UNAM Open Access Journal University of Namibia
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Effects of authentic learning activities on Grade 7 learners’ achievements in Natural Science: Cases of two regions in Namibia
Full text linkThe effects of authentic learning activities on achievements in Natural Science among Grade 7 learners in the Khomas and Omusati regions were investigated. This study used a quantitative research approach and deployed a quasi-experimental design. The targeted population consisted of 716 Grade 7 classes comprising of 180 classes (5 400 learners) in the Khomas region and 536 (16 080 learners) in the Omusati region with a total of 21 480 learners from the public senior primary schools offering Natural Science. The pre-test and post-test non-equivalent control group design was used. Numerical data collected from both experimental and control groups were compiled using SPSS. A T-test was used to analyse both pre- and post-tests’ scores to determine whether learners’ achievement scores from experimental and control groups were different at probability (p) level of 0.05. The experimental groups mean scores on the pre-test and post-test were 18.91 and 31.72 respectively; while the control groups had mean scores of 17.28 and 23.07 correspondingly. These results indicated significant differences in the performance of the experimental groups and proved that authentic learning activities improve learners’ achievements in Natural Science. Based on the study findings, it concludes that authentic learning activities given to Grade 7 learners positively affect their achievements in Natural Science. Therefore, we recommend that schools procure appropriate authentic materials for effective teaching and learning of science concepts.
 
Phylogenetic Diversity of Endophytic Bacteria Communities from marama bean Tylosema esculentum (Burchell.) A. Schreiber
Full text linkTylosema esculentum is a nutritious drought-avoiding and climate change contender plant for future agriculture. It is endemic to the Kalahari Desert. This study assessed the density, diversity and distribution of endophytic microbial community structures associated with leaves, stems and tuberous roots of T. esculentum in Eastern Namibia using culture-dependent methods. Analysis ofVariance with pairwise comparison revealed differences in bacterial density between below and above ground. Endophytic bacterial isolates were identified and grouped into 24 genera and three phyla. Proteobacteria were the most represented (67.4%) followed by Firmicutes (23.7%) and Actinobacteria (4.3%). Shannon diversity index revealed a significant difference between the tuberous roots andleaves (p = 0.005) and stems (p = 0.006) microbial communities. The PCA confirmed these findings. Our results suggested that the microbial community composition was mainly governed by the plant parts rather than the location or sampling time. The 16S rDNA based phylogenetic analysis showed that all these microbial communities fell into two clades distinct from known cultivated bacteria from NCBI. Our sequences have shown similarities with the ones occurring in water-stressed environments with plant growth promoting traits. In conclusion, T. esculentum bean lives in community with a large diversity of potentially plant growth-promoting bacteri
Evaluating the implementation of the education sector policy on prevention and management of learner pregnancy in Ohangwena Region, Namibia
Full text linkThe Education Sector Policy on Prevention and Management of Learner Pregnancy (ESPPMLP) is being implemented in Namibian schools to prevent pregnancy among learners and also to help those fallen pregnant be able to complete their education. This study evaluated the implementation of ESPPMLP in the Ohangwena region of Namibia as a pregnancy prevention tool in schools. Ohangwena is a region of concern in Namibia because it experienced an increasing number of school drop-out due to pregnancy for five consecutive years. The population of this study was the Heads of Departments, Life Skills teachers, Senior Education Officers, and Learner Representative Head-girls. The study employed interviews as a research method to collect data. Collected data were analysed using a thematic analysis method. The study found that the ESPPMLP has not been successfully implemented in some schools in the Ohangwena region. Teachers who are the main implementers of the ESPPMLP have experienced various challenges in the process of implementing the ESPPMLP. It was also established that some teachers are lacking the capacity to implement the ESPPMLP. The study has also found that there is an inadequate engagement of parents and the community in relation to learner pregnancy prevention matters. The study has finally proposed the framework for implementing the ESPPMLP in schools to protect learners from early pregnancy while they are completing their education
Factors Affecting Cervical Cancer Screening Amongst Women Attending Postnatal Clinic at Windhoek Central Hospital, Namibia.
