Chapter 5: Conclusion 5.1 Introduction
5.7 Concluding remarks
- 85 - 5.5 Contribution to scholarship
In spite of the harsh realities (such as poverty, illiteracy and lack of resources) experienced by these poor rural parents, this school has developed a trend of encouraging higher levels of participation in school based activities (such as parent- teacher meetings and Ilima). Furthermore, the study has shown that unemployment and poverty did not deter these parents them from playing supportive roles in their children’s schooling.
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APPENDIX A
- 94 -
APPENDIX B
- 95 -
APPENDIX C Letter of Consent
Dear Research Participant,
I am a student registered for M.Ed. in Adult education at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
My research study focuses on an investigation into the nature of parental involvement at a rural primary school where your child/ward is schooling. My supervisor is Mr Zamo Hlela from the Centre of Adult Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, and he may be contacted at the following number: 033-2605849; or in writing at: Centre for Adult Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville, 3209, South Africa.
I would like to request that you participate in an interview and/or focus group in this study as your views are important for me to understand why parents do or do not get involved in school activities, and how this takes place. If you agree, I will arrange a time and place that is suitable for you. The duration of the interview/focus group will not exceed one hour. There will be no payment for this but I will cover the cost of refreshments.
Your name will not be used in my final report. Your identity will be protected through the use of pseudonyms. Your participation will be voluntary and you will not suffer any disadvantage if you decide not to participate. You will also be free to withdraw from the research at any time. The data from the research will be stored at the University of KwaZulu-Natal for five years and thereafter incinerated, and the research report will be kept in the library.
If you agree to participate, please fill in the declaration below.
Many Thanks
Krishna Sivalingam Rajin
DECLARATION
I , _________________________________ (full names of participant), hereby confirm that I understand the contents of this document and the nature of the research project, and I consent to participating in the research project.
I understand that I am free to withdraw from the project at any time, should I wish to do so.
_________________________ _________________
Signature of Participant Date
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APPENDIX D Letter of Consent in isiZulu
Mzali Othandekayo
Nqingumfundi obhalisele ukufunda iziqu ze (M. Ed)kwimfundo yabadala e University yakwaZulu-Natal. Uphenyo Iwami luqonde ukuthola ulwazi nzulo ngokuzibandakanya kwabazali emfundweni yabantwana baboezikoleni ezihlangene ezisemaphandleni.
Umphathi(supervisor) wami uMnu. Zamo Hlela ophuma kwi Centre of Adult Education khona e University of KwaZulu-Natal, angathinteka kule nombolo: 033-2605849; noma
angabhalelwa kuleli kheli Centre for Adult Education, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Private Bag X01, Scottsville,3209, South Africa.
Bengicela ukuthi ube yingxenye yale nhlolovo (interview) noma yethimba eliqondene
naloluphenyo ngoba imibono yakho ibalulelile kimina ukuze ngiqonde kabanzi ukuthi kungani abazali bezimbandakanya kuthi abanye bangazihluphi nhlobo ngezinto ezenziwa ezikoleni.
Uma uvuma, ngizohlela isikhathi nendawo ezolungela wena. Ingxoxo ngeke yeqe kwihora elilodwa. Akukho nkokhelo eyoba khona, kodwa-ke ukudla neziphuzo ziyonikezelwa mahhala.
Igama lakho ngeke lisetshenziswe kumbiko wami wokugcina kuyosetshenziswa amagama okuzakhela ukuvikela ubuwena. Ukuba yingxenge yalolu phenyo kusothandweni Iwakho, akukho okubi okuyokuvelela uma ungasathandi futhi ukhululekile ukuyeko noma nini. Lonke ulwazi oluyoqoqwa ophenyweni luyogcinwa e University of KwaZulu- Natal iminyaka emihlanu bese luyashiswa. Umbiko wona uyogcinwa kumtapo wolwazi.
Uma uvuma ukuba yingxenge, ngicela ugcwalise lesi si bophezelo esilandelayo.
Ngiyabonga
Krishna Sivalingam Rajin
Isibophezelo
Mina ____________________ (amagama aphelele) ngiyavuma ukuthi ngiyayiqonda yonke imigomo yalo somqulu nobunjalo balolu phenyofuthi ngiyazibophezela ukuba yingxenye yalo.
Ngiyaqonda ukuthi ngikhululekile ukushiya kulolu phenyo noma nini uma kwenzeka ngifuna.
___________________ ________________
Ukushicilela Usuku
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APPENDIX E Focus Group Interview Schedule
The session commenced by using interest-arousing questions in relation to various situations in parent-teacher-child relationships as depicted on the chart below.
Questions related to the pictures:
1. Please tell me about the things you see in these pictures.
2. What are some of the ways in which parents have been involved with their children’s learning?
3. What is your feeling about the parent-school relationship?
After creating an environment for discussion, more specific questions were directed to the participants.
