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Girl children’s access to sustainable learning in rural ecologies : a bourdieuian policy and practice analysis
No full textPremised on assertions that despite all the efforts directed at ensuring equal access to education for girls and boys, there are persistent gender disparities and gaps as well as a range of hindrances with regard to girl children’s access to sustainable learning in rural ecologies. The Participatory Action Research (PAR) study with feminists’ orientations, seeks to propose a framework on girl children’s access to sustainable learning in rural ecologies. Conducted in the Nkangala District of the Mpumalanga Province, the study begins with a situational analysis that identifies and interrogates issues that continue to confront rural girl children’s access to sustainable learning in rural ecologies. The feminists’ orientations serve to emphasise issues of gender inclusion and equity in and through education for a gender transformative education agenda. This study unpacks Bourdieu’s theoretical constructs of the field, the habitus and the capital. It then explores how these can be used to potentially enhance initiatives and interventions that focus on access to sustainable learning for rural girl children in a way that shapes and informs educational practice and policy. With the understanding derived from Bourdieuian theory of practice, the study situates rural girl children the rural homes, schools and the broader communities as their main social fields of play. It thus interrogates the power struggles, contestations and manifestations associated with girl children and educational settings. Whilst acknowledging that the rural homes and communities are important sites for sustainable learning, rural schools (ing) are in this study considered as an integral playing field. This policy and practice analysis study concludes with a proposed framework that is premised firstly on the utmost consideration towards developing rural girl children’s agency, their full capabilities and potential. Secondly, conscientisation should be propelled towards gendered re-socialisation, which is gendering the habitus in rural households. Thirdly, gender-mainstreaming initiatives should facilitate more gender sensitive and responsive educational policies and practices in rural schools. Lastly, continued community-based advocacy and mobilisation must be implemented to enhance gendered socio-cultural capitals that promote gender equality and equity with regard to girl children’s access to sustainable learning in rural ecologies.National Research Foundation (NRF
The lived experiences of emergency care graduates as they transition from college to professional workplace
No full textDissertation (M.HPE. (Health Professions Education))--University of the Free State, 2021Central to every formal education qualification offered by any education and training institution is the aim to produce well-rounded graduates who have gained new knowledge, skills and professional attributes. Emergency medical care education and training programmes are no exception to this desire to produce highly skilled and well-trained graduates. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) workers are generally referred to as paramedics by members of the public; however, there are different levels in which they are categorised, depending on the level of training obtained and professional registration with the regulatory body. Currently, emergency care education and training in South Africa have finalised alignment with higher education after the National Emergency Care Education and Training (NECET) policy was promulgated by the minister of health. The need to review and realign EMS education and training was necessitated by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) and the Higher Education Act. This review resulted in the development of a two-year, 240-credit National Certificate in Emergency Care Technician (ECT). The previous qualification, at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5, was phased out as per the revised Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework (HEQSF) and was replaced by a Diploma NQF Level 6 qualification. The NQF Level 5 qualification produced graduates who were eligible to register in the professional category of advanced life support (ALS) with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA). Graduates from the ECT programme reported being confronted by negative attitudes from experienced members of the profession and did not feel that they were being accepted during clinical practice shifts at EMS stations, especially in areas where other ALS paramedics were working. Some paramedics who had progressed to the ALS category through short courses expressed their lack of trust and confidence in ECT graduates and their capabilities. The ECT scope of practice was released by the Professional Board for Emergency Care (PBEC) and was also heavily criticised. The scope of practice allows ECTs to perform several advanced and invasive, life-saving procedures, including the administration of potent medication. Most of the resistance and criticism seemed to be based on opinions and emanated from a lack of understanding of what the training programme entailed and how it was delivered. To date, no research has been conducted to investigate the perceptions and lived experiences of ECTs trained paramedics in South Africa. This study investigated the lived experiences of ECT graduates in the North West Department of Health at the time that they made the transition into practice and their ability to practise their scope of expertise. In addition, this study formulated implementable recommendations that can be used to support graduate paramedics as they transition to the workplace. This mini-dissertation sets out the research study, which was done through focus group interviews with ECTs who were trained at the North West EMS College. A review of literature available on EMS education and ECT training, and an analysis of the clinical competencies attributed to ECTs, assisted the researcher in designing an interview schedule that was followed when conducting the semi-structured interviews. The findings of this investigation contribute to the current body of knowledge depicting how the ECTs trained in the North West Department of Health experienced their transition into practice
Public sector accountancy education at South African universities
