Girls’ career choices as a product of a gendered school curriculum: the Zimbabwean example.
- Mutekwe, Edmore, Modiba, Maropeng
- Authors: Mutekwe, Edmore , Modiba, Maropeng
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Gender-typing , Zimbabwe , Girls' career aspirations , Girls' career choices
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5755 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7863
- Description: The unequal distribution of boys and girls in certain subjects studied at school and its consequent unequal distribution of men and women in the occupational structure suggest some failure by schools and teachers to institute adequate measures to ensure learning equity. In this study we sought to unmask factors in the Zimbabwean school curriculum that orient girls into not only pursuing different subjects at school, but also following careers in fields traditionally stereotyped as feminine. The study was qualitative and utilized an exploratory case study as the design genre. Data were collected through classroom and extra-curricular observations and focus group discussion sessions (FGDS) with girl pupils. A sample size of 40 participants comprising 20 sixth form school girls and 20 teachers was used. These were purposively sampled from four schools. To analyse data we used simple discourse analyses. The main findings of this study were that gender role stereotypes and the patriarchal ideology communicated through the hidden curriculum reflected teachers’ attitudes and influence that contributed to girls’ career aspirations and choices.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutekwe, Edmore , Modiba, Maropeng
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Gender-typing , Zimbabwe , Girls' career aspirations , Girls' career choices
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5755 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7863
- Description: The unequal distribution of boys and girls in certain subjects studied at school and its consequent unequal distribution of men and women in the occupational structure suggest some failure by schools and teachers to institute adequate measures to ensure learning equity. In this study we sought to unmask factors in the Zimbabwean school curriculum that orient girls into not only pursuing different subjects at school, but also following careers in fields traditionally stereotyped as feminine. The study was qualitative and utilized an exploratory case study as the design genre. Data were collected through classroom and extra-curricular observations and focus group discussion sessions (FGDS) with girl pupils. A sample size of 40 participants comprising 20 sixth form school girls and 20 teachers was used. These were purposively sampled from four schools. To analyse data we used simple discourse analyses. The main findings of this study were that gender role stereotypes and the patriarchal ideology communicated through the hidden curriculum reflected teachers’ attitudes and influence that contributed to girls’ career aspirations and choices.
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“We grew as we grew” : visual methods, social change and collective learning over time
- Authors: Walsh, Shannon
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV prevention , Longitudinal research , Memory , Educational research , Social change
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6003 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8823
- Description: Educational research using visual methods has the power to transform the society in which we live and the communities in which we work. We must not naïvely imagine that having the desire to make change in people’s lives will mean that it will happen, as sometimes there may be surprising, unintended negative repercussions as well. Other constraints, such as structural violence and institutional racism, can also intersect with the possibility of making tangible change through educational research using visual methods. Qualitative assessment with a longitudinal approach is one approach that can reveal both the impact, and the limitations, of educational research on social change. I discuss these issues through grounded examples from an HIV educational project that used visual methodologies with a group of youths in Cape Town, South Africa over a number of years. Almost ten years later we interviewed three of the former participants about what impact the work has had on their lives. Each has travelled a different journey and been faced with different constraints that have implications for the effectiveness of such work. Where are they now, and as adults, what do they have to say about the visual methodologies, memory, and social change?
- Full Text:
- Authors: Walsh, Shannon
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: HIV prevention , Longitudinal research , Memory , Educational research , Social change
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:6003 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8823
- Description: Educational research using visual methods has the power to transform the society in which we live and the communities in which we work. We must not naïvely imagine that having the desire to make change in people’s lives will mean that it will happen, as sometimes there may be surprising, unintended negative repercussions as well. Other constraints, such as structural violence and institutional racism, can also intersect with the possibility of making tangible change through educational research using visual methods. Qualitative assessment with a longitudinal approach is one approach that can reveal both the impact, and the limitations, of educational research on social change. I discuss these issues through grounded examples from an HIV educational project that used visual methodologies with a group of youths in Cape Town, South Africa over a number of years. Almost ten years later we interviewed three of the former participants about what impact the work has had on their lives. Each has travelled a different journey and been faced with different constraints that have implications for the effectiveness of such work. Where are they now, and as adults, what do they have to say about the visual methodologies, memory, and social change?
