Social networks and survival of campus students in Makindye Division
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Date
2019-05
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Publisher
KAMPALA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY,SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
Abstract
The study was conducted to explore the importance of social networks and survival of campus
students in Makindye division. This was after the realisation that the liberalisation of education
in the 1 990s and the rapid urbanisation of Kampala City had left tens of thousands of the city
residents in squalid conditions where abject and absolute poverty rule with services going mainly
to paying clients following the withdrawal of the state as the principal actor. The study
specifically sought to achieve the following objectives: to establish the basis for formation of
social networks among students in Makindye division; and to explore the role of social networks
in the survival of campus students in Makindye division. To achieve the stated objectives, the
study was guided by the following research questions: what is the basis for formation of social
networks among campus students in Makindye division? What is the role of social networks in
the survival of campus students in Makindye division? The study design took the form of a case
study of social networks and survival of campus students in Makindye division. The study also
involved purposive sampling in which the data sought were qualitative. A sample of 40
respondents was purposively selected for the study. These included 10 female students, 10 male
students, five local leaders and 15 university lecturers. The data were collected using interviews
and observations for primary data and documents analysis for secondary data. The analysis of the
data generated by the interviews and observations involved a phenomenological approach by
emphasising a deep understanding of the observed phenomena and views of the participants,
literal description and narration of the emerging issues out of which authentic conclusions were
made. During the interviews and observations, the researcher noted down in his diary the
relevant issues (episodes, situations, events or instances) for accurate reporting. The main themes
that emerged from the field notes and interviews were noted down, quoting extensively in
verbatim format.The study established that social networks are formed based on a multiple of
factors that included geographical proximity, social clubs, shared schooling, work place, kinship,
religion, shared values, attitudes, culture, social status, aspirations and marriage alliances. The
study also found out that social networks are important in the survival of the urban poor by
creating links and nodes that enable such people to access food, water, employment, medication,
shelter, transport and even marry or and attend functions such as burial, marriage and initiation
ceremonies even without cash. The study recommends for an inter-sectoral and participatory
planning and the mobilisation of the less privileged into programs aimed at improving their
welfare from the grass root. The study also recommends the need for empowerment projects for
the youths and women that do not require huge sums of initial capital. Subsidised resources from
NGOs, financial institutions and the government can be channelled to the youths and women
associations to enable them to embark on activities that make them more productive and less
destitute. The study concludes by noting that the survival of the urban poor by social networks is
a reflection of a multiple of the socio-economic problems of Kampala City (e.g., destitution,
poverty, rapid urbanisation, unemployment, informalisation of the economy and failure to
expand the formal sector). As a result, communities have taken their own initiatives to survive so
as alleviate poverty and destitution and to create opportunities. Further, the survival of the urban
poor by social networks will continue as long as the state ceases to be the main actor in the
generation of opportunities and welfare service provision. This of course follows government
withdrawal as the major actor following the liberalisation of the economy in the late 1 980s and
early l990s.
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for ti-ie award of the degree of bachelor of education of Kampala International University
Keywords
Social networks, Survival of campus students, Makindye Division