The role of the community in supporting schools in dealing with selected community based problems

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:In the South African Schools Act, the principles of partnership and co-operation are stronglyemphasised. The community is given authority by the Department of Education to support theschool.This research is focused on the role of the community in supporting schools in dealing withcommunity-based problems such as drug abuse and poverty. The aims of this research were todetermine ways and means in which the relationship between the community and the school could bepromoted, to investigate how the community supports the school in dealing with community-basedproblems and to find ways and means by which the school can involve the community.In this research quantitative and qualitative methodologies were used to collect the data.Questionnaires were used as quantitative technique while interviews were used as qualitativetechnique. Questionnaires were completed by the learners from the four selected schools within theKhakhu community, educators from the same four schools, and community members. Therespondents for each of the three groups were selected randomly. The quantitative data wasprocessed using the statistical package for the social sciences. The quantitative data was brokendown into its constituent parts to enable the researcher to find answers to the research questions. Thequalitative data was reduced by breaking it down into categories and by finding trends and clusters ofresponses.The findings of the research revealed that drug abuse is a problem for both the community and theschool. Schools alone cannot deal with drug abuse without the involvement of parents.It has been found that there are parents who do not want to visit the schools even when invited. Mostof the community members do not know that the smooth running of a school and good learners'performance result from community involvement in school affairs. If the community could beinvolved in school activities, some of the community-based problems could be minimised or prevented. The community and the school are two inter-dependent structures, which should supporteach other. The community and the school should work together.The research indicated that both the community and the school are ready to support each other. Astrong relationship between the community and the school is a possible solution to the problems ofdrug abuse and poverty. The principle of partnership and co-operation are part of the solution to theproblem.Educators should encourage the community to participate in the smooth running of the school. Theyshould also recognise the importance of the community in dealing with community-based problems.Sound relationships between the community and the school should be promoted.Some of the recommendations in this research could help the community and the school in dealingwith these community-based problems. Therefore, the community should support schools in dealingwith community-based problems.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University