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Language and power relations in further education and training band in South Africa
Get PDFPublished ThesisIn South Africa, the debate around the status of the official languages debate has remained a perennial issue among educators, academics and stakeholders, especially after the constitu-tional enshrinement of the 1997 multilingual language-in-education policy in the school cur-riculum. Using classroom observations, semi-structured interviews and document analysis, this qualitative study investigates and analyses linguistic power relations in the Further Education and Training band based on an inquiry in eight selected secondary schools in rural and urban areas in four provinces across South Africa. It aims to examine the relationship between lan-guage and economy; how language differences affect non-native speakers of English in Eng-lish-medium classrooms; and how school language choice re-creates economic inequalities in South Africa. The study aims to make recommendations on which policy responses best ad-dress the inherent asymmetrical linguistic power relations in the South African education sys-tem. The inquiry is informed by Vygotsky’s social constructivism theory, the notion of cultural deficit and or the articulation gap, and Bourdieu’s cultural capital and concept of field. The main findings of the study indicate that English has economic value for learners’ future out-comes and is preferred to African indigenous languages as medium of instruction. There is a mismatch between home language and classroom language practice. Lack of reading culture is prevalent among many learners. Findings further show that local languages can promote learning; poor academic performance is traced to poor schooling in learners’ formative years; and the influence of learning styles, self-esteem and socio-economic factors on learning and performance. Most of the study participants support the use of English as a language of learning and teaching (or medium of instruction) in secondary schools although indigenous languages dominate dialogue outside the classroom, especially in rural and township schools. This demonstrates the mismatch between home language and school language practice. One of the reasons for English-only classroom discourses is informed by the schools’ language policy. Lastly, recommendations suggest that national and provincial governments should incorporate teachers in education policymaking decisions and train or re-train language teachers to align with constitutional multilingualism. This may close the existing gap in the language power relations in FET band in particular and in the South African education system in general. ‘‘When we read a book, the intrinsic and the extrinsic rules govern our study. The intrinsic concurrently involves understanding, interpreting and evaluating the book. The intrinsic rules of study, however, are in themselves inadequate.
To read successfully, we need the extrinsic aids of experience, other books, and live discussion.
Experience is the only way we can interpret and relate to what we read. Books have meaning only when we read them in relation to other writings. Live discussion refers to the ordinary interaction that occurs among human beings as they pursue a particular course of study.’
Food hygiene risks and related practices in central South African HIV/AIDS hospices : a qualitative assessment
Get PDFPublished ThesisPeople living with HIV are at risk of many life-threatening opportunistic infections, the
majority of which are caused by exposure to unsafe drinking water and poor hygiene.
In South Africa, hospices were established in response to the growing HIV/AIDS
pandemic. Hospice is both a programme and a philosophy of care that is dedicated
to improving the quality of life for patients with life-threatening illnesses. At the core
of a hospice’s work is the concept of “palliative care”, which is defined by the World
Health Organization (WHO) as the active total care of patients whose disease is not
responsive to curative treatment, and whose goal is the achievement of the best
quality of life for patients and their families. The need for palliative care in South
Africa has increased with the escalation of HIV/AIDS. Moreover, resources to
provide optimum quality healthcare in hospices are very limited.
Food safety, synonymous with food hygiene, embraces all aspects of food
processing, preparation and handling to ensure the safety thereof for consumption
purposes. It has also been defined as the concept that food will not cause harm to
the consumer when it is prepared and/or eaten according to the intended use. The
meals prepared in a hospice have a remarkable associated safety risk, as they are
prepared for vulnerable people who are more susceptible to foodborne illness than
the rest of the population. During food preparation, micro-organisms can
contaminate foods and storage environments, surfaces, tools, equipment and
personnel engaged in handling and production activities (Clayton, Griffith, Price,
Peters 2002 and Legnani, Leoni, Berveglieri, Mirolo and Alvaro 2003). Foodhandling
practices in the domestic kitchen influence the risk of pathogen survival and
multiplication, as well as cross-contamination to other products. Microbiological risk
in the kitchen can be significantly reduced by preparing food properly. People, food
and domestic animals, including water and bioaerosols, introduce pathogens
continually into the home. these potential pathogens can enter the domestic kitchen via various
routes, for example, raw foods and respiratory droplets. Various bacterial species
can reside in the kitchen, food preparation rooms and storage facilities, and can be
direct sources of food contamination. This is a particularly worrying issue for a
hospice setting, where meals are prepared on a regular basis every day. Moreover,
this is of great concern for a hospice set-up that has limited isolation facilities. This
highlights the important role of food handlers in the transmission of foodborne
infections, as the hands are probably the single most important transmission route.
Consequently, the overall aim of the study was to assess food-related hygiene
awareness and practices amongst hospice food handlers, and the associated food
safety interventions. The study also identified the emerging food safety risks,
including the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of potential foodborne pathogens
isolated from the food preparation surfaces in the hospice kitchens and food
handlers. In order to achieve this, the following objectives were defined for the study:
to conduct an investigation into the hygiene awareness amongst staff of HIV/AIDS
hospices using KAP (knowledge, attitudes and practices) as an information collection
tool to characterise each hospice’s microbial profile; to compose and implement an
intervention programme in selected hospices to improve the food safety awareness
and practices; and, lastly, to evaluate the effectiveness of staff’s hygiene awareness
and practice interventions.
With regard to the KAP objective, it was found that the majority (68%) of the food
handlers did not receive food safety training, whilst only 32% of the respondents had
attended at least one formal training course on food hygiene. A descriptive survey of
the food handlers’ knowledge regarding food safety demonstrated the equivalent of
66.8% correct answers. However, a substantial lack of knowledge regarding the
correct temperature for a refrigerator, as well as hot, ready-to-eat food and cold,
ready-to-eat food emerged. This was demonstrated by the fact that respectively only
39% and 32% of the respondents were informed about the correct holding
temperature of hot and cold ready-to-eat food. Again, this shows that the food
handlers in this study had insufficient knowledge regarding time temperature
controls. Similar findings on the lack of adequate knowledge of food handlers regarding
temperature controls have also been reported (Panchal, Bonhote and Dworkin
2013). This particular knowledge gap could possibly be attributed to a lack of training
of food handlers in hospices on this important food-safety control measure. The
majority (64%) of the respondents agreed that preparation of food in advance may
contribute to the risk of food poisoning, whilst 68% of respondents were aware of the
risks related to reheating dishes prior to consumption.
To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolated foodborne
pathogens, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the
agar dilution method of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). It was
noted with concern that the isolated microbial strains are becoming increasingly drug
resistant. For example, a 100% resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii strains to
cefoxitin was noted. Although gentamicin is one of the most important antibiotics
used in combination with other antibiotics worldwide for the treatment of S. aureus
infections, this antibiotic was predominantly inactive against S. aureus in this study,
since 75% of the organisms were resistant (MIC >16, range ≤0.25 ->16 mg.ml-1).
Oxacillin also proved to have poor activity against the isolated organisms (MIC50 and
MIC90, 8 and >16, range (0.25->16 mg.ml-1) respectively. Transmission of antibioticresistant
bacteria in hospices and other healthcare facilities could be due to
overcrowding and poor hygiene. The development and provision of food safety
training courses are important to achieve behavioural changes, coupled with an
improvement in skills and knowledge.
Focus groups were also conducted with hospice food handlers to explore their food
safety management systems, and to identify perceived barriers to implementing food
safety practices. The following barriers were identified: lack of management support,
inadequate resources, and inconvenient location of the pantry from the kitchen.
Suboptimal kitchen infrastructure was also identified as a hurdle to implement safe
food-handling practices. In response to the increasing need to educate food handlers about their
responsibilities for assuring the safety of food during preparation and handling, food
handler training, based on the WHO’s Five Keys to Safer Foods, was implemented
as an intervention programme. Before training, 32% of food handlers believed that
the same cutting board can be used for raw and cooked foods, provided that it looks
clean, whilst 73% of respondents, after receiving training, knew that this could
hamper food safety. A hazard categorization tool was developed in the course of the
study, and it comprises five focus areas: infrastructure, food preparation facilities,
sanitation, food handler training and hospice management
Developing an integrated model for mobile learning usability evaluation : case of eBooks
Get PDFThesis (Master’s in Information Technology) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2018Mobile computing, as prognosticated in the ubiquitous computing vision, is increasingly becoming a predominant aspect of contemporary computing in organisations and society. The penetration of mobile phones in sub-Sahara Africa has occurred with amazing rapidity: for many young people, they now represent a very significant element of their daily lives. Africa has a booming global cell phone penetration, at 67.5%, the fastest growing mobile market in the world. Adoption of these emerging technologies for socio-economic development may contribute to the betterment of people’s lives. Mobile learning has the potential to transform higher education through the adoption of mobile devices which support ubiquitous learning.
The purpose of this current study is to develop an Integrated Framework Model (IFM) for mobile learning usability (MLU) evaluation of e-books through the integration of the Technology Acceptance Model and Task Technology Fit theory. The Technology Acceptance Model is widely used in studies relating to technology acceptance. The Task-Technology Fit theory has been used in Information Systems together with usability as a measure of performance. Two additional constructs, namely, Social Influence and Perceived Enjoyment were adopted from the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology model and from Motivational Models. Integrating the Technology Acceptance Model and Task-Technology Fit theory provides a model that includes the individual characteristics (Technology Acceptance Model) and the technology and task characteristics (Task Technology Fit).
A quantitative research design was primarily employed. A pilot study was administered as a guide for the main study questionnaire. The questionnaire was based on the constructs in the IFM. The pilot study consisted of participants registered for a module, called Computer Security, at the Central University of Technology. The main study participants were students registered for Oracle and CCNA short courses. The results of the study reveal that individual characteristics, task characteristics and technology characteristics positively influence the usability of e-books in higher education. Usability positively influences adoption, which in turn influences performance among students in higher education
Assessment of the sheep production management systems of small-scale farmers in the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality of the Eastern Free State
Get PDFThesis (M.Tech: Agriculture) -- Central University of Technology, Free State, 2009The purpose of this project was to evaluate small-scale farmers’ management of sheep production systems in the Eastern Free State. Primary data were collected from 40 small-scale farmers using questionnaires in the study area and the results were analysed using a descriptive analysis model. The results indicate that the majority of the respondents (35 or 87.5%) were male, and five (12.5%) were female. This indicates the general farming demographics of the regions. The results also showed that only 32.5% had a tertiary education. Parameter estimates are indicated from low education levels and a lack of farming skills pertaining to livestock production (with only 42.5% of the farmers having adequate skill levels); poor management skills in terms of nutritional and health management (only 57.5% supplied supplemented feeding prior to lambing); high transportation costs (48% of farmers did not own transportation to the market); lack of market information (66% of the farmers actively marketed their product); and poor delivery of support services from the government as only 45% of farmers surveyed received support services from government. It was also evident that the majority of the farmers did not have the most basic equipment i.e. dosing gun, syringe and castration equipment. The findings also showed that 34% of the respondents suffered from a lack of market information owing to poor communication, tools, and support services from the government and extension officers. The majority of the farmers relied on word of mouth, family, and own research for information regarding product prices, which in most cases was biased, inaccurate, and/or out-dated. The study recommends that the government must host planned workshops for all farmers in order to equip them with knowledge. Short courses should be provided to small-scale farmers, furthermore, support must be provided through training activities, and business counselling must be given to the farmers and farm managers in the Eastern Free State
Evaluating the Suitability of Alumide Tooling for Injection Moulding of Different Polymers
Get PDFPublished ArticleThis paper describes the possibility of using laser-sintered Alumide® as an alternative material for producing rapid tooling (RT) inserts. To determine the durability of Alumide® inserts for the injection moulding (IM) process, a product with geometrical features was developed, and Alumide® inserts were manufactured. Polypropylene (PP), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), and polyamide 6 (PA 6) were used for IM trials with the Alumide® inserts. From these trials, it was concluded that polymer materials with a processing temperature of about 230 ºC, similar to PP and ABS, can be used with Alumide® inserts as RT inserts for the IM process
