Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape Flats

Background: Schools in impoverished communities on the Cape Flats experience challenges related to high levels of poverty, crime and gang violence that can adversely affect learners’ psycho-social and academic development. After-school programmes (ASPs) represent one form of intervention to address...

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Main Authors: Lakin Arendse, Eleanor Ross
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: AOSIS 2025-06-01
Series:South African Journal of Childhood Education
Subjects:
Online Access:https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/1641
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author Lakin Arendse
Eleanor Ross
author_facet Lakin Arendse
Eleanor Ross
author_sort Lakin Arendse
collection DOAJ
description Background: Schools in impoverished communities on the Cape Flats experience challenges related to high levels of poverty, crime and gang violence that can adversely affect learners’ psycho-social and academic development. After-school programmes (ASPs) represent one form of intervention to address these issues. Aim: This study explored the perceptions of learners, school staff and personnel from a non-profit organisation (NPO) regarding the benefits and challenges of an ASP at a no-fee-paying school in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats. Setting: The research was conducted at a no-fee-paying primary school in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats. Methods: The study employed a case study design located within a qualitative research approach, and interviews and focus groups were used to understand the participants’ perceptions and lived experiences. The research was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Key findings revealed that ASPs have the potential to offer a variety of benefits for learners, such as feelings of safety and opportunities for holistic development. Challenges include resource constraints and the impact of community violence, which can affect the functioning of programmes. Conclusion: The study enhances understanding of how the various ecological systems are continually at play and offers insights into how learners, NPO staff and school personnel perceived and experienced the transactions between these systems. Contribution: The research enhances understanding of the role of ASPs in the context of no-fee schools on the Cape Flats and similar disadvantaged communities across South Africa.
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series South African Journal of Childhood Education
spelling doaj-art-3027e93ee3bf4de798ff29070ffe6c132025-08-20T03:28:32ZengAOSISSouth African Journal of Childhood Education2223-76742223-76822025-06-01151e1e1110.4102/sajce.v15i1.1641631Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape FlatsLakin Arendse0Eleanor Ross1Centre for Social Development in Africa, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgCentre for Social Development in Africa, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, JohannesburgBackground: Schools in impoverished communities on the Cape Flats experience challenges related to high levels of poverty, crime and gang violence that can adversely affect learners’ psycho-social and academic development. After-school programmes (ASPs) represent one form of intervention to address these issues. Aim: This study explored the perceptions of learners, school staff and personnel from a non-profit organisation (NPO) regarding the benefits and challenges of an ASP at a no-fee-paying school in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats. Setting: The research was conducted at a no-fee-paying primary school in Bonteheuwel on the Cape Flats. Methods: The study employed a case study design located within a qualitative research approach, and interviews and focus groups were used to understand the participants’ perceptions and lived experiences. The research was guided by Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, and data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results: Key findings revealed that ASPs have the potential to offer a variety of benefits for learners, such as feelings of safety and opportunities for holistic development. Challenges include resource constraints and the impact of community violence, which can affect the functioning of programmes. Conclusion: The study enhances understanding of how the various ecological systems are continually at play and offers insights into how learners, NPO staff and school personnel perceived and experienced the transactions between these systems. Contribution: The research enhances understanding of the role of ASPs in the context of no-fee schools on the Cape Flats and similar disadvantaged communities across South Africa.https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/1641after-school programmesno-fee-paying schoolsmarginalised communitieslearner developmentgang violencecape flatssouth africa.
spellingShingle Lakin Arendse
Eleanor Ross
Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape Flats
South African Journal of Childhood Education
after-school programmes
no-fee-paying schools
marginalised communities
learner development
gang violence
cape flats
south africa.
title Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape Flats
title_full Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape Flats
title_fullStr Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape Flats
title_full_unstemmed Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape Flats
title_short Stakeholder perceptions of an after-school programme at a no-fee school on the Cape Flats
title_sort stakeholder perceptions of an after school programme at a no fee school on the cape flats
topic after-school programmes
no-fee-paying schools
marginalised communities
learner development
gang violence
cape flats
south africa.
url https://sajce.co.za/index.php/sajce/article/view/1641
work_keys_str_mv AT lakinarendse stakeholderperceptionsofanafterschoolprogrammeatanofeeschoolonthecapeflats
AT eleanorross stakeholderperceptionsofanafterschoolprogrammeatanofeeschoolonthecapeflats