Skills training for Civil Technology learners in South African schools, is an aspect entrenched in the Civil Technology policy document in order to produce skilled personnel for a sustainable economy. Practical activities through the Practical Assessment Task (PAT) are national requirements for all practical-based subjects from grades 10–12 in South African schools. The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of Civil Technology practical activities in three South African schools in the Eastern Cape Province. Purposive sampling was used to identify 41 learners and 3 teachers to participate in the study. Questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and observation as data collection methods were instruments used to collect data. The study has found that learners exit grade 12 without basic practical hands-on skills. Civil Technology practical activities were found to be inadequately offered in the three schools investigated. Educators should be well-trained by higher education institutions (HEIs) to conduct practical activities with learners so that these learners are equipped with marketable skills in order to contribute to a sustainable economy after grade 12. Technology teacher education and training should include regular exposure and visits to relevant industries in order for teachers to keep abreast with the latest technological developments. The supply of equipment to schools should be coupled with routine maintenance of the equipment.

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Several studies offer empirical support for the notion that sense of humour is positively related to psychological well-being. The current investigation was designed to explore the dimensionality of the sense of humour and its relationship with psychological well-being dimensions using a Nigerian sample. To do this, data were obtained from 189 (male = 119, female = 70) undergraduates (mean age = 20.64, SD of 2.63) with the use of two structured psychological tests, which included a multidimensional Psychological Well-Being scale (PWB-42) and Multidimensional Sense of Humour Scale (MSHS). Hierarchical Multiple Regression was utilised for data analyses. Mostly, dimensions of MSHS correlated positively with PWB sub scales. However, regression results indicated that attitude humour generally predict PWB sub scales compared to other humour dimensions. It was recommended that the dimensionality perspective should be taken into consideration when implementing therapy using humour in promoting well-being in both social and health contexts.

The integration of the theory and practical components in the teaching and learning of the Civil Technology subject is requisite. This is to ensure the transfer of the much needed hands-on skills in a country desperate for technological emancipation. It is regrettable that some South African schools offering the Civil Technology subject have been caught wanting in this aspect. This paper therefore investigate the challenges of transferring Civil Technology hands-on skills and how these challenges can be resolved in order to move the subject forward. The study was conducted on 41 Grade 12 learners and 3 teachers from the three senior secondary schools in the Eastern Cape Province. Classroom observations and interviews were conducted with the purpose of ascertaining how hands-on activities were conducted in the workshop. It was established that the teaching of the subject has become too theoretical to the detriment of the psychomotor abilities.

Abstract-. Engineering Graphics and Design (EGD) is a compulsory subject that pre-service teachers in Technology Education take in South African Universities and it is often paired with Mechanical/ Electrical/ Civil and or Information Technology. The study used a mixed method approach and it was conducted to forty University's pre-service students who had Civil Technology (CT) as their majors who were selected using purposive sampling procedure. Questionnaire data was analyzed statistically using the SPSS software and interview data was analyzed descriptively using themes derived from quotes and narratives. Findings elucidate that CT practical activities do play a role towards learning EGD. Preservice teachers also said that they find it easier to use drawing models in learning CT lessons. The study then recommends that a thorough and relevant technical pedagogy be developed towards the teaching and learning of CT and EGD.