No full textThis study has been undertaken against the perceived insufficiency of public sector accountancy education and research at universities, locally and internationally, while the need for public sector accountancy exists. The purpose of this study was to test the perception whether universities in South Africa are responding adequately to the accountancy-related educational needs of the public sector. This study aims to contribute towards the limited literature that exists on public sector accountancy education in South Africa. The study may contribute towards discussions at universities about the inadequacy of public sector accountancy education and research. The literature review in this study focused on public sector accountancy education internationally, covering first world (Australia, the USA, New Zealand) and third-world countries (Ghana and Nigeria). The literature also included discussions about the public sector financial management reforms in South Africa through the relevant enacted laws. In addition, further discussions about accounting education, distinguishing between private sector accountancy education and public sector accountancy education, the current state of public sector accountancy education and the related unique skills were provided. The literature review was followed by a detailed analysis and comparison of the technical competencies on the SAICA and SAIGA competency frameworks. As a result, similarities and differences were identified between the technical competencies in the two frameworks. Based on the results from the analysis and comparison of the two competency frameworks, an interview schedule was developed and used to guide the discussion with the key role-players in the private sector audit firms, public sector institutions, the AGSA and two universities in the Eastern Cape to gather their opinions about the research problem. The role-players included the Audit Partners, Senior Managers and HoDs at the institutions mentioned above. The results of the empirical study, which included the document analysis and the semi-structured interviews, were aligned. The key findings from the study indicate:• the SAICA competency framework is business orientated, while the SAIGA competency framework is public sector orientated; •the public sector environment is highly regulated, and therefore its financial management processes and financial reporting frameworks are governed by the Constitution, MFMA, PFMA, Treasury regulations and GRAP, Modified-Cash Standards and IPSAS; • the highly regulated public sector environment contributes to accountancy professionals such as CA(SA)s being less attracted to the public sector for fear of reputational damage and a loss of jobs because of non-compliance with the related laws and regulations; • the transition from the private sector to the public sector accountancy environment is difficult for accountancy graduates when assigned to public sector assignments, owing to their lack of understanding of the public sector environment. Additionally, the university accountancy programmes are more private sector aligned than public sector aligned; • the public sector accountancy is perceived as specialised owing to its uniqueness; • a call was made by the participants for an increased focus on development of public sector accountancy education, through SLPs, public sector accountancy courses within existing accountancy programmes and undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications by universities, focused on public sector accountancy; • the proposed inclusion of the public sector content by SAICA on its new CA2025 competency framework is viewed as insufficient to address the inadequacy of public sector accountancy education; and • public sector accountancy is not the same as public administration. This study makes the following recommendations as a means to address the above-mentioned findings: • universities should increase the level of awareness of the public sector environment in their accountancy programmes. Additionally, the SAICA-accredited programmes should do more than is required in terms of the inclusion of the public sector content per the new CA2025 competency framework; • courses focused on public sector accountancy should be designed and included in the existing accountancy programmes. These courses could be compulsory or elective; and • owing to the perception that public sector accountancy is a specialist area, universities should expand their programme qualification mix, to include public sector-focused accountancy programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, for example a Bachelor of Accounting (public sector specialisation) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Sector Accountancy. These qualifications would increase the number of competent public sector accountants. Finally, a conclusion is provided for the study. This study activates the debate and discussion around the research question in South Africa when the SAICA competency framework was amended to consider the importance of the public sector
The incidence, clinical profile and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis in premature neonates at Universitas Academic Hospital for the period 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018, a retrospective descriptive study
No full textBACKGROUND: Acinetobacter baumannii is an emerging and challenging pathogen in neonatal units, due to its ability to develop resistance against antibiotics. Studies on Acinetobacter baumannii infection in premature neonates are lacking in developing countries. OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, clinical presentation, antibiotic susceptibility profiles and the morbidity and mortality rate of premature neonates with Acinetobacter baumannii infection. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective descriptive study at a tertiary hospital in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Medical records were reviewed over 36 months. Premature neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit with positive blood, urine or cerebrospinal culture for Acinetobacter baumannii were identified through the National Health Laboratory Services. RESULTS: Fifty premature neonates were enrolled. There was an incidence of 103 cases per 1000 admissions/ year. The median age at the onset of sepsis was 17 days (IQR 9-26). Known risks such as central venous catheters and parental nutrition were found in 78% (39/50), and 68% (34/50) respectively. Respiratory distress (56% [28/50]) and abdominal distension (50% [25/50]) were the most common clinical signs. Of all the isolates, 86% (43/50) were susceptible to colistin only. Supportive therapy was frequently required, 48% (24/50) received vasoactive drugs, and 70% (35/50) were mechanically ventilated. Mortality related to infection was 36% (18/50). CONCLUSION: There was a high incidence of Acinetobacter baumannii sepsis in premature neonates at Universitas Academic Hospital. A significant number of neonates had a central catheter and received parental nutrition. Most isolates were resistant to the carbapenems but susceptible to colistin. Vasoactive drugs and mechanical ventilation were frequently required. The mortality rate was high from Acinetobacter infection which is in keeping with most studies. Strict infection control and antibiotic stewardship are imperative
An investigation into a proposed syllabus for tuba performance studies at South African universities
No full textThesis (Ph.D. (Odeion School of Music))--University of the Free State, 2021A primary function of syllabi for university music performance studies is the prescription of both compulsory and recommended module materials. However, as South African universities lack comprehensive syllabi for tuba performance studies, the aim of this study was the proposition of such a syllabus for use in the various institutions. The key research problem focused on the aspects that ought to be considered in the compilation of these syllabi. The emerging sub-questions sought to determine the extent to which lecturers use these syllabi to prescribe materials to their students; the various components, design process and limitations of the existing syllabi, and the systems/tools available for the grading of solo tuba repertoire as an integral process in syllabus compilation. In the absence of a suitable system for this purpose of grading solo repertoire for various years of university study, I designed a system based on existing systems, data from respondents, all informed by my experience as a university tuba lecturer and performer.
