CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSIONS, RECOMMENDATIONS AND CONCLUSION
5.6. LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY
There were limitations, which applied to this research. Firstly, data was collected from Foundation Phase teachers in two rural primary schools, which are public schools. The sample was selected from Lusikisiki district in the Eastern Cape Province and as such, the results were not generalised to all the Foundation Phase teachers over the Eastern Cape and Lusikisiki district. Secondly, the study
87
was limited to the teachers’ reported data obtained through interviews, observation and document analysis.
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95 Appendix 1 P.O. Box 488 Lusikisiki 4820 Contact no: 0734344644 Email: [email protected] 23 January 2012 The Circuit Manager
Department of Education P/B X1010
Lusikisiki 4820
Dear Sir
RE: REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AT FOUNDATION PHASE. I am MED student at the University of South Africa, involved in research in the Eastern Cape primary schools. My investigation is entitled “THE EXPERIENCES OF FOUNDATION PHASE TEACHERS IN IMPLEMENTING THE CURRICULUM.” The aim of this research is to find out how Foundation Phase teachers understand and experience curriculum implementation for the improvement of teaching and learning. I therefore request access to some of the schools under your jurisdiction in order to carry out an investigation regarding the above research title.
Two teachers from each of the two schools to be selected for this study will be expected to participate in an interview. The research also entails classroom observations and I also need to look at documents of teachers and learners with regard to classroom practices. Data collected will only be used for the purpose of the study. I intend to spend one month in your schools.
Before conducting my research, written consent will be obtained from the principals and all the other participants at the schools. The schools and the participants will be ensured of confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity during all stages of the research. I give you my undertaking that I will follow research ethics in handling all data collected.
I hope that you will consider my request favourably and grant me written consent to conduct my study at these schools.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration Yours faithfully Supervisor’s details T.N.Makeleni (Miss) M.J Sethusha (Dr) University of South Africa Contact no: 0124292258
96 Appendix 2 P.O. Box 488 Lusikisiki 4820 Contact no: 0734344644 Email: [email protected] 26 January 2012 The Principal Department of Education Lusikisiki Eastern Cape Dear Sir/ Madam
RE: REQUEST FOR PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH AT FOUNDATION PHASE. I am a teacher in the Foundation Phase. As part of my professional development, I am presently enrolled for a Master in Education Degree at the University of South Africa. I am engaged in research in primary schools in the Eastern Cape. My investigation is entitled “THE EXPERIENCES OF FOUNDATION PHASE TEACHERS IN IMPLEMENTING THE CURRICULUM.” The aim of this research is to find out how Foundation Phase teachers understand and experience classroom implementation for the improvement of teaching and learning. I am therefore requesting permission to conduct investigations regarding the above research title at your school.
One teacher will be expected to participate in an interview. The research also entails classroom observations and I also need to look at documents of teachers and learners with regard to classroom practices. Data collected will only be used for the purpose of the study. I intend to spend three weeks in your school.
Before conducting my research, written consent would be obtained from the principals and all the other participants at the school. The school and the participants will be ensured of confidentiality, privacy, and anonymity during all stages of the research. I give you my undertaking that I will follow research ethics in handling all data collected.
I hope that you will consider my request favourably and grant me written consent to conduct my study at your school.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration Yours faithfully Supervisor’s details TN Makeleni (Miss) M.J Sethusha (Dr) Contact No: 0124292258
97 Appendix 3 P.O.Box 488 4820 Cell No: 0734344644 Email: [email protected] 26January 2012 Dear Educator
You are invited to participate in a research project aimed at investigating “THE EXPERIENCES OF FOUNDATION PHASE TEACHERS IN IMPLEMENTING THE CURRICULUM.” The aim of this study is to explore teachers’ knowledge and understanding of curriculum implementation in classroom situation for the improvement of teaching and learning. Your input and feedback are therefore crucial to the study.
Your participation in this research will be through interviews, classroom observations, and document analysis. Data collection will take for a period of three weeks. Your participation is voluntary. You will not be asked to reveal any information that will allow your identity to be established, unless you are willing to be contacted for individual follow up interviews. Should you declare yourself willing to participate in an individual interview, confidentiality will be guaranteed and you may withdraw at any stage should you wish not to continue with the interviews.
If you are willing to participate in the research, please sign this letter as declaration of your consent, that is, you participate in this study willingly, and that you understand that you may withdraw at any time. Any information obtained from the conversations will solely be used for the purpose of this research.
I hope that you will favourably consider my request and grant me permission to harness your participation for various aspects of the study.
Thank you in advance for your time and consideration. Yours faithfully Supervisor’s details
T.N Makeleni (Miss) M.J.Sethusha (Dr) Contact No: 0124292258
98 Appendix 4
99 Appendix 5