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CAREGIVERS’ UTILIZATION OF INCLUSIVE EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SKILL ACQUISITION AMONG CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN PUBLIC EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE CENTRES IN OWERRI ZONE OF IMO STATE NIGERIA.
No full textThe study investigated the relationship between caregiver utilization of inclusive education and preschoolers with special needs, social skills acquisition in early childhood centers in Owerri zone of Imo State. Correlational research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study consisted of 752 caregivers selected from 500 Early Childhood Care Centres in Owerri Senatorial District of Imo State. (Imo State Universal Basic Education Board, Planning, Research & Statistics 2022). 75 caregivers representing 10% of the total population formed the sample size for the study. The correlational design was used in this study. The main instrument for the study was a researcher-designed questionnaire. The face and content validity as well as the reliability of the instrument were established. A reliability index of 0.73 and 0.67 was obtained. Research questions with the null hypotheses were tested using Pearson Product Moment Correlation (PPMC) at a 0.05 level of significance. Based on the findings of this study, it was concluded that there is a significant relationship between caregivers’ utilization of inclusive education and the acquisition of social skills such as respect, turn-taking, sharing, cooperation, and interdependence in the public early childhood centers in Owerri zone of Imo State. It was recommended among others that caregivers should be trained adequately on the use of appropriate inclusive education, enabling the children to acquire more
social skills in the public early childhood centers in Owerri zone of Imo State
Promoting equal learner support in Distance Learning: A study of Distance Teaching Universities in Central Region, Ghana
No full textThe study explored stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences on promoting equal learner support in distance learning in Distance Teaching Universities in Central Region, Ghana. Qualitatively, the study adopted a multi-site case study approach based on constructivist epistemology using multiple sources of qualitative data collection namely, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and documents that addressed learner support in distance teaching universities. Respondents for the study were selected from within the case institutions using a stratified sampling technique. The stratification involved different categories of the university staff and students namely distance education students’ leaders, senior-level administrators, faculty members involved in distance education, and senior members (management) from the College for Distance and eLearning and College of Distance Education. This selection method was used to obtain information from 21 purposively selected key informants (principal officers) from both universities. Interview data and focus group discussion were analysed thematically and augmented with documents. The study found among others that access to promoting equal learner support is challenging as learner support in distance learning was largely unmet. The study recommends Distance Teaching Universities to ensure the provision of equal opportunities that relate to equal learner support on the basis of policy of non-discrimination regardless of the location of learners and programme
A Comparative Cognitive Study of Happiness and Sadness Metaphors in Fante and English
No full textThe advent of cognitive linguistics has resulted in a change in the way people previously perceived metaphor as purely a linguistic device. Metaphor is now studied as a cognitive instrument that shapes our language, thought and action (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980; Kovecses, 2002). Native speakers of a language employ metaphors to express abstract concepts of emotions. This paper does a study of the happiness and sadness metaphors in English and Fante, a dialect of the Akan language spoken in Ghana. It is underpinned by Lakoff and Johnsons’ (1980) Conceptual Metaphor Theory which is adopted as the framework for analysis. The study found that the two languages share some similarities with regard to the use of conceptual metaphors such as happiness is a fluid in a container, happiness is being off the ground, sadness is a fluid in a container and sadness is an object. The differences in the use of these conceptual metaphors are very minimal and can be ascribed to the different cultural practices that are prevalent in the two languages. The study recommends that teachers of language integrate metaphor awareness into their curriculum to help learners have a better understanding of metaphorical expressions to improve their communication skills. Additionally, there should be an expansion of studies on conceptual metaphors to cover more Ghanaian and African languages to enrich cognitive linguistic theory
