parents and principals as partners in creating a culture of learning

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2.6
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Violent situations in some townships make it impossible to attend meetings
which are held at night.
Many parents do not have transport to the school, which makes it difficult
for them to attend school functions.
Single parents often find it difficult to become involved in school activities.
SYNTHESIS
An increasing number of Black pupils are entering the school system each year but
they do not progress successfully. The pass rates in the former education
departments responsible for Black education are very disappointing. It is a matter
of common knowledge that the culture of learning in approximately sixty to
seventy percent of schools in South Africa leaves much to be desired. These
schools are characterised by inter alia, a high failure rate, early school dropout,
a lack of discipline, low morale and an anti-academic attitude amongst pupils. The
elements ofa culture of learning, namely the pupil and his personal characteristics,
factors in the family and living environment, school-related factors and societal
factors work together to create a certain attitude towards learning or learning
climate in a school. The causes for the apparent absence of a learning culture in
many schools can be attributed to factors concerning pupils, factors concerning the
school environment, problems concerning homes of pupils and their living
environment and the lack of parental involvement in formal education. In essence
the causes for the collapse in the culture of learning centre around the home and
the school. Chapter 3 will therefore focus on parents (primary educators) and
principals (secondary educators) as educators of a child.