Truancy in black schools : the role of teachers

M.Ed.Truancy is a rife and grave problem because truants waste their opportunities and are in danger of not becoming productive, responsible members of society. Teacher - training, principals, teachers, parents, the education district office, life orientation educators and other important people can play a decisive role in preventing truancy in schools (see Chapter 5). The literature study states that teachers can be one of the main contributing causes of truancy (see Chapter 2). An empirical research study has been done in Mamelodi high schools. Certain criteria were followed in order to identify truants (see Appendix B). Chapter 4 shows clearly the results of the research project. As far as biographical and life-world background is concerned, the truants, generally speaking, leave a more negative impression, than the non-truants. The following differences were found to be statistically significant: more truants are among std 9's than std 8's; more truants than non-truants have failed three times or more; more truants than non-truants expect to obtain lower marks in the coming examination; and more teachers of truants than those of non-truants expect them to obtain lower marks in the coming examination. As far as the respondents' perceptions of their teachers are concerned, the truants, generally speaking, view them more negatively than the non-truants do. Statistically significant differences emerged in the sense that,in comparison with non-truants, the truants agreed statistically significantly less with the statements that: * it is important to their teachers for them to perform well in class; and their teachers are approachable. On the other hand, in comparison with non-truants, the truants agreed statistically significantly more with the statements that: teachers make negative remarks about their class performance in front of other learners; the demands that teachers make on them are unreasonable; and they have difficulties with their teachers in class. The study, finally, recommends certain measures to prevent truancy and to cure truancy, once it has set in