Browsing by Author "Cele, Siyanda Mluleki Kenneth."

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A critical exploration of student integration and attrition of Black African undergraduate students from selected South African universities.
(2023) Cele, Siyanda Mluleki Kenneth.; Gaillard, Gaillard.
Access to South African Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) has significantly increased; however, success and graduation rates continue to decrease, especially amongst Black African students. Moreover, Black African youths entering university do so against the backdrop of extreme inequalities characterising their schooling backgrounds, class and economic resources. Such inequalities have had a large impact on these students’ decision to drop out of university. Literature relating to Black African students’ experiences of integration and attrition at South African universities is sorely missing. In addition to this, the institutions of higher learning are struggling to find a proper remedy to mitigate student dropout. Hence, it is this gap that the present study sought to fill by developing a new model that can be used by universities to retain Black African students in South Africa’s HEIs. The present study adopted the qualitative approach and the critical paradigm. Secondary data was obtained from a larger study of education and emancipation, documenting the university experiences of students from eight diverse universities in South Africa. The data were collected through in-depth interviews with 66 Black African students. In the present study, data were thematically analysed. The theoretical framework that informed data analysis is Tinto’s Student Integration Model (SIM). The interviews that were conducted with the participants produced rich and thick data indicating that the success of Black African students in South African universities is impeded by such factors as language, poor economic background, unsupportive family background, racial discrimination, gender stereotypes, and discrimination. Most participants mentioned that the medium of instruction used at universities, such as English and Afrikaans hindered their success. The findings suggest that high school education inadequately prepares Black African students for university. Furthermore, financial challenges, gender discrimination, homophobia and racism were found to be significant obstacles hindering most participants from studying at university. Informed by these findings as well as the review of extent literature, this thesis proposes a model that will assist universities to minimise dropout rates amongst Black African students. This model obligates institutions of higher learning to put students’ backgrounds at the forefront in every decision that they undertake to maximise the social and academic integration of students and consequently decrease attrition.
Exploring Classism experiences of children in South African schools: a narrative inquiry.
(2018) Cele, Siyanda Mluleki Kenneth.; Gaillard-Thurston, Claire.
Discrimination in society has shifted from racial discrimination to being class related discrimination due to our different socio-economic backgrounds, especially in schools. All forms of oppression have been abolished since 1994 as South Africa moved into a new democratic dispensation. However, classism is one of the forms of oppression that are commonplace in schools and is still gaining interest. Most of the research has focused on college students and very little research has addressed the experiences of classism of high school students. Hence, the present study provides an overview of the classism experiences of children in South African schools in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, with specific attention paid to learners from poverty-stricken backgrounds. The purpose of the study was not to make generalisations, but rather to explore the classism experiences of children in South African schools, proceeding to exploring the impact of classism on learners’ participation in their school’s activities. The study lastly determined the factors that promote the manifestation of classism in schools. The rationale for conducting this study is rooted in my personal experiences and observations as a school teacher in a secondary school in Durban. The study was influenced by the Theory of Intersectionality by Crenshaw (1989). A qualitative approach was used in this study. Moreover, this study was conducted using the critical paradigm as a lens for the research. A narrative inquiry design was utilised as it was appropriate since it allowed the participants to narrate their experiences of classism in their schools. The data were collected using the critical conversations method. Nine participants were purposively selected from three different schools in Durban, and in each school, three participants were selected. The findings of the study emphasise the fact that children from impoverished backgrounds are the victims of classism in schools. It is evident from the findings that children’s experiences of classism negatively impact their participation in their schools’ activities. Finally, the study concludes by suggesting that government, school stakeholders and society at large play a vital role in eliminating class discrimination in South African schools.