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Experiences of Senkatana healthcare professionals during the first wave of Covid-19
Get PDFThe emergence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has affected healthcare
professionals‘ psychological and mental health. Despite a plethora of research
exploring the experiences of healthcare professionals during the first wave of
COVID-19 globally, very little of this research has explored this issue in the context
of Lesotho.
The purpose of this study was to examine Senkatana HCPs‘ experiences of work-
related stress during the first wave of COVID-19 in March 2020; to understand how
healthcare professionals felt when providing care to patients during the first wave of
COVID-19; to establish challenges brought by the COVID-19 emergence on
Senkatana healthcare professionals in the first wave of COVID-19, and to investigate
how healthcare professionals coped with work-related stress and the kind of support
that was available for Senkatana healthcare professionals during the first wave of
COVID-19. A qualitative research design was adopted. Data was collected using
interview guide from a sample of ten purposively selected nurses at Senkatana
clinic. The majority of the participants were registered nurses. Thematic analysis was
used to analyse the data collected. Therefore, the study used Stress Process Model
by Pearlin, Menaghan, Lieberman and Mullan (1981) to theorize the experiences of
Senkatana healthcare professional during the first wave of COVID-19.
The findings revealed that the nurses experienced work-related stress. The sources
of work-related stress were significantly associated with lack of knowledge, lack of
PPEs, increased workload, strained marital relationships and no support from the
union (LNA), as the findings show. Therefore, stress manifested in fear of COVID-19
and depression. It also emerged that the kind of support that was available during
the first wave of COVID-19 included social support and organisational support.
Again, it emerged that the nurses coped with work-related stress either by oath
retaken at work or with religion (prayer)National Manpower Development Secretaria
The bankers' duty of care with regard to financial advice
Get PDFNational Manpower Development Secretaria
The impact of World Vision WASH program on rural public health in Thabana-Morena Mafeteng, Lesotho
Get PDFRural public health is a worldwide problem affecting many countries, particularly developing
countries. Most of the rural residents are faced with multiple health challenges due to limited
access to health services living them vulnerable and exposed to being infected by different
diseases. Against this background, this study seeks to evaluate the role played by World Visons’
WASH program on improving rural public health through activities and projects it implements
using a case study of Makoabating community at Thabana Morena Mafeteng in Lesotho. The study
employed qualitative research design and both purposive and convenience sampling techniques
were applied. The sample used are Makoabating community leaders and members, health workers
and World Vision staff. Open ended questionnaire and face to face interview guides were used to
collect data. The study revealed that WASH program had a positive impact on promoting rural
public health in Makoabating community through capacity building programs such as workshops
and trainings and awareness campaigns on practicing good hygiene for improved health. Findings
further points that WASH program led to the presence of protected water sources, availability of
clean water and improved sanitation in the community. The study further revealed that most of the
people engaged in good hygiene practices such as regular hand washing with soap and running
water and these resulted to promotion of good hygiene behaviour and healthy lifestyle. The study
thus concludes that World Vision WASH program has promoted and improved Makoabating rural
community public health. It is recommended that WASH program services and facilities should be
sustained so as to promote and improve rural public health for sustained lives of the communitiesNational Manpower Development Secretaria
The relevance of environmental impact assessment to housing construction in Maseru urban
Get PDFAs a developing country, Lesotho is using Environmental Impact Assessment as an environmental
management tool with the intention of attaining sustainable development. This is provided for by
the Environment Act 10 of 2008 which entails guidelines for EIA. The guidelines identifies
activities/projects for which Environmental Impact Assessment is required. Housing developments
are subject to Environmental Impact Assessment in Lesotho under the EIA guidelines, while the
collective individual undertakings are disregarded for being too small, yet their environmental
impact is prominent. The guidelines also outline that buildings with a floor space of 500sqm or
more should be subject to an EIA.
This study looked at the relevance of EIA in housing construction in Maseru urban using Maseru
South West (MASOWE) and Motheo as case studies. Data was collected using qualitative research
method, which included consideration of literature, interviews with various participants and
observations.
The results revealed that individual house are regarded as small of undertakings even as a
collective unlike undertaking of housing developments. Moreover, there were houses found to
have a floor space of 500sqm and above that were also not subjected to EIA’s. The relevance of
EIA in housing construction is taken lightly, even when the compounded impacts are visible and
detrimental to the environment. Public participation is one other aspect that the study found to be
lacking, 95% of the public did not even what Environmental Impact Assessment was, let alone the
specifications thereof.
