Lukholo Mavuso ST10346440 DIAL PROJECT 2 Question 1 Three fundamental Questions 1. What are the main elements that influence academic success in South Africa? 2. What are the main challenges access to quality education, supportive learning environments, effective teaching practices, adequate resources, and parental and community involvement? 3. How can South Africa improve student success rates? Three whole part question 4. How can educators best support at-risk students' academic performance by leveraging their resilience? 5. What techniques may be used in the classroom to help at-risk pupils develop their resilience and achieve better academic results? 6. What part do community-based initiatives and support networks play in boosting atrisk students' resilience and encouraging their academic success? Two hypothesis questions 7. How has the post-apartheid curriculum reform in South Africa affected students' achievement and success in the classroom? 8. How is student success impacted in South Africa's underprivileged communities by the level of funding and resources allocated for curriculum reform post-apartheid? Two critical questions 9. What elements support students' academic success in higher education? 10. How can institutions promote equity and diversity in student success? Question 1.2 What are some key factors that contribute to student success in South Africa (Nyamupangedengu, 2017) stated that access to quality education, adequate funding, parental involvement, and motivated and engaged students are all important factors in academic success for students. Access to quality education includes well-trained teachers, well-equipped classrooms, and up-to-date learning resources. Adequate funding allows schools to offer a wide range of educational resources, while parental involvement can positively impact academic success. Motivated and engaged students have a love for learning, setting goals, and working hard. Main challenges to access to quality education Learning Squared, n.d. Acknowledged that poverty is one of the biggest challenges to access to quality education, as children from impoverished families may not have the means to pay for tuition, transportation, textbooks, and other educational resources. Geographic location is also a factor, as children living in rural or remote areas may not have access to quality education due to the lack of proper infrastructure. Lack of infrastructure in schools is another challenge, as many schools lack basic facilities like electricity, clean water, and proper sanitation facilities. Insufficient qualified teachers is another factor affecting access to high-quality education, as there is a lack of instructors in many regions, and those who are employed may not have the skills or resources necessary to deliver high-quality instruction. How South Africans can improve student success? From my understanding South Africa should increase the availability of resources and assistance for students, increase funding for education, and improve teacher training. To ensure that students have access to the assistance they need, schools should have an adequate number of qualified teachers and support personnel. Additionally, the government should allocate more money to the education sector to upgrade school infrastructure, hire more teachers, and outfit classrooms with cutting-edge teaching materials. Finally, teachers should receive ongoing training and have access to professional development opportunities on a regular basis to help them advance their knowledge of the subject matter and stay current with emerging teaching strategies and technologies. How can educators best support at risk student performance? DeAngelis, 2012. Stated that at-risk students may struggle to perform at their best due to underlying factors such as health issues, family problems, or learning difficulties. Educators can collaborate with parents, school counselors, and other experts to ensure that students receive the right kind of support to get over these obstacles. Additionally, educators should develop personalized learning plans that take into account their strengths, weaknesses, learning style, and goals. Finally, educators should ensure student engagement through hands-on activities, team projects, and field trips. What techniques may be used in the classroom to help at-risk pupils develop their resilience and achieve better academic results? According to (Stace, 2021) Building relationships between students and teachers can help at-risk pupils feel valued and supported. This can be achieved through one-on-one conversations, group discussions, and activities that encourage teamwork and collaboration. Additionally, teachers should provide emotional support and teach students strategies for coping with stress and challenges, such as mindfulness techniques, self-talk, and goal-setting. Finally, teachers should encourage students to develop and use these skills both in and out of the classroom. What part do community-based initiatives and support networks play in boosting at-risk students' resilience and encouraging their academic success? I believe community-based initiatives and support networks play a crucial role in boosting at-risk students’ resilience and encouraging academic success. They provide resources such as mentorship programs, tutoring services, counseling, and access to educational materials, as well as emotional and psychological support. Additionally, they create a sense of belonging by providing resources such as tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and after-school programs. Additionally, they connect students with community resources, such as health care and financial assistance, that can help them overcome barriers to academic success. Finally, they help students build positive relationships with caring adults, which is a key factor in academic success. How has the post-apartheid curriculum reform in South Africa affected students' achievement and success in the classroom? From my personal research, curriculum reform post-apartheid has had both positive and negative impacts on the academic success and achievement of students in