environmental NGOs and, teachers’ management of environmental education projects in schools, the researcher drew on the concept of opportunity to learn (OTL). Findings indicated that teachers viewed environment NGOs as valuable in sharing the knowledge, skills, and experience in managing EE projects. Lack of time and resources were identified as additional barriers towards managing environmental projects in primary schools. Teachers were not trained as environmental educators, and they viewed managing EE projects in schools as additional work. Therefore, despite the efforts made by environmental NGOs managing school EE projects, the sustainability of these projects after NGOs disengagement was a problem in most schools. The article concludes with suggestions based on the findings, outlining how environmental NGOs can impart knowledge and skills in managing EE projects towards awareness of and involvement in the fight against pollution and the desecration of natural resources.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.238
HIV and me: The perceptions of children aged 10–12 living with HIV, and their expectations for adulthood
Full text linkThis article explores the understanding that children living with HIV have of their condition, and the physical and psychosocial challenges they face in pursuit of their ideals for adulthood. Analysis of the interview data, preceded by drawing-and-telling, confirmed literature findings on the importance of communication for complete disclosure and the need for repetitive discussions about HIV-related burdens to supplement medicine and treatment in pursuit of holistic well-being for children living with HIV. Research findings revealed children’s limited cognition of their HIV condition and their challenges with physical pain (attributable to their medicines and treatment) and psychosocial pain (stemming from family fragmentation and stigma). The children exhibited an intense desire for respect for their existence and for the realisation of their right to participate actively in communication regarding their HIV status. Their ideals for adult life pertained to being of benefit to others. The findings contribute to the discourse on effecting holistic wellbeing for children living with HIV.
Key words: complete disclosure, draw-and-tell technique, family fragmentation, living with HIV, physical challenges, psychosocial challenges, stigma
VIGS en ek: Die beskouinge van kinders in die ouderdoms-groep 10–12 wat met VIGS lewe, en hul verwagtinge vir volwassenheid Opsomming Hierdie artikel ondersoek die begrip wat kinders wat met VIGS lewe van hul toestand het, asook hul fisiese en psigososiale uitdagings in die nastreef van hul ideale vir volwassenheid. ’n Analise van die onderhouddata, voorafgegaan deur teken-en-vertel, bevestig literatuurbevindings oor die belangrikheid van kommunikasie vir volledige bekendmaking. Hierdie bekendmaking moet gevolg word deur herhaalde besprekings van VIGS-verwante struikelblokke om medikasie en behandeling te rugsteun in die strewe na holistiese welstand vir kinders wat met VIGS lewe. Navorsingsbevindinge het kinders se beperkte kennis van hul VIGS-toestand belig, asook hul uitdagings met fisiese pyn (vanweë medikasie en behandeling) en psigososiale pyn (vanweë gesinsfragmentasie en stigma). Kinders het ’n intense behoefte aan respek vir hul menswees, en aan die reg om aktief deel te neem aan kommunikasie oor hul VIGS-status. Hul ideale vir die volwasse lewe is daarop gemik om diensbaar te wees vir hul medemens. Die bevindinge dra by tot diskoers oor die holistiese welstand van kinders wat met VIGS lewe.
Kernbegrippe: fisiese uitdagings, gesinsfragmentasie, lewe met VIGS, psigososiale uitdagings, stigma, teken-en-vertel tegniek, volledige bekendmaking
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.2467
 
Building resilient communities in the midst of shame, guilt, fear, witchcraft, and HIV/AIDS
Full text linkOne of the most challenging issues in dealing with HIV/AIDS is breaking through the stigmas surrounding the disease and building resilience in communities where large numbers of people are infected with and affected by the HIV pandemic. This article explores the relationship between shame, fear, guilt, witchcraft and HIV/AIDS stigmatization with specific reference to a rural community in South Africa. This will be done by looking at key features of the African Traditional worldview and culture. Predominant witchcraft beliefs and how it manifests in community attitudes towards PLWA as we have observed it over a period of 10 years in the KwaNdebele region will be pointed out. The influence of prevailing beliefs in witchcraft and the way it aggravates the experience of fear, shame, and suffering of stigmatization by people infected and affected by HIV will also be highlighted. Approaches to Christian HIV/AIDS counselling and intervention have to be contextualised to be culturally sensitive and relevant. At the same time, the article wants to stress that a Christian approach to HIV/AIDS intervention may be enriched and become more holistic when the aspects of the Christian Gospel dealing with God’s merciful covering of the shame of his children and Christ’s victory over and disarmament of all evil spiritual powers and authorities are believed and embraced.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.246
Vonnegut, Darwin, and the Tragical Satirical Arc of Human History in the Novel Galapagos
Full text linkIn 1985 Kurt Vonnegut produced a satirical novel entitled Galapagos, in which the author explored a possible earth set one million years in the future. Human beings “have quietly evolved into sleek, furry creatures with flippers, and small brains.”[1]
Vonnegut posits a world in which human logic, derived from the functioning of three-kilogramme brains, has resulted in the downfall of the species, prior to the evolution of the seal-like creatures. This article explores the novel from an ecocritical perspective, including references to the work of Greg Garrard, Rachel Carson and Arne Naess. Charles Darwin’s work is also considered, because the novel’s title and setting allude to his work on evolution.
