Browsing by Author "Petersen, Savannah"

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    Investigating the psychosocial causes and effects of high Secondary school dropout rates in Sir Lowry’s Pass, Western Cape
    (University of the Western Cape, 2023) Petersen, Savannah; Bayat, Amiena
    This thesis explores the psychosocial causes and effects of students dropping out of high school in the Sir Lowry’s Pass community. This investigation is supported by secondary and primary literature and research contributing to the importance of this topic as a social phenomenon and as a developmental key factor in poor communities. The issues surrounding this phenomenon are complex, multifaceted and can have long term negative effects after dropping out of high school (Macleod, 1999). The issue of elevated high school dropout rates is a worldwide issue; it is especially problematic in developing countries such as South Africa. Most recent statistics show that approximately 3% of 15-year-olds and approximately 9% of 17-year-olds drop out of school in South Africa (Stats SA, 2020). Psychosocial factors related to issues of poverty, crime, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, a lack of education and lack of employment opportunities are amplified in poor communities in South Africa. These influence behaviours, choices, perspectives and ideas students have about themselves and their futures (Frosh, 2003). These are experienced on an individual, micro and macro level. By using Human Capital Theory as a theoretical lens to better conceptualise this phenomenon of high, high school dropout rates especially in poor communities. The researcher gives developmental and economic context to the relevance of the issue by including Human Capital Theory.