Full text linkCervical cancer is one of the most debilitating diseases known to mankind. Many industrialized countries have reduced the incidence of cervical cancer through preventive measures. This study adopted a descriptive cross-sectional and phenomenological design to explore the factors influencing cervical cancer screening amongst 200 conveniently chosen women who attended the postnatal ward at Windhoek Central Hospital in Windhoek. The study instrument was a researcheradministered questionnaires and interview guide. The quantitative data was analysed with SPSS and qualitative data were analysed by Tanner and Diekelmann method. Of the 200 women who participated in the study, only 59 (29.5%) had undergone screening for cervical cancer in the past 12 months, whereas 141 (70.5%) had never had screening at any point in their lives. There was a significantly low rate of screening in women younger than 25 years, There was no correlation between cervical cancer screening and prior knowledge of screening services before the study. Identified barriers to screening are fear surrounding cervical cancer screening, socioeconomic status and lack of awareness of cervical cancer screening. Despite a higher proportion of women who are aware about cervical cancer screening services, there was a low practice of screening among women attending the postnatal. Efforts to increase women's participation in cervical cancer screening must target the barriers identified by this study. 
Doing Theology in my context: Sharing my Theological Method
Full text linkTheology is not an abstract phenomenon. It arises from one`s social conditioning such as upbringing, life experiences, and education. This article is an analytical reflection of my theology journey based on my context. I seek to revisit my theological thought and acumen over years of ministry in the poorest communities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in the Republic of Namibia (ELCRN). To this end, I theologise my theological approach in ministry which is informed by context and takes account of social realities coupled with social responsibilities and actions or by taking praxis seriously. Thus, my theology, both in teaching and practice has been to view and administer the Word of God and Sacraments within its contemporary social relevance. Differently expressed, doing theology is a critical reflection on Christian praxis in the light God’s Word. It is a transformative social action, moral obligations and imperatives by seeking world peace and socio-politicoeconomic justice for all. In short, the art of knowing is never a purely passive contemplation on abstract truth claims but it is an act involving the totality of theology, anthropology, and social ethics of the human reality here on Mother Earth. God acts among us human, in creation and in contemporary socio-politico-cultural and economic issues and dynamics. In other words, my theological studies, experiences and teaching are formed through my upbringing and training and the years in which I have been teaching theology and religion at the Paulinum Theological Seminary and at the University of Namibia respectively. 
External School Quality Assurance and its influence on instructional leadership practices in secondary school education in Zanzibar
Full text linkThis study investigated External School Quality Assurance (ESQA) and its influence on instructional practices in secondary school education in Zanzibar. The mixed-method research approach was employed coupled with a convergent parallel design. The study was conducted at Kaskazini Region in Unguja and it involved 167 teachers, 12 HoSs, 11 ESQ assurers, 2 District Educational Officers (DEOs), and the Regional Educational Officer (REO), making a total of 193 participants. The study employed purposeful and simple random sampling procedures. Data was collected through interviews, documentary reviews, and questionnaires. Quantitative data were anlysed using Spearman's rho correlation coefficient and qualitative data were anlyzed using content and thematic approach. The results indicate that although ESQA plays a significant role in the improvement of instructional practices in secondary schools, however, statistically, the results indicate that there was no significant relationship between ESQA practices and HoSs and teachers’ instructional leadership improvement in secondary education. It was also found that the ESQA reports and recommendations were not implemented by the respective authorities to bring about effective improvement of the instructional process. ESQ assurers evaluated the performance of HoS based on administrative roles and teachers’ professional documents whereas classroom observations were not effectively carried out. The results further indicate that HoSs and teachers needed professional support to improve instructional practices. The key argument in this paper is that if secondary schools have to improve the quality of teaching and learning through instructional practices, ESQ assurers need to support the HoSs and teachers professionally. For this to be a reality, the government needs to commit its resources for the training programmes to the Department of ESQA, and classroom observation needs to be a central focus of the ESQ assurers to improve the teaching and learning in secondary school education
ANALYZING GRADE 4 LEARNERS’ MATHEMATICS EXERCISE BOOKS IN PURSUIT OF QUALITY BASIC EDUCATION IN NAMIBIA
