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District-level policy and practice for supporting instructional leadership by school principals in South Africa
No full textInstructional leadership, as an approach to improve learning outcomes, has a long history dating back to the 19th century, when it involved an inspection system in countries such as England and Australia. Later, in the 1950s and 1960s, the focus was on how people in leadership positions can influence or improve learners’ scholastic performance. South Africa was not excluded from this trend. Leadership that helps to improve learner performance initially referred to school principals, but today the interest is in the way leaders at the level of districts support instructional leadership to improve learning outcomes. Instructional leadership has become even more important due to poor learning outcomes that persist despite ongoing supervision of schools by districts.
The question being answered by this study is, what are the district-level policies and practices for supporting instructional leadership by school principals in South Africa?
The design adopted for the study was a mixed methods sequential explanatory case study of three South African education districts. The data collection process involved a questionnaire survey consisting of closed questions, which was complemented by the use of one-on-one interview discussions held with the participants who responded to the questionnaires (school principals and district officials). The analysis of data followed a thematic approach, and involved codes being clustered into code families, or superordinate themes, which formed the basis of the discussion of the research findings.
Among the key findings of this study is that there is confusion regarding the existence and knowledge of the district vision, to the extent that district officials communicated various messages on instructional matters to schools. Few district officials are knowledgeable about policies that support instructional leadership, and attempts to establish systems to coordinate and regulate instructional programmes have generally failed. Existing structures that support instructional leadership are not well coordinated; hence, schools receive conflicting messages, resulting in duplication of roles and support to schools.
Instructional leadership practices for supporting instruction, if they exist at all, are not well planned and fully known by district officials directly assigned to support instructional
leadership by school principals. Individuals serving in structures meant to support instructional leadership by school principals lack capacity and knowledge of the kind of practices and policies needed to support school principals.
Regarding the structures that support instructional leadership by school principals, the study established that those serving in these structures lacked specialised knowledge and skills to support instructional leadership by school principals.
Among the key recommendations of this study is that districts should be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge on instructional leadership, so that staff are able to interpret policies and develop practices that support school principals to improve learning. In the wake of ever-changing demands on education districts to improve learner performance, there is a great need for regular refresher courses that are specially designed to support district officials designated to support instructional leadership by school principals. There should be intensification of recruitment and selection programmes, especially for district-based officials, so that they can support instructional leadership by school principals. Further research, specifically on the role and impact district directors and chief education specialists have on instructional leadership by school principals, is recommended with a view of suggesting realignment of recruitment and selection processes for both positions, with the ultimate goal of improving teaching and learning.National Research Foundation (NRF)University of the Free StateSANRA
A political risk analysis of Botswana
No full textOften the most attractive investment opportunities sprout from politically troubled countries. To better gauge the profitability of investments in countries riddled with political troubles, a political risk analysis is required. Although academic studies of political risk analysis usually seek to analyse countries with severe political risks, this study seeks to diverge from the status quo. Instead, this study explores an African country known for its good political environment. Botswana presides over a reputation of good governance and a stable economy while also being one of the top diamond producers in the world. Despite this image, this study argues that there are two reasons to conduct a political risk analysis of Botswana. First, a number of ‘under-the-radar’ events suggest that the peaceful surface might conceal a troubling undercurrent that could point to future political risks. The best way to sufficiently scrutinise the validity of this concern is to conduct a political risk analysis on Botswana using indicators that would detect any troublesome undercurrents. Second, political risk analysis is about reporting on political risks that might negatively impact an investment in a seemingly profitable industry. Therefore, this study argues that political risk analysis should not be limited to countries with the worst political standings but to all countries regardless of their reputation. Even stable, prosperous countries like Botswana may hold political risks that should be scrutinised by political risk analysis. On the backdrop of the abovementioned, this study uses a synthesis of some of the foremost political risk models and applies the synthesised model, with two additional indicators, on the case of Botswana to determine exactly which contemporary political, social, or economic conditions, events and role players may pose a particular or general risk to both the political and economic stability of the country. Ultimately, the study found that at the heart of Botswana’s political risks lies the issue of water security, the staleness and dominance of the ruling party, an array of worrisome social conditions, and continued overdependence of diamonds. Although Botswana has been praised for its good governance and economy, this study found that it still presents a number of political risks and compares relatively ill to other upper- middle income countries
A theoretical justification for the design and refinement of a Test of Advanced Language Ability (TALA)
No full textThe emphasis on political equality among the official languages of South Africa makes equivalence in the instruction and assessment of these languages at school level an important objective. The results of the National Senior Certificate (NSC) examination signal a possible inequality in the measurement of language abilities between the set of Home Languages (HLs) offered, as well as in the measurement of First Additional Languages (FALs). This necessitates action on the part of applied linguists to find a viable instrument for equivalent assessment. In order to do so, one must first find common ground among the various languages on the basis of which one can then derive a generic set of abilities that form part of an advanced language ability in any of these languages. As components of an overall ability, these will inform an idea of advanced language ability on which the further articulation of a construct for such a test should be based.
