UNAM Open Access Journal University of Namibia
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Modeling and comparison of the maturing rates of Damara, Dorper and Swakara sheep at Neudamm Farm
Get PDFAlthough sheep play an important role in the Namibian livestock industry, there is a paucity of information on their production performance. The objective of the study was to compare the mature weights, and maturing rates for Damara, Dorper and Swakara sheep reared at Neudamm Farm. Four hundred and eight (408) sheep (84 Swakara, 296 Damara and 28 Dorper) were weighed monthly for 6 months. The Brody, Van Bertalanffy, Gompertz and logistic growth models were fitted to the data to determine the mature size and maturing rate. Based on the R2 and the BIC, the Brody growth function gave the best fit. The estimated mature weights for Damara, Dorper and Swakara sheep were 46.8±1.1 kg, 53.9±1.0 kg and 48.8±1.1 kg, respectively, with the corresponding maturing rates of 0.0037±0.0001, 0.0025±0.0003 and 0.0021±0.0001 kg/day. Although the Damara sheep have a smaller size compared to Dorper sheep, they mature faster, making them a better breed for mutton production. The Dorper had the largest mature sizes, although their rate of maturation was lower than the Damara sheep
Effective family involvement in ruManyo-speaking children’s home literacy learning
Get PDFThis paper emphasizes that family should effectively involve in ruManyo-speaking children’s home literacy learning. The paper emerged from a case study that was conducted in rural and urban settings in the Kavango Educational Region of Namibia. The aim of this paper is to share some views, experiences and opinions regarding the role of family involvement in their children’s literacy learning. The study involved four families; one caregiver and their children from each family was selected; and two teachers one from each setting. Observations and semi-structured interviews were used as research instruments for data collection. Findings of the study show that families were not effectively involved in their children’s literacy learning-for a number of reasons; lack of literacy knowledge, lack of a print environment and literacy resources in and outside the school, the absence of literacy programmes in the community, lack of reading habits, encouragement and motivation. However, many of these problems were fuelled by the severe lack of reading materials written in ruManyo. From the study findings, it is clear that there is a need for empowering families to understand and develop knowledge and skills regarding their children’s literacy learning
Information Literacy Programme at the University of Namibia
Get PDFThe research was done to investigate the information seeking behaviour among students at the University of Namibia. The study was conducted to fi nd out the reasons why students do not attend the information literacy training off ered by the University of Namibia library and to recommend ways in which information literacy can be integrated into the curriculum. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods by employing self-administered questionnaires distributed to participants and using focus group interviews with library staff to ensure validity of the results. The fi ndings showed varied reasons for low turnout by the students for training and chief among these are poor communication of information to students concerning the days of training and lack of information on the part of students concerning the signifi cance of training in information literacy. The fi ndings also revealed that many students had the competence to use the internet, although they lacked knowledge of particular websites and databases which were relevant to their studies. The majority of students suggested more training as measures that can be taken to improve information literacy at the university and pointed out that students must be informed properly about training sessions. It was observed that the training did not have a written curriculum and it was recommended that a curriculum be developed to meet the needs of diff erent students. It was also recommended that critical databases must be made available to students through distribution of pamphlets and wall posters so that those students who are capable of using computers can access these databases that are critical to their studies
The relevance of prehistoric rock art in the present
Get PDFToday the rock art of southern Africa enjoys worldwide appreciation, which is based on several factors: Certainly the art of various regions on the subcontinent responds to the aesthetic predilection of a wide, mainly western audience; this phenomenon is enhanced by tourists who add some cultural flavour to their travels that usually aim at the nature and wildlife of southern Africa. In a synchronic development, indigenous people began to re-define their relation to the art and appropriated it in various new ways. Today they are more explicit about their ontological association with the art, partly claiming more or less direct descent from the earlier artists (such as in Tsodilo). Moreover they accept that people made the pictures, an attitude that was less common a few decades ago when San, questioned about authorship of the art, maintained that people cannot paint this way but only the Great God can. This paper explores the connection between local communities and rock art in Southern Africa. It uses examples from Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe to argue and demonstrate that rock art is no longer the preserve of western sciences and tourism alone but that through appropriation the art has multiple motivations from spiritual to identity issues, and claims of land ownership to economic benefit
The relationship between grade 7 learners’ performance in English versus Mathematics: A case of school X in Oshana Region
Get PDFThis study explored the relationship that exists between theGrade 7 learners’ performance in English ve rsus Mathematics at School X in the Oshana Region. The study sought to answer the following questions: 1. How does the performance of the Grade 7 learners in English compare to their performance in Mathematics? 2. What relationship exists between Grade 7 learners’ performance in English and in Mathematics? The study utilised Document Analysis that is, data was drawn from the Grade 7 learners’ English and Mathematics mark sheets for their August examinations. The quantitative approach was used study since the study was dealing with numerical data. Also, the study utilized Total Population Sampling meaning that all the Grade 7 learners (27) at School X constituted the sample for this study. The quantitative data was analysed used descriptive and correlational statistics. The findings of the study revealed that the Grade 7 learners’ performance in English and Mathematics is more or less the same. The study also revealed that a strong positive correlation exists between the Grade 7 learners’ performance in English and Mathematics. It was therefore concluded that learners’ command of English can actually compromise their performance in Mathematics. The study recommends teachers to practise cross-curricular teaching in order to harmonise learners’ performance in English and Mathematics
The importance of practical work in the teaching and learning of integrated natural sciences and health education at the University of Namibia, Rundu Campus
