The role of parents in values education with special reference to the situation in Venda (Northern Province)

Date
2000-12
Authors
Alidzulwi, Tshililo Alfred
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: It is true, to say that education in Venda in the Northern Province was experiencing and is still experiencing problems. Many schools in Venda - primary and secondary schools - have lost their vision. Statistics reveal that there is a large number of failures and dropouts at these schools with discipline dropping in almost all schools. Learners are no longer committed, they go to school late, they do not wear uniforms, they are not prepared to devote time and energy to their studies. They boycott classes and spend long periods of time not attending lessons. Daily classroom routines no longer receive their utmost attention, homework is not done resulting in many failing their examinations every year. In some of the schools, especially in the secondary schools, many learners are arrogant. They no longer respect their teachers and some schools have developed into battlefield - learners carry weapons such as guns to schools, they stab their teachers and principals with pangas and they also fight each other. The Research has revealed that many learners are unprepared for the responsibilities of being a student. On the other hand teachers also embark on strikes, sit-ins and chalk downs as some teachers are no longer loyal to their profession. They go to work late and leave early. At the end of the month they do not even go to work, while those that go, sometimes are unprepared for their lessons. Child (learners) abuse is also rife in some schools. There are also areas in the Province where learners do not receive stationeries, textbooks and prescribed books during the course of the year. Some learners are still taught in shanties built by the communities while some learners in the rural areas are still being taught outside, under trees. The research revealed that the situation which is prevailing in schools in the Venda area can be remedied by better relationship between the different stakeholders : parents, teachers, learners, Department, communities and churches. Of all the stakeholders, the parent is regarded as the primary educator since all others like . teachers, the Education Department, communities, churches etc. are assisting the parents in the task entrusted to them by God. The results also revealed that many parents in Venda do not participate in the education of their children causing poor results, high dropouts rate and the absence of discipline in the schools. Therefore, the role of parents in values education with special reference to the situation in Venda is significant. The effective involvement of the parents in these situations can be the best remedy. They are the most important stakeholders in creating conducive teaching and learning atmosphere.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Daar word beweer dat onderwys in Venda, in die Noordelike Provinsie verskeie probleme in skole ervaar het en nogs steeds ervaar. Heelwat skole in Venda; primêr sowel as sekondêr, het hulle doelstellings ten opsigte van gesag, dissipline, leerdoelsteIlinge in die klaskamer en samewerking met ouers verloor. Statistieke bring aan die lig dat skole te doen het met In hoë druipsyfer, onderpresteerders, uitsakkers en vroeë skoolverlating. Gesag en dissipline verval in byna al die skole. Leerlinge is nie meer entoesiasties en toegewyd in hulle skoolwerk nie. Laatkommery is algemeen, hulle dra nie meer die voorgeskrewe skooldrag nie en hulle is nie bereid om hulle tyd en energie aan hulle studies te bestee nie. Leerlinge boikot hulle klasse en bry weg van die lesperiodes. Huiswerk end opdragte word geignoreer en die eindresultaat is dat baie leerlinge jaarliks druip. Verwaantheid onder leerlinge kom veral in die sekondêre skole voor. Leerlinge respekteer nie meer hulle onderwysers nie en die probleem het al so handuitgeruk dat sommige skole in In oorlogsveld ontaard het. Onderwysers en medeleerlinge se veiligheid word bedreig deur wapens wat skool toe gebring word. Voorvalle waar onderwysers en hoofde met messe gesteek is, het al voorgekom. Gevegte onder leerlinge is algemeen. Die ondersoek/navorsing het verder aan die lig gebring, dat, leerlinge nog nie gereed is om as verantwoordelike studente op te tree nie. Leiding en gesag is steeds nodig. Leerlinge kan egter nie alleen verantwoordelik gehou word vir hierdie probleme nie. Onderwysers neem ook deel aan wegblyaksies, daag laat by die skoolop, is onvoorbereid vir hulle dagtaak, verlaat die skool sonder toestemming en kom nie skool toe aan die einde van die maand nie. Mishandeling van leerlinge kom in sommige skole voor. In sekere gebiede in die Provinsie ontvang leerlinge nie betyds skryfbehoeftes, handboeke en voorgeskrewe boeke nie. Sommige skole ontvang geen boeke gedurende die jaar nie. Sommige leerlinge ontvang nog steeds onderrig in vervalle klaskamers wat lank gelede deur die gemeenskap gebou is, terwyl leerlinge in die landelike gedeeltes van Venda nog steeds onderrig buite onder die bome ontvang. Die ondersoek het aangetoon dat hierdie situasies wat in die skole in Venda heers herstel kan word deur 'n beter verhouding tussen die verskillende insethouers nl. ouers, onderwysers, leerlinge, die Department, gemeenskap en kerke te skep. Ouers word nog steeds beskou as die primêre opvoeders en word bygestaan en ondersteun deur die verskillende insethouers in hulle Godgegewe opvoedingstaak. Verdere resultate van die ondersoek toon aan dat baie ouers in Venda nie deel het aan die opvoeding van hulle kinders nie en dit lei tot swak eksamenuitslae, swak dissipline en vroeë skoolverlating in skole. Daarom is die rol van die ouer in die opvoeding van waardes met spesiale verwysing na die probleemsituasie in skole in Venda belangrik.
Description
Thesis (MEd)--Stellenbosch University, 2000.
Keywords
Education -- South Africa, Moral education -- South Africa, School discipline -- South Africa -- Northern Province, Dissertations -- Education
Citation