The perceptions of the Department of Education with regard to the health and well–being of farm schools/schools on private property in the Free State

Abstract

This study focuses on improving the provision of education, effective teaching and learning at farm schools or schools on private property through health promotion. Comprehensive school health education has received significant visibility through numerous national, state and local authorities. Healthy People (2000), makes a nationwide commitment to health promotion and disease prevention, which includes objectives that fall within the framework of comprehensive schools' health promotion. All teachers responsible for health promotion should receive adequate professional support in the development, implementation and evaluation of a comprehensive school's health promotion. It must be noted that teacher support represents a critical factor for implementing health promotion that would result in behaviour-related changes. Lack of support in health promotion, however, remains a problem for Health and Life Orientation educators. Chapter one focuses on expounding upon the problems that are seen as predominant factors in the ineffective provision of education regarding the teaching and learning at farm schools. Chapter two outlines the qualitative research design the study adopted. Questionnaires and individual interviews were utilised to determine the perceptions of departmental officials regarding the provision of education at farm schools or schools on private property. Chapter three aims at linking the theoretical framework in the provision of education. The concepts of health, health promotion and health promoting schools are important aspects in the provision of education. Chapter four aims at linking the theoretical framework to provision of education by providing infrastructure, resources such as teaching and learning material, electricity, water and sanitation. Chapter five concentrates on analysing and interpreting the collected data. The data revealed that farm schools are finding it difficult to provide adequate education, the main reasons being a lack of support or proper infrastructure and a lack of essential resources. Chapter six concludes the study with key findings, a summary as well as recommendations.