Richards, Zena (PhD)
Zena’s qualifications include a BA, BA (Applied) Psychology and an MEd Psychology degree, which she obtained in 1993. She has always been involved in advocacy- related work whether through NGO/CBO participation (POWA, Family Life Centre, JHB Parent and Child Counselling Centre), advocacy (Centre for Study and Violence and Reconciliation, and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (SA)) or education (University of the Witwatersrand). She was the Director of the Counselling and Careers Development Unit (Wits) and is currently the Director: Student Equity and Talent Management Unit at Wits, which focusses on access and mentoring programmes for disadvantaged youth and students. This study addressed the critical priority of ensuring equitable access and probability of success before entering higher education by exploring conceptualisation of academic talent. The study was embedded in social justice and transformation theory to allow for voices of marginalised groups in the South African education landscape to emerge. A mixed method study design was conducted with 102 public school learners from disadvantaged communities, following the “Targeting Talent Programme” that was und ertaken over a three-year period. Unique conceptualisations of academic talent not previously mentioned in literature included academic talent as personal passion linked to excellence and above-average ability , and as collective celebration of academic achievement. The contribution of the study highlighted the value of exposure to enrichment programmes, and the development of contextual skills and psychological awareness in challenging learnt behaviours and narrowing the articulation gap. Specific criteria for conceptualisation and implementation of enrichment programmes emerged from the study.
Supervisor: Dr MP van der Merwe Co-supervisor: Prof A Brown
88
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker