The effectiveness of stakeholder collaboration in preventing learner pregnancy in secondary schools in the Eastern Cape, South Africa: Implications for leadership

Abstract

This study focused on the effectiveness of stakeholder collaboration in the prevention of learner pregnancy in secondary schools. Literature indicates that teamwork is a powerful tool for positive results and that stakeholder collaboration is key to preventing learner pregnancy. The author believes that formal and informal collaboration are important for collaboration to be effective. Teamwork as a societal aspect has been marginalised and is seemingly insignificant. A qualitative approach, grounded on the foundation of collaborative leadership, was adopted in the study. Four stakeholders were selected in each of the purposively selected secondary schools. Data was collected using semi-structured individual interviews. Thematic data analysis indicated that stakeholders’ collaboration was effective in both schools; thus, learner pregnancies decreased. The importance of formal and informal collaboration was also emphasised. Trust among stakeholders was developed and general effective running of schools was observed. The study concludes that stakeholder collaboration is not only important for the prevention of learner pregnancies in these schools, but is also important for every organisation’s effectiveness. Special training on collaboration for stakeholders at other secondary schools is recommended, and schools are encouraged to use collaborative leadership as model to build a constructive and fruitful atmosphere for all stakeholders.

Keywords: collaborative leadership; learner pregnancy; prevention of learner pregnancy; roles of stakeholders; sexuality education; stakeholder collaboration; strategies for the prevention of learner pregnancies