ZEGU Journals Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University
Not a member yet
262 research outputs found
Sort by
Determinants for the Adoption of Educational Technology in Zimbabwean Vocational Training Centres
No full textThis study centres on factors influencing educational technology (EdTech) adoption in vocational training programmes with a primary and particular focus on Zimbabwean vocational training centres (VTCs). The main objective of the study was to determine and critically examine the factors influencing EdTech adoption in vocational training programmes. The study identified the following factors influencing EdTech adoption in these programmes: participant level factors examined include demographics, computer skills and motivation and institutions level factors at very different academic levels. Quantitative data were gathered from students at VTCs, whilst qualitative data were obtained from lecturers and staff, also at VTCs, to complement the quantitative data. The research instruments used were questionnaires, interview guides and observation guides. Both probability and non-probability samples were used. Thus, the target population for this study consisted of 3 500 participants drawn from five VTCs. Research has concluded that two beliefs, perceived usefulness and perceived ease of use have been identified as important user acceptance criteria. The study also found out that participant‘s desire for vocational learning may also influence motivation and academic achievement. The study recommends that investing in education is a potent means that could be explored to fast-track technological progress, economic growth and boosting citizens\u27 capacities and bridging the gap of educational
learning and opportunities between learners from different economic backgrounds
Wood Technology in the Shona Culture: Implications on Education 5.0 within the Context of Zimbabwe’s Curriculum Framework 2015-2022
No full textThe emergence of wood as an engineering material is taken backinto history, as far as the very roots of humanity. It is back then,the relationship between wood and stone is highlighted in the actof fire-making for the sake of human progress and survival. Wecould not have come this far without these two engineeringmaterials. Interestingly, in present day, most of the engineeringsolutions to several problems comprise the application of morethan one material. In Zimbabwe, the advent of Design andTechnology as a subject, together with all its related branches inCurriculum Framework 2015-2022, has turned out to be the caseof history repeating itself, regarding the issue of problem-solving.It is within this scenario, that one focuses on Wood Technology(WT) as part of the Shona culture in a study where the task wasto determine the extent to which the modern-day Design andTechnology Curriculum in Zimbabwe could benefit from the rootsof WT founded in Shona culture. In conclusion, this article bringsto light several opportunities for such benefits.
The Gweru City Growth Pattern as An Innovative Governance Issue in Zimbabwe
No full textUrban platforms play a significant role in the development of city resources, addressing social and economic services and the impact on growth and pace of urban systems. Hence, this article sought to explore the historical, dynamic and fluid interactions of these processes to understand motives, drivers, impact and outcomes all designed to drive long-term city development, modernisation and social service provision. The study used mixed-methods approach, employing both qualitative and quantitative methods. The article utilised the Complex Systems Theory to identify regularities at the global scale and enable global comparisons of urban platforms. It examined urban platform governance by outlining various types of public governance and depicting the role of platforms in this context and assessed the relevance of platforms as an emerging form of local public governance by merging theoretical analyses and empirical views from Gweru City. The study revealed that urban platforms concepts and practices can help explain modern growth patterns and pace of cities. The article also provides theoretical arguments and practical frameworks for developing policies for urban innovative development. The work will assist local policy-makers, planners and managers in understanding platform logic in the creation of public value by involving various stakeholders
Infusing Resilience For Climate Change In Peri-Urban Communities In Zimbabwe
No full textThe study explores essential ways to increase the resilience of periurban areas is to invest in social capital by developing civic engagement mechanisms. It advances the argument that climate change in peri-urban settings has affected their resilience and adaptation. Zimbabweans’ livelihoods in peri-urban areas depend mostly on the agro-industry. Furthermore, they depend on biofuels for energy hence they need to build resilience to survive the impact of climate change. This article makes use of a desktop study where it reviews available literature cases and experiences in peri-urban communities in Zimbabwe and beyond. Evidence from the sources show that research on climate change resilience in peri-urban areas has been explored but not critically dissected the implications of climate change on