Prof Ina Joubert from the Department of Early Childhood Education in the Faculty of Education at the University of Pretoria (UP) was nominated to participate in the national Early Childhood Development (ECD) Working Group meeting. The purpose of the meeting is to plan and design an ECD (0–4 years) curriculum to be offered at institutions of higher education. The document will be titled, Policy on minimum requirements for programmes leading to qualifications in higher education for educators and other professionals in early childhood care and education and will culminate in the introduction of an ECD degree programme. At present universities offer degrees for the foundation phase (Grade R to Grade 3) only, which means that this new degree will be a first for South Africa.

The envisioned degree and other teaching qualifications for this critical stage in children’s development could stimulate more related research once the process for the creation of the Bachelor of Education (0–4 years) degree has been established.

Prof Joubert is the author of numerous publications, including a scholarly book, and has published articles in leading international journals. She is a popular keynote speaker and has established strong networks in the UK, the USA and Italy. She has supervised eleven postgraduate students to the completion of their studies. Her most recent book, co-authored with, among others Prof Cycil Hartell from the Centre for Japanese Studies at UP and Prof Kobus Lombard from the North-West University’s Vaal Triangle Campus, was written in Afrikaans and is titled Navorsing: ’n Gids vir die beginnernavorser. As the title indicates, it is a research guide aimed specifically at the novice researcher.

‘This book,’ says Prof Joubert, ‘can also be used to teach research. Topics such as self-management, the relationship between students and their supervisors, qualitative and quantitative research, and mixed research methods are explained with examples and practical approaches. There is also a chapter to assist researchers with the presentation of their research results at conferences.’

The fact that academics from various universities and from a broad spectrum of educational disciplines contributed to the book ensures different perspectives, which greatly contributes to its success. The foreword was written by Professor Irma Eloff, Dean of the Faculty of Education at UP.

For more information, or to obtain a copy of this book, please CLICK HERE.