I performed a literature review and complemented this by conducting interviews with national and international tuba lecturers who were selected according to specific criteria. Through the integration of the literature, collected documents and the thematic analysis of the interview transcripts, I suggested a framework for the layout, and ideas for compilation of the administrative and music-orientated components of a syllabus for university tuba performance studies. By the utilisation of the syllabus compilation suggestions and framework, university tuba lecturers are hereby presented with a source for the compilation of their own syllabi. Additionally, they have at their disposal a system that can accurately and comprehensively grade various repertoire pieces that may be used as the content of repertoire lists within their syllabi, and from which various works may be chosen to fulfil the requirements of their specific modules
The moderator effect of socioeconomic status in the relationship between perceived social support, adolescent resilience and risk behaviour
No full textAdolescent risk behaviour is a crucial topic touched on by researchers over the years, both globally and locally. It remains imperative to establish factors that exacerbates adolescent risk taking behaviour, as well as factors that protect against it. While socio-economic status (SES), social support and resilience all play various roles in relation to adolescent risk behaviour, conflicting literature on this topic exists within the South African context. Thus, the aim of this study was to contribute to this body of research, by investigating the moderator effect of socioeconomic status in the relationship between perceived social support, adolescent resilience and risk behaviour. A sample of 340 learners from grades 9 to 11 were obtained from two schools in Kimberley, Northern Cape. Participants were selected using a non-probability, convenience sampling method. For the purpose of this study, a quantitative, non-experimental and correlational research design was utilised. Results indicated that perceived parental and school acquaintances support acts as a buffer against the risk of substance use in both lower and higher SES groups. Perceived teacher support decreases the risk of substance use in adolescents only from the lower SES group. Furthermore, SES did not succeed in moderating any of the remaining relationships between perceived social support types and substance use as a risk factor. Perceived social support from school acquaintances acts as a buffer against sexual risk behaviour only for the higher SES group. SES did not moderate any of the remaining relationships between perceived social support types and sexual behaviour as a risk factor. SES further failed to moderate the relationship between all perceived social support types and violence as risk factor Individual, caregiver and contextual resilience buffers against the risk of substance use for the lower SES group solely. Furthermore, SES failed to moderate any of the relationships between the three aforementioned resilience factors and sexual behaviour as well as violence as a risk factor
National Socialism and Nazism in South Africa: The case of L.T. Weichardt and his Greyshirt movements, 1933-1946
No full textIn 1933, the world saw Adolf Hitler and National Socialism taking power in Germany. That same year on the other side of the globe, South Africans saw the establishment of the first of many Greyshirt movements modelled on National Socialism and pro-Nazi by Louis Theodore Weichardt. This study thus analyses the multiple complex factors which inspired and gave rise to Weichardt and his Greyshirt movements, which includes Weichardt’s early life, him fighting for Germany in World War One (WWI) and his subsequent experiences in the turbulent Weimar Republic. The 1920s and 1930s socio-economic sphere of South Africa characterised by labour unrest, anti-communism, Afrikaner political divide, republicanism and the poor white problem will also be scrutinised as factors which led Weichardt to create his Greyshirt movements. It is also indisputable that the Greyshirt movements went through various transformations such as from the non-parliamentary South African Christian National Socialist Movement (SACNSM) to a parliamentary South African National Party (SANP) and back again to a non-parliamentary movement the South African National Socialist Union (SANSU). This study discussed the reasons and new functions that went along with every transformation. The level of direct and indirect cooperation and connection between Weichardt and the Nazis will be also presented
Association between Hypochromic Microcytic Anaemia and Febrile Seizure in patients admitted at Pelonomi Tertiary Hospital in Bloemfontein from January 2019 to December 2019
No full textBACKGROUND: Febrile seizure, which affects 2-5% of neurologically healthy children, is the most common type of seizure in children. The seizures occur in the context of a global iron deficiency that stands out as the most common nutritional deficiency especially prevalent in developing countries. Studies carried out to determine the association between febrile seizures and iron deficiency anaemia have yielded contradictory results. