11613 research outputs found
Sort by
A framework to support the School Management Team in handling learners’ gangsterism in a selected school
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Education Management and Leadership))--University of the Free State, 2024This study proposes to develop a framework to support the School Management Team (SMT) in handling learners’ gangsterism in selected schools in the Free State Province, South Africa. In the context of this study, a framework is intended to provide the guidelines that will assist SMTs in dealing with learners’ gangsterism in selected schools. The assumption in this study is that learners’ gangsterism contributes towards the formation of social ills within the school premises. Thus, evaluating the challenges facing the SMT in curbing incidences of learners’ gangsterism in schools is necessary. The overarching research question in this study is: How can a framework be developed to support the school management team in handling learners’ gangsterism in schools? The objectives include, among other things, highlighting the challenges and possible solutions for the challenges as well as threats and indicators of success related to learners’ gangsterism in school. This study is anchored and grounded within the Hope Theory to guide the development of a framework for the SMT to deal with learners’ gangsterism in selected schools. The data was generated with selected participants and members of the SMT, educators and learners. The methodology used to generate data is Critical Participatory Action Research (CPAR), and data was analysed through Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA).
Recommendations to address the above challenges included a broad legal framework, a broad-based approach, and enhanced training and resources. The study also identified threats that hinder the effectiveness of a new framework to address learner gangsterism. The proposed framework to minimise learner gangsterism in schools identified increased police involvement, inclusivity to strengthen collaboration between the SMT and the SGB, and monitoring to minimise instances of learner gangsterism as some of the best practices that schools can use to enhance the success of the new framework to address learner gangsterism.
Furthermore, the intention is to inform the policy dictates of the South African Department of Basic Education (SA DBE) concerning learners’ behavioural modes in schools. The ultimate intended benefit is to contribute towards improving the standard of education in South Africa
Nursing education leadership strengths in South Africa: an exploratory study
No full textNumerous multifaceted issues continue to pose a serious challenge to the success of nursing education and training worldwide. In South Africa, distinct situations, such as the transitioning of public nursing colleges to higher education to be part of a unified higher education system, amplify the problems faced by nursing education leaders. To unravel these complexities, an exploration of South Africa’s existing nursing education leadership strengths was undertaken.
To describe the leadership competencies deemed as an existing leadership strength in a challenged and transforming South African nursing education context.
As part of a larger study, embedded in social constructionism, an exploration of the country’s existing nursing education leadership strengths was conducted with the purposefully selected nursing education leadership experts. Qualitative, descriptive, and contextual data yielded by the ten participants were analysed using thematic analysis.
Four main themes emerged namely, leadership competencies; governance, leadership, legislation, and policy; staff development as well as community engagement.
The authors propose that the described leadership competencies offered by the nursing education leadership experts as the existing nursing education leadership strengths in the country be considered as a foundational basis to navigate emergent challenges in wider contexts.Publisher's versio
A comparative study of principals’ roles in the implementation of information and communication technologies
No full textThesis (Ph.D.(Education Management and Leadership))--University of the Free State, 2024Education is crucial for human civilization and requires technology, particularly in teaching and learning. Information and communication technologies (ICT) revolutionized education in the 1980s, leading to the potential obsolescence of textbooks. Global education systems must embrace technological advancements and changes to adapt to the Fourth Industrial Revolution. ICT will facilitate education through improved access, equity, stronger connections, and enhanced professional development of teachers. However, ICT is not yet universally accepted or used. School principals and teachers play a vital role in ensuring ICT implementation effectively. Research shows that ICTs significantly enhance the quality of education, and the need for closer integration of technology in the school system is highlighted. The South African e-Education policy aims to revolutionize learning and teaching, but school management policies influence its implementation.
