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Charles T. Viljoen (South Africa) is a senior lecturer
in Psychology of Education in the Graduate School of Education
at the Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education
in Potchefstroom South Africa. He started his professional
career when he was appointed in the Department of Philosophy
of Education at the Potchefstroom University in 1987. In
1994 he received his Ph.D. from the same university. His
areas of specialisation include multicultural education
and the promotion of health, well-being and wellness in
educational settings.
In 1994, Dr. Viljoen was elected to represent an African
delegation as part of the Young African Leaders Project
to the United States. In 1998/99, a William Fulbright Grant
for senior academic research was awarded to him. This award
took him to various universities in the US where he did
research and lectured courses in multicultural and diversity
education. Dr. Viljoen is a member of the Education Association
of South Africa; The International Network for Philosophers
of Education; the Psychological Association of South Africa,
the Editorial Board of the Reformational Movement of South
Africa (REBSA). He has extensive teaching and research experience
in countries like the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the
USA, South Korea and South Africa.
Dr. Viljoen's research work includes: the promotion of
health, well-being and wellness through schools in South
and Southern Africa, health promotion and the community
and holistic health strategies. The main focus of his current
work includes the development of indicators for Health Promoting
Schools.
Selected Publications:
· Viljoen, C.T. (2001) The Health Promoting School:
Challenges and Prospects. In Conference Proceedings on
Educational Research: Towards Sustainable Development. Conference
presented at the BOLESWA (Botswana, Lesotho, & Swaziland)
Conference in Gaberone, Botswana. 28th July - 4th August.
· Viljoen, C.T. & Kirsten, G.J.C. (2001) Health
Promoting Schools: the educational link to sustainable development.
(In Sustainable Development: Critical Issues. Marais,
H.C. et al. Pretoria: Network Publishers, 78-86.
· Viljoen, C.T. 2000. The making of a Multicultural
Society: an educo-philosophical reflection. In Towards
the making of a multicultural society. Gayan Nirsimloo,
S. ed. Mauritius: Mahatma Gandhi Institute Press. 39-55.
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The Development of Indicators for Health Promoting Schools
The objective of the proposed research project is to obtain
a scientific understanding of the nature, principles and
processes of the Health Promoting School.
The central focus will be to develop possible indicators
with which the health, well-being and wellness of schools
can be determined in promoting those dimensions of development
which collectively contribute to positive, competent, and
confident human beings.
The project will analyse a wide range of opinions and experiences
of both professionals and laypersons in education in South
Africa and the United States in order to formulate an inclusive
framework of indicators for Health Promoting Schools. Further,
this study of the Health Promoting School in an international
context can serve as a model for collaborative research
between developed and developing countries.
In order to accomplish this objective the research will
endeavour to:
- Explore the concept of the "Health Promoting School"
in terms of its philosophical underpinnings as a promotive,
preventive and curative intervention.
- Explore the possible ways in which the Health Promoting
School can best contribute to the development of the current
and future health of young South Africans in their schools,
families and communities.
- Understand what the possible roles are of the different
stakeholders in education as it pertains to the Health
Promoting School.
- Comprehend the different contextualised intervention
possibilities as presupposed by the Health Promoting School.
- Understand the role of the Health Promoting School in
addressing special need in education.
- Develop guidelines for school policies which can be
most efficacious in optimising the conditions in a Health
Promoting School.
- Develop 'n model for the comprehension of the Health
Promoting School in a diverse and multicultural society.
- Sensitising and training of community leaders and policy-makers
- Compile a register of research priorities as it pertains
to Health Promoting Schools in South Africa.
This research project will align itself with the following
two broad objectives of the NCS programme: (1) a deeper
understanding of the social context within which societies,
nations and the global community shape their response to
disease in a period of increased global interdependence
and rapid socio-economic change and (2) understanding how
this broader social context contributes to shaping the public
health response to global health challenges and disparities
and what potential for innovation it brings to global health
governance.
It is to be hoped that this project can make a meaningful
contribution to the discussions within the NCS program and
add to the understanding of the human condition in the global
village.
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Senior
Lecturer
