Challenges Faced by Learners Who Live in Squatter Camps: A Case of One Primary School in Rustenburg Province of South Africa
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/es.v4i5.715Keywords:
Squatter camp, socio-economic status, absolute poverty, academic performanceAbstract
Despite the increasing awareness of the importance of education worldwide, in South Africa there seem to be very little being done on the learners from low class especially those living in squatter camps. Yet home background is considered to be an essential aspect on the child’s educational achievement. Therefore the principal objective of this paper is to explore those factors that affect the learning of squatter camp learners and how they can be assisted in order to get equal educational access as others. Since the researchers want to find out the opinions, experiences, feelings, beliefs and attitudes of those who live in these squatter camps interpretive qualitative approach was used to analyse data collected through interviews, questionnaires, documentation analysis and observation. Data analysis and collection was done simultaneously for accuracy. The study employed case study design since data were collected from only one squatter camp from which one of the primary schools in Rustenburg draws its students and a sample of 54 participants was used which consisted of teachers, students and parents. Drawing from the findings the research revealed that pupils who live in squatter camps face a lot of challenges which contribute to their low academic performance, which are lack of school requirements such as books and proper uniform, descent accommodation and overcrowding which hinders them from doing their school work properly, land and noise pollution from the environment, parental level of education and anti social behaviours for example drug abuse and crime. The details of the findings are discussed and recommendations for further studies suggested as the paper progresses
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