University Botswana Journals
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CHALLENGES HINDERING PROVISION OF EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION FOR COUNSELING STUDENTS IN BOTSWANA
Get PDFThis paper describes challenges which hinder effective clinical supervision provided to counseling students at the University of Botswana (UB) –Counseling and Human Services Section. The authors present factors which contribute to the existence of these problems. Whilst appreciating the impact of these challenges, the authors go further to describe in uncontestable terms the importance of providing adequate supervision for counseling students. Recommendations for the betterment of providing effective clinical supervision in UB have been presented, with specific reference to creating a credentialing and a licensing body to establish in order to promote and maintain standards for counselor education programs in Botswana. Keywords: challenges, hindering, clinical supervision, effective, students, counselor education, Botswana
OPEN AND DISTANCE LEARNING ON TRIAL: EXPERIENCES FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA
Get PDFDistance learning in Botswana is a relatively recent phenomenon. However, over the last few yearsinstitutions offering distance learning courses, in particular Botswana Open University and the Universityof Botswana (UB) have recorded phenomenal growth as evidenced by the number of courses introducedranging from diploma to degrees at the masters level. Enrolment, especially at Botswana Open Universityhas also grown tremendously despite challenges associated with the provision of learning by distance mode.The argument of this paper is that the provision of distance education in a dual mode institution like theUniversity of Botswana is often riddled with problems and challenges that compromise quality. Equally,there is often too much emphasis on growth in terms of courses on offer and enrolment figures at theexpense of the qualitative aspects especially at the initial stages of program commencement. Thus, there isa dire need to reflect on the qualitative aspect of education being provided if the objective of empoweringlearners with knowledge and skills for global competitiveness is to be realized. Achievement in theprovision of distance and open learning should go beyond a mere offer of a plethora of courses to desperateclients and or the conferment of diplomas and award of degrees of questionable standards. Thus, policy,planning and management of distance and open learning demands creative ways to manage the educationsystems and maintain academic standards equivalent to those of the conventional systems
ACTION RESEARCH AS PANACEA FOR LEARNERS’ ABSENTEEISM IN REMOTE AREA PRIMARY SCHOOLS OF BOTSWANA: THE CASE OF KACGAE PRIMARY SCHOOL
Get PDFDrawn from a research project on an incidence of irregular school attendance or absenteeism in KacgaePrimary School (a remote area primary school), this article discusses the manner in which an action researchprocess was employed to revert the problem of absenteeism in order to improve school attendance. Thearticle makes a clear case that action research can be a panacea for learner absenteeism and improvedacademic performance in remote area primary schools of Botswana. A case study model design was usedwhere analysis of qualitative and quantitative data was done. This study found a relationship between classattendance and academic performance. Further analysis reveal some difference in family dynamics mayhave an effect on the relationship between class attendance and academic performance. Central to all thefindings is the fact that absenteeism in schools affects only a small percentage of the class thereforeaffecting the overall average academic class performance
CULTURAL IDENTITY AND PHYSICAL PLANNING IN BOTSWANA - CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Get PDFCulture as an aspect of human societies is manifested both in tangible and intangible forms. It involves a set of values, beliefs, traditions, rituals and customs defining the society’s identity. Tangible manifestations of culture entail how these cultural aspects are portrayed in physical forms. As such culture of a specific group/society can be expressed in the arts, language and the built environment. In the built environment, it is mostly evident in the architecture and space organisation or planning of a settlement. Although Botswana has a rich and diverse culture, settlement planning in Botswana seems to disregard this aspect. Every village’s, town’s or city’s spatial layout is similar. These hegemonic development plans are based on Eurocentric models which seem to totally disregard the cultural identity and urban grain of local communities as expressed in their customs, rituals and practices. Using empirical evidence from settlement development plans from Molepolole, Tlokweng and Mogoditshane, and other guiding documents, this paper argues that current planning and space organisation models fail to adequately embrace the country’s rich cultural identity. The paper concludes by suggesting pathways for more culturally sensitive urban planning in Botswana
POPULAR COMMUNITY PERCEPTIONS ON FLOOD DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE ISSUES IN BOTSWANA
Get PDFThis paper reports on a 2012-2015 study that set out to investigate the problem that although Botswana is a semi-arid country there have been increasing instances, frequency and intensity of flood disasters in space and time in the country since 2000. Despite this, there have been no major investigations to determine community awareness on the link between climate change, community vulnerability and its resilience capacity to flood disasters and how that could affect the sustainable human settlements drive. The purpose of the study was therefore to assess community perceptions on their vulnerability to floods disasters in human settlements in eastern Botswana based on case studies of Gaborone, Francistown, Mahalapye and Palapye. The stakeholder theory is the analytical framework used. The methodology of the study comprised of a social survey based on a sample of 686 household interviews drawn from the general population in the study area. Complimentary qualitative data was obtained using key informant interviews on officials and community leaders. The main findings were that: first, there was much awareness on the climate change issue among 3 in 