South African Research Chair: Education and Care in ...€¦ · Overview of Research objectives...
Transcript of South African Research Chair: Education and Care in ...€¦ · Overview of Research objectives...
South African Research Chair: Education and Care in Childhood Faculty of Education, University of Johannesburg
South Africa
1st Advisory Committee Meeting
held on 28 May 2014 @ 3PM SA time
Online : https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/768839557
hosted by Professor Jace Pillay
Welcome
Introduction: Advisory Committee Members
1. Prof Linda Liebenberg: Deputy Director of Resilience Centre, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada
2. Prof Caven McLaughlin: Senior Professor, Faculty of Education, Kent State University, Ohio, USA
3. Prof Elias Mpofu: Director of Rehabilitation Counselling, Sydney University, Australia University of Botswana
4. Joan van Niekerk: National Director of Child line
5. Prof Leila Patel: Director, Centre for Social Development, University of Johannesburg
6. Dr Katie Schenk: Senior Researcher of Washington Population Council
7. Prof Jonathan Simon: Director of Global Health Centre, Boston University
8. Dr Donald Skinner: Director, Health Centre, Stellenbosch University
9. Prof Julia Sloth-Nielsen: Dean of Law, University of Western Cape
10. Dr Andries Viviers: Senior Policy Analyst: Children’s Rights, UNICEF
11. Dr Lucy Cluver: University Lecturer, Dept. of Social Policy & Intervention, Oxford University Dept. of Psychiatry & Mental Health, University of Cape Town
Purpose of Meeting:
Based on your experience and expertise in working with vulnerable
children, the role of this Committee would be to advise the Chair on
specific aspects of the research agenda. This will be an International
Committee comprising world-renowned scholars and practitioners in
the field of OVC. The full Committee would meet twice a year or as
when required through various communications mediums.
Chair Progress: Feedback and discussion
SARCHi webpage:
http://www.uj.ac.za/EN/Faculties/edu/CentresandInstitutes/SarchiAtUJ/Pages/defa
ult.aspx
Overview of Research objectives
• The first research objective of the Research Chair is to investigate the effects of paternal,
maternal and double parental absence on children in their early years of education and care, and
to explore how such absence contributes to children’s levels of vulnerability.
• The second research objective is to investigate factors of vulnerability (risks) prevalent in OVC
households. The specific factors that this investigation will focus on are trauma, grief, depression,
stress, anxiety and levels of vulnerability. The argument presented here is that all of these factors
are likely to affect the mental health of OVC and as such they must be addressed before the
children are exposed to any form of education, whether informal or formal.
Overview of Research objectives
• The third research objective of the Chair is to understand the role that schools and stakeholders
play in contributing to the vulnerabilities of OVC as well as the support that they can and do
provide. These stakeholders include education districts, school management teams, school
governing bodies, school based support teams, teachers, school psychologists and other
professionals. The focus on schools will also require an examination of curricular approaches that
meet the educational, developmental, nutritional, health and personal needs of children.
Overview of Research objectives
• The fourth research objective of the Chair is to determine the role that communities play in
contributing to the vulnerabilities of OVC, as well as the support they can and do provide. This will
entail identifying the early childhood education and care facilities available in communities; and
inventorying the financial, regulatory, personnel and other assets they require to support the
unique needs of children from child-headed households. It will also involve investigating the
support role that community organisations, NGOs and religious organisations can play in
childhood education and care specific to OVC.
Overview of Research objectives
• The fifth research objective of the Chair will be to investigate
protective (resilience/strengths/assets) factors within OVC. The
intention is to identify these resiliency factors and design resilience
programmes incorporating these elements for direct teaching to OVC
who are not coping.
Studies of Education and Care in Childhood Protective Factors (Resiliency
Strengths & Assets ) Vulnerability (Risk) Factors
Area/level 1. INDIVIDUAL (OVC)
Studies on :
- Impact on trauma, grief, depression, stress, and anxiety on OVC
- Levels of vulnerability of OVC
- Lived-experiences of OVC (8 to 10 years of age)
Area/level 2. FAMILIES
Studies on :
- Single & Double orphans
- Divorced and single parent families
- Comparative studies with children who have parents
- Experiences and role of caregivers
Area/level 4. COMMUNITY
Studies on :
- Community facilities for OVC
- Role of residential care-centers, community based organizations in supporting OVC
- Long term impact of specific NGOs supporting OVC
Area/level 3. SCHOOL
Studies on:
- Experiences and roles of SMT, SGB, SBST, and Education District Offices in supporting OVC
- Experiences and roles of teachers, school psychologists, etc.
- OVC aftercare and homework support programmes by Department of Education
OVC Support Interventions
Based on all
4 areas /levels
Critical areas for Input from Committee
1. Students:
- Student Intake
- Student Retention
- Student Through-put
2. Publications
3. International Collaborations
4. Additional Research Grants
Way Forward
•Next meeting
• Smaller group meetings
•Quarterly reports
Thank you for your participation