This research study examines the role of principals in implementing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in schools. The study uses an interpretive qualitative approach and a multiple case study design. The research population includes nine principals and fifty-six teachers from nine primary schools in Motheo and Xhariep Districts, with seven teachers from each school participating. Data collection methods include focus-group interviews, semi-structured individual interviews, document analysis, and observation. The study investigates the ICT capacities of principals in different school settings and their impact on effective implementation. Principals in quintile 1-3 and quintile 4-5 schools are proficient in using computers but lack formal training. Teachers appreciate ICT's value but lack support. Barriers to successful implementation include policy absence, infrastructure issues, load shedding, electricity supply interruptions, equipment accessibility, outdated laptops, and insufficient internet connectivity. The leadership role of principals is crucial, but there is room for improvement in leadership support and classroom technology use.
The study explores the role of principals in implementing ICT in South African schools. It provides insights into the digital divide and offers guidance on effective strategies for successful implementation. The findings can inform decision-making and practice in ICT implementation, support ICT integration initiatives, and help teachers improve their ICT proficiency. The study fills a gap in research by comparing ICT implementation in different settings and the principal's role. It explores various theories in leadership and management, generating new knowledge and fostering innovation in leadership and management practices. Further research could explore resource allocation, maintenance, and security challenges schools face, principals' instructional leadership role in ICT, strategies for implementing management and leadership principles, and strategies to bridge the digital divide. A mixed-methods study could evaluate ICT implementation's effectiveness and impact on learner achievement
Corporate governance implementation at Sol Plaatje University
No full textDissertation(MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2024South African universities derive their funding from limited government grants. Owing to the limited funding available to universities, there is an increased requirement from stakeholders for universities to be transparent and efficiently use public resources. Thus, there is pressure on universities to develop good governance. Corporate Governance has become a severe challenge amongst South African universities. This challenge is demonstrated by the numerous universities investigated or under administration over the years. This study evaluates the current Corporate Governance practices at Sol Plaatje University (SPU) to prevent similar Corporate Governance challenges from arising in the future at the institution. Otherwise, it may experience similar Corporate Governance challenges that led to the collapse of some higher education institutions in South Africa.
Therefore, the primary objective of this study is to evaluate the implementation of Corporate Governance disclosure principles at SPU from 2013 to 2022 to determine the application of Corporate Governance practices regarding disclosure. Furthermore, this study is guided by two secondary objectives: (a) To identify Corporate Governance best practices applicable to Higher Education institutions through available literature and (b) To assess the implementation of good Corporate Governance practices at SPU by analysing information disclosed in the Annual Reports. This study uses a quantitative content analysis approach to analyse existing data from SPU Annual Reports submitted to the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation. SPU Annual Reports were analysed according to the instrument “ ” designed by Crous (2017: 212–375) to assess Corporate Governance practices at the institution. All SPU Annual Reports, published from 2013 to 2022, were selected for this study. The study, therefore, uses a census sample.
The study reveals that SPU’s Corporate Governance practices were not up to standard, characterised by a culture of extensive non-disclosures, and indicative of less accountability and transparency in the institution’s governance. The researcher recommended how SPU should ensure its Corporate Governance practices are up to standard. Failure of SPU to perform up to standard Corporate Governance carries the risk of the institution following in the steps of universities that collapsed
Evaluating the accuracy of planar gated blood pool processing software using simulated patient studies
No full textPlanar gated blood pool (GBP-P) radionuclide imaging is a valuable non-invasive technique for assessing left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Serial cardiac imaging can be performed to monitor the potential decline in LVEF among patients undergoing cardiotoxic chemotherapy. Consequently, accurate LVEF determination becomes paramount. While commercial software programs have enhanced the LVEF values' reproducibility, concerns remain regarding their accuracy. This study aimed to generate a database of GBP-P studies with known LVEF values using Monte Carlo simulations and to assess LVEF values' accuracy using four commercial software programs.
We utilised anthropomorphic 4D-XCAT models to generate 64 clinically realistic GBP-P studies with Monte Carlo simulations. Four commercial software programs (Alfanuclear, Siemens, General Electric Xeleris, and Mediso Tera-Tomo) were used to process these simulated studies. The accuracy and reproducibility of the LVEF values determined with these software programs and the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of the LVEF values were assessed.