Get PDFThis research paper reports on the importance of practical work in the teaching and learning of integrated natural sciences and health education (INSHE) at Rundu campus. This research was triggered by Ministry of Education report of 2004 which raised growing concerns about the amount and quality of practical work carried out in secondary schools that have both suffered as a result of the impact of the national and international tests in science worldwide. This emanated from a high percentage of secondary school science teachers who experienced a fall on time spent on practical work that appeared to be between one third and a half of all lesson durations. The aim of this study was to enhance the understanding of theory by using practical work. The study adopted a mixed approach method in reporting informants’ views as data was collected from several laboratory experiments where it was found out that the informants lacked rudimentary knowledge, methods and skills. It is against this backdrop that this research used questionnaires and semi – structured (stimulated – recall) interviews for the purpose of providing allogamy of claims and ideas. This study involved a total of ninety – three (93) pre -service INSHE student – teachers. These informants were purposefully selected due to lack of exposure in practical work from their former schools. The findings from this study indicated that there is both a degree of exposure and enhancement of conceptual understanding of theory using practical work after student teachers have been exposed to practical work at the University of Namibia, Rundu Campus (UNAM:RC). The results also revealed that there is a need for improvement in administering practical work in schools. It is evident that practical work plays a very important role in the teaching and learning of integrated natural sciences subjects
Exploring how modern sciences impede the development of indigenous knowledge (IK) [Ethno-science and Ethno-mathematics] in the Kavango East region: a case study
Get PDFThe analysis of this research paper is drawn from theoretical framework that indicates the relationship between modern science and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) in their different environments. The focus of this study was to establish the relationship between modern science and indigenous knowledge (IK), particularly how modern science has become dominant over IK. This seems to have resulted in many IK systems becoming extinct and redundant. The significance of this study is to contribute to the existing scientific body of knowledge since there seems to be dearth of IK documented information. It also creates awareness on the existence of traditional methods and skills that were used and still being used in their livelihood. In addition, the research paper provides explanation on the importance of the IK in relation to modern science. In the same vein the research paper draws parallel lines among the ethno-sciences, ethno-ma-thematics and modern science. Since the paper focuses on ethno-sciences and ethno-mathematics, learning systems of imparting knowledge were meticulously investigated. This paper places IK at the center of the knowledge creation instead of being an obstacle to the development of contemporary science and mathematics
A critical analysis of universal literature on graduate employability
Get PDFEnhancing graduate employability is fundamental to higher education institutions’ role of producing human capital that is capable of performing competitively in the contemporary labour market. This pa-per presents a synoptic review of literature on graduate employability with particular focus on the conceptual and theoretical background as well as models and approaches for enhancing employability at-tributes. The analysis established that the discourse of graduate employability is central to higher education provision across the globe. The notion of graduate employability has evolved from conceptualiza-tion to the development of instruments for guiding integration of graduate employability attributes in higher education curricula. The paper provides a synthesis of existing research and makes recommendation for further research on strengthening collaboration between higher education institutions and the industry to enhance graduate employability
Experiences of health care professionals regarding management of fetal alcohol syndrome in the Khomas region of Namibia
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of health care professionals regarding the management of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) in the Khomas Region of Namibia. The study was qualitative, explorative, descriptive, and contextual in nature and was conducted at two state hospitals in Windhoek. The researcher used in-depth unstructured interviews and focus group discussions. Data was analyzed by using Tesch’s method of qualitative data analysis. Ethical principles were employed to avoid acts that diminish self-respect and violate self-determination of research participants. The Findings of the study revealed four main themes on experiences of healthcare workers regarding management of FAS: Lack of knowledge about management of FAS; inadequate resources to facilitate the management of FAS; unconducive environment for mother and family; and lack of inter-professional collaboration. A total of ten sub-themes emerged from these four themes all of which indicated negative experiences that presented barriers to proper management of FAS. It is recommended that guidelines for health professionals should be developed to facilitate the management of children with FAS. In addition, healthcare workers knowledge and the clinical environment should be enhanced to enable effective management of this condition
Investigating the barriers to effective integration of technology in the teaching of physical science in Oshigambo circuit Oshikoto region
Get PDFThe study investigated on the barriers to effective integration of ICT in Oshigambo Circuit in Oshikoto Education Region. A quantitative non experimental research design was used to collect data from 50 Physical Science teachers selected purposefully from five different secondary schools in Oshikoto region. The Technology Acceptance Model and the Theory of Reasoned action were used as the theoretical frameworks of the study. The study sort to answer the following research questions: (1) what are the barriers to effective integration of ICT in the teaching of Physical Science in Oshigambo Circuit in Oshikoto Region? (2) How is the lack of ICT integration affecting the performances of the learners in Physical Science in Oshigambo Circuit in Oshikoto Education Region? A closed ended questionnaire was used to collect data from the teachers. The participants in the study indicated that lack of ICT equipment lack of interest in ICT integration were the main barriers to integration of ICT in the teaching of Physical Science. The study also found out that lack of ICT integration is leading to poor performance of the learners in physical science and also learners are not motivated to learn Physical Science in Oshigambo Circuit. The study recommended that the Ministry need to provide ICT equipment and train teachers in the use of these equipment. It also unveiled that there is need to change the teachers’ negative perceptions on the use of ICT through teacher training on the use of ICT