Constraints Hindering Processors' Effective Access To Training Programmes On Modern Shea Butter Processing In Niger State, Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examined the constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing in Niger State, Nigeria. Primary data were collected using a structured questionnaire administered to 108 processors selected through a multistage sampling technique. The data collected was analysed using descriptive statistics. Results revealed that all the processors were females, young and married with a household size of 5-9 and a low educational status. Results also revealed that the majority (67.6%) of the processors were not aware of training programmes, while 72% of them had not accessed training programmes. The results further revealed that non-awareness of training programmes (χ2 = 2.95), inadequate information on available training opportunities (χ2 = 2.90), inappropriate time for training (χ2 = 2.87), and illiteracy (χ2 = 2.36) were the major constraints hindering processors’ effective access to training on modern shea butter processing. Creation of adequate awareness and dissemination of information by extension officers, extension agents and women in agriculture (WIA) officers on training programmes through the use of mass media, postal and leaflets in the study area is recommended
Strategies Used By Teachers For Supporting Mathematically Gifted Learners In Ten Selected High Schools Around Bloemfontein
Get PDFDissertationMost gifted learners in mathematics fall through the cracks of inclusive classrooms as they are taught by the same methods used to teach both average and slow learners. The needs of the gifted learners are often ignored as teachers believe that they can learn on their own without special programmes. Yet results from many longitudinal studies have confirmed beyond any reasonable doubt that mathematically gifted males and females become the critical human capital needed for driving modern day, conceptual economies. Teachers’ strategy is a key element for educators to provide proper learning instructions to gifted learners. However, in South Africa, teachers lamented that they had never received any training on how to deal with gifted learners.
The purpose of this study was to investigate strategies which teachers in ten selected high schools around Bloemfontein, South Africa use when they support mathematically gifted learners in their inclusive classrooms. The researcher used mixed methods to collect information. Data were collected through questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Nineteen teachers participated in the study. Quantitative data were collected by providing teachers with questionnaires followed by the collection of the qualitative data through semi-structured interviews. Further, ten teachers of these teachers were interviewed. The interviews focused on identifying gifted learners and strategies they used in their classrooms to support mathematically gifted learners. Teachers’ responses, from the questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were analysed and compared to establish patterns and themes. The study found that the prevalent strategy used by teachers to identify gifted learners has been that of tests associated with academic performance. The results also revealed that the most favoured strategy to group learners was the mixed-ability grouping. Though teachers felt they were adequately supporting gifted learners in their classrooms, the study revealed that gifted learners were not given activities that differ from their peers. The results acknowledged both teachers’ confidence and frustrations to teach mathematically gifted learners. Teachers felt that having gifted learners gives the opportunity to use them to help struggling learners. Obstacles preventing their efforts to support gifted learners in their classrooms include inadequate personal knowledge about gifted learners, departmental priorities of catering the needs of other learners and insufficient time to spend with gifted learners.
The study concluded that even though teachers believed that offering gifted learners with challenging activities is important, they struggled to provide gifted learners in their classrooms with suitable challenging work. The researcher recommends that teachers be trained and developed in gifted education
Investigation Of In-Situ Alloying Grade 23 Titanium With Copper By Selective Laser Melting Process For Biomedical Applications
Get PDFThe medical industry has successfully utilised additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, such as laser and electron beam powder bed fusion (LPBF and E-PBF), to manufacture complex shapes from biocompatible materials in order to produce implants using computer aided design (CAD) geometry based on medical Computer Tomography (CT) scan data. AM transforms the original design of the customised digital model directly to the physical device. Modern medicine utilises the benefits of LPBF to manufacture complex customised implants with biocompatible materials. Ti6Al4V alloy is the most used Titanium alloy that has the appropriate mechanical, corrosion and biocompatible properties.
Infection is the most common postoperative complication resulting in device failure after implantation. Copper is a proven antibacterial agent and in small amounts, is not toxic to the human body. Functionalisation of Ti6Al4V implants structure with Cu additions at the bone–implant interface, reduces the risk of bacterial infection.