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An industry-sponsored, school-focused model for continuing professional development of technology teachers
- Engelbrecht, Werner, Ankiewicz, Piet, De Swardt, Estelle
- Authors: Engelbrecht, Werner , Ankiewicz, Piet , De Swardt, Estelle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Learning and teacher support material , Technology education , Continuing professional teacher development
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5741 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7737
- Description: Traditionally a divide has existed between faculties of education at higher education institutions (HEIs) and trade and industry, but the business sector is increasingly buying into community development with corporate social investment, especially regarding technology education. We report on a continuing professional teacher development (CPTD) model, which entails trade and industry sponsoring learning and teacher support material (LTSM) for technology education in under-resourced schools, paying for LTSM through their corporate social investment funds, and sponsoring CPTD of technology teachers where they are trained to use LTSM more efficiently. Trade and industry, together with HEIs and Departments of Education (DoE), could change the traditional concept that CPTD is the responsibility of DoEs into a new model where the business sector shares some of the responsibility for equipping teachers so that they can provide quality education. We argue that custom-made and sponsored LTSM and CPTD play an important role in the training and empowerment of technology teachers.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Engelbrecht, Werner , Ankiewicz, Piet , De Swardt, Estelle
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Learning and teacher support material , Technology education , Continuing professional teacher development
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5741 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7737
- Description: Traditionally a divide has existed between faculties of education at higher education institutions (HEIs) and trade and industry, but the business sector is increasingly buying into community development with corporate social investment, especially regarding technology education. We report on a continuing professional teacher development (CPTD) model, which entails trade and industry sponsoring learning and teacher support material (LTSM) for technology education in under-resourced schools, paying for LTSM through their corporate social investment funds, and sponsoring CPTD of technology teachers where they are trained to use LTSM more efficiently. Trade and industry, together with HEIs and Departments of Education (DoE), could change the traditional concept that CPTD is the responsibility of DoEs into a new model where the business sector shares some of the responsibility for equipping teachers so that they can provide quality education. We argue that custom-made and sponsored LTSM and CPTD play an important role in the training and empowerment of technology teachers.
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Continuing professional development for principals: a South African perspective
- Authors: Mestry, Raj , Singh, Prakash
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Continuing professional development , Professionalisation , Advanced Certificate in Education , School principals , Educational leadership
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5745 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7747
- Description: We explore the rationale for school managers in South Africa to enrol for a new practice-based qualification and determine the perceptions of principals on how the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) course influences their leadership style. The task of being a principal is demanding, requiring energy, drive, and many personal qualities and attributes. Principals, involved in the day-to-day management of their schools, need to take time to reflect on their personal growth as leaders and managers. The expectations of principals have moved from demands of management and control to the demands for an educational leader who can foster staff development, parent involvement, community support, and learner growth, and succeed with major changes and expectations. Developing principals and providing them with the necessary knowledge, skills, values and attitudes becomes increasingly important as the dynamic and changing educational culture becomes increasingly difficult. Using a qualitative paradigm, we investigated the perceptions of principals on how the ACE course influenced their leadership style. The ACE course was conceived as a form of continuing professional development which has the purpose of equipping principals for the positions they occupy, or enabling teachers to move into an education leadership and management career path.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mestry, Raj , Singh, Prakash
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: Continuing professional development , Professionalisation , Advanced Certificate in Education , School principals , Educational leadership
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5745 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7747
- Description: We explore the rationale for school managers in South Africa to enrol for a new practice-based qualification and determine the perceptions of principals on how the Advanced Certificate in Education (ACE) course influences their leadership style. The task of being a principal is demanding, requiring energy, drive, and many personal qualities and attributes. Principals, involved in the day-to-day management of their schools, need to take time to reflect on their personal growth as leaders and managers. The expectations of principals have moved from demands of management and control to the demands for an educational leader who can foster staff development, parent involvement, community support, and learner growth, and succeed with major changes and expectations. Developing principals and providing them with the necessary knowledge, skills, values and attitudes becomes increasingly important as the dynamic and changing educational culture becomes increasingly difficult. Using a qualitative paradigm, we investigated the perceptions of principals on how the ACE course influenced their leadership style. The ACE course was conceived as a form of continuing professional development which has the purpose of equipping principals for the positions they occupy, or enabling teachers to move into an education leadership and management career path.
