Background: Death and loss are inevitable, and life changes profoundly for those left behind. A General Household Survey by Statistics South Africa indicated that 94.2% of orphans aged 7-18 years were still attending school. With no parental and often familial support, learners often had to turn to their teachers for support. Vukuzakhe, a non-governmental organisation, saw the need for a grief programme in schools. Aim:The aim of this study was to evaluate how the school-based grief programme is perceived by different stakeholders (grieving children, educators and programme facilitators). Setting:The grief programme is being implemented in four primary schools in Underberg and Himeville, rural KwaZulu-Natal, and this study will conduct an evaluation at all four sites. Methods: Appreciative Inquiry, based on a four-dimensional cycle, was used to evaluate a grief programme offered in selected primary schools in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Three stakeholder groups (grief support programme facilitators [n = 4], grieving children [n = 6] and educators [n = 2]) from four schools were asked three open-ended questions to ascertain the programme's value. Results:Nine key themes were identified: healing, insight, relationships, growth, skills, support, enjoyment, collaboration and value of the programme. All stakeholders noted positive outcomes resulting from participation in the programme and held it in high regard. Conclusion:Improvements for its future development were suggested and recommendations made for its further implementation at schools throughout South Africa.

With a steady rise in the prevalence of HIV and AIDS throughout the world it has become vital for programme implementers at all levels to ensure that all HIV intervention programmes are effectively put into practice. The present research used qualitative and quantitative data to evaluate the lifeskills-based HIV/AIDS education programme being implemented in primary and secondary schools in South Africa, with special reference to KwaZulu-Natal. A qualitative questionnaire gathered information from nine respondents at three levels: Department of Education district officials, educators and learners. Six key themes were consequently identified to guide the evaluation: communication, empowerment, resources, networking, motivation, and evaluation and feedback. A quantitative questionnaire completed by 30 educators revealed an overall positive attitude towards the programme, regardless of the educator's gender, age or level of formal education. The results are discussed with special reference to continuation and improvement of the lifeskills-based HIV/AIDS education programme.

Parental participation, when conducted appropriately, can support the development of communication skills in autistic children within various learning environments. Paquette and Ryan (2001) state that the microsystem of a child can play a major role in impacting the development of the child as family, community and school structures directly expose the child to learning situations. The aim of this research is to understand the nature, extent and impact of the parents’ demographics on parental participation in supporting the development of communication skills in autistic children. Three special-needs schools within the King Cetshwayo District, KwaZulu-Natal, participated in this research. This research used a mix of qualitive and quantitative approaches and a phenomenological design when dealing with the social, emotional and educational implications of autistic children for the role and level of participation parents have in their children’s development of communication skills at school and home. It was noted that educators favoured sensory-enhancing activities, sign language (which is taught to all learners), and picture-exchange methods to develop communication skills in learners. These techniques require practice and consistent use in different contexts. Parents experienced difficulties scheduling sufficient time due to work situations. Bissoli (2014) found that children’s communication skills are influenced by the people around them. The need for more parental engagement in Autism Spectrum Disorder education and training will aid in enhancing the development of skills in children.

This study explored subjective and objective perspectives on uMoya, Spirit consciousness and/or spirituality, from a heuristic phenomenological and neurophysiologic perspective. Contemplative reflective data on uMoya and its neurophysiologic correlates were gathered from a culturally diverse group of eight researcher-participants aged 32 to 63 years. The data were analyzed using exploratory, integrative, thematic and small sample statistical approaches. Thematic analysis revealed evidence for uMoya contemplation descriptions encompassing spiritual traditions, human spirituality and ancestral consciousness. The neurophysiologic correlates indicated significant decreases in respiration, delta activity and beta activity as well as associated patterns of a coherent, relaxed and alert state of waking consciousness, suggesting direct experiencing after contemplation. Findings supported an integral contemplative approach to uMoya with the potential for psychotherapeutic applications.

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