peri-urbanites and their livelihoods, hence this study was done to formulate strategy on how to mitigate the impact and build resilience. The study recommends the utilisation of social ties to improve everyone\u27s access to water. In the negotiation of water insecurity, cooperative and familial norms are crucial. Their water security was enhanced by providing fora for civic engagement and creating social capital. While peri-urban water insecurity issues have attracted a lot of attention, little has been written about the function of social capital in mediating water insecurity. While researchers have been interested in how social capital plays a part in coping with the effects of climate change, there has not been much research done in a peri-urban setting, hence this study aims to close the knowledge gap
Reflecting On Non-Governmental Organisations’ Action in Addressing Rural Food Security in Mbire District, the Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe
No full text Food insecurity has plagued many people throughout the world especially in drought- prone zones. Humanity relies on agriculture production for food security; however, many factors lead to the downgrading food security especially in rural areas. This study provides an analysis through in-depth engagement with empirical evidence and expose the multi-dimensions of food insecurity in Mbire District where the Lower Guruve Development Association and World Vision International embark on rural food security programming and projects in that part of the Zambezi valley. Mbire District is endowed with conditions that are conducive for food insecurity inclusive of climate change, floods, excessive heat, little rainfall and wandering wild that destructs crops. Guided by the theory of climate change diplomacy and the qualitative research approach, the study answered four research questions that are: What were the support services provided by World Vision and Lower Guruve Development Association to buttress rural food security? What were the impacts of nongovernmental organisations in Mbire District on rural food security? What were the challenges faced by NGOs in trying to support rural food security? What were the strategies used to reduce rural food security in Mbire? The study recommends measures that can be put in place to reduce incidents brought about by climate change, floods, heat, violent storms and serious winds. The study also recommends the continuation of support on rural food security from other local NGOs, the government and the international at large
Disruption or confusion? A critical analysis of the mineral explosion in Zimbabwe and its implications on rural resilience activities
No full textThis study critically examines the consequences of mineral explosion in the rural areas in Zimbabwe focusing on how they are affecting or engendering resilience in the basket of various economic activities undertaken in these areas. Rural areas mostly depend on their resilient livelihoods and livelihoods patterns or trajectories for their functionality and sustainability. The social and economic development of rural areas is tethered to the several livelihoods activities undertaken in these areas constitutive of sources of income for the people and constitute a vital element of rural development. Secondary data sources were used to gather data that was analysed and presented in this study in conjunction with mineral explosion and rural resilience in Zimbabwe. The results indicate that every dimension of rural resilience is affected by the explosion of minerals in the rural set-up thus causing rivals, conflicts and violence among the people. Mining on its own is an activity that requires space and happens within the environment thus disrupting the already existing livelihoods and various land uses in the rural areas and negatively affecting the natural environment. Government policies and strategies to govern mining and mining-related activities should not only focus on the benefits arising from mining but also consider the local communities and the ecology that is often ignored due to the greed of money thus the outbreak of misunderstanding and conflict among the people. It can be concluded that in as much as mineral explosion results in economic growth, rural resilience should not be forgotten, as it is an important pillar for the survival of the rural areas. The study recommends the adoption of mitigation measures as a solution for the creation of equilibrium between rural resilience and mineral explosion and mining activitie
Finance The footing for Rural Resilience in Africa
