Independent evaluation of the SAPLER peer counselling programme
Part A of this evaluation is concerned with key stakeholders’ perceptions of the Sapler programme. Although perceptions of a programme’s success or failure may not reflect its actual efficacy, negative perceptions among key stakeholders can destroy even the most successful of programmes. Conversely, positive perceptions can provide even initially ineffective programmes with a window of opportunity for bringing about necessary improvements.
The most important stakeholder group in any programme (sometimes termed the ‘key reference group’) are those who are supposed to benefit directly from the programme - in this case the learners who attend lessons presented by Sapler pioneers.
Due to the fact that the evaluation was done at the end of the year during exam time it was not possible to interview more than a handful of learners, but several hundred learner’s views of Sapler were collected by means of their written responses to closed and open-ended questions. In addition, interviews were conducted with nearly two dozen other stakeholders, including primary health care officials, guidance teachers, school principals, pioneers and Sapler management.
Section 2 of this part of the report details learners’ perceptions, and section 3 other stakeholders’ perceptions. In each case the way in which the data were collected is briefly described, followed by an assessment of stakeholders’ overall evaluation of Sapler and a detailed analysis of their comments.