This study explores the assumption that there are certain functions of language that all languages have in common, even though these different languages may not necessarily operate equally well in all material lingual spheres of discourse. Using as a theoretical basis the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS), as well as current thinking about language teaching and assessment, this study not only provides a definition and further explication of advanced language ability but also describes the design of an assessment instrument to test this ability, the Test of Advanced Language Ability (TALA), that operationalizes the components of this construct. This test could potentially be the basis of a new, generic component of the NSC examination for Home Languages that might provide us with an instrument that can be demonstrated to be equivalent in terms of measurement, should it prove possible to develop similar tests across all the Home Languages. The study concludes with an evaluation of this instrument, a critical look at the limitations of the study and an overview of the potential utility of both the instrument and the findings of this investigation beyond its original aims.Inter-Institutional Centre for Language Development and Assessment (ICELDA)Umalus
The impact that inaccurate credit information has on the key functions within the Credit Department of a Telecommunications company
No full textDissertation (MBA (Business Administration))--University of the Free State, 2018Introduction: The research study explores the impact that the quality of data that is received from the credit bureaux has on the key functions within the credit departments of the three major telecommunication companies in South Africa; that is, Vodacom, MTN and Cell C. This includes a focus on the effectiveness of credit management information used in the credit assessment process that is procured from the major credit bureaux in South Africa. Moreover, a risk framework and its pertinent components are explored in the research regarding the products, processes and interventions that are utilised by telecommunication credit departments when making a credit decision. The overall aim of this study is to ascertain if these actions are robust enough to sustain the business performance or do they need to be refined to optimise the functioning of the credit risk portfolio of the business. Problem statement: The problem is that the data of applicants/customers utilised by the telecommunications companies obtained from the credit bureaux as part of credit decision making, may not be of the standard of quality expected by the credit team in support of sustainable credit performance of the organisation. If the problem is not addressed, the impact thereof is twofold. Firstly, it could result in potential loss of income for the company that could be detrimental to both its bad debt ratios and its credit reputation. Secondly, the impact on the individual consumer is also of concern, as the consumer could find themselves in a debt cycle that will take years to overcome; and the result is further the degradation of consumer well-being and ultimately the state of the economy
Behaviour of monoammonium phosphate in alkaline and calcareous sandy soils
No full textSoluble phosphorus (P) in soil is subject to fixation in either low or high pH soils. A variety of other soil processes contributes to this process, for example clay mineralogy, organic matter, sesquioxides and carbonates. Arid and semi-arid areas which are high in carbonates require proper P fertilisation to ensure sustainable crop production. Proper P fertilisation is hampered by the choice of which agronomic soil P test is best employed for fertiliser recommendations. The main objectives of the study were, firstly, to establish the amount of monoammonium phosphate needed to increase extractable P in the upper Orange River catchment soils with different calcium and phosphorus contents. Moreover, relationships between the application of P and the P extracted by the Olsen, Bray 1, Mehlich 3 and the Ambic 1 methods were investigated in the study soils which are used for irrigation. Lastly, the study compared extractable P contents in these catchment soils, which were analysed by three analytical laboratories.
Soil samples from the orthic A horizon were collected at six sampling sites in the upper Orange River water management area below the Vanderkloof dam in the southwestern parts of the Free State, and eastern parts of the Northern Cape. These samples were dried and sieved before conducting a two-month laboratory incubation study at room temperature, where they were treated with seven levels of monoammonium phosphate. During incubation, the samples were exposed to several wetting and drying cycles. The P in the soil samples was extracted with the Olsen, Bray 1, Mehlich 3 and Ambic 1 methods for colorimetric determination by the UFS laboratory. These samples were also analysed for extractable P by two commercial laboratories with the Olsen, Bray 1 and Mehlich 3 methods. Analyses of variance were conducted with IBM SPSS Statistics 25 at a 95% confidence level. The P content means of extraction methods and application levels were then compared with Tukey’s procedure, also at a 95% confidence level. Simple regression analyses were also done to meet the objectives of the study.
The six sites can be catagorised as low calcareous (3.3% calcium carbonate) with low to high P contents (2.4 to 42 mg kg-1 Olsen P).
