I, Thinavhuyo Gladys Muvhango, am conducting research with Dr J. NYONI who is a senior lecturer in the Department of Educational Leadership and Management for a Master’s degree at the University of South Africa. He can be contacted at 0846886226. I am doing a study on “Learner’s perceptions of feeding schemes programmes at secondary schools in the Nzhelele East Circuit, Limpopo Province“ as part of my studies at the University of South Africa. Your principal has given me permission to do this study at your school.
The purpose of the study is to understand learners’ perceptions of the feeding scheme programme in secondary schools at Nzhelele East Circuit so that the objectives of the programme are met and to find out how best school feeding contributes to their learning performance and to reducing hunger and absenteeism. The possible benefits of the study are the improvement of the school feeding scheme at secondary schools.
This letter is to explain what I would like you to do. There may be some words you do not know in this letter. You may ask me or any other adult to explain any of the words that you do not know or understand. You may take a copy of this letter home to think about my invitation and talk to your parents about this before you decide if you want to be part of this study.
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I need to conduct a focus group interview with you to collect data on “learners’ perceptions of the feeding scheme programme in secondary schools at Nzhelele East Circuit” so that the objectives of the programme are met. You are requested to be one of 12 participants who will participate in the focus group interview at a specified time at your respective school. You have been selected using purposeful sampling. I will request educators who have been appointed as school feeding programme coordinators at your school to select 6 learners from Site A and 6 learners from Site B to participate in the research (for focus group interviews).
You will be given an assent form to confirm your participation in the research. You have been selected because you are knowledgeable and about the phenomenon I wish to investigate. Each interview will last for approximately 30 to 45 minutes and it will be recorded, transcribed verbatim by the researcher and a qualified independent coder who will verify the findings. I expect to have 11 other children (learners) participating in the study.
I would like to ask you 10 questions. I will read them one by one. You need to listen to my questions carefully and you need to answer them in a chronological order. These questions are all about the school feeding scheme at your school. I will re-listen to your answers afterwards, but your name will not appear on the tape and your participation will not count for any marks at school. I will not share your answers with your teachers or parents. Interview will last for approximately 30-45 minutes and will be tape-recorded, transcribed verbatim by the researcher and a qualified independent coder who will verify the findings.
There are no foreseeable risks or harm to you by participating in the study. You will receive no direct benefit from participating in the study. Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and can be identified with you will remain confidential and will only be disclosed with your permission.
I will write a report on the study but I will not use your name in the report or say anything that will let other people know who you are. You do not have to be part of this study if you do not want to take part. If you choose to be in the study, you may stop taking part at any time. You may tell me if you do not wish to answer any of my questions. No one will blame or criticise you.
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You may take a copy of this letter home to think about my invitation and talk to your parents about it before you decide if you want to be part of this study. I would like to invite you to be a very special part of my study. I am doing this study so that I can find ways that your teachers can use the school feeding programme better. This will help you and many other learners of your age in different schools.
Your parents or a legal guardian will receive a copy of the child assent form and will also be asked for the permission of interviewing in the focus group on your behalf. When I have completed my study, I will return to your school to give a short talk about some of the helpful and interesting things I found in my study. I shall invite you to come and listen to my talk.
If you decide to be part of my study, you will be asked to sign the form on the next page. If you have any other questions about this study, you can talk to me or you can have your parent or another adult call me on 082 222 0742. Do not sign the form until you have all your questions answered and understand what I would like you to do. Do not sign written assent form if you have any questions. Ask your questions first and ensure that someone answers those questions. My contact number is 082 222 0742 and my e-mail is [email protected].
Thank you for your support.
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Thinavhuyo Gladys Muvhango
CHILD ASSENT
I (surname and initials) --- have read this research information letter which requests me to be part of a study at my school. I agree to be part of the study and I will participate on my free will.
--- --- --- Learner’s name (print): Learner’s signature Date
--- --- --- Researchers name (print) Researcher’s signature: Date: