Abstract
M.Ed.
Truancy is a rife and grave problem because truants waste their opportunities and are in
danger of not becoming productive, responsible members of society.
Teacher - training, principals, teachers, parents, the education district office, life orientation
educators and other important people can play a decisive role in preventing truancy in schools
(see Chapter 5).
The literature study states that teachers can be one of the main contributing causes of truancy
(see Chapter 2).
An empirical research study has been done in Mamelodi high schools. Certain criteria were
followed in order to identify truants (see Appendix B). Chapter 4 shows clearly the results of
the research project. As far as biographical and life-world background is concerned, the
truants, generally speaking, leave a more negative impression, than the non-truants. The
following differences were found to be statistically significant:
more truants are among std 9's than std 8's;
more truants than non-truants have failed three times or more;
more truants than non-truants expect to obtain lower marks in the coming
examination; and
more teachers of truants than those of non-truants expect them to obtain lower marks
in the coming examination.
As far as the respondents' perceptions of their teachers are concerned, the truants, generally
speaking, view them more negatively than the non-truants do. Statistically significant
differences emerged in the sense that,in comparison with non-truants, the truants agreed
statistically significantly less with the statements that:
* it is important to their teachers for them to perform well in class; and
their teachers are approachable.
On the other hand, in comparison with non-truants, the truants agreed statistically
significantly more with the statements that:
teachers make negative remarks about their class performance in front of other
learners; the demands that teachers make on them are unreasonable; and
they have difficulties with their teachers in class.
The study, finally, recommends certain measures to prevent truancy and to cure truancy, once
it has set in.