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the association, if any, between febrile seizures and hypochromic microcytic anaemia (iron deficiency anaemia). Hypochromic microcytic anaemia is a surrogate for iron deficiency anaemia. METHODS: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. A study population consisting of 244 patients, admitted over the period of twelve months with infective febrile illnesses, was included in the study. The age group was between six months and five years. In addition, 55 of these patients had febrile illnesses complicating with febrile seizures while 189 had febrile illnesses without febrile seizures. All of the patients’ full blood counts (FBC) were used to determine if each had hypochromic microcytic anaemia. The following FBC parameters were used: haemoglobin (HB), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH) and red cell distribution width (RDW). Chi-square and Fischer’s exact tests were conducted for statistical interpretation. Finally, a comparison of full blood count parameters between the children with febrile seizures and those without was made. RESULTS: The mean age of all patients included in the study was 17 months. The study had 153 male patients who constituted 62.7% of the study population. The majority of patients had lower respiratory tract infection. Full blood count parameters of patients with febrile seizures and those without febrile seizures were similar. There was no statistical significance between the two groups (p=0.826). CONCLUSION: The results of the study, based on hypochromic microcytic anaemia used as surrogate for iron deficiency anaemia, showed no association between iron deficiency anaemia and febrile seizures. This was due to the lack of difference between patient with febrile seizures and those without febrile seizures, with no statistical difference
Missio hominum guided by an understanding of Ubuntu for missio Dei: Nico Smith’s discovery
No full textMissio hominum as a theological framework within the discipline of missiology in understanding missio Dei still lacks proper exploration. Few attempts have been made by theologians in the past but in different disciplines other than missiology. The exception is the previous studies by Nico Smith who investigated and conceptualised the subject at great length. This article builds on Smith’s perspectives on missio hominum with the aim of providing an in-depth understanding of the subject in an African context. This shall be
achieved by juxtaposing missio hominum with an African concept of Ubuntu through a literary analysis. Ubuntu is imperative in understanding the significance of human beings within the Christian mission in fulfilling the purpose of missio Dei.
Contribution: This article makes two important contributions in the field of missiology – first, by illustrating through missio hominum that human beings are God’s partners in accomplishing his mission on earth, and second, by illustrating through Ubuntu that human beings should partner with one another for the same purpose.Publisher's versio
The inner workings and logics of intersectionality: an analysis of gendered (in)security in Rwanda
No full textResisting a single-axis framework and adopting intersectionality in gendered security research and practice ensures that more inclusive and holistic security, and thus sustainable peace, is achieved in post-conflict societies. Yet, the way in which intersectionality is used in research and policy-making determines different outcomes that either take us further away or closer to that goal. The aim of this study is to explore how gender intersects with other systems of oppression to create experiences of gendered (in)security in Rwandan communities. My research suggests that the failure to cultivate a thorough understanding of intersectionality in gender security practice results in gender-based violence (GBV), gender discrimination and gender hierarchies, all of which threaten the sustainability of peace in the post-conflict era. The key objective of my study is to critically evaluate the value of analysing the inner workings of intersectionality for the Rwandan context, gendered security research and practice, and Women, Peace and Security (WPS) work. The inner workings of intersectionality refer to the modes, dynamics, contestations and strategies that surround the concept. I use three logics to explore the inner workings of intersectionality. These are the logics of domination, addition, and interdependence. The logics are used in combination to cultivate a holistic understanding of intersectionality. I use a deconstructive discourse analysis to reveal how the different logics, and indeed the inner workings themselves, are (re)produced and the effects that the logics have, and have had, on gendered security in Rwanda. My conceptual exploration of the inner workings of intersectionality draws from examples in colonial, post-colonial and post-genocide Rwanda. I use a multi-level analysis, focussing on the everyday experiences of marginalised women, whose social location lies at the intersection of multiple systems of oppression, while also paying attention to larger structural power differentials that are filtered through the global economy and global security. My study shows that there is a link between the utilisation of intersectionality according to the logics and gendered (in)security. Rwanda is a useful case study for the analysis of intersectionality because the history of Hutu/Tutsi political violence lends itself to an intersectional analysis. In addition, despite Rwanda’s robust gender equality and gender security policy and legal frameworks, gendered insecurities, such as persistently high rates of GBV, continue to threaten the sustainability of peace in the post-genocide era. My analysis reveals how intersections have generated complex experiences of violence in Rwanda’s past; how the misappropriation of intersectional thinking can lead to the creation of gendered (in)security silences, which allows gender discrimination to thrive and threaten peace in the contemporary moment; and how positive intersections can be cultivated through community forums for generating positive peace and gender justice at a local level