Focus group notes – Christine Bothma

Focus group held on 6 February in room 5-154 at 1:30 to 2:30 pm in the Theo Van Wyk building on the main campus of UNISA in Pretoria

The focus group was moderated by Christine Bothma, assisted by Thandi Ndaba. There were 10 participants, all of whom were members of the MARC 2018 class. Discussion was lively and the following main points were highlighted.

Special leave was defined as leave for circumstances outside of ones’ control and linked to one’s study or career (for example supervisor meetings, conferences, external workshops or job interviews)

In addition, group members voiced the following concerns:

The need was expressed for management to come in and inform the MARC students about the rules
Need management to clarify the rules of the HPSCA and what is expected of students in terms of attendance of classes so that an understanding can be gained why special leave is granted or not granted More explanation should be given on how the special needs leave effects the direction of the programme
Management needs to give the class more information on how their progress is measured as this would also effect special leave.
The question was asked whether the participants think it is fair of management to expect that when you signed up for the course you were actually giving yourself to whatever is going to happen. The answer was yes and no; yes, if you are told what the schedules are and no because you were not made aware of all the conditions.
Management should create a schedule and stick to it so that students can make arrangements to undertake the activities which fall under the ambit of special leave (eg arranging appointments with supervisors). If schedule is set and adhered to, special leave may become redundant in many cases.
Special leave will then be used only for things out of their control
Suggestion that there should be one or half a day a week to work on proposals
Problem with clash of cultural responsibilities – in some cases it is a cultural imperative to attend an event but they are being told that they may not by management. Basically saying “we are not allowed to choose culture over this programme”
“We as a class can support colleagues who require special leave”
Emphasis on the fact that this is not a complaint but there needs to be clear communication on what is allowed and what is not and what is expected of the students
Special leave should be granted on a case-by-case basis. Because the students feel that they are adults, they do not think that if special leave was granted to one, it should be granted to all.
It was felt that management should give the students the respect to recognise that they are adults. It was also acknowledged that misuse of special leave is to one’s own detriment, but as adults, they would then face the consequences.
Suggestion: the class vote on whether special leave should be granted as they will be the ones to help the person with special leave catch-up on work missed. It would be a class effort
This class is small enough that it can be controlled and can help each other. Perhaps one criteria for special leave should be that back-up from classmates is given and that the classmates will also benefit.
Remember that most of the students quit their jobs to take part in the course
The students felt they are all responsible and have all made a conscious decision to be there and are aware of that responsibility
Special leave will be requested at times