LPBF combines the advantages of powder metallurgy with complete melting of powder mixtures and provides a unique opportunity for the design of new alloys utilising compositions impossible for conventional methods. Manufacturing of titanium alloys and copper materials from a mixture of elemental powders and in-situ mixing and alloying during manufacturing, is an example of such an approach. The formation of in-situ Ti6Al4V-x at.% Cu (1%, 3% and 5% Cu) alloy structures by LPBF for application in medical implants was investigated. Ti6Al4V Extra low interstitials (ELI) powder was mixed with pure copper powder of similar particle size distribution. Process parameters such as laser power, scanning speed, hatch distance and layer thickness directly affect the surface quality and part density. Optimal process parameters were established for in-situ alloying Ti6Al4V-x% Cu to form dense parts with suitable microstructural and surface quality. Firstly, single track formation was studied at different scanning speeds for 170 W and 340 Wlaser powers. The effect of laser power and scanning speed on the track width and shape was described. Secondly, the surface roughness and single layer morphology was considered. Dense non-porous in-situ alloyed 3D samples were produced and analysed. Future research on mechanical properties, antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity is required to substantiate the functional properties of in-situ Ti6Al4V-x at.% Cu (1%, 3% and 5% Cu) alloys
Characterization Of Swelling Stress And Soil Moisture Deficiency Relationship For Expansive Unsaturated Soils
Get PDFDissertationExpansive soils vary in volume, in relation to water content. Volume changes when
wetting (swelling) and drying (shrinkage). Lightweight structures in construction are
the most vulnerable structures experiencing severe defects when built on these
soils. In South Africa, expansive soils are the most problematic which impose
challenges to civil engineers. The prediction of the swelling stress has been a
concern to the construction industry for a long time. The swelling stress is
generally ignored in engineering practice. Nonetheless, the swelling stress can
develop significant uplift forces detrimental to the stability of foundations.
Considering the swelling stress in foundation design in expansive soils enhance
the durability, the service life, and reduce the cost of assessment and repair works
to be undertaken in the future. Mathematical models are offered as an alternative
to direct oedometer testing. Mathematical models are a useful tool to assess
swelling stress.
The aim of this study was to characterize the relationship between the swelling
stress, the soil suction, and other soil parameters. Moreover, develop
mathematical models to predict the swelling stress of field compacted expansive
soils. Laboratory tests have been performed such as particle size distribution,
Atterberg limits, linear shrinkage, specific gravity, free swell ratio, X-ray diffraction,
soil suction measurement, modified Proctor compaction test, and zero-swell test
(ZST). Multiple regression analysis was performed using software NCSS11 to
analyze the data obtained from the experiments. The relationships between the
swelling stress and other soil parameters were established. It was observed that,
at the optimum moisture content (OMC), the swelling stress values are within the
range of 48.88 kPa to 261.81 kPa, and the matric suction values are within the
range of 222.843 kPa to 1,778.27 kPa. The swelling stress values on the dry side
of the OMC are higher than values on the wet side. In addition, compaction at the
OMC can reduce the swelling stress by 15%. Furthermore, the geotechnical index
properties, the swelling parameters, affect the swelling stress of compacted
expansive soils. Nevertheless, there is a key impact of the type of clay mineral on
swelling stress. Six predictive mathematical models were developed. These models were validated
using soil samples collected from various areas across the province of Free State
(Petrusburg, Bloemfontein, Winburg, Welkom, and Bethlehem).
Lastly, good correlations between predicted values and values obtained from
experimental works confirm the reliability of the multiple regression analysis. The
data points are very close to the line 1:1. Furthermore, the graphical analysis
shows that the correlation of the values obtained from the models developed in
this study are more precise than the values obtained from other models.
Therefore, the predictive models developed in this research work are capable to
estimate the swelling stress with acceptable accuracy
School Board Members' Self-Efficacy Beliefs About Their Governance Tasks: A Case Study Of Two Districts In Lesotho
No full textPublished ArticleAlthough decentralization has led to greater autonomy for school boards [SB];
many of them seem to be ineffective. This paper examined the extent to which
SB members perceived their tasks as challenges or as threats. Bandura's selfefficacy
theory framed this qualitative study in which 108 participants were
purposively sampled. A Skills Confidence Inventory (SCI) was used to collect
data. The results from this study show that SB members have moderate to
high self-efficacy beliefs in 5 of the 7 roles that were investigated. Further
studies should be conducted to determine the responsive levels existing
within the school governance environments