THE LANGUAGE OF THE OTHER: DECOLONIZING RHETORICAL CONSTRUCTION OF TRADITIONAL COURT PROTOCOLS AND THE PLACE OF THE WOMAN
Get PDFIn times past, language and its usage captured, upraised, and lauded men while women were relegated to the background. In the traditional court, many protocols mainly put the woman in a position of the ‘hidden' and the 'muted’ index. Guided by the Muted Group Theory by the Ardeners and the Kramaraen theory, the paper addresses the language and symbolic protocols explored in the traditional court in Nae We, Gbese, Jamestown Court, in the Greater Accra Region. Through observation, interviews, and focus group discussions, the paper looks at women’s language use their possible inclusivity in the light of neo-colonialism and language freedoms that existed in the traditional court protocols and proceedings. The study reveals that language independence keeps the female 'muted' so far as conventional practices thrive from generation to generation. Subsequently, study concludes that, despite the inclusion and the sustainability of the use of the wisdom of the old woman as embedded in language, female inclusivity and active involvement are only heard in the use of language. The study recommends that, a place should be made for the woman to be seen as equally as she is heard
CULTURAL STUDY OF SISAALA ZENSI
Get PDFThe xylophone is a vital African cultural artefact, embodying ethnic historical narratives,
sociocultural identity, and ancestral connections. While Ghanaian ethnomusicological
research has predominantly focused on the Dagara, Birifor, and Lobi xylophone
traditions, the Sisaala zensi (xylophone) of the Upper West Region remains
underexplored. This study addresses this lacuna by investigating the cultural nuances of
Sisaala zensi, employing Griswold’s cultural diamond model within qualitative
ethnographic design. Data were gathered via field observations, semi-structured
interviews, and photography from seventeen (17) veteran xylophonists and crafters,
sampled through exponential non-discriminative snowball and expert purposive
sampling techniques. Findings reveal the Sisaala zensi's mystical origin, crafting
processes, and its central role in ancestral transitions and identity construction.
Notwithstanding the established cultural significance of Sisaala zensi, its survival is
threatened by religious stigma, neglect, and declining communal interest. The study
concludes that the Sisaala zensi remains a powerful symbol of cultural identity but risks
extinction due to the alarming decline in its cultural usage in recent times. To safeguard
the cultural heritage of Sisaala zensi, the study recommends that the veteran Sisaala
xylophone crafters and players should establish a legally recognised association such as
Sisaala Xylophone Association (SiXA). The SiXA should lead community-based
xylophone apprenticeship programmes in the Sisaala enclave, initiate annual Sisaala
Xylophone Festival, and engage in regular media sensitisation campaigns. This helps to
ensure intergenerational transmission of Sisaala xylophone traditions, preserving and
revitalising its rich cultural heritage for the current and future generations
Integrating Health Systems: A Conceptual Review of One Health Framework for Human, Animal, Ecosystem and Reproductive Health
Get PDFThe 'One Health' concept promotes peaceful coexistence between
humans, animals, and environmental health. The paper employs a
conceptual review to explore the ‘One Health’ concept, focusing on
the ecological perspectives of human, animal, and ecosystem health
connections. The One Health concept was discussed in-depth arguing
that the environmental perspective of the connections between human
health, animal health, and ecosystem health is multifaceted which could
also affect the reproductive health of the human species, hence, no one
person, organisation, or sector alone can adequately address health
issues within the ecosystem since health issues encompass animal
human-environment interfaces. It is concluded that by challenging the
utilitarian perspective that prioritises individual happiness, asserting that
true well-being cannot be achieved in isolation. Rather, it is only through fostering harmony and peaceful coexistence among humans, animals,
and the environment that sustainable health outcomes can be realised
for all
INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE: Towards the Search for an Authentic Ghanaian Theatre
No full textThe idea of a particular society or region creating a kind of theatre,
which would be seen as authentic cannot be underestimated. There
is the need to seek expressions which have the capacity of conveying
our peculiar experiences as an African nation in our performances
(drama), while relieving us from the somewhat burden of entrenched
Eurocentric classics drama impositions. This paper firstly attempts
to justify the need for the search for an authentic Ghanaian theatre,
secondly, bringing to the fore how creative writers can view as well
as tap into indigenous knowledge, thus, the rich cultural heritage,
history and totality of the people’s experience as a source material for
theatre/ drama which may qualify as an authentic Ghanaian theatre.
