This study investigates the situation of Black male students in Further Education Colleges in the UK and in Jamaica, from a Black male perspective. It was undertaken with a view to exploring, personal, social, cultural and other factors relating to the decisions of Black males to enter FE, and their experience of FE. The purpose of the study was twofold. Firstly, it sought to achieve a better understanding of their perceptions of the Black male in society and of any particular pressures he might be under in embarking on FE. Secondly, it sought to explore how the Black male saw the response of FE colleges to his presence, with a view to determining what lessons might be learnt by the colleges in recruiting Black male students, and retaining them. A comparative approach, collecting data from both the UK and Jamaican settings, was used to try and assess the extent to which there were differences in the perceptions of Black males regarding how they were perceived in those two societies and, in particular, by the colleges that they attended. Any differences in perception might be attributable in part to how they were 'received' and could have implications for the way in which colleges sought to cater for this section of the population. Using a survey approach, questionnaire data were gathered from samples of Black male students in four FE colleges in the East and West Midlands of England (n=96) and of ones from three FE colleges in East and West Jamaica (n= 160), and interview data from Black male FE staff in the UK colleges (n=20), and in the Jamaican ones (n=20). The student questionnaire sought information on the respondents' experience of and feelings about FE, and those influential in their decision to enrol, how they find out about the college and so on. A particular emphasis was on how respondents considered that the Black male was perceived both within the college community and in the wider society. Semi-structured interviews with Black male FE staff were designed to shed light on how they viewed the situation and experience of Black male students in college and the wider society, as well as how their colleges approached making provision for them, how their colleges approached the marketing and recruitment of this sector of the population, and the measures that were in place to retain such students. The earlier chapters of the study establish the context of the study, analysing the experience of the Black male, from both a historical and a contemporary perspective, and considering the implications for his education (Chapters 1-3). Having considered the research design and the fieldwork objectives and research questions (in Chapter 4), the questionnaire and interview findings are presented (Chapters 5-7). Chapter 8 discusses the fieldwork findings and seeks through them to address the research questions underpinning the study. Chapter 9 draws conclusions from the study, considers its implications, especially for UK FE colleges and their approach to Black male student recruitment and retention, and offers some suggestions for further-related research. Unsurprisingly, it was found that Black male students in UK FE Colleges were unhappy because of negative perceptions of their masculinity in the education system and in society at large. These were perceived as contributing to their low motivation, low selfesteem, factors which, in turn, adversely affected their educational experience. Those in Jamaican colleges, on the other hand, found a more supportive climate, which encouraged them in their study and increased their self-belief.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:635642 |
| Date | January 2002 |
| Creators | Vassel, Nevel Anthony |
| Publisher | University of Manchester |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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