Our study revealed a strong correlation between LVEF values calculated by the software programs and the true LVEF values derived from the 4D-XCAT models. However, all the software programs slightly underestimated LVEF at lower LVEF values. Intra- and inter-observer reliability for LVEF measurements was excellent.
Accurate LVEF assessment is crucial for determining the patient's cardiac function before initiating and during chemotherapy treatment. The observed underestimation, particularly at lower LVEF values, emphasises the need for the accurate and reproducible determination of these values to avoid excluding suitable candidates for chemotherapy. The software programs' excellent intra- and inter-observer reliability highlights their potential to reduce subjectivity when using the semi-automatic processing option.
This study confirms the accuracy and reliability of these commercial software programs in determining LVEF values from simulated GBP-P studies. Future research should investigate strategies to mitigate the underestimation biases and extend findings to diverse patient populations.Publisher's versio
Forged in secrecy, sealed in blood: the origin, initiation, symbolism, hierarchy and power dynamics within devil-worshipping gangs in the Free State province
No full textAn investigation by the South African Police Service in 1997 led to the discovery of a devil-worshipping group or ‘evil church’ that moved from parts of northern Africa and settled in Maseru, Lesotho. This group allegedly combined elements of the occult with traditional African witchcraft, giving rise to what local communities refer to as ‘devil-worshipping gangs’. Since 2011, these groups have evolved and spread throughout the Free State province, perpetrating crimes which range from murder to organ trafficking and rape. They have gained notoriety for committing ‘spiritually motivated’ crimes that include the consumption of human flesh, ritual stabbings, and purported communication with demonic entities. Despite their infamy, and the fear their gang-related practices induce, not much is known about these youth gangs. Extant research is primarily based on secondary data obtained from service providers and desktop analyses. Their enigmatic nature and complex structures also serve to complicate crime prevention efforts in communities, posing a plethora of social challenges and exacerbating crime rates. Accordingly, a qualitative study was conducted with 39 detained male offenders and 18 service providers to explore the existence of these groups and their unique practices related to initiation, symbolism, hierarchy and occult belief system.Publisher's versio
Generalised pliance as a mediator between conformity to masculine Norms and negative emotion among male students at a South African university
No full textDissertation(M.Soc.Sc.(Counselling Psychology))--University of the Free State, 2024Conformity to masculine norms has been implicated in numerous mental health difficulties among men. However, little is known about the potential psychological mechanisms by which conformity to masculine norms affects men’s mental health. Rule-governed behaviour
in the form of generalised pliance has been implicated in overcompliance with social norms to the detriment of adaptive functioning. This study aimed to investigate the mediating role of generalised pliance in the relationship between conformity to masculine norms and negative emotion. A sample of 336 male students from a South African public university participated in the study. Generalised pliance significantly mediated the interaction between negative emotion and conformity to masculine norms of self-reliance (=.056, 95% CI [.023, .093]), playboy-like behaviour (=.062, 95% CI [.024, .112]), and power over women (=.065, 95% CI [.028, .110]). The association between conformity to masculine norms in general and negative emotion was also mediated by generalised pliance (=.050, 95% CI [.020, .088]). The current study suggests that generalised pliance is one of the mechanisms by which conformity to certain masculine norms negatively affects emotional wellbeing among male students within the South African higher education system. Consequently, interventions aimed at undermining maladaptive rule-governed behaviour might prove useful in lessening the impact of conformity to masculine norms on the psychological health of this population
The teaching of Grade 7 mathematics through the use of multiple means of representation
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(Mathematics Education))--University of the Free State, 2024The study aimed at exploring how Grade 7 educators in the Thabo Mofutsanyane district in Circuit 8 use multiple means of representation in mathematics lessons. The reviewed literature gave insight into the incorporation of multiple means of representation in mathematical lessons. The literature review covered the teaching and learning of fractions, South African curriculum, and inclusive education. The study was guided by the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) framework. The research adopted qualitative design. Four Grade 7 mathematics educators from Thabo-Mofutsanyana district in Circuit 8 were purposively chosen to participate in the study. The participating educators were