LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABREVIATIONS
CHAPTER 6 Interpretation of the results
6.5 The role awareness of the clustering concept, and its benefits in terms of access to resources played in the development of each cluster
Of the 20 respondents 15 or 75% were aware of the cluster concept, and their cluster status., and 25% unaware. The levels of awareness by community members are seemingly determined by the degree of advocacy for the project. Of 75% who were aware of the concept, the majority came form Mbazwana. Earlier on the study indicated that the Mbazwana project was conceived of by the community members themselves, hence the high levels of awareness.
Creating awareness in most rural areas is still reliant on word of mouth. A study conducted by Leach (2001:168) in rural areas of KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed the
preference for the oral nature of communication in these communities when he observes that, "The best thing is communicating verbally". The preferred means of information provision by NGO's was oral communication.
The Mbazwana project evolved over a long period of time with meetings being held with different stakeholders.
MBACHA was conceived out of a problem identification process which was the isolation of schools. The formation of this Head Teachers' association created an awareness of the problem. The initiative went further through negotiations for land to building the centre, and to fund raise. The unfolding of these events required meetings and agreements. The entire process created its own enhanced level of awareness.
The 25% of respondents who were less aware or lacked awareness came from Inkandia.
The project was a 'quick fix' intervention by the Department. The vision and mission statements and goals of the project were put together by Departmental officials on behalf of the community. It stands to reason therefore that other important stakeholders from the community were left out. This may have not been deliberate, but the means of communication may have marginalized illiterate or semi-literate members, namely, Chiefs (Amakhosi), parents, learners as well as other under qualified educators.
6.5.1 Sources of information about the cluster status.
The survey established what informed the respondents of their cluster status. The respondents were allowed to choose more than one answer, to allow for the possibility that information could have come from more than one source.
• Eight spoke to the principal
• Seven were informed by the ELITS advisor
• Six spoke to the centre manager
• Two respondents had access to the ELITS School Library policy.
• One spoke to a colleague.
Only two respondents had access to the ELITS School Library policies, the rest of the respondents were communicated with verbally at a meeting or informally. This indicates that when dealing with rural communities, even if the project is educational, information dissemination should not only be print based but both print based and oral.
6.5.2 How awareness of the cluster status benefits the development of clusters.
The two clusters were presented separately in order to establish the differences or similarities. The fact that the two clusters were modelled differently appears to have a bearing on the level of awareness, and in turn on its patronage and eventually the level of development.
The level of popularity for the concept was statistically measured for each respondent out of 10. The score of 10 represents a 100% level of awareness.
6.5.2.1 The level of awareness, and how awareness influenced usage and development.
This section explores how awareness influenced preparedness to patronise the nodes.
6.5.2.2 Usage and degree of satisfaction with the Mbazwana centre.
Table 6 revealed that:
• Three respondents, the principal and two educators were 50% satisfied.
• Two respondents, two educators, were 60% satisfied.
• Three respondents, an educator, the teacher-librarian and the SGB member were 80% satisfied.
• The learner was 100% satisfied.
What the principal expects is clearly different from the expectation of the educators, the teacher-librarian, the SGB member and the learner. The assessment of the availability of resources is measured against people's expectations, and therefore it is proper to
suggest that preference would be reinforced by the degree to which the user was knowledgeable about the centre and its contents (Poole 1985:145), that is, to confirm user awareness. Therefore, it is reasonable to conclude that the level of satisfaction was stimulated by the availability of resources, as required (expected) by the individuals.
6.5.2.3 Usage and degree of satisfaction with the Inkandla node.
• Three respondents were not aware of their cluster status and therefore did not patronise the nodal point.
• Two respondents, an educator and a principal, were aware and did patronise the node. Their level of satisfaction was rated at 20%.
• One respondent, a teacher-librarian was 30% satisfied.
• Two respondents, an educator and a principal were 40% satisfied.
The second cluster is clearly not patronised as well as it should be, and this again takes one back to strategies required to increase the level of awareness. Numerous questions arise out of this situation.
• Was a baseline study conducted before the implementation of the project? If so, was the instrument used sufficiently comprehensive to cover areas of readiness, and preparedness?
• Was the community sensitised to the issues of ownership, by the nodal schools, as against lack of resource ownership by cluster member schools?
• Were long term plans discussed with cluster member schools, in order to indicate a growth that eventually sees them moving away from the cluster, to attain the same level of ownership?
• Were all identifiable problem areas explored and anticipated before implementation in order to prepare and change everybody's mindset?
• Were the different modes of information dissemination, which were familiar to the stakeholders, adequately communicated to them?
These are all questions that should inform future studies and future practice.
6.6 The role played by the preparedness to share information resources in the