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Governing bodies and learner discipline : managing rural schools in South Africa through a code of conduct
- Authors: Mestry, Raj , Khumalo, Jan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: School governing bodies , South Africa. Schools Act, 1996 , School discipline , School management and organization , School management and organization - Parent participation
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381948 , uj:5746 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7748
- Description: The South African Schools Act of 1996 provides that school governing bodies (SGBs) should adopt and assist in the enforcement of a learner code of conduct to maintain discipline effectively. This study focuses on the perceptions and experiences of SGBs in managing discipline in rural secondary schools through the design and enforcement of learner codes of conduct. A generic qualitative research paradigm was used to gain insight into the effectiveness of and factors impeding the enforcement of learner codes of conduct in rural secondary schools. For this purpose, data were collected from six secondary schools in the North West Province by means of focus group interviews and analysed according to Tesch’s method of open coding. One of the major findings of the study revealed that many rural school governors still lack the relevant knowledge and skills to design and enforce a learner code of conduct effectively. The literacy levels of the majority of SGB members (parents) make it difficult for them to design and enforce the learner code of conduct, even though the department may have provided training. Furthermore, parent-governors are far removed from the day-to-day operations of the school, and consequently fail to contextualise the seriousness of discipline problems as well as to enforce the learner code of conduct effectively.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mestry, Raj , Khumalo, Jan
- Date: 2011
- Subjects: School governing bodies , South Africa. Schools Act, 1996 , School discipline , School management and organization , School management and organization - Parent participation
- Type: Article
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/381948 , uj:5746 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7748
- Description: The South African Schools Act of 1996 provides that school governing bodies (SGBs) should adopt and assist in the enforcement of a learner code of conduct to maintain discipline effectively. This study focuses on the perceptions and experiences of SGBs in managing discipline in rural secondary schools through the design and enforcement of learner codes of conduct. A generic qualitative research paradigm was used to gain insight into the effectiveness of and factors impeding the enforcement of learner codes of conduct in rural secondary schools. For this purpose, data were collected from six secondary schools in the North West Province by means of focus group interviews and analysed according to Tesch’s method of open coding. One of the major findings of the study revealed that many rural school governors still lack the relevant knowledge and skills to design and enforce a learner code of conduct effectively. The literacy levels of the majority of SGB members (parents) make it difficult for them to design and enforce the learner code of conduct, even though the department may have provided training. Furthermore, parent-governors are far removed from the day-to-day operations of the school, and consequently fail to contextualise the seriousness of discipline problems as well as to enforce the learner code of conduct effectively.
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From policy to practice : education reform in Mozambique and Marrere Teachers’ Training College.
- Guro, Manuel, Weber, Everard
- Authors: Guro, Manuel , Weber, Everard
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Marrere Teachers’ Training College (Mozambique) , Educational change - Mozambique , Curriculum change - Mozambique , Teacher education - Mozambique
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5749 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7751
- Description: The Mozambican government has introduced reforms of basic education, notably the introduction of interdisciplinarity, learner-centredness and new teaching pedagogies. This is a case study of how these curriculum reforms have been implemented at Marrere Teachers’ Training College. We conducted interviews with lecturers, observed their teaching practices, and studied student results to assess teaching outcomes. The study is grounded in the literatures on educational change and globalization. The problems of policy and practice have focused attention on bottom-up and top-down research, and hybrid approaches. The study of globalization has highlighted the relationship between curriculum change and the world economy. There is a paucity of research on how these developments have affected underdeveloped countries. We found that practical issues influence implementation. Lecturers did not understand the meaning of interdisciplinarity. They could, however, articulate the meaning of learnercentredness. Lesson observations showed they did not implement it. Against the backdrop of these inter-related factors, final year students performed poorly in examinations. These analyses show the complexities of the moving from policy to practice, and the global to the local.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Guro, Manuel , Weber, Everard
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Marrere Teachers’ Training College (Mozambique) , Educational change - Mozambique , Curriculum change - Mozambique , Teacher education - Mozambique
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5749 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7751
- Description: The Mozambican government has introduced reforms of basic education, notably the introduction of interdisciplinarity, learner-centredness and new teaching pedagogies. This is a case study of how these curriculum reforms have been implemented at Marrere Teachers’ Training College. We conducted interviews with lecturers, observed their teaching practices, and studied student results to assess teaching outcomes. The study is grounded in the literatures on educational change and globalization. The problems of policy and practice have focused attention on bottom-up and top-down research, and hybrid approaches. The study of globalization has highlighted the relationship between curriculum change and the world economy. There is a paucity of research on how these developments have affected underdeveloped countries. We found that practical issues influence implementation. Lecturers did not understand the meaning of interdisciplinarity. They could, however, articulate the meaning of learnercentredness. Lesson observations showed they did not implement it. Against the backdrop of these inter-related factors, final year students performed poorly in examinations. These analyses show the complexities of the moving from policy to practice, and the global to the local.
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The relationship between the perception of own locus of control and aggression of adolescent boys
- Breet, L., Myburgh, C., Poggenpoel, M.
- Authors: Breet, L. , Myburgh, C. , Poggenpoel, M.