Full text linkThis paper presents the findings of a qualitative study that focused on the state of grade 4 learners’ mathematics exercise books. Identification of challenges in mathematics learning in early grades presents the opportunity for early stakeholder intervention to improve the quality of basic education. The random sampling strategy was used by the subject teacher to select fifteen books from one class comprising 5 below-average, 5 average, and 5 above-average learners for analysis. The document analysis method was used to establish the status of learners’ written work, how well the work was written, and to establish their performance in mathematics. This study found that learners’ writing skills are underdeveloped, they have challenges pertaining to comprehension of instruction and challenges in learning specific mathematics topics. The quality of mathematics written work is generally neglected in school, as mathematics learning is perceived to be a process that focuses on the acquisition of facts. This study confirms that the quality of learners’ written work has received little attention from relevant stakeholders. The state of learners’ written work calls for immediate intervention to improve mathematics learning
DISCURSIVE STRATEGIES OF MANIPULATION IN THE LATE PRESIDENT MAGUFULI’S CAMPAIGN INAUGURAL SPEECH OF THE 2020 TANZANIAN PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION
Full text linkThis paper explores the use of language as a tool of manipulation in election campaigns in Tanzania by analysing a speech delivered by late President Magufuli during his second-term campaign for the ruling party, Chama cha Mapinduzi (here forth CCM). The study employed Critical discourse analysis (hereafter CDA) as a framework of analysis, specifically Fairclough’s (1989, 2013) three dimensions model for analysing text and talks. The study explores rhetoric as a pivotal element in analysing how language constructs social reality and influences power dynamics. Within CDA, rhetoric plays a crucial role in understanding how language is employed to manipulate minds, construct and shape social realities, and challenge or uphold power relations. In this context, rhetoric serves to inform, persuade, and motivate audiences through various linguistic and communicative means. The findings of the study reveal that the language used in the speech was aimed at manipulating the minds of the voters through various strategies such as appealing to audiences’ religious beliefs, attributing government achievements to the collective efforts of the people, and using personal pronouns ‘we’, ‘our’ and ‘us’ to create a sense of unity. The study also reveals that the speech employed repetition to emphasize the success of the government, and presupposition to negatively portray the opposition contenders while using statistics to positively represent himself and his party before voters. The study concludes that politicians often use language as a powerful tool to manipulate the audience to achieve personal agendas.
Microbial quality of peanut butter manufactured by small-scale producers at two popular open-air markets in Lusaka Mary Ngulube and Evans Kaimoyo∗
Full text linkTo contribute to the safety and quality of peanut butter manufactured by small-scale producers and consumed in Zambia, six samples from two popular local markets in Lusaka and six others from commercial retail outlets were procured and analyzed for microbial quality. Various fungal genera including Mucor, Alternaria, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Trichothecium and Trichophyton were identified, with Cladosporium being the most predominant. The main bacterial genus isolated and identified was Bacillus, and for both fungi and bacteria, total microbial loads in peanut butter samples produced by small-scale manufacturers were found to be significantly higher than those in samples from commercial retail outlets. The high microbial loads present a public health challengenecessitating an urgent need for good manufacturing and hygiene practices to help minimize fungaland bacterial contamination, improve the quality of the products and forestall the potential forfood-borne disease outbreaks
Towards understanding rainfall variability in Namibia : An analysis of spatial and temporal variations of rainfall from 2010 to 2019
Full text linkNamibia experienced a severe multiyear drought period between 2010 and 2019, which resulted in extremely low reservoir and groundwater levels. This study aimed at investigating the spatial and temporal variations of rainfall during the period under review. A total of 4340 rainfall records, with associated maximum monthly temperature, minimum monthly temperature and average ground temperature data were obtained from 57 weather stations across the entire country. Ordinal logistic regression analysis was used to model the relationship between the total rainfall received and selected explanatory variables namely; season, region, minimum air temperature, maximum air temperature and average ground temperature as predictors. This study revealed an increased probability of receiving higher rainfall as maximum and minimum monthly air temperatures increase. However, an increase in average monthly ground temperatures revealed a significant negative effect on rainfall. Additionally, an annually decreasing rainfall trend between 2010 and 2019 was detected with significantly higher rainfall being obtained in summer months than in winter months. This downward rainfall trend in the last decade suggested an intensification of drought, especially in Erongo, Karas, Hardap and Kunene regions. To this end, this study has revealed that having more weather stations could help in the monitoring of rainfall trends for rainwater management planning. This calls for adaptive responses which include inter alia diversification options, the expansion of irrigated agriculture and smart agriculture to ensure food security in the country