invited from four different schools. Two lessons per educator were observed with the aid of an observation schedule. The observations were followed by semi structured interviews. Three educators were interviewed based on what they would have taught during the lessons (the fourth participant withdrew at the interview stage). The findings in this study show that educators have the potential to use multiple means of representation in their lessons, to make challenging mathematics concepts such as fractions accessible to all learners. Together with real life materials, educators used prescribed textbooks and DBE workbooks. While UDL principle (multiple means of representation) was helpful in this study, it is recommended that two other principles should be considered when studies of this nature are conducted
The implementation of the -19 : rural university students’ experiences
No full textDissertation (M.Ed.(Education Policy Studies))--University of the Free State, 2024As an immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many universities in South Africa had to create COVID-19-specific policies. Many of these policies outlined the precautions that both students and staff had to follow to keep safe. This also entailed restricted access to university campuses and mandatory vaccination. To give background to this, students from rural-based university campuses, predominately come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Therefore, this study has attempted to understand the experiences of rural university students from one campus when a COVID-19-specific policy was implemented. Because of the disadvantaged nature of rural-based university students, it is essential to understand how the implementation of this policy affected them. Currently, there are limited studies that have attempted to understand the experiences of rural-based students, from a policy standpoint. Hence, this study aimed to explore students’ experiences with the implementation of the -19 on a rural University campus.
Different studies have indicated that the pandemic did in fact widen the already existing inequalities between rural and urban-based universities. And across the world, different universities employed similar strategies in managing the spread of the virus and the main objective was to ensure the safety of students. Similarly, in countries like the United States of America, Nigeria and China students were removed from their university campuses and institutions enacted COVID-19-specific guidelines and policies to manage the spread of the virus on their university campuses. Of course, this came with some problems, for example, in a country like Nigeria, online learning and teaching presented some challenges.
Therefore, with reference to realist social theory, this study has used the qualitative approach to collect data. Two data collection strategies have been used, which are focus group discussion and document analysis. Stratified purposive sampling was used to select participants from a rural university campus. In addition, data was analysed using thematic analysis and critical policy analysis. Results obtained from this study indicate that to a certain extend the implementation of the -19 did present students with some challenges. Students did not have the knowledge or the resources to learn successfully online, and they felt that the policy took their away their autonomy when it came to choosing whether or not to vaccinate. To add to this, policy analysis indicated that the policy was more specific when it came to employees but with regards to students, there were many omissions and silences. In brief, the institution did have an ethical moral obligation to keep its community safe however other less coercive alternatives should have been explored rather than mandating vaccinations
Smallholder farmers’ coping and adaptation strategies to climate change: evidence from a bibliometric analysis
No full textClimate change threatens smallholder farmers' productivity, revenue generation, and increases household food insecurity. Thus, adaptation and coping strategies are paramount for smallholder farming households to mitigate these impacts of climate change. This study used a bibliometric analysis to examine smallholder farmers’ coping and adaptation strategies to climate change (SFCA-SCC) research trends from 2010 to 2022. A total of 1635 papers were analysed from Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases to characterize the field and observe research trends. The articles from these databases demonstrate an upward trend in publications (54–300) over the period under study, signifying the importance of research on adaptation and coping strategies of climate change. The research findings showed that majority of studies originated from institutions in industrialized countries, while very few did so from emerging economies. According to the findings, smallholder farmers have embraced a range of adaptation and coping mechanisms to mitigate the impacts of climate change, such as altering planting schedules, and diversifying crop varieties among others. It is imperative for African researchers and institutions to engage in more research aimed at developing strategies to mitigate the risks posed by climate change.Publisher's versio