5 (63.2%, N=686); second, the majority of the respondents (78.6%, N=686) did not feel that their communities were vulnerable and exposed to flood disasters as a function of climate change; third, overall about 70% of the respondents were neither aware nor prepared for floods disasters induced by climate change; finally, there were mixed results on flood mitigation and resilience strategies identified by communities in the study area. The main conclusion drawn is that most communities were aware of the issue of climate change but there was not much awareness about the risk of flood disasters to communities and assets in settlements. Decision and policy makers, particularly urban planners and environmental engineers are challenged to be aware of the risk of flood disasters such that they encourage sustainable land use planning. Similarly, the two set of professionals should facilitate the design of environmental management infrastructure such as drainage systems that reduce vulnerability of settlements and communities to floods disasters
Regional Integration and Migrant Labour as Poverty Alleviation Strategies in Southern Africa: A Case Study of Zimbabwe
Get PDFAfrica has numerous regional integration groupings, with at least two or more or more in each sub-region. Many African countries are members of more than one regional groupings. In theory, memberships of more than one regional grouping should be resulting in African countries and/or their inhabitants benefiting from preferential economic integration. Regional integration between African countries is a spring board of reduction of inequality or poverty within and among African countries if properly implemented. However, the reality that follows the conclusion of the regional integration agreements is the promulgation of xenophobic and/or domestic anti-migration laws. This article argues for the opening of borders and adoption of pro-migration policies in Southern Africa as a means to allow for free flow of trained human capital between countries. In conclusion, it is argued that regional migration could contribute towards poverty eradication, growth of the economies and ultimate reduction in inequalities within and among countries in the sub-region
MOVES IN SOCIAL WORK STUDENTS’ REPORTS
Get PDFThis study investigates the rhetorical move structure of case reports written by Social work students during their fieldwork placement. Twenty six case reports were collected and interviewed twelve students from department of social work office. Reports were analysed using move analysis (Bhatia 2003) I am looking at moves in student reports that indicate the communicative purposes in the texts and how language is used to express these moves or to achieve the communicative purpose. The findings show that students’ reports have six moves, and the reports have two communicative purposes
SENSIBLE POETIC VOICES OF THE FRAGMENTED IN LEWIS EDWARD SCOTT’S A WOMAN CALLED MAASUMAA: A DECONSTRUCTIONIST ANATOMY
Get PDFThe present paper applies deconstructive analysis on L. E. Scott’s A Woman Called Maasumaa2 (1995)*, mainly exploring both thematic and suggestive binary oppositions and signifiers/signifieds. Deconstruction addresses a text as an independent entity and looks into the suggestive structures that formulate the sensible poetic discourse and signify its thematized meanings and ideas. Obviously, deconstruction considers any literary text as an open-ended structure with no center of finite analytic signification. Deconstruction builds its views on Ferdinand de Saussure’s concepts of binary oppositions, signs (signifiers/signifieds),and differance. Consequently, a deconstructionist reading of a text approaches its possible explosive meanings. Scott is one of those modern poets who courageously express their own thoughts and ideas with exciting ambivalences, mysteries, and contradictions of human existence. The fragmented self and the cynical voices towards objects and people offer a chance for a deconstructive anatomy of Scott’s Maasumaa. In this light, the current paper thematically explores the structural means composed of signifiers, signifieds, and binary oppositions that signify the poet’s ideas of escapism, fragmentation, solitude, and instability.
Keywords: Deconstruction, Signs, Signifiers, Signifieds, Binary Oppositions, Fragmentation, Poetic Sensibility
GO ISIWA GA NGWETSI EVENT: A TAPESTRY OF CULTURAL LEARNING
Get PDFEscorting the bride to her in-laws’ place is a very important event that completes Setswana wedding processes. The purpose of the study was to investigate the experiences of brides regarding go isiwa ga ngwetsi event. The study sample consisted of newlyweds who had participated in go isiwa ga ngwetsi. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to select the five women who took part in the interviews. This study assumed a phenomenological approach in its investigation. Findings of the study revealed that this highly valued activity both introduces the bride to her in-laws’ family as well as allows her to participate in family activities with ease. The study found out further that there was preference for this revered traditional practice need to be continued
THE PORTFOLIO AS A LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR BACHELOR OF PSYCHOLOGY (B.PSYCH) STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BOTSWANA
Get PDFThis paper examines the utility of the portfolio as a learning and assessment tool in the Bachelor of Psychology (B.Psych) program at the University of Botswana. The B.Psych. Portfolio provides an excellent opportunity for psychological counselors in-training to learn and develop competencies required for their personal and professional growth. It provides for learning for understanding such that a novice is gradually transformed towards expertise. Because the portfolio is made by students as part of course work, that helps to reinforce students’ ‘ownership’ of learning and enhances the skills of analysis and reflection. In the process of reflection and analysis, the student becomes actively engaged as both a learner and a moment-by-moment assessor of her or his own work. The B.Psych. Portfolio has been a worthwhile tool that the Department of Psychology continues to use to enhance its accountability in the training of psychological counselors as it attempts to demonstrate its effectiveness in facilitating student readiness for professional practice in the community