How to help the boy child at school

Why are we seeing more boys dropping out of school in South Africa than girls and how do we stop it?

Education expert Jenean Pretorius chatted to CapeTalk and 702's Africa Melane about her Daily Maverick article on the subject titled: `SA’s education system is failing our boys: The story behind the stats'.

The Department of Basic Education estimates that 40% of pupils drop out of school, most of them are boys.

"We are losing boys long before they reach matric. The data shows higher repetition rates, higher drop-out rates and disengagement among boys... And if we don't address that early then certainly the consequences follow them into adulthood."

Pretorius said it's not about blaming the boys, it's about asking whether our system recognises how they learn, how they develop and more importantly the environment that they grow up in.

"Labels are self-fulfilling so those labels of him being slow or naughty or disruptive - these shape identify especially for boys and the knock-on effect is disengagement. And that often becomes a defence mechanism. Often the disruption is a result or the tip of an iceberg of bigger issues that's going on at home or in the bigger space."

Pretorius said it's important to keep in mind that it's not just a school issue, it's a societal issue. " It's within the context of absent fathers, economic pressure, violence exposure, limited male role models in early education so... a lot needs to happen."

She said it's not about perpetuating stereotypes but understanding that there's a gender dynamic. A lot of intentionality is needed and a very structured, system-wide approach.

Pretorius has called for changes in corporal punishment and for teachers to look out for signs of disengagement. "Because before the drop out, comes disengagement," she says.

"But it extends beyond the school as well. Community leaders, family members, uncles, that positive support, that positive role model. And that positive safe space to provide for expression around specific issues that come up like bullying."

Pretorius would like to see play and experiential learning integrated into curriculums to engage boys in ways that resonate with their strengths.

To listen to the full discussion between Pretorius and Africa Melane, click the media player below.