Abstract
M.Ed. (Educational Psychology)
For any country to accelerate or even maintain normal growth, the optimum utilisation of all its manpower is imperative. Manpower implies people and children are people. Educational authorities like the Transvaal Education Department, have as one of its goals, the optimum development of the potentialities of every child entrusted to it. To ensure optimum development, every possible action has to be considered in order to reduce, and if possible stop, all early school-leaving and drop-out tendencies at secondary school level. With this aim in mind, all possible areas which may promote manpower loss, have to be identified and eradicated. In terms of the existing system of differentiated education, every effort is made to get as many pupils as possible to
attain the Std X level, while taking cognisance of ability and aptitude, and endeavouring to maintain a standard. An area in which the seeds of future early school-leaving or dropping out may be sown, is that revolving around the transition from primary to secondary school. For the purpose of this investigation, the problems revolving around the transition from Std V to Std VI in the specific area of relationships, were investigated.
By means of questionnaires answered by Std VI pupils and their teachers, the opinions of the pupils and teachers were amassed on issues regarding relationships, which may have an influence on the transition from primary to secondary school. 115
teachers and 1659 pupils were included in the investigation. Questions were set in five categories, namely, pupil/school relations, pupil/pupil relations, pupil/teacher relations.