The recommendations were, the public should be sensitised so that they are cautious of their
environment and taught of EIA as an environmental management tool to advance sustainable
development. Also, clear demarcation of sites dependent on size of buildings will better facilitate
the clear and correct use of EIA in housing construction. The demarcation should be characterised
by follow up site visits by relevant authorities to ensure encroachment of servitude zones is
alleviated. Lastly the study recommends the formulation of a piece of legislation dealing
exclusively with EIA, an EIA Act. This will facilitate a clear and proper way of applying EIA to
manage the environment effectively, even in housing construction.National Manpower Development Secretaria
An assessment of the implementation of anti-trafficking in persons Act 2011 in combating human trafficking
Get PDFThe passage of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act 2011 represented a significant milestone in
Lesotho's endeavours to counteract Trafficking in Persons. In light of the prevalent issue of human
trafficking within the country, exacerbated by the absence of a robust legal framework to address
the problem, the introduction of legislation criminalising Trafficking in Persons, establishing
institutions to combat the crime, and providing for the protection of trafficking survivors can be
seen as a partial manifestation of Lesotho's commitment to combating this form of exploitation.
However, the mere enactment of legislation marks only the initial phase, as the effectiveness of
any legislation hinges upon its proper implementation.
This dissertation examines the implementation of the Act and assesses its efficacy in upholding
the rights and welfare of trafficked survivors. Utilising an extensive literature review, qualitative
interviews, comparative analysis with best practices from other nations, and legal scrutiny, this
study evaluates the degree to which the Act has been put into practice and identifies the challenges
encountered during its execution. The research probes into the Act's provisions concerning
prevention, protection, prosecution, and collaborations among key stakeholders. Additionally, it
scrutinizes the alignment of the Act with international standards and analyses the experiences of
various stakeholders, including governmental bodies, Non-Governmental Organisations, and law
enforcement agencies.
By illuminating both strengths and weaknesses, this study aims to facilitate policy discussions,
steer future interventions, and advocate for a more efficient response to combat Trafficking in
Persons in Lesotho, all while safeguarding the rights and dignity of trafficking survivors. Thresearch findings contribute to the existing literature on anti-trafficking endeavours and propose
recommendations to bolster the protection of human trafficking survivors. These
recommendations encompass training programs for law enforcement and relevant authorities, the
allocation of adequate resources for victim support services, and fostering cross-border
cooperation and collaborationsNational Manpower Development Secretaria
Using composite structural equation modeling to examne high school teachers'acceptance of Elearning after Covid-19
Get PDFElectronic learning (e-learning) is a broader approach to learning that brings new opportunities for teaching and learning in many
fields of education compared to the face-to-face classroom environment. The purpose of this study is to explore high school
teachers’ acceptance to continue teaching through e-learning platforms after COVID-19. Based on the framework of a unified
theory of technology acceptance and use of technology, this study investigates the research questions in the context of Lesotho.
The study adopted a quantitative approach, with a total number of 300 questionnaires collected from high school teachers. The
result was analyzed using composite structural equation modeling. According to the study, instructors' acceptance of e-learning
is influenced by several factors, which in turn has a significant impact on teachers' behavioral intentions in Lesotho. As a result of
the study, individual challenges associated with using e-learning platforms were identified.Sel
A multiple case study
Get PDFThis study explored the alignment between practical assessments and the selected aims of
secondary education. The aim of this research was to investigate the extent to which practical
assessment in secondary education align with the desired educational goals, such as promoting
critical thinking, fostering problem-solving skills, and cultivating real-world application of
knowledge. Moreover, this study employed qualitative approach, where a case study was utilised
to gather information from three high schools along with research designs that involved semi-
structured interview and observations. Data was collected through document analysis of
assessment material and interviews designed were used to collect information from nine (9)
teachers. This study was underpinned by constructive alignment theory as a theoretical
framework, and interpretivism paradigm was used.
The findings entailed that teachers‟ understand practical assessment as putting theory into
practice for learners to acquire skills and be able to apply gained knowledge in life situations.
