ABSTRACT

This study deals with the perceptions and educational needs of learners at-risk of developing behaviours that may lead to school failure. Statement of the Problem: Namibian educators face ongoing pressure to improve student achievement at grade 10 level. This improvement depends on teachers’ and parents’ understanding of the educational needs of learners at risk of school failure. The purpose of this study is to investigate this understanding through the following research questions: 1. What are the characteristics that are predictive of school failure? 2. What perceptions do learners at risk of school failure have about themselves? 3. How do teachers and parents describe learners at risk of school failure? 4. How can learners at risk be encouraged to take charge of their own learning? Methodology: Using a phenomenological approach, 32 grade 10 learners, 10 grade 10 teachers and 10 grade 10 parents of Khomastura Project School in Khomas educational region, Namibia, were interviewed. In addition, teachers and learners were observed. The interview transcripts and observation notes were analysed to reveal the educational needs and perceptions of grade 10 learners at-risk of school failure. Findings: There were many risks identified. Examples of these were; sexual pervasion among learners, alcohol and drug abuse by learners, loss of morals and values and loss of respect and discipline. The study has also revealed constraints 2 under which these learners learn. Some of these constraints were in the form of living in overcrowded homes, walking long distances from home to school empty stomachs, and living with abusive parents or guardians. Their educational needs included parental support, learning support, motivation, self determination, appropriate learning and teaching materials, and writing and reading skills in English. Furthermore, the study showed that the perceptions of these learners on education ranged from; disinterest in school, lack of understanding of the role of education in life, and lack of a vision or goals to be achieved in life. These and other findings are analysed, interpreted and discussed in this thesis