Factors contributing to high dropout rate in two selected Junior Secondary Schools in the Mqanduli Area of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Mandi, Sisiwe
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: High school dropout -- Education (Secondary) , South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , M Ed
- Identifier: vital:18443 , http://hdl.handle.net/11260/d1007269
- Description: This research sought to investigate into factors contributing to high dropout rate amongst grade 9 learners in Mqanduli district. Though access to basic education in South Africa has increased substantially over the last few years, dropout rate in the schools continues to rise up in many rural schools especially Mqanduli district schools. The consequence of dropout as a matter of fact has a profound effect on the individual, family, community and economy. It is common knowledge that high dropout rate reduces the pool of qualified people from diverse backgrounds. In our rural schools most specially Mqanduli district, the concern of the researcher was to find out in Mqanduli schools the factors that contribute to high drop-out rate amongst Grade 9 learners and how they can be minimized if not eradicated. The study approach was qualitative, using the case study technique. The case study technique was used for the in-depth investigation of the factors contributing to high learner dropout. In this study, the target population was two school management team (SMT) per school and one head of department (HoD) and a principal in each of the selected schools in the Mqanduli district junior schools. Samples of the two schools were conveniently selected from the population of schools in the Mqanduli district research data gathering. The main research instrument was face to face semi-structured interview schedule. The face to face semi-structured individual interview was used with the participants due to its flexibility, this was done with the help of a voice recorder and field notes. The data analysis procedure for this study took two forms: first, transcribing the interviews, reviewing and identifying and coding the recurring themes within the data for each of the participants. The second part was to identify common themes and areas of variations among the participants. For ethical consideration, permission was sought from the Walter Sisulu University ethical clearance committee, the district office and principals of the selected schools and all participants. Finding1 Learner dropout rate: The research findings show that learners‟ dropout rate was due to poor socio-economic background, poor school nfrastructure, personal reasons, and teacher/learner relationship. The average percentage of learner dropout within five years is 13% in both schools. With in five year period, thus from 2006 to 2010 in school A total of 254 learners were admitted. At the end of year period, 222 learners were promoted to the next grade, The total number of dropouts in school A was 32. In school B 279 learners were admitted. At the end of the year period, 243 learners were promoted to the next grade. In school B the total number of dropouts was 36.
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- Date Issued: 2012
Investigating sustainability of community gardens as a mechanism to poverty alleviation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality
- Authors: Matshotyana, Ntombizodwa
- Date: 2012
- Subjects: Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (Eastern Cape, South Africa) -- Economic conditions , Poverty -- Economic aspects -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Poverty -- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality -- Eastern Cape , Agricultural development projects
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MA
- Identifier: vital:9116 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015668
- Description: Poverty is one of the social problems plaguing South Africa. In South Africa it is required of municipalities as entities in the socio-economic and political transformation process and agents of change, to eradicate poverty and unemployment by facilitating local economic development in their respective areas. Local economic development has to be implemented in a way that takes cognisance of the different challenges that exist within various areas and contexts. Various district and local municipalities have initiated an array of agricultural programs such as community or food gardens as aspect of their Local Economic Development strategies. In this study I investigated the sustainability of community gardens as a mechanism to poverty alleviation in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality. The study focused exclusively on community gardens in Bloemendal, KwaZakhele, Motherwell and Walmer. A mixed methods research approach was employed to gather data from the community garden members and municipal official who administers the community gardens. Semi-structured interview was conducted with the municipal official administering community gardens in Nelson Mandela Bay. A structured questionnaire was used to gather data from the community garden members. Observations were made on types of crops grown in the gardens, in order to supplement and validate data collected and information gathered during interviews. Community garden members identified funding as their main challenge. Community gardens have a potential to be sustainable if the requisite support structures that need to exist to support the micro-farmers are in place.
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- Date Issued: 2012