Challenges faced by learner-mothers in schools in Omuthiya circuit of Namibia
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Date
2021
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The main thrust of this research was to explore the challenges faced by learner-mothers in schools in Omuthiya education circuit of Namibia. The study aims at contributing better insights to strategies that can improve the learner-mother freedom in schools. The study resolute the challenges faced by learner-mothers in schools in Omuthiya circuit. It further explored how the learner-mothers cope with these challenges as well as the strategies in place that guide school management in implementing the learner pregnant policy to the satisfaction of learner-mothers. Moreover, the study focused on some ways on how the learner-mothers can be supported to cope with motherhood and learning. The study further looked at how the challenges experienced by learner-mothers and school management could be addressed. A qualitative research approach using a case study design was employed, whereby the researcher used interview guides and covert observations to collect the data on the challenges faced by learner-mothers. The targeted population of this study was learner-mothers, teacher-counsellors and school principals in Omuthiya inspection circuit of the Oshikoto Region in Namibia. A purposive sampling method was employed in this study. The study concluded that the main challenges faced by learner-mothers are coping with motherhood and learning simultaneously, teased and bullied by other learners, missing classes and examinations while attending to motherhood demands. The study further established that most learner-mothers do not disclose their pregnancy conditions and lose concentration in the studies, react negatively to the challenges, and unprepared to cope with the challenges they are facing in the educational mainstream, and eventually drop out of school. The results of this study found out strategies like utilising school records for all learner-mothers and use of confirmation letters from health care-providers that detail the fitness of the learner-mothers on the mainstream as a means to overcome some challenges. It is clear that the empowering of teacher counsellors could result in the success of the policy. Working together with class teachers of all learner-mothers could lead to the effective implementation of the policy. The study also established that learner-mothers need support in the form of counselling and moral support. The study recommends the educational policymakers to come up with strategies or policies on how to supplement lessons or exams missed by learner-mothers due to a well assessed pregnant complication. The study seeks provision to be made on administrative documents such that teasing and bullying learner-mother will be regarded as serious indiscipline with strict measures in place.
Description
A mini thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Education (Leadership, Management and Policy Studies)
Keywords
Learner-mothers in schools