Itu Senetla

Research Assistant, Adolescent Accelerators Research Hub

Research Project(s)

  • Khanyisa Ngemfundo

Research Interests

  • Public Policy
  • Mental Health 
  • Young Parenthood

Biography  


Itu Senetla is a Research Assistant at the Adolescent Accelerator Research Hub, situated within the Centre for Social Science Research. His responsibilities encompass various facets of research facilitation within the Khanyisa Ngemfundo Project. These duties entail transcribing workshop audios, conducting data analysis, and engaging in scoping reviews.


They are currently pursuing a Master's degree at the University of Cape Town, building upon his academic background which includes an Honours degree in Sociology from the same institution. His scholarly pursuits have been directed towards investigating pressing social issues, notably focusing on suicidality and sexual orientation within the LGBTQI+ community during his Honours project.


Senetla's current research endeavors are intricately linked with the overarching objectives of the Khanyisa Ngemfundo project. Specifically, his Master's research project scrutinizes the role of the Representative Council of Learners (RCL) in the implementation and adoption of policies within the educational landscape. His research inquiry is encapsulated in the title: ""Investigating the Adoption and Implementation of Department of Basic Education's (DBE) Policy on Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy: A Case Study of Representative Council of Learners (RCL) in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Prior to his current academic pursuits, Senetla demonstrated leadership capacities during his tenure as a student at the University of Free State. Within this context, he held a prominent position within the Media and Marketing portfolio, where his responsibilities predominantly revolved around disseminating pertinent information to the student body.