Psychosocial challenges faced by learners and the Neglect of School Social Work in Zimbabwe

Dickson Machimbidza () and Jabulani Makhubele ()
Additional contact information
Dickson Machimbidza: Department of Social Work, University of Limpopo, South Africa
Jabulani Makhubele: Department of Social Work, University of Limpopo, South Africa

Technium Social Sciences Journal, 2021, vol. 25, issue 1, 701-714

Abstract: Learners face a number of challenges in their eco-systems ranging from family related problems, bullying and ill-treatment at school.  This study sought to examine the psychosocial challenges experienced by learners in Zimbabwe and the absence of school social work practice in Zimbabwe as well as the possible nexus between the two. The study embraced a qualitative research approach and used an qualitative exploratory-contextual design. A sample of 44 participants comprised of 16 learners, 12 parents/guardians, 10 social workers and 6 teachers participated in the study. The eco-systems theory and models of school social work served as the theoretical framework of the study. Purposive and convenience sampling techniques were used in identifying the participants for interviews and focus group discussions. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic content analysis. It was found that learners face challenges of bullying, substance abuse, depression and anxiety as well as corporal punishment. Poor advocacy on school social work and lack of professional recognition by the government were found to be reasons behind the neglect of the practice in the country. It was established that late detection of warning signs is as a results of a nexus between the absence of school social work and psychosocial challenges among learners. Based on the findings of the study, the research recommends the recognition and employment of school social workers to deal with psychosocial challenges faced by learners. It further recommends social work regulatory boards to spearhead the acknowledgment of the profession through advocacy.

Keywords: learners; psychosocial challenges; environment; school social work (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://techniumscience.com/index.php/socialsciences/article/view/4920/1780 (application/pdf)
https://techniumscience.com/index.php/socialsciences/article/view/4920 (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:tec:journl:v:25:y:2021:i:1:p:701-714

Access Statistics for this article

Technium Social Sciences Journal is currently edited by Tasente Tanase

More articles in Technium Social Sciences Journal from Technium Science
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Tasente Tanase ( this e-mail address is bad, please contact ).