An evaluation of SANCA'S lifestyle programme in two Soweto public schools

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of the SANCA Lifestyle Programme on Grade 6 and 7 black learners in two Soweto schools. This was done with a view to investigate the appropriateness of the present SANCA Lifestyle Programme for black learners. A total of 260 learners participated in this study. The main thrust of the study was to investigate the impact of SANCA’s Lifestyle Programme on learners’ psychosocial functioning and understanding of alcohol and drugs before and after the implementation of the SANC A Lifestyle Programme. Information was collated from the following instruments: biographical questionnaire. Psychosocial Functioning Inventory for Primaiy School Children (PFI-PRIM-C), alcohol and drug assessment questionnaire and programme evaluation questionnaire. The Pre-test results revealed low self-image for the total sample on the PFI-PRIM-C which measures psychosocial functioning. The Post-test results revealed significant improvement in this area. The results showed significant differences between gender and age groups in the areas of psychosocial functioning status. In particular, there was also a significant difference between males and females with regard to states of anxiety (p<0.001). There was also a significant difference between the 10-13 year olds and 14-18 year old groups in levels of frustration (pO.OOl) on the PFI-PRIM-C. After the Lifestyle Programme significant improvements were achieved. A significant improvement was also found on the learners’ knowledge of alcohol and drugs in the post-test period. There was no significant age or sex differences on alcohol and dn;g assessment questionnaire both in the pre-test or post-test periods. The implications of the findings are that Lifestyle Programmes have the potential to be effective for black learners.