Educators' experience in teaching guidance in life orientation in primary schools in an informal settlement

M.Ed.The importance of teaching guidance in the life orientation learning area, particularly in four primary schools in an informal settlement of Daveyton in the Ekurhuleni District cannot be over-emphasised. The researcher believes that learner achievements and success depend on the balance between educator’s experience, knowledge and consistent training, including the use of appropriate and relevant skills to impart knowledge to the learners. In order to achieve the intended objectives, schools require well-trained and qualified life orientation educators to execute this monumental task with great insight, skill and passion. This study focuses on the lived experiences of educators who are teaching guidance in life orientation in Grade Eight in four primary and informal settlement schools in Daveyton, in schools with predominantly black African learners. Different situations and problems are encountered by learners in Grade Eight in primary and informal settlement schools. Learners are quite often unable to manage these issues in their day-to-day living. Under such circumstances the principal, the school management team and class educators are often obliged to intervene almost on a daily basis. As a consequence the smooth delivery of the entire curriculum is often disrupted. Research has shown that the high rate of school leavers in South Africa nationally, from Grade Eight to Grade Twelve reveals that learners are not taught enough knowledge and skills in teaching guidance life orientation learning area. As a result they do not complete senior primary and secondary school, and they drop out of school with life skills which are inadequate to face the demands of life. This qualitative study was conducted in an attempt to answer the research question: What are the lived experiences of educators who teach guidance in life orientation in four primary schools in informal settlements schools in Daveyton at the Ekurhuleni District Schools? The data was collected through in-depth interviews. They were audiotaped and transcribed