The aim of this article is to report on research that was done on the realization of free primary... more The aim of this article is to report on research that was done on the realization of free primary education for all in one country, namely Lesotho. The article commences with an outline of the state of education (achievements and challenges) in the Sub-Saharan African region and the state of universal, free primary education, followed by a depiction of the context of and education in Lesotho. The research method is then explained and the findings presented. Conclusions regarding the pursuance of free primary education in Lesotho are then drawn within the Sub-Saharan Africa education perspective.
The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the impl... more The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the implementation of stress management strategies in schools. The specific objectives are to describe the essence and nature of stress management in schools and to outline the features of an action plan for strategic management in schools. The authors used an evaluative and integrative literature review to investigate information that pertains to related concepts such as strategy formulation in education, the elements of strategies in education and imperatives of stress management in education. This paper’s findings point towards the necessity of introducing stress management strategies in schools. It is recommended that the Department and its officials accept responsibility for managing strategic issues proactively and reactively. At the same time a framework of structures and processes through which individuals can be engaged in conversations and dialogues about the strategic direction of the...
This paper reports on the stress educators are experiencing in Middle and Secondary Schools in th... more This paper reports on the stress educators are experiencing in Middle and Secondary Schools in the Mafikeng Region, a district in South Africa. Data was collected by visiting all the schools from five clusters. A standardised questionnaire (ASSET) was used to determine the causes of stress in the lives of educators. A theoretical and quantitative investigation was done. A total number of 955 educators are employed in the secondary and middle schools in the five clusters. A questionnaire was distributed to each of these teachers. Nine factors contributing to teachers’ stress were identified, with a cumulative variance of sixty- eight percent. These factors are: managerial practices, relationship with work, causes of stress, career opportunities, job dissatisfaction, work success, leadership and management, remuneration and communication. Results in this study suggest that there is a direct link between these factors and the stress levels experience. More specifically two factors caus...
Journal of International Education Research (JIER)
The purpose of the research reported in this article was to place the known facts of the topic of... more The purpose of the research reported in this article was to place the known facts of the topic of teacher participation in stress management in the context of management and leadership in education. The emphasis in the conceptual and theoretical framework was on showing points of connection between leadership and management on the one hand and stress on the other. The investigation focused on how theoretical points of departure impact on teachers and how teachers experience stress through participation or non-participation in school management. The theoretical investigation was followed by a quantitative investigation by using a structured questionnaire known as the ASSET tool (An Organisational Stress Screening Tool) developed by Carthwright and Cooper. The main objective of the questionnaire was to measure potential exposure to stress in respect of common workplace stressors. The instrument was used to conduct a survey amongst teachers in the Mahikeng area. It was found that altho...
The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the impl... more The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the implementation of stress management strategies in schools. The specific objectives are to describe the essence and nature of stress management in schools and to outline the features of an action plan for strategic management in schools. The authors used an evaluative and integrative literature review to investigate information that pertains to related concepts such as strategy formulation in education, the elements of strategies in education and imperatives of stress management in education. This paper's findings point towards the necessity of introducing stress management strategies in schools. It is recommended that the Department and its officials accept responsibility for managing strategic issues proactively and reactively. At the same time a framework of structures and processes through which individuals can be engaged in conversations and dialogues about the strategic direction of...
International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 2014
Discipline is an important aspect of the life of any school. Learning and teaching can only take ... more Discipline is an important aspect of the life of any school. Learning and teaching can only take place effectively in a disciplined environment. In South Africa, discipline policies might not have been effectively implemented due to inadequate sources, lack of commitment and training of school leaders. A qualitative research design was utilized for the investigation on which this article is based. The research consisted of two phases. First, group interviews were conducted with 27 B Ed Honours students; thereafter, individual interviews were conducted with a total of six students selected by purposive sampling. The results seem to suggest that the broader school community should be taken on board to ensure effective discipline policy implementation. The correct legal sources should furthermore be employed in the process of developing school policies. School leaders need thorough training for the development and implementation of discipline policies. Several measures are suggested fo...