- 98 - Theme 1: Parental Involvement
1.1 Please tell me your view of the importance of sending your children to school.
1.2 Why is it important for parental participation in the child’s schooling?
1.3 Please tell me what encourages parents to attend school meetings.
1.4 Please tell me of ways in which the school communicates with parents.
1.5 What is the level of support at parent meetings and school activities?
1.6 What do you know about the SGB? Please explain whether it is working well for the parents?
Theme 2: Factors enhancing parental involvement
2.1 What in your opinion is the level of parental involvement at this school? Please explain.
2.2 What in your opinion are factors that limit parental involvement? Please explain.
2.3 Please tell me about the role of the school governing body at this school?
2.4 Tell me whether the governing body keeps the parents informed.
2.5 What valuable contribution has it made for the school?
Theme 3: Parental involvement and the role of literacy 3.1 Please tell me about your levels of literacy.
3.2 When your child is given homework, do you manage to help them?
3.3 What can you learn by serving on the school’s governing body?
3.4 We learn things all the time. Please tell me about ways in which you learn from things you do in their everyday life.
3.5 What skills do you learn when you join social groups in the community?
3.6 Are parents in the community literate enough to teach their children literacy skills at home?
Please explain.
3.7 What is your view if the parent could read and write? Please tell me why?
3.8 What are your views and beliefs about literacy in the home?
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APPENDIX F In-depth interview schedule
(For the questionnaires inserted, the interviewer will tick boxes) Theme 1: Parental Involvement
1.1 What would you say is the nature of parental involvement at this school? What is your involvement?
1.2 How often do you visit the school and for what purpose? (In each category below, choose any one box )
Check on my child’s schooling: OFTEN SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL Parent-Teacher meetings OFTEN SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL
ABET classes OFTEN SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL
Attend church service: OFTEN SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL
Collect water: OFTEN SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL
Other ……….. OFTEN SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL
1.3 How often do you check on your child’s school work? (choose a block below) Daily Now and then Not at all
1.3.1 Please tell me the benefits of checking on your child’s schoolwork daily.
1.3.2 What factors (if any) prevent you from checking on your child’s schoolwork regularly? Please explain.
1.4 What level of help can you offer your child with his/her homework? (choose a block below)
High Medium Low None
1.4.1 Please explain your reason/s for choosing the above levels.
1.4.2 How can you help to improve your child’s homework habits?
1.5 The school expects parents to be involved in various activities. Tell me if you are involved in any of the activities listed here. (Choose yes/no)
Fund raising YES NO Sports YES NO Building maintenance YES NO Governing Body YES NO Environmental projects YES NO Gardening & planting YES NO School Socials YES NO Excursions YES NO 1.5.1 If “yes” for any of above, describe the nature of your involvement in each.
1.5.2 If “no” for any of the above, explain your reason/s for not being involved in each.
1.6 Are you a member on the schools governing body? What roles do you serve?
Theme 2: Factors enhancing or inhibit parental involvement
2.1 The factors below have a bearing on parental involvement in their children’s schooling. In your community, how would you rate these factors?
Social status HIGH MEDIUM LOW
Level of education HIGH MEDIUM LOW
Level of income HIGH MEDIUM LOW
Home environment HIGH MEDIUM LOW
Divorce HIGH MEDIUM LOW
Alcohol/Drug abuse HIGH MEDIUM LOW
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2.1.1 If any, which of the above factor/s have a bearing on your involvement in your child’s schooling?
2.1.2 Please tell me how the choices you made in the previous question either enhance or inhibit your involvement.
2.2 Attendance at parent-teacher meetings is important. What do you think are the possible reasons for non-attendance at these meetings? (Choose one or more reasons)
Time of the meeting No Transport Tired from work Working overtime Infirm or Disabled Not interested 2.2.1 What is your reason/s for the choice/s you made?
2.2.2 What suggestions can you give the school to improve the situation?
2.2.3 Please tell me about your views on open days. Why do you attend?
2.2.4 What is the nature of your employment?
2.3 What is the availability of resources in the home? Let’s talk about it. (Choose below) Study environment (with electricity, tables, chairs, etc.) AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE Textbooks and reading material AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE
Home computer with software AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE
Writing material AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE
Library (community) AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE
Youth centre (community) AVAILABLE NOT AVAILABLE
2.3.1 Without learning resources in the home, please tell me how you manage to teach your children?
Theme 3: Role of parental involvement and literacy.
3.1 Please tell me about your own level of literacy. (Tick below)
HIGH MEDIUM LOW LEVEL NONE
3.1.1 If you are able to, please tell me how you learnt to read and write.
3.1.2 Please tell me about the benefits of the parent being literate.
3.1.3 How much help can you give your children with their homework?
3.2 How would you describe the attitudes of parents toward reading in your community? (Tick below)
POSITIVE NEGATIVE
3.2.1 Please tell me why you made this choice.
3.2.2 How will you describe your attitude toward reading?
3.3 How do parents in the community encourage their children to read at home?
(You can choose one or more from the first three) Read with them
Engage in a family literacy programmes Enrol them the library
None of the above
3.3.1 Please tell me how you encourage reading at home.
3.4 How does reading influence the relationship between the school and the parents? (communication, meetings attendance, etc.)