South Africa. On the positive side, the new curriculum has been designed to be more inclusive, relevant to the needs of the learners, and better aligned with international best practices. The curriculum has a more diverse range of subjects, including indigenous languages, which gives learners the opportunity to showcase their cultural practice curriculum reform has aimed to provide a more inclusive and equitable education system that meets the diverse needs of students. This has included changes such as incorporating more indigenous knowledge and languages, integrating life skills and critical thinking into the curriculum, and promoting a more learner-centered approach to teaching and learning. How does the level of funding and resources provided for curriculum reform postapartheid impact student success in disadvantaged communities in South Africa? Rightfully so I state that the curriculum reform post-apartheid has had both positive and negative impacts on the academic success and achievement of students in South Africa. On the positive side, the new curriculum has been designed to be more inclusive, relevant to the needs of learners, and better aligned with international best practices. It has a more diverse range of subjects, including indigenous languages, which gives learners the opportunity to showcase their cultural practice. However, there has been a lack of resources and support provided to educators, particularly in rural areas, leading to a widening gap between urban and rural schools in terms of the quality of education provided. What elements support students' academic success in higher education? High levels of motivation, strong study skills, and support from family and friends are essential for success in higher education. High-motivated students are more likely to be involved in their academics, look for learning opportunities, and persevere in the face of difficulties. Strong study skills are essential for success in higher education. Support from family and friends can keep students inspired, centered, and on course. How can institutions promote equity and diversity in student success? Institutions can promote equity and diversity in student success by providing specialized support services that take into account the variety of the student body, creating inclusive policies and practices, and hiring a diverse faculty and staff. These services can provide students with unique perspectives and experiences that can aid in the creation of a supportive learning environment. Institutions should review their policies and practices to ensure that they do not perpetuate inequities or create unnecessary barriers for students, and hire a diverse faculty and staff to serve as mentors and role models for students from different backgrounds. Question 2 I. Introduction Explanation of what is meant by student success Importance of student success in South Africa Thesis statement: Despite the challenges facing the education sector in South Africa, student success can be achieved through various measures such as providing quality education, addressing socio-economic disparities, and creating a supportive learning environment. 1. Body Providing quality Thesis statement: In order for South Africa to have a prosperous future, it is imperative that students succeed, which calls for a number of factors, including access to high-quality education, sufficient funding, and nurturing environments. Highlight the impact of socio-economic factors on student success 2. Access to Quality Education Lack of access to quality education in disadvantaged communities Importance of increasing access to quality education Examples of initiatives aimed at improving access to quality education 3. Adequate Resources Shortage of resources such as textbooks, facilities, and technology Importance of providing adequate resources to students Examples of efforts being made to provide students with necessary resources 4. Supportive Environments Importance of supportive environments for student success Challenges faced by students in South Africa Examples of programs or initiatives aimed at creating supportive environments 5. Conclusion Restate thesis statement Recapitulation of the main points Call to action for stakeholders to prioritize student success through concerted efforts to improve access to quality education, provide adequate resources, and create supportive environments. Bibliography/Reference Dhunpath, R. and Subbaye, R. (2018). Student Success and Curriculum Reform in Post -Apartheid South Africa. International Journal of Chinese Education, 7(1), pp.85–106. doi: https://doi.org/10.1163/22125868-12340091. Mantz, Y. and Bernard, L. (2004). Retention And Student Success in Higher Education. [online] Google Books. McGraw-Hill Education (UK). Available at: https://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=4azlAAAAQBAJ&oi=fnd&pg=PP1 &dq=s Subotzky, G. and Prinsloo, P. (2011). Turning the tide: a socio-critical model and framework for improving student success in open distance learning at the University of South Africa. Distance Education, 32(2), pp.177–193. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/01587919.2011.584846. Pather, S. and Dorasamy, N. (2018). The mismatch between first-year students’ expectations and experience alongside university access and success: a South African University case study. Journal of Student Affairs in Africa, [online] 6(1), pp.49–64. doi:https://doi.org/10.4314/jssa.v6i1. Van Vuuren, N. (2014). Promoting Student Success by Tapping into the Resilience of the At-Risk Student: A South African higher education Perspective. [online] Available at: https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/43176988.pdf [Accessed 22 Apr. 2023] Learning Squared. (n.d.). Impact. [online] Available at: https://www.learningsquaredlib.org/impact?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvn F90NErIXWcM6kJTavVchyVLLdhpaLZaYeoqlzTLcU8a2qITHfsc9gaAgxrEALw_wcB [Accessed 25 May 2023]. DeAngelis, T. (2012). Helping at-risk students succeed. https://www.apa.org. [online] Feb. Available at: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/02/at-risk-students.