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Adolescent boys , Differential analysis , Locus of control , Perception , Aggressiveness in adolescence
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5750 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7752
- Description: Aggression is increasingly seen in most parts of South African society. Aggressive behaviour of boys in secondary school often results from frustrations caused by perceived high expectations of others regarding the role, locus of control, and personality of boys. Locus of control plays an important role in a person’s perception concerning a situation and possible reactions to what is happening, or should be happening. A 56-item questionnaire, based on Rotter’s “Locus of control” questionnaire, and the DIAS Scale were used. The questionnaire was completed by 440 boys in Grades 9, 10, and 11. Various factor, item and differential statistical analyses were conducted. Three constructs were identified, i.e. physical, verbal, and indirect aggression. Results indicated that locus of control has a significant influence on verbal and indirect aggression. The differential analysis indicated that contextual variables (language of tuition, age, and grade) play a significant, but not substantial, role in aggression. Furthermore, boys with an internal locus of control are significantly and substantially less aggressive than boys with an external locus of control, with respect to physical, verbal and indirect aggression.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Breet, L. , Myburgh, C. , Poggenpoel, M.
- Date: 2010
- Subjects: Adolescent boys , Differential analysis , Locus of control , Perception , Aggressiveness in adolescence
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5750 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7752
- Description: Aggression is increasingly seen in most parts of South African society. Aggressive behaviour of boys in secondary school often results from frustrations caused by perceived high expectations of others regarding the role, locus of control, and personality of boys. Locus of control plays an important role in a person’s perception concerning a situation and possible reactions to what is happening, or should be happening. A 56-item questionnaire, based on Rotter’s “Locus of control” questionnaire, and the DIAS Scale were used. The questionnaire was completed by 440 boys in Grades 9, 10, and 11. Various factor, item and differential statistical analyses were conducted. Three constructs were identified, i.e. physical, verbal, and indirect aggression. Results indicated that locus of control has a significant influence on verbal and indirect aggression. The differential analysis indicated that contextual variables (language of tuition, age, and grade) play a significant, but not substantial, role in aggression. Furthermore, boys with an internal locus of control are significantly and substantially less aggressive than boys with an external locus of control, with respect to physical, verbal and indirect aggression.
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A narrative analysis of educators’ lived experiences of motherhood and teaching
- Knowles, Mariska, Nieuwenhuis, Jan, Smit, Brigitte
- Authors: Knowles, Mariska , Nieuwenhuis, Jan , Smit, Brigitte
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Multiple role expectations , Working mothers , Mother educators
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5744 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7746
- Description: In this article we argue that mothers often construct images of what they perceive as society’s expectations of them. These images become the parameters in the eyes of society to which they aspire. This is reminiscent of the adage: “I am not who you think I am. I am not who I think I am. I am who I think you think I am”. This study is based on analysis of the life-stories of four professional female educators. These mother-educators shared their assumptions, cultural values and beliefs and showed how these shaped the subjective construction and harmonisation of the multiple roles of mother and educator. It was found that they often find themselves faced with the conflicting and complementary dimensions of the multiple roles of mother and professional. We contend that these mothers set high standards and expectations for themselves as mother-educator and they worry about failing, not only themselves, but also ‘others’. They see the world of work, including parents, educators and school principal, as being against them — which is possibly a manifestation of a faltering self-image and linked to feelings of inadequacy. It is argued that mother educators need to negotiate new meaning in terms of their own perceived multiple role expectations so as to enable them to experience success as both homemakers and professionals. The challenge for the mother then is to engage in a constant search for her own identity.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Knowles, Mariska , Nieuwenhuis, Jan , Smit, Brigitte
- Date: 2009
- Subjects: Multiple role expectations , Working mothers , Mother educators
- Type: Article
- Identifier: uj:5744 , ISSN 0256-0100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7746
- Description: In this article we argue that mothers often construct images of what they perceive as society’s expectations of them. These images become the parameters in the eyes of society to which they aspire. This is reminiscent of the adage: “I am not who you think I am. I am not who I think I am. I am who I think you think I am”. This study is based on analysis of the life-stories of four professional female educators. These mother-educators shared their assumptions, cultural values and beliefs and showed how these shaped the subjective construction and harmonisation of the multiple roles of mother and educator. It was found that they often find themselves faced with the conflicting and complementary dimensions of the multiple roles of mother and professional. We contend that these mothers set high standards and expectations for themselves as mother-educator and they worry about failing, not only themselves, but also ‘others’. They see the world of work, including parents, educators and school principal, as being against them — which is possibly a manifestation of a faltering self-image and linked to feelings of inadequacy. It is argued that mother educators need to negotiate new meaning in terms of their own perceived multiple role expectations so as to enable them to experience success as both homemakers and professionals. The challenge for the mother then is to engage in a constant search for her own identity.
- Full Text:
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