Die ontwerp van 'n studentediensdepartement aan tersiêre opvoedkundige instansies

Abstract

This research concerning the organisation of student-personnel services in higher education brings to the reader a comprehensive -and contemporary view of American, European and South-African conditions from which student-personnel services have emerged. It acknowledges the factors which caused guidance services to flourish as we 11 as the comprehensiveness of the existing student-personnel services in the South-African context. Student-personnel services evaluated in a scientific manner create the possibility of determining the• effect of a particular personnel service and allows decisions to be made as to changes in, or elimination of, the service. The evaluation of existing services is necessary in order to give some indication of the status of student-personnel work today. It was intended that this empirical comparative study be restricted to consideration of the organisational and administrative structures as well as the services included in a student-personnel department. The methodology of this study was to conduct a comprehensive literature survey. From this information it was possible to compile a theoretical model for a student-personnel department in South-Africa. This theoretical model was evaluated empirically and it was for this purpose that a questionnaire was drawn up and sent to the administrators of student-personnel departments. Utilizing the information contained in their replies, a South-African model for student-personnel services was constructed, which attempts to provide guidance for the organisational and administrative structures, services as well as an organisational development model. With the compilation of this model it was endeavoured to ensure that the student-personnel service departments, will be of the greatest benefit to the student community

as well as to be flexible and adaptable with in the organisational structure of higher educational institutions. The most important finding of this study is that South-African literature concerning student-personnel services is both limited and insignificant. A clear indication by the respondents is that student-personnel services contribute positively to the development of the student community. It is important to acknowledge explicit1y that 70% of the respondents indicated that the theoretical model satisfies the South-African requirement for student-personnel services. Owing to the deductions and limitations of this study it is recommended that a follow-up study should be conducted. The objective should be a theoretical implementation and evaluation of this model in South-African higher educational institutions and to establish the validity of this structure as a model for student-personnel services in South-Africa.