The educational distress of the child in a squatter environment : a psychopedagogical perspective
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Date
1994
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Abstract
The aims of this investigation were:
to describe the life-world of the child in a squatter environment as it reveals itself in his relations to himself, to others, to things/ideas and to God; and
in the light of the findings obtained from, the literature study and interviews, to establish certain guidelines according to which accountable support can be instituted in order to meet the needs of the children in a squatter environment.
As an introduction a literature study is given which describes the conditions that prevail in squatter areas. From a psychopedagogical perspective the squatter child finds himself in a situation of dysfunctional education mainly because he goes through life without the help and guidance of a responsible parent or adult. This results in the psychic life of the squatter child being under-actualised. The lack of responsible adult intervention and guidance, which is based on the pedagogical principles of love, trust and authority, results in the squatter child forming relationships within his life¬world which are inadequate for his emancipation. The squatter child thus fails to constitute a meaningful life-world. At present only a few social workers and voluntary organizations, such as Child and Family Care, reach out to these squatter children in an attempt to rehabilitate the families and supervise the children. The fact that the squatter child is a "child" that should be assisted by parents and the school in his process of becoming is at present often overlooked by the voluntary organizations that render support. Most of the support structures that came into existence to provide some measure of support are existing illegally under present statutory provisions. They lack the services of suitably qualified personnel and are often haphazardly organized. Furthermore they cannot cope effectively with the present situation and there is a duplication of certain services in the provision of support. In the light of the findings of this research the following was recommended:
— compulsory education should be initiated for all children between the ages of six and thirteen;
— compensatory education should be introduced in both formal and non-formal education, while informal or home education could be enriched in order to prepare children for the demands of formal or school education;
school social workers should be trained and placed at schools to assist and identify pedagogically neglected children;
remedial teaching training programmes for all teachers should receive more attention during training;
parent guidance and involvement programmes should be instituted at all schools.
welfare services should be co-ordinated to prevent duplication; and
further in-depth research regarding squatter children.
Description
Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Education in the Faculty of Education, Department of Educational Psychology
At the University of Zululand, 1994.
Keywords
Children with social disabilities--Education., Squatter children