Nonetheless, teachers compromise use of practical assessment in teaching of Development-
studies because of lack of teaching materials and lack of knowledge and skills. However, through
teachers‟ responses, practical assessment can be seen as a way of giving the subject a place in
the Curriculum and Assessment Policy framework because of its practical nature. It is
recommended that there should be education for Development-studies teachers through
workshops whereby they will be equipped with knowledge and skill. Again, there shoulbe
enough teaching materials for teaching of Development-studies as well as creating enough time
slots in the time-table for the subject. The research contributes to the existing literature on
assessment practices by shedding light on the effectiveness and relevance of practical assessment
in supporting the intended educational outcomes. Following this, the implications of the findings
can inform curriculum development, instructional practices, and assessment strategies to
enhance the alignment between practical assessment and the desired aims of secondary
education. Ultimately, this study seeks to promote more meaningful and purposeful assessment
practices that effectively contribute to learners‟ holistic development and preparedness for real-
world challenges.National Manpower Development Secretaria
Case study of Thaba-Tseka Urban Council
Get PDFClimate change is the main issue affecting global food security. To address the effects of
climate change on agricultural production and food security, Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA)
has been pushed as a solution. The purpose of this study was to get an understanding of how
CSA contributes to food security in the Lesotho Thaba-Tseka Urban Council. Two theories, the
Sustainable Livelihoods Framework and Resilience Theory, served as the theoretical
foundation for this investigation. The theories' guiding principles supported how the results
were interpreted. The study used a qualitative research methodology and the interpretivist
paradigm. A case study design was used, and interviews were conducted with 30 purposively
sampled smallholder farmers engaging in climate-smart agriculture in Thaba-Tseka Urban
Council. According to the findings, implementation of CSA methods including keyhole
gardening, conservation agriculture, water collection, suitable animal housing, and training
by extension service providers have a big impact on food security. The findings also showed
that, despite the existence of numerous tested, workable CSA response alternatives and related
polices, Lesotho does not have a CSA policy. The study concludes that CSA helps to ensure
food security and suggests that Lesotho develops a CSA policy. The study recommends that
smallholder farmers use CSA techniques to the greatest extent possible in order to improve
agricultural productivity and raise their prospects of achieving food securityNational Manpower Development Secretaria
A numerical approximation of the Westervelt equation using finite difference method
Get PDFIn this work, an approximate solution for the 1-Dimensional Westervelt equation is found.
This is done primarily using a numerical approximation method called Finite Di erence
Method. The rst part of this work is to approximate the solution in regions of the domain
where the nonlinearities are negligible. The second part of this work is to approximate a
solution in regions of the domain where the nonlinearities are non-negligibleNational Manpower Development Secretaria
Teachers' perceptions of their efficacy in teaching orphaned learners in Maseru Secondary Schools
Get PDFLesotho is reported to have a high number of orphaned learners with 49, 698 orphans enrolled in
Secondary Schools. Out of this number, 12, 846 orphans are in schools in the Maseru district. The
gross enrolment rate of orphaned learners in secondary schools stands at 51.2%, with a completion
rate at 37.5%. These figures point to the need for teachers who can take care of such learners and
ensure that they complete their studies. The aim of the current study is to determine teachers'
perceptions of their efficacy in teaching orphaned learners in Maseru secondary schools. In this
qualitative research, data was collected using semi-structured interviews with twelve teachers
selected from six secondary schools in Maseru district. Thematic data analysis was used to analyse
the data collected. The study's findings revealed that teachers perceive themselves to be highly
efficacious because they are skilled in various areas such as communication, classroom
management, parenting, interpersonal, referral, and counselling. The findings further disclosed
that the sources of their efficacy beliefs include teaching experience, training, support from
colleagues and school management, previous experience, subjects taught, reading books, policies,
and mentorship. Participants in this study further asserted that their positive efficacy beliefs make
them confident, stay motivated, happy, patient, prepared, open-minded and empathic in dealing
with orphaned learners. The strategies used by the teachers to support orphaned learners include
zero tolerance toward discrimination, provision of counselling, extracurricular activities for
orphaned learners' social integration, competitions and positive reinforcements. The current study
recommends that principals provide teachers with requisite professional development
opportunities update their skills regularly to deal with orphaned learners. Moreover, the studyrecommends that higher education institutions develop specialised training programs to equip
student teachers with skills to address the needs of different vulnerable learners, including orphans.
Lastly, the study recommends that the Ministry of Education and Training offer support systems
and resources necessary to secondary school teachers.National Manpower Development Secretaria