Postcolonial theatrical discourse is the framework in which this paper
is situated
VOYAGE OF EXCELLENCE
Get PDFAdjacent to the administrative heartbeat, located at the South
Campus of the University of Education, Winneba, is a non-panoptic
horseshoed visually-spiced technical frieze clothing the amphitheatre
that enjoys visual ovation from users of the main gateway to the
campus. Encapsulated from the top part is a two-wavy serpentine
beam wall that imitates the randing technique of basket weaving
pattern, a treatment creating sense of duality and strength as well as
directing the eye of viewers to the work. The painstakingly executed
work is an embodiment of the plethora academic disciplines of the
University to its students; a living reminder of the obligatory dedicative
service the nation requires from her academic products; an indelible
imagery of the history of Winneba fishing folks, and the portrayal of
the distinctive ‘Aboakyer Festival’ of the Effutu (of Winneba).
The skilful use of simplified planes, the varying degree of reliefs and
the elaborative details of the poly-thematic oeuvre show an influence
of incisive philosophical manoeuvring and symbolism of sculptural
elements overtly packaged in a non-conventional interplay. As a
result of its entablature, viewers are faced with aesthetic scrambling,
which involves movement around the curvaceous structure to gain a
full glimpse of the sculpture with multi-sectional aesthetic enjoyment
An Exploration of Ghanaian Basic School Marching Band Pupils’ Instrument Choices
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate reported influences on Ghanaian
Basic School band pupil’s instrument choices, to gain an understanding
of reasons expressed by students for preferring certain instruments and
not others, in addition, to explore whether Ghanaian children are gender
stereotyped in their musical instrument choices. A questionnaire was
developed to gather information concerning students’ instrumental music
experience, family participation in band, reported reasons for instrument
choice, non-choice, and several other questions to give readers insight into
how Ghanaian basic school bands operate. The sample consisted of 142
pupils from five basic school bands in the Accra metropolis. Results revealed
strong gender/instrument associations. Pupils indicated that their choices
were most influenced by their school band teacher. Other reported influences
included instrument sound and programmes the school band attends. The results also revealed that girls in the Accra metropolis who are members of the school bands tend to prefer playing the “percussions” which are mostly
regarded to be for boys. Gender association with certain instruments seemed
to override professed reasons for instrument selection
Organisational Structure and Performance Practices of Òkítóròkò Music of the Ogori in Kogi State
Get PDFOgori is a small community in Kogi State, Nigeria. The people are known
for the annual celebration of Ovia-Osese festival where Òkítóròkò music
is performed. Several studies have been carried out on Òkítóròkò music.
However, little attention has been paid to the organisational structure and
performance practices of the music, which is imperative to the rite of passage
of the maidens. This study intends to fill the gap with a view to exploring
the organisational structure of the performing group, performance practices
of the music and its cultural sensibilities during the rite of passage of the
maidens. In-depth oral interview with seven purposively selected members
of the Òkítóròkò musical group was employed. Findings show that, though,
the performance of Òkítóròkò music started as a spontaneous activity
among aged women at the inception of the Ovia-Osese festival; it has
become an organised musical performance. It also reveals that the Iyiodina (the custodian of the initiation rite) is in charge of the musical group, while members cut-across the five clans of the community namely; Adubane,
Okibo, Oshobane, Opowo and Eni. The paper concludes that the peculiarity
of the Òkítóròkò musical group and the performance practices of the music
promote the cultural ingenuity and indigenous prowess of the Ogori people
to the globe. This is why the paper recommends that adequate attention
should be given to the musical practices of the Ogori so that people can learn
about the rich cultural heritage of the community