Thus phosphorus requirement factors (PRF) estimated from regression equations varied significantly between the four extraction methods. The Bray 1 method showed significantly unrealistic PRFs of 1.8 to 384.6 kg P ha-1. By contrast, the variation of the PRFs for the Mehlich 3 method was very slight (0.9 to 2.1 kg P ha-1). The PRFs of the Olsen method (4.6 to 6.1 kg P ha-1) and Ambic 1 method (1.7 to 4.3 kg P ha-1) were more in line with other studies. Relationships between applied P and extracted P showed that various regression equations fitted the data with different methods. Although almost linear, polynomial equations best described the relationship with R2- values exceeding 0.98 for the Olsen method. Poor relationships (R2- values less than 0.57) were regressed with Bray 1 method data at calcareous sites. A variety of equations fitted the data best when using the Ambic 1 method. Good relationships between the P extracted with these methods may have a positive influence on fertiliser recommendations when conversion of P contents is required. Some significant differences between extractable P for a particular method were observed by the three analytical laboratories. These differences can result in fertiliser recommendations bring offered with limited confidence.
This study proved that the mineralogical, physical and chemical properties of a soil ultimately prescribed which method is the most suitable to extract P for reliable P recommendations. The Olsen method proved to be the most reliable on both the non-calcareous as well as the calcareous soils. The PRFs estimated with Olsen data ranged from 4.6 to 6.1 kg P ha-1. These values can serve as a basis for increasing extractable Olsen P to the required optimal levels. However, field studies are warranted to establish threshold values for fertiliser recommendations for each extraction method
SCHUMANN, Theodor Eberhardt Werner Inventory of documents
No full textCOVERAGE1948-1972; 0.66 metrePrivate papers of T.E.W. Schumann, Director of the Weather Bureau [1948-1965]; Deputy Chairman of the Atomic Energy Council [1958-1965]
SOLE, D.B. Inventory of documents
No full textCOVERAGE Undated; 0,10 Metre.Private papers of D.B. Sole, Ambassador Washington and Germany
AFRIKAANSE HANDELSINSTITUUT Inventory of documents
No full textCOVERAGE 1946-1990; 66.0 metreAFRIKAANSE HANDELSINSTITUUT Publications from the institut
The impact of a nutrition and physical activity intervention programme on frailty syndrome in elderly citizens in Lesotho
No full textThe number of elderly in the world is steadily increasing. Although a large number of studies have reported on the impact of nutrition and physical activity interventions in preventing, postponing or even reversing frailty in the elderly from developed countries, the evidence from developed countries is lacking.
The main aim of the study was to determine the impact of a nutrition and physical activity intervention on indicators of frailty and malnutrition in the elderly in Lesotho. The baseline phase of the study investigated levels of frailty, malnutrition and associated factors (socio-demography, reported health, dietary diversity and levels of physical activity) amongst a baseline of elderly in Maseru, Lesotho. The baseline was followed by the intervention phase to assess the impact of a fermented milk and physical activity intervention on indicators of frailty and malnutrition in the elderly in Lesotho.
This baseline study had a cross-sectional design. The elderly (N=300) aged 65 years and older were recruited from 16 communities in urban Maseru. A questionnaire was administered to acquire information on socio-demography, reported health and individual dietary diversity. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly (PASE) was used to measure levels of physical activity, while the Rockwood frailty scale was applied to assess the degree of frailty and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) was used to determine nutritional status.
In terms of frailty, 26.2% of participants were classified as fit; 52.4% as fit but bladder incontinent, 9.7% as pre-frail and 11.7% as frail. There was no significant difference between the prevalence of frailty in men and women (p=0.68). In terms of nutritional status, more than half (66.0%) of participants were at risk of malnutrition, while 19.4% were malnourished.
More than forty percent (43.1%) of participants were unemployed and almost half (46.3%) reported a household income of R500 or less. Most (81.3%) resided in brick/concrete dwellings, 61% used pit toilets and 51.3% had access to electricity at their homes. Gas was the most common fuel used for cooking (44.1%).
The most prevalent reported symptom was joint pain (59.7%). Loss of appetite (54%), involuntary weight loss (46.6%) and swelling of the feet (44.5%) were also common. More than half (63.2%), of participants were diagnosed with high blood pressure, and 36% suffered from heart disease/ heart related diseases. Almost all (90.7%) of the participants were members of a local church. Feelings of sadness and depression were reported by 47%. Almost 60% (57.1%) reported using medication regularly, and 7.2% had been hospitalised during the previous 12 months.
