Nkidi Caroline Phatudi

Transition of children from preschool and home contexts to grade 1 in two township primary schools in South Africa

In South Africa, the development of the 2001 White Paper No. 5 on Early Childhood Development (ECD) has been an instrumental policy in the development of changes to assist in preparing children for formal schooling, along with a strong focus on early childhood education. However the extent to which these are being enacted is relatively unknown. This study investigated understandings and practices of stakeholders involved in the transition of children moving from preschool or home into primary school in South Africa. A case study approach was adopted focusing on two schools situated in economically disadvantaged provinces of South Africa. School principals and teachers were interviewed to determine their knowledge of, and relationships with preschools, and practices around school transition. Grade 1 teachers were also asked about the factors influencing childrens transition to school. Parents were asked about their views of transition and how their children were supported as they started school. Taking note of the childrens own voices was imperative in determining how they experienced transition to school. While case study findings cannot be generalised, the results suggest that much needs to be done to increase awareness of early childhood education and for the government to move beyond universal accessibility to ensuring the quality of provision at the local level.

Teachers' Perceptions and Value of Yoruba as a Medium of Instruction in Primary 3 Classes

Abstract Yoruba is one of the languages recognised in Nigeria to be used as medium of instruction in the lower primary classes as stipulated by the Nigerian National Policy on Education. This study investigated how teachers experience the use of Yoruba as medium of instruction in primary classes. The study was qualitative thus employed the one-on-one interview schedule, semi- structured observation schedule and document analysis as data collection instruments. The participants included 10 primary three teachers in two primary schools. The findings revealed amongst others that despite lack of support from the government teachers have taken it upon themselves to promote Yoruba and make it accessible to learners. The study recommended that the government should do more to provide workshops and relevant materials for teaching.

Self-reflective practices during teaching and learning of an undergraduate literacy module

Abstract This paper is based on a field experience project designed as part of the foundation phase literacy programme. In this project, foundation phase teacher education student-teachers selected a teaching site and a learner or group of learners that they would teach to read in the afternoons and over the weekends. The aim of the project was to offer the teacher education student-teachers an opportunity to put theory into practice using self-reflective strategies that included group and individual reflections on instructional strategies presented in DVDs, reflections on microteaching lessons to the class, and reflections on teaching learners in local schools. During the time that they were working with their learners, they were also expected to confer with other teacher education student-teachers to exchange ideas, strategies and their ‘best practice’ experiences with others. Three distinct stages emerged as student-teachers taught and reflected on their experiences. Student-teachers were initially unsure of their capability of taking on the project. The second stage was that of determination to grapple with the project and the last stage was resolving to take ownership of the project. This paper recommends that projects of this nature are necessary as they allow undergraduate student-teachers opportunities for authentic learning regarding the teaching of reading.

Teachers’ Understanding and Conceptualisation of the HIV and AIDS Policy: The Case of Secondary Schools in Zimbabwe

This study examined secondary school teachers’ understanding of the HIV and AIDS education policy and curriculum in Zimbabwe. The study was informed by the Concerns-Based Adoption Model. Twenty teachers, four school heads from the participating schools and two Ministry of Education officials from Masvingo provincial offices participated in the study. Data for the qualitative case study were collected via individual interviews, focus group interviews and open-ended questionnaires. The study found that teachers had mixed perceptions of the HIV and AIDS school policy. Few teachers had a clear understanding of the policy and curriculum innovation while most of them were uninformed, ignorant, frustrated or confused regarding this policy and the implementation thereof. Overall, there was a disjunction between policy, curriculum requirements and teacher understanding and conceptualisation of the subject area due to a lack of professional qualifications and the non-availability of policy and curriculum documents. It is recommended that the Ministry of Education should become proactive in developing teachers’ knowledge and skills via significant and ongoing professional development and training for all teachers in HIV and AIDS education. School heads should provide support with regard to enhancing teachers’ understanding of HIV and AIDS education for effective implementation of the subject area in schools.