isahluko 1 - UKZN ResearchSpace - University of KwaZulu-Natal

The Principal
Mbalenhle Primary School (Pseudonym)
Umlazi
4031
Dear Madam
Kloof
3610
19 May 2009
REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO CONDUCT STUDY IN YOUR SCHOOL.
I am pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Education at the University of KwaZulu-
Natal since last year, 2008. I am presently working on a thesis on isiZulu home language
reading pedagogy at foundation phase, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for my
studies.
The title of my proposed research study is “An exploration into the pedagogy of teaching
reading in isiZulu home language classrooms at foundation phase in Umlazi Schools.”
The study is focused on reading in isiZulu home language teaching in grades two and
three at foundation phase. I have chosen the school for convenience in collecting data and
I anticipate the following participants to form a sample for this study: Teachers of isiZulu
who teach grades two and three, because the focus of the study is on the teaching. Since
there will be observation of lessons which will be observed in their natural setting,
learners will be in the classes where the teaching will be taking place. I will also ask for
permission to utilize a video camera and/ or audio-tape when observing the reading
lessons. During the observation of lessons, both teachers and learners actions will be
observed. Interviews before and after lesson observations will be done with teachers.
I will ensure minimal use of school time, about thirty-five to sixty minutes for the
interviews, before and after the lesson observations, and time for observation of lessons
will be according to the school time table. The study will not harm the image of the
school. Names of the teachers and of the school as well as of your learners will not be
mentioned or linked to any of the data collected. In this way pseudonyms for all the
participants and of the school will be used, and will under no circumstances be revealed
without your permission. For the purpose of analysis, the discussions will be video or
tape-recorded, but at all times the identity of the school and the respondents will be
protected. Data will be stored in a safe place at the university and after five years it will
then be disposed off.
Participation is voluntary; if at any time during the course of the research they will wish
to withdraw themselves from the research, they will be free to do so, without any
negative consequences.
351