Individual Dietary Diversity Score (IDDS) showed that more than half of participants (53.5%) had low levels of dietary diversity, consuming mostly starchy staples (97.3%). Frequency of consumption of meat and dairy was low (38% and less than 1% respectively). The median PASE score of 106.1, (range 87.2-122.8) fell below the recommendation of >120.
Compared to the fit group, participants that were pre-frail or frail were more likely to use paraffin as fuel for cooking (p=0.02), less likely to go out (p=0.01), more likely to experience breathlessness with usual exercise (p<0.01) and wheezing or coughing (p=0.03). A significantly higher percentage of elderly in the frail group (13%) had been diagnosed with stroke as compared to the fit group (5.0%) (p=0.04). Diagnoses of lung disease such as asthma was significantly higher in the frail group (22.0%) than in the fit group (10.3%) (p=0.02).
A significantly higher percentage that were well-nourished according to the MNA used electricity for cooking (39.6%) compared to participants (23%) that were malnourished and at risk of malnutrition combined [95% CI -30.2%; -3.5%]. A significantly higher percentage of well-nourished respondents used flush toilets compared to those that were malnourished and at risk of malnutrition [95% CI -30.8%; -7.7%]. Perceived poor health status and nutritional problems were significantly (positively) associated with malnutrition [95% CI 19.3%; 36.0%] and [95% CI 22.2%; 37.8%] respectively. A significantly higher percentage (9.5%) of respondents that were malnourished had cognitive impairment/depression compared to those that were well-nourished (0%) [95% CI 2.6%; 13.9%].
For the intervention phase of the study a pre-test–post-test study design was applied in four urban constituencies (16 communities) in the Maseru District. After completion of the baseline study 120 of the 300 participants that were classified as pre-frail, frail and/or malnourished were selected to participate in the intervention phase of the study. Information about socio-demography, reported health, IDDS, MNA PASE and frailty (Rockwood scale) was collected in these participants before and after the three month interventions.
The 120 participants were divided into three groups of 40 each. Group 1 received the fermented milk and exercise intervention; Group 2 received only the fermented milk intervention and Group 3 comprised the control group. The interventions were delivered over a 12 week period. In Groups 1 the physical activity intervention consisted of sessions lasting for 1 hour a day on three days a week. After the exercise session the fermented milk was given to participants. In Groups 2 the fermented milk was delivered to participants every second day.
As far as the intervention sample was concerned, about two thirds were female, with a median age of between 74.4-76.1 years (range 64.3-94 years). More than 60% were widowed and had a low literacy level (primary school). More than 80% lived in brick or concrete houses and used pit latrines. As found I the baseline phase of the study, chest pain, loss of appetite and joint pain were the most commonly experienced symptoms, while hypertension and heart disease were the most commonly diagnosed conditions. More than 85% of participants regularly attended church. Major sources of stress included crop or business failure and major intra family conflict. More than 70% of participants in the intervention groups had cared for people infected with HIV/AIDS at some time.
Before intervention, more than 70% of all participants fell in the low dietary diversity score category (70.7% in the both group, 82.2% in the milk group and 70.2% in the control group). Only 4.9% of participants in the both group, 17.8% of those in the milk group and 12.8% in the control group were classified as well-nourished according to the NMA score. Before intervention the median PASE score of all was 113.3 in the both group, 102.9 in the milk group and 103.7 in the control group, indicating a low level of physical activity. In terms of the frailty score, 12.5% of the participants in the both group, 28.9% of those in the milk group and 28.9% in the control group were categorised as pre-frail and frail. After three weeks of intervention, no significant improvements in any of the indicators of frailty or malnutrition were observed in any of the groups. In conclusion, a large percentage of elderly participants included in this study were characterised by poverty, ill health, low dietary diversity, malnutrition and risk of frailty. Frailty and malnutrition were associated with a lower socio-economic situation, lower mobility and higher risk of symptoms and disease.
It is probable that the amount of fermented milk that was provided was not enough to impact on measures of frailty and malnutrition in participants. The socio-economic and food security situation of the elderly in Lesotho resulted in sharing of the food supplement. These findings further confirm the role of socio economic status and perceived health on nutritional status, and the need for routine screening thereof in the elderly to ensure timely diagnoses and management of malnutrition. Important differences between developed and developing countries, such as those related to socio-economic status, caregiving responsibilities of the elderly and food insecurity, complicate the situation of the elderly in developing countries. Research related to the unique nutrition situation and development, implementation and evaluation of relevant nutrition interventions in African countries are urgently required
VAN DER MERWE, P.S. Inventory of documents
No full textCOVERAGE 0.02 metreEditor of DIE SUIDWESTER; MP for Middelland (1958-1977); Whip of the National Party (1962-1970); Ballot paperrs and ballot lists, State President election (1967