This article will argue that Vonnegut believes human beings should change their thought and behaviour patterns if we are to have an optimistic future.
[1] This quote is from the blurb on the back cover of the Flamingo edition, 1994.https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.85.1.249
The National Democratic Revolution (NDR) in South Africa: An ideological journey
Full text linkMany people are familiar with South Africa’s political past – the prolonged periods of colonialism and oppression of the black majority, and the eventual dismantling of apartheid and the introduction of a new democratic order. Relatively few people, however, know what principles actually steered South Africa on its journey towards freedom and democracy.
It is not uncommon for oppressed people to rise up and institute change through violent revolution. While some groups of people threw their weight behind the idea of an armed struggle, South Africa’s revolution was largely an ideological one ? characterised by a succession of struggle leaders debating the merits of communism vs. socialism, forming resistance groups and alliances, and producing authoritative treatises on how to achieve political and economic liberation (not so much a revolution but a bloody evolution). With the desired political dispensation long since attained, South Africa now faces the formidable challenge of freeing the majority of the population from economic bondage – an outcome that few anticipated back in 1994.
This paper traces the history of the ‘National Democratic Revolution’ (NDR) as it applies to South Africa ? from its tentative beginnings, to its heyday, to the present time when overwhelming economic challenges are now threatening to eclipse much of the ideological fervour and progress of years gone by.
Keywords: Class alliance; colonialism; democracy; Freedom Charter; National Democratic Revolution; socialism; Tripartite Alliance; political resistance.
Opsomming
Die Suid Afrikaanse politieke verlede is bekend aan baie mense – die uitgerekte tydperke van kolonialisme en die verdrukking van die swart meerderheid, en die uiteindelike aftekeling van apartheid en die inleiding tot ‘n nuwe demokratiese bestel. Betreklik min mense is egter bewus van watter beginsels Suid Afrika se reis tot vryheid en demokrasie bepaal het.
Dit is nie ongewoon vir onderdrukte mense om in opstand te kom en verandering te bewerkstellig deur gewelddadige revolusie nie. Suid Afrika se revolusie was hoofsaaklik van ideologiese aard – gekenmerk deur ‘n opeenvolging van anti-apartheidsleiers wie die meriete van kommunisme vs sosialisme, die vorming van weerstandsbewegings en alliansies, en wie gesaghebende geskrifte oor hoe om politieke en ekonomiese vryheid te bekom, gedebatteer het. Met die verlangde politieke bestel reeds stewig gevestig, moet Suid Afrika nou egter die besondere uitdaging hoe om die meerderheid van die bevolking van ekonomiese gevangenisskap te bevry.
Die artikel verken die geskiedenis van die Nasionale Demokratiese Revolusie (NDR) soos van toepassing op Suid Afrika – van sy onstaan, gevolg deur ‘n bloeitydperk, tot die huidige bestel waarin groot ekonomiese uitdagings nou dreig om die ideologiese ywer en ontwikkeling wat tot stand gebring is, te verskraal.
Sleutelwoorde: Demokrasie; klasalliansie; kolonialisme; nasionale demokratiese revolusie; politieke weerstand; sosialisme; driepartyalliansie; vryheidsmanifes;
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.84.1.236
\u27Self\u27 and \u27Other\u27 in Non-dualistic Vedanta: A Moral Interpretation
Full text linkThe paper examines the metaphysical and ethical approaches to study the image of the self and other in Non-Dualistic Ved?nta (hereafter NDV). NDV examines the nature of the empirical division of the self and the other, which are referred to by the terms ‘I’ and ‘you’ - asmad and yu?mad, respectively. Behind the mundane expressions of these terms, ?a?kara identifies ‘superimposition’ as a metaphysical precursor, which generates a cognitive error in all such expressions using personal pronouns and the use of predicates thereupon. The prime intent of the paper is to demonstrate vis-a-vis the metaphysical framework of NDV that the distinction between self and other is founded upon ignorance. If this ignorance is replaced by the true knowledge, the entire problems pertaining to ‘self’ and ‘other’ will see the development of a different kind of understanding, exposing the underlying unity of self and other, which generates a different attitude. Taking recourse to the NDV’s exposition of the issue, a moral interpretation of the underlying unity of self and other is also intended.
https://doi.org/10.19108/KOERS.84.1.240