Supervisor, Dr Phumlani Myende (left), and his student, Dr Themba Mkhize who graduated with his PhD in Education. A Closer Look at Resource Mobilisation in Sustaining Rural Schools
Dr Themba Mkhize graduated with his PhD in Education for his research titled: Resource Mobilisation for the Sustainability of Schools within Rural Context: Voices of School Stakeholders at uMzimkhulu Circuit in Harry Gwala District Municipality.
The study was supervised by Dr Phumlani Myende, one of the youngest Senior Lecturers in the School of Education.
Mkhize explored the identification and mobilisation of resources in schools within the context of rurality. Contrary to discourses that pathologise rurality, the study found that the selected schools have strong cultural, human and social-organisational capital through which resources can be mobilised.
The study highlights the important role that local community leaders and organisations such as churches can play in resource mobilisation to sustain schools in rural communities. It also acknowledges that on-going, unchallenged power relations continue to create deficit thinking among rural school stakeholders which hampers resource mobilisation.
While the study found that there is awareness of the existence of resources, it notes that a change in mindset is required to place rural stakeholders at the centre of resource mobilisation activities.
Words: Melissa Mungroo
Photograph: Rajesh Jantilal