An exploratory study of the information needs of secondary school students in Mdantsane Township, Eastern Cape.

Abstract

The study investigates the information needs of high school students in the Mdantsane township in the Eastern Cape and is based on the view that high school students have information needs other than their school-related needs. The building of a library in the township made the investigation of this substantial group's information needs a priority. Careful and thorough assessment of youth's information needs was important in establishing what sort of information service was required. The study identifies the youth's information needs, their purposes for needing information, their information sources and/or the providers accessed or used to satisfy their needs for information and makes recommendations regarding provision to the planners of the new library. Data collection included reviewing of related literature and a descriptive survey using self-administered questionnaires. A sample of 117 grade 11 learners was selected from five high schools using stratified random sampling. Simple coding sheets and content analysis were used in data reduction and analysis. The findings of the study support the view that the school-going youth have information needs other than their school-related needs. There is a need for information provision on various aspects of their lives such as self-education, reaching a decision and solving problems. The youth were found to be less aware, or ignorant, of issues such as HIV/AIDS, sex, drugs and alcohol as also indicated in the literature reviewed. Informal sources and/or providers such as parents and friends were used to access information, in addition to more formal sources such as teachers, books, newspapers and magazines. The study makes recommendations about developing information-searching skills in the youth, providing information for their educational, social and personal needs, and for sharing of resources and co-operation with other libraries. Communication amongst teachers, librarians and students, and the promotion of leisure activities by libraries, parents, teachers are recommended. It is suggestð€€¯d that the youth should be involved in the information provision process because they are often used as a viable source of information by peers. The promotion of media usage and other forms of audio-visual and printed material by libraries is suggested. The development of community beliefs, values in the youth through churches, career programmes and career guidance needs to be prioritised as well as the provision of counselling and help groups using voluntary workers.