Absent-Fathers – At Risk Youth

Frederick (Toni) Sylvester, PhD is a lecturer in the Faculty of Education in the department of Educational Psychology at the University of the Western Cape. He is also a Registered Educational Psychologist with the HPCSA. Beginning his career as a teacher (Special needs), Mr Sylvester’s portfolio includes Educational Psychologist at the Centre for Student Counselling University of Stellenbosch, Lecturer faculty of Education UCT, Faculty leader Centre for International Educational Exchange, (Awarded faculty leader award best out of 20 countries), Researcher, Juvenile Justice, Institute of Criminology UCT, Career Guidance Counsellor (Progress College). He has published in areas of Boys growing up with absent fathers, School Support, Gender identity and Life skills. His latest contribution was a book chapter on Barriers to learning. Also recently two books, “Claiming our Spaces…. Changing the world” compiled by grade 10 learners from the Cross Roads community and a collaborative project with Gender DynamiX, “Gender Identity and Gender Expression” in South African Schools. His latest publication, 2021. Alignment of school discipline with positive behavioural interventions and support: The case of one disadvantaged urban South African Primary School. He has also presented papers at National and International conferences and in January 2019 and January 2023 was Key note speaker at the Diversity conference in Bangalore, India. He is passionate and a campaigner for children’s rights and inclusion.