Abstract
M.Ed.
This study is an investigation of staff development for multicultural education. It has reference to overseas countries where multicultural education is being applied and shows how multicultural education can be implemented in South Africa. The aim of multicultural education is to prepare the pupils for life in a multicultural society. Multicultural education is an essential part of schooling in a culturally diverse society. The degree to which multicultural education becomes a reality in our schools will ultimately depend on the attitudes, behaviours, knowledge and skills of the classroom teachers. Multicultural education examine the dynamics of diverse cultures and the implications for developing teaching strategies. The attitudes of staff need to be examined for multicultural education in which they relate to expectations of the minority pupils. Staff development must be seen as an uninterrupted process of growth in which the teachers ability will change and improve in multicultural education. Staff development must link up with the teacher's formal educational training. Teachers must support the innovation in order that multicultural education can be implemented in South Africa. In staff development, it is equally important that minority cultures are represented throughout the whole staffing structure of the school. Staff development should promote understanding between various kinds of staff and different levels of administration. In this study, the purpose was to conduct a situation analysis of staff development for multicultural education in South Africa. This was done by compiling one questionnaire to the principals of the Johannesburg Region. There were twelve principals who were interviewed and supplied with a questionnaire. The investigation yielded the following results: Staff development for multicultural education is applicable in South Africa. Parents play a role in school programmes in staff development; for multicultural education. Teachers need in-service training for multicultural education.