The Utilization of a Partnership to Provide Quality Education to a Historically Disadvantaged Primary School in the Western Cape

MY RESEARCH PROBLEM AND ITS CONTEXT Statement of the problem: I wanted to address the problem of how to improve the poor quality of education in historically disadvantaged schools caused by lack of resources and skilled teachers. Motivation: Here are the reasons why I decided to undertake this investigation My personal involvement in diverse schools My ambition to have formally disadvantaged schools delivering the same standard of education as in the privileged schools. My observation of the successful twinning of two diverse schools viz. Sacs in Newlands and Hlengisa in Nyanga To encourage other schools to follow suit.

Aim: In this study, I intended to do a case study of a partnership between two culturally and socially diverse primary schools. To make recommendations to optimise the utilization of partnerships between diverse schools. Focus question: The main question I intended to investigate was whether a partnership could be utilized successfully as a tool to provide quality education to a historically disadvantaged school. Summary literature review: This is how my investigation links up with related studies previously published. Lemmer, (1999:166) agrees that there is very little discussion in literature concerning partnerships between educational institutions, let alone primary schools. I looked at various definitions of partnerships and investigated the reasons why partnerships are imperative between schools in South Africa. Hutchinson and Campbell (1998:137) agree with the idea of organisations working together the common good.

Significance or importance of the study My research is important because one has to acknowledge the huge challenges facing the education department in South Africa with regard to the notions of equity and redress. Limitations of Education Department who have priorities such as buildings, electricity, water, and so on. Disadvantaged schools serving impoverished people must be given huge support by educational institutions and departments if interventions are to be successful The relevance of the outcomes of the education system has not been brought into line with the needs of a changing workforce. It has been observed that schools have not succeeded in establishing among learners some of the lifeskills required in the world outside the school Definitions of terms / concepts: Here are the definitions of key concept used in this investigation 1.Quality of Education Potter and Powell (1972) consider quality of education to be both effective and efficient as in the school actualizes its aims and priorities, as contained in a developmental plan. That the school satisfies demands of parents and learners and does well in key areas of performance, examination results.

RESEARCH DESIGN My research question was to do a case study of a partnership between an advantaged school and a historically disadvantaged school in order to evaluate the partnership and to investigate future possibilities to optimalise the utilization of partnerships in education. My subsidiary research questions or deriving hypothesis include: My observation of the partnership between the two schools lead to the following questions: Why is there a need to form a partnership How is the partnership defined What are the objectives of the partnership Who are the role players who contribute to a successful partnership. Definitions of terms / concepts: Here are the definitions of key concept used in this investigation 1.Quality of Education Potter and Powell (1972) consider quality of education to be both effective and efficient as in the school actualizes its aims and priorities, as contained in a developmental plan. That the school satisfies demands of parents and learners and does well in key areas of performance, examination results

2. Partnerships A successful partnership is flexible with mutual benefit. It is important to recognize the differences and limitations of each partner in the community. For a successful partnership, the partners need to work on turning any weaknesses which exist into strengths or at least be aware of the problems they can create.

Approach I have chosen the following research approach which is more appropriate to my investigation: Case Study I have used the following method to generate my data: Documents An observation An interview

My data-collecting materials or instruments: Here is an example of interview schedule, or observation schedule, or questionnaire, or diagnostic tests, document extract etc.) PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW SCHEDULE HEADMASTER/TEACHER/PARENT/PUPILS Date: Start: Stop: Duration: GENERAL QUESTION Why do you think that partnership is successful or not successful? SPECIFIC QUESTIONS In what grade are you? Are you aware of the partnership between your school and another school? Do you know the name of your school’ partner? Where is your school’s partner situated? Are you involved in any activity at the partner school? If yes, in what activity are you involved in the partnership? Where is the activity done? How do you get there? Do you know the names of any of the teachers or pupils of the partner school? In what language do you speak to the pupils of the partner school? Have you made any friends at the partner school? What other activities would you like to have in the partnership?

Challenges or limitations I was both the researcher and a teacher at the one school and this could have had a negative influence on the final results and analysis Non availability of South African sources in the form of thesis and journal articles Very little written about the subject of partnerships in schools internationally and in South Africa A longer period of observation would probably yield better results Difficulty in finding suitable times for interviews I left the country thus leaving me with challenges of not being able to follow up on interviews, and not have access to necessary literature