The roles of parents and teachers in the education of learners: a case study of Mandlenkosi Secondary School , Lindelani Area
Loading...
Date
2018
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zululand
Abstract
The intention of this research is to define and bring about an integrated role between the triple society components into sustainable education development, and in respect to producing learners who are self-disciplined, self-dependent, skilled, employable and qualifying for higher education. The study investigates communication impact, attitudes and, teaching and learning space between teachers and parents’ involvement from a shared role and a shared partnership necessarily to advance learners basic needs. Hence, this cooperative role is the extension of communication between parents and teachers. Reystek (1999: 111) in Mpofana (2004) observed that parents in black communities disregard their mission of being part of the education of their children. However, the South African Schools Act (Act. No. 84 of 1996) (SASA) suggests that parents must accept the co-responsibility of their involvement. It is on this premise that this research work is designed to investigate into the state of the unknown. The study depicts the understandings and perceptions of Mandlenkosi Secondary School learners at eThekwini North district; a district predominantly black people. The District proves to be associated with an area called Lindelani, an informal settlement which is challenged by socioeconomic transformation. This is in consonance with what Legotlo (2002) who posits that poor and uneducated parents have a tendency to be unenthusiastic towards getting involved in their children school activities because they feel inferior to the highly educated, knowledgeable and rich teachers. In any case this is true. This evidently demonstrates a potential lack of parental involvement in school matters, in as much as teachers are adequately present but there is a vulnerable gap as far as morals and attitude are concern. The theory of overlapping spheres of influence that discusses the mutual interests and influence, policies and practices of all stakeholders’ interaction, family creation and schools can help the learners to become more successful in education by Epstein (2001:15) was employed by the researcher to account for this phenomenon. In order to accomplish the objectives of the study, a mixed research method was used and the main data collection instruments used, were interviews and questionnaires. From a quantitative process, a descriptive research method was applied, of which the study focused on a group of 30 learners studying at Mandlenkosi Secondary School, 10 parents of learners that study at Mandlenkosi Secondary School; and 10 teachers that teach as Mandlenkosi. The present study also made use of a qualitative design to describe the attitudes of the learners, parents and teachers. On a qualitative process, an in-depth interview was done, by the researcher through putting to gather, organizing and interpreting information. In addition, a dominant language like the mother tongue, that is, isiZulu was used to interpret questionnaires as they were written in English. The study findings revealed that there is lack of effective communication from school to parents, and as a result, communication needs to be disseminated in a more proficient and receptive manner. The study also indicated that the performance level between a child with both parents and child with single parents is not the same. In conclusion, the study revealed that there needs to be a social worker or rather an educational psychologist that is always available on the school premises, whose role is to address learner’s behaviour modification, as well as addressing the issues of poverty and entry level [Grade 8] career guidance to learners. In summary, this study concludes that it is appropriate to reward and acknowledge teachers and learner’s performance by using annual awarding programs in order for learners and teachers to be kept motivated, appreciated and recognized.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Faculty Of Arts in fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Masters in Community Work in the Department of Communication Science at the University Of Zululand, 2018
Keywords
communication --partnerships --learners --education