International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 2013
Many policies, strategies and plans have been introduced in South African schools so as to acquir... more Many policies, strategies and plans have been introduced in South African schools so as to acquire quality education. A strategic plan, as a mechanism of putting schools on a pathway of development and effectiveness over a period of time, is one of these initiatives. Its introduction is based on a number of reasons inter-alia - the shift to school self-management, the introduction of Norms and Standards, and the introduction of School Governing Bodies (SGBs). A schools strategic plan is the physical document that embodies the guiding orientation regarding how to manage the school within a larger national and local development perspective. Such a plan can lead to school effectiveness, improvement and development strategies, but not all plans obtain this status because of design efficiencies. A qualitative investigation was done in two primary schools in the Mahikeng Area Office (AO) of the North-West Province in South Africa. Document analysis, in-depth interviews with two principals...
Managers at district education offices in South Africa should be able to apply a variety of commu... more Managers at district education offices in South Africa should be able to apply a variety of communication skills effectively in a range of management contexts for these district offices to be successful. This paper reports on a theoretical investigation into effective communication strategies and dimensions, as well as an empirical study of the perceptions of managers and staff at an educational district office regarding the effectiveness of the communication channels and strategies, as well as of the barriers to effective communication. The findings suggest that district managers may need training specifically with regard to the role and importance of communication and that the dissemination of proper feedback should be a consistent practice. While professional communication depends on both task and interpersonal orientation for its success, it is recommended that the latter should receive the greater emphasis in a people-oriented and pedagogical institution such as an education district office.
The aim of this article is to report on research that was done on the realization of free primary... more The aim of this article is to report on research that was done on the realization of free primary education for all in one country, namely Lesotho. The article commences with an outline of the state of education (achievements and challenges) in the Sub-Saharan African region and the state of universal, free primary education, followed by a depiction of the context of and education in Lesotho. The research method is then explained and the findings presented. Conclusions regarding the pursuance of free primary education in Lesotho are then drawn within the Sub-Saharan Africa education perspective.
The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the impl... more The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the implementation of stress management strategies in schools. The specific objectives are to describe the essence and nature of stress management in schools and to outline the features of an action plan for strategic management in schools. The authors used an evaluative and integrative literature review to investigate information that pertains to related concepts such as strategy formulation in education, the elements of strategies in education and imperatives of stress management in education. This paper’s findings point towards the necessity of introducing stress management strategies in schools. It is recommended that the Department and its officials accept responsibility for managing strategic issues proactively and reactively. At the same time a framework of structures and processes through which individuals can be engaged in conversations and dialogues about the strategic direction of the...
This paper reports on the stress educators are experiencing in Middle and Secondary Schools in th... more This paper reports on the stress educators are experiencing in Middle and Secondary Schools in the Mafikeng Region, a district in South Africa. Data was collected by visiting all the schools from five clusters. A standardised questionnaire (ASSET) was used to determine the causes of stress in the lives of educators. A theoretical and quantitative investigation was done. A total number of 955 educators are employed in the secondary and middle schools in the five clusters. A questionnaire was distributed to each of these teachers. Nine factors contributing to teachers’ stress were identified, with a cumulative variance of sixty- eight percent. These factors are: managerial practices, relationship with work, causes of stress, career opportunities, job dissatisfaction, work success, leadership and management, remuneration and communication. Results in this study suggest that there is a direct link between these factors and the stress levels experience. More specifically two factors caus...
