Abstract
M.Ed. (Tertiary and Adult Education)
At this time of transition in South Africa, the key to creative
and pro-active change is education. In this sphere, as in many
others in South Africa, there is a large developing sector
juxtaposed with a small developed one. The majority of teachers,
especially those in the junior primary phase, are unqualified or
under-qualified and in urgent need of systematic inservice education.
In response to this need the Subject Advisory Service of
the Department of Education and Training (DET) was established
in 1990 with the specific aim of improving the quality of classroom
competence of teachers.
The objective of this study is to explore the perceptions which
a group of junior primary advisers have of their work in the
Subject Advisory Service.
To attain this objective a sample is used consisting of all the
junior primary advisers in one of the eight regions of the DET
who consented to participate at a specific time.
An investigative approach is used to explore the perceptions
which these junior primary advisers have of their work. This is
done' by means of qualitative research which includes detailed
descriptions of the context and manner of responses as well as
analysis of the content. Qualitative research is believed by
the researcher to be the best means of reflecting and recording
the complex phenomena of human thought and behaviour.
Data are obtained by requesting participants to write a n.live
sketch based on a stimulus, and later to participate in a focus
group interview based on the same stimulus.