No full textThis article critically discusses rural finance as the basis for engendering rural resilience in Africa. This position emanates from the fact that African countries are amongst the most susceptible to the adverse effects of natural hazards, whilst also showing an increasing obligation to address disaster risk through diversification by encouraging rural financing initiatives. Rural financing as a mitigation strategy to the adverse effects of climate change is urgently needed if the continent is to protect the development gains demonstrated by an economic growth rate. In recent times, the scale and occurrence of disasters and crises have been on sharp rise. More than 60 percent of the African population relies on agriculture for food and income, and they are extremely affected by these crises. Methods engaged are secondary data analysis of existing literature related to the topic. Results from the research, inter alia, include the finding that globally, 1.7 billion adults still lack access to formal financial facilities, with a large fraction living in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, respectively. The following recommendations flow from the research: there is need to redefine out-dated financial literacy, with important implications for nations considering financial development approach to refining households’ long-run financial resilience. It is also important to warrant that these communities can be resilient to such shocks by providing cross-sectorial and innovative solutions. The solutions put forward must no longer be reactive but confront the root causes of instability
Voices Of School Development Committee Members On School Governance And Digitalisation Of Education In Zimbabwe
No full textThe outbreak of COVID-19 in 2019 and the subsequent travel restrictions instituted by the World Health Organisation to curtail the spread of the virus saw the disruption of educational activities and the management thereof, affecting the role of the School Development Committees (SDCs). The number of SDC meetings to approve procurement and purchase of educational materials was decimated, henceforth school heads made sole decisions in contrast to the requirements of fiscal policies. This qualitative case study investigates how the work of SDCs in eight Zimbabwean schools is affected during COVID-19 and the transition to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), and then establishes tenable alternatives to the conditions. To gather information, document analysis and semi-structured interviews were used. Schools are far from embracing the 4IR despite that SDCs must conduct all school governance online, just like any other business. The study suggests that educational institutions should spend money on developing digital infrastructures and educating SDC members on digital capabilities. This study adds conversation to scholarship on the use of the Internet of Things {IoT) in school governance
Collective Action For Rural Development Insights From Chimanimani Rural District Of Zimbabwe
No full textDespite considerable financial investments made since independence in 1980 to achieve rural development, there is not much tangible improvement in the lives and livelihoods of individuals, families and communities in Zimbabwe. The crux of the matter is lack of collective community action. Community collective action is a crucial social capital that can stir rural development. We argue that collective action has a huge potential to achieve sustainable people-centred development. The study adopts a case study approach, analysing the role played by community collective action in rural development in Chimanimani Rural District (CRD), Zimbabwe. A sample of 220 respondents were conveniently selected. Likert scale data was randomly collected from five out of 23 wards of the CRD. A descriptive data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 19.0. Emerging from the study, failure to invest appropriately in efforts designed to strengthen community collective action appears to be the missing link in rural development in African communities, including the CDR. The study concluded that community collective action is the major factor influencing rural development. It is a resilience builder that promotes trust among inhabitants of a community. The study recommends that development planners, scholars and policy-makers should go back to the drawing board and consider community collective action as a resilience strategy in development
Widows, Widowhood and Sustainable Land Use in the Post Land Reform Era in In Zimbabwe: Case for the Mushandike Smallholder Irrigation Scheme Exceptionalism
No full textThere is overwhelming evidence of the poverty-widow nexus in agrarian settings, with widows wearing, as it were, the ‘face of poverty’. This study critically examines the sustainable land use through a gaze at widows’ lived experiences and realities within the context of land reform in an irrigation scheme whose ‘exceptional circumstances’ remains a notable socio-economic outcome of the Zimbabwean land reform. Deploying the narrative inquiry as the anchor of data generation within the broad qualitative research design, guided by the eco-feminist lens, the study brings to the fore the cultural, political and economic circumstances in which women navigated their spaces and eventually broke out of the ‘vicious circle of poverty’. The exceptional circumstances of widow farmers represent the treacherous but sustainable journey by those in the margins as they pursue sustainable food security and change. The study argues that sustainable transformation linked to women’s experience of working on small piece of land was through support from adult ‘children’ through remittances, support from feminist civic organisation and the enabling political environment. As an outcome, widows in Mushandike Resettlement Scheme, become key agricultural producers who sustainably supply both local and urban markets with their products and build modern houses with electricity, water and sewage reticulation systems