Journal of International Education Research (JIER)
The purpose of the research reported in this article was to place the known facts of the topic of... more The purpose of the research reported in this article was to place the known facts of the topic of teacher participation in stress management in the context of management and leadership in education. The emphasis in the conceptual and theoretical framework was on showing points of connection between leadership and management on the one hand and stress on the other. The investigation focused on how theoretical points of departure impact on teachers and how teachers experience stress through participation or non-participation in school management. The theoretical investigation was followed by a quantitative investigation by using a structured questionnaire known as the ASSET tool (An Organisational Stress Screening Tool) developed by Carthwright and Cooper. The main objective of the questionnaire was to measure potential exposure to stress in respect of common workplace stressors. The instrument was used to conduct a survey amongst teachers in the Mahikeng area. It was found that altho...
The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the impl... more The focus of this paper is to investigate the possibility of creating an action plan for the implementation of stress management strategies in schools. The specific objectives are to describe the essence and nature of stress management in schools and to outline the features of an action plan for strategic management in schools. The authors used an evaluative and integrative literature review to investigate information that pertains to related concepts such as strategy formulation in education, the elements of strategies in education and imperatives of stress management in education. This paper's findings point towards the necessity of introducing stress management strategies in schools. It is recommended that the Department and its officials accept responsibility for managing strategic issues proactively and reactively. At the same time a framework of structures and processes through which individuals can be engaged in conversations and dialogues about the strategic direction of...
International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 2014
Discipline is an important aspect of the life of any school. Learning and teaching can only take ... more Discipline is an important aspect of the life of any school. Learning and teaching can only take place effectively in a disciplined environment. In South Africa, discipline policies might not have been effectively implemented due to inadequate sources, lack of commitment and training of school leaders. A qualitative research design was utilized for the investigation on which this article is based. The research consisted of two phases. First, group interviews were conducted with 27 B Ed Honours students; thereafter, individual interviews were conducted with a total of six students selected by purposive sampling. The results seem to suggest that the broader school community should be taken on board to ensure effective discipline policy implementation. The correct legal sources should furthermore be employed in the process of developing school policies. School leaders need thorough training for the development and implementation of discipline policies. Several measures are suggested fo...
International Business & Economics Research Journal (IBER), 2013
Many policies, strategies and plans have been introduced in South African schools so as to acquir... more Many policies, strategies and plans have been introduced in South African schools so as to acquire quality education. A strategic plan, as a mechanism of putting schools on a pathway of development and effectiveness over a period of time, is one of these initiatives. Its introduction is based on a number of reasons inter-alia - the shift to school self-management, the introduction of Norms and Standards, and the introduction of School Governing Bodies (SGBs). A schools strategic plan is the physical document that embodies the guiding orientation regarding how to manage the school within a larger national and local development perspective. Such a plan can lead to school effectiveness, improvement and development strategies, but not all plans obtain this status because of design efficiencies. A qualitative investigation was done in two primary schools in the Mahikeng Area Office (AO) of the North-West Province in South Africa. Document analysis, in-depth interviews with two principals...
Managers at district education offices in South Africa should be able to apply a variety of commu... more Managers at district education offices in South Africa should be able to apply a variety of communication skills effectively in a range of management contexts for these district offices to be successful. This paper reports on a theoretical investigation into effective communication strategies and dimensions, as well as an empirical study of the perceptions of managers and staff at an educational district office regarding the effectiveness of the communication channels and strategies, as well as of the barriers to effective communication. The findings suggest that district managers may need training specifically with regard to the role and importance of communication and that the dissemination of proper feedback should be a consistent practice. While professional communication depends on both task and interpersonal orientation for its success, it is recommended that the latter should receive the greater emphasis in a people-oriented and pedagogical institution such as an education district office.
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Papers by Christo Van Wyk
that the dissemination of proper feedback should be a consistent practice. While professional communication
depends on both task and interpersonal orientation for its success, it is recommended that the latter should receive
the greater emphasis in a people-oriented and pedagogical institution such as an education district office.
that the dissemination of proper feedback should be a consistent practice. While professional communication
depends on both task and interpersonal orientation for its success, it is recommended that the latter should receive
the greater emphasis in a people-oriented and pedagogical institution such as an education district office.