This paper reports on transforming Foundation Phase teachers' use of learning and teaching support materials (LTSMs) to sustain teaching and learning in Life Skills classrooms. This paper aimed to comprehend teachers' perspectives on how they could transform their practices using LTSMs to improve their teaching and learner performance to…

The subject Mathematical Literacy (ML) prioritises an interplay of mathematics and real-life contexts in pursuit of an empowerment agenda for improved life opportunities. In seeking to identify processes of inclusion-exclusion afforded by different conceptualisations of this interplay, a network of Bernstein's theoretical constructs --…

Education in the 21st century has had an evolutionary impact on teachers' teaching approaches in South African schools. Teachers are continuously faced with challenges in improving teaching and learning approaches in response to addressing the particular needs of a diverse group of learners. With this article we aimed to explore life orientation…

What comes to mind when you think about skateboarding? Depending on your age (wink), your initial thoughts might range from "kid's toy" to "action sport," or from "thrilling" to "dangerous" or even "annoying noise." Although skateboarding bore the reputation of a rebellious counterculture in its…

Students including health sciences at universities that appear to subscribe to neoliberal logic are at risk for social injustices and inequalities, anxiety, depression, academic demands and unethical activities. There has been little discussion about students' self-care and well-being in and beyond the neoliberal universities. This article…

In the South African context, children with severe to profound intellectual disabilities are not accommodated in the compulsory education system, although steps are being taken in this direction in acknowledgement of their right to education. Critical to this development is the training of educators and caregivers. There is a paucity of studies…

Textbooks socialise and legitimise cultural norms, and therefore, learners' social worlds should find expression in their textbooks. In the study reported on here we examined how Grade 4 English First Additional Language and life skills textbooks reflected learner diversity in South African schools as manifested in their racial, gender,…

Background: Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) affects motor skills and consequently has an impact on the performance in daily living activities of learners with this impairment. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of possible DCD in Grade 1 (Gr. 1) learners in a low socio-economic environment in Mangaung, South…

There is an increasing appreciation that, in order to prepare learners for success in life, they require a holistic education providing not only academic skills, but also psychosocial competencies (Zins & Elias, 2006). Outdoor adventure education (OAE) shows potential as a way of developing these life skills, which are not easy to incorporate…

An analysis of the National Curriculum Statement indicates a strong focus on the promotion of knowledge in local context, whilst being sensitive to global imperatives. This implies that learning experiences must reflect local realities first; a call which compels teachers to adapt their teaching with the purpose to make learning relevant and…

In the field of education, globally, teachers are recognised as important contributors in shaping learners' interaction in a cooperative learning environment through effective lesson planning. There is a plethora of research conducted internally on lesson planning, as a critical instructional competency for good teaching and as a purposeful…

Background: In 2016, the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (UNESCO) selected South Africa as a pilot country for policy reforms in Quality Physical Education (QPE).Purpose: This initiative required a national research project on the 'state and status of physical education in South African public schools'. The South…

Background: The perception that educating learners using their mother tongue contributes positively to educational and learning outcomes is well documented. Aim: This study explores the purported benefits of employing the mother tongue in teaching Foundation Phase (FP) learners. Specifically, the study focuses on an examination of the experiences…

Background: In South Africa socio-economic problems such as poor health conditions, juvenile delinquency, high rates of school dropout and teenage pregnancy are increasing. Therefore, it is vital to prepare foundation phase (FP) pre-service teachers to fortify children with basic life skills (LS) that will help them to cope with real-world…

The purpose of this grounded theory study is to discover the self-care actions, habits and attitudes, which contribute to occupational wellbeing of ECD [Early Childhood Development] crèche principals in a disadvantaged community. Failure to take care of one's own wellness and self-care jeopardises occupational functioning and the business. I…