Perceptions of school management teams (SMTs) with regard to health and well-being of farm schoolspublic schools on private property (PSPP)

Abstract

This study was undertaken in five (5) farm schools in the Maquassi Hills Area Project Office (APO) with the intention to assess whether the School Management Teams (SMT's) are given necessary guidance to deal with health and well-being of schools. The Constitution of South Africa stipulates that human values (dignity, freedom and equality) form the most important challenges that condone and maintain that a safe and discipline environment should be created for effective teaching and learning. Focus group interviews were conducted to gather information which was relevant to the study. The findings show that SMT's of farm schools have problems with the managerial tasks as well as the functional tasks of schools' daily activities. The researcher infers that both the landowners and the DoE must ensure that electricity and water is provided where contractual agreements exist, as power affects the usage of visual aids and administering school businesses. The Department of Education (DoE) has no legal structure within which farm schools should operate to guarantee equal educational opportunities, and create a positive disciplined schools where learners and educators not only know what is expected, but feel secure. The officials who are responsible for the dispatch of learning support materials (LSM) hold the SMT's back in assigning duties to the educators because of lack of LSM. The study shows that the official seem to be ignorant of basic education to farm school learners, and how the DoE manages farm schools, reflects how it still clanged to the red-tape of funding farm schools. Other essentials like water and phones are not given attention to communicate problems that need immediate attention like illness, danger or accident. Learners still have to travel long distances which is a safety thread. The researcher eludes that it is in the interest of the landowners and the DoE that the conditions that prevail on farm schools should not impede with the work of the SMT's. The landowners and the DoE should come to a consensus in making the school environment for SMT's inviting. The DoE through school-based support teams from Area Project Office (APO) should support SMT's and guide them in managerial tasks.