Infusion of Marginalised Voices in Peer Counselling Strategy to Alleviate Drug Abuse in Rural Learning Ecology: Need Analysis

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume III, Issue II, February 2019 | ISSN 2454–6186

Infusion of Marginalised Voices in Peer Counselling Strategy to Alleviate Drug Abuse in Rural Learning Ecology: Need Analysis

Munyaradzi Chidarikire

School of Education, Educational Psychology, Student Bachelor of Honours in Educational Psychology – Great Zimbabwe University, Zimbabwe

Abstract:-The study was necessitated by the absence of a peer counselling strategy formulated by and for the stakeholders in Chivi, Zimbabwe rural learning ecologies. Reviewed literature substantiated that peers had the capacity to influence one another to avoid drugs and the use of drugs, using a peer counselling strategy. I realised that there was a gap in terms of a specific peer counselling strategy in relation to drug abuse in rural learning ecologies. The research study involved participants within Zimbabwean rural learning ecologies in a formulating peer counselling strategy that was culturally grounded. That gave voice to the marginalised and brought transformation on how previous peer counselling strategies are formulated. The study adopted Critical Emancipatory Research (CER) as a lens. CER allowed participants from rural learning communities, who are marginalised, to participate in formulating a peer counselling strategy in Zimbabwe. I adopted the Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach, which buttresses the theoretical framework CER as they advocate CER. Both PAR for empowerment and emancipation of the marginalised members of the rural learning community. I used the Free Attitude Interview to generate data. The researcher analysed the data, made findings, determined implications, and did strategy formulation. The research results revealed that there was a need for peer counselling strategy formulated through the inclusion of views of rural learning communities. Moreover, the research found that, most peer counselling strategies in Zimbabwe are western in nature and lack suitability to assist rural learners. Furthermore, I noted that there are threats to peer counselling strategies, such as lack of peer counselling trainings. The significance of a peer counselling strategy was portrayed in Zimbabwe urban learning communities. This shows conflict of power, domination and social injustice perpetuated by urban dwellers on the rural communities in terms of formulation of a peer counselling strategy.

Key Words: Peer counselling, rural learning ecologies, strategy, critical discourse analysis, participatory action research, participants, formulation, theoretical framework, learners, community, marginalised

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