An evaluation of academic performance of children in foster custody at Thulamela West

Abstract

The study was based on the evaluation of academic performance of children in foster custody in Thulamela West under Vhembe district municipality, Limpopo province in South Africa. The population of the study was fifty respondents composed of fifteen social workers, fifteen educators, ten foster parents and ten foster children. The researcher used a mixed methodology where quantitative and qualitative research methods were used. The qualitative method adequately describes or interprets a situation in relation to the study and quantitative method was used because in this study there was collection of numeric data which was analyzed statistically. The researcher used field study as a research design for this study. The main reason for using field study as a research design was to enable the researcher to gain understanding of the physical experiences and challenges of children in foster care with regard to their academic performance. The major findings of the study are:

Major findings on the academic performance of children in foster custody:

• The findings of this study show the academic performance of children m foster custody is not poor. • The different role players in foster care perform their duties effectively and know their roles and boundaries well. • It was also found that children in foster custody are emotionally stable and have good self image. The recommendations of the study:

Recommendations on the academic performance of children in foster custody:

• Children in foster custody must always strive to perform better and proceed to the tertiary level. They should continue to behave well at school so that they may remain controllable and avoid dropping out

• Social workers must observe the emotional stability of children in foster custody and monitor their academic performance for necessary early intervention. Foster parents should create home environment conducive for studying.

• Faster parents must not misuse foster care grant and social workers should further capacitate them on parenting skills. Educators, social workers and foster parents must form foster care forums to discuss issues affecting children in foster custody