Page 18 - Education Feature Issue 2 2021

EDUCATIONAL PERSPECTIVE

WHY SCHOOL CULTURE MATTERS

A school culture in which there is bullying or
physical punishment, or teachers are absent
from class, can push learners away from
school. To add to this, many South African
school buildings are poorly maintained,
under-resourced, and inadequately serviced.
Vandalism, litter, overcrowded classrooms,
or classrooms with missing doors and
windows, can make school an unpleasant,
even dangerous space to be in. On the other
hand, well-run and maintained schools can
greatly improve children’s chances of success,
even if they are disadvantaged by their
home environments. Ideal schools should be
sanctuaries of learning, curiosity, stimulation IDENTIFYING THOSE VULNERABLE TO DROPPING OUT
and safety, in which teachers are skilled,
motivated and supported. Just like in the Dropout is at its highest level in 20 years. An additional 500 000 learners have dropped out
home, having caring, attentive adults at school of school during the pandemic, according to new data from a NIDS-CRAM survey dated 8 July
can help struggling or vulnerable learners push 2021. Many young people who exit the schooling system without completing matric struggle
on with their schooling. to find decent jobs, and only 1% hold a post-school degree or diploma at, for instance, a
Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college. Leaving school without a matric
“Having a positive role model can help to qualification cuts young people off from many life chances – the chance to participate, to
anchor a learner, especially if they come from learn, to earn, and to contribute to social and economic life. These are the chances on which
challenging home environments. A personal our country’s future depends.
anchor can help to silence disruptive voices
by reminding the child that their dreams are Whenever schools reopen after an increased Lockdown Level, we need to rapidly track and
possible. Schools should also be safe spaces in trace absent learners. School attendance is the lowest in two decades. Fewer learners have
which learners feel comfortable to ask for help returned to school this year compared to pre-pandemic attendance figures, and the dropout
when they are struggling,” Gracious Lekgoathi, rate has tripled.
a Civil Engineering Technology student at the
University of Johannesburg, who overcame her “The longer it takes to get our learners back to class, the less likely they are to return,” says
learning issues with the help of a mentor. Merle Mansfield, Programme Director of the Zero Dropout Campaign.
Continued on page 18

Education | August 2021 | 16