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Teaching and learning of qualitative chemical analysis in senior high schools in Ghana
Get PDFThis study sought to gain insight into the teaching and learning of qualitative chemical analysis in senior high schools in Ghana. The consistent difficulties learners encounter when answering qualitative chemical analysis questions during the West African Senior School Certificate Examination chemistry test of practical necessitated this study. Teaching and learning of qualitative chemical analysis was investigated using teacher-related variables, school climate, instructional strategies employed by teachers, learner-related variables, as well as textbook analysis. The concurrent mixed methods design was employed. Case studies and surveys were used in gathering data for this study. The teachers’ and learners’ survey provided the quantitative data, whereas interviews with chemistry teachers, classroom lesson observations, focus group discussions with learners, and evaluation of three chemistry textbooks provided the qualitative data for this study. A total of 33 teachers and 499 learners participated in the survey.
The study revealed that the instructional strategies employed during qualitative chemical analysis lessons hindered learners understanding of the qualitative analysis. Lessons were dominated by the lecturing method, and drill and practice sessions using previous years’ past questions were frequent without giving priority to learners conceptual understanding. Also, learners were not given the opportunity to plan and perform their own experiments during qualitative analysis lessons. Also, there was a clear gap between research findings available in literature and what chemistry teachers do in the classroom. Chemistry teachers were unaware of instructional strategies available in literature. For school climate, the schools were generally safe, and there were good relationships between teachers and learners. However, there were a lot of infrastructure challenges that hindered teaching and learning of the topic. The chemistry laboratories were ill-equipped, and important experiments on qualitative analysis were skipped during lessons due to a lack of chemical reagents and apparatus. Furthermore, evaluation of chemistry textbooks revealed that some important concepts and explanations to aid learners conceptual understanding of qualitative chemical analysis were conspicuously missing from these educational resources. It is recommended that laboratory infrastructure in senior high schools be improved, and professional development sessions organized for chemistry teachers to help them adopt instructional approaches that foster critical thinking and understanding of qualitative chemical analysis.D. Phil. (Natural Science Education)College of Educatio
An ethical analysis of a Christian Theology of reconstruction in Africa and its contribution to epistemic masculine violence (in South Africa)
No full textText in EnglishPhysical violence from masculinist power in South Africa continues to be an obstacle to growth and progress. In the second quarter of the 2023 financial year, approximately 6945 people were murdered in South Africa. This is important to note because most citizens in South Africa affiliate with Christianity. While many reasons have been provided for the cause of gender violence such as African cultures and traditions which perpetuate patriarchy, I argue that the cause of such violence is epistemic. Using violence caused by masculinist power as an example, I challenge the social constructionist approach that is state driven and African traditionalist discourse about masculinities in South Africa by attempting to expose how they contribute to epistemic violence. Recognising the importance of Christianity and African Culture in South Africa, I engage the work of three Christian reconstruction theologians to determine which of the models attached to their work disrupt epistemic ‘masculine’ violence. Christian reconstruction theology is important because it recognises culture and Christianity as sources of reconstruction. The three theologians whose works are engaged are Mugambi who advocates for the reinvention of Africa; Ka Mana who advocates for an African axiological ethic; and Villa-Vicencio who advocates for mutual inclusivity. It is the argument of this dissertation that an Africanist axiological ethic advocated for by Ka Mana, is the only model of the three engaged, capable of disrupting epistemic ‘masculine’ violence in South Africa.M.A. (Theology)Philosophy, Practical and Systematic Theolog
Addressing unique challenges and crafting inclusive policies for Queer living with disabilities
No full textBackground: This article addresses the intersectional challenges faced by Queer people living
with disabilities (QPwD).
Objectives: The article aims to highlight the nature and extent of their struggles while proposing
inclusive policies for societal integration and equality. Amid global efforts to promote Queer
rights, discrimination and violence persist, particularly affecting those with disabilities.
Method: Drawing upon a comprehensive review of literature and empirical research, this
study investigated the experiences of QPwD, identifying key challenges such as limited access
to inclusive services, heightened vulnerability to abuse and systemic unemployment. The
methodological approach used in this study involves synthesising existing scholarship and
empirical evidence to inform the proposed inclusive policies.
Results: The findings reveal pervasive barriers encountered by QPwD, including societal
stigma, attitudinal biases and physical obstacles. Discrimination in employment, education
and healthcare further exacerbates their marginalisation, necessitating proactive measures to
address systemic inequalities and promote social inclusion.
Conclusion: In conclusion, this article underscores the urgent need for policy reforms and
societal interventions to uphold the rights and dignity of QPwD. By advocating for Queerinclusive
workplace policies, enhancing accessibility in public infrastructure and fostering
governmental support for equality initiatives, this study contributes to advancing social justice
and inclusivity.
Contribution: The article calls for concerted efforts to create a more equitable and inclusive
society where all individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation or disability status, can
thrive and fulfil their potential.Health Studie
Developing a framework to enhance the use of M-Commerce among South African SMES in the retail sector
No full textThe aim of this study was to synthesise a framework of factors that could support South African retail SMEs in enhancing the use of m-commerce in their marketing activities. An extensive review of relevant literature was conducted, resulting in the development of a preliminary conceptual framework for the adoption of m-commerce among South African retail SMEs. The preliminary conceptual framework formed the basis of the study, consisting of 18 factors and 81 items that were classified under four contexts: technological, organisational, environmental and managerial. The preliminary conceptual framework was refined and tested by conducting an empirical investigation, which was carried out in two phases: phase 1 (qualitative research) and phase 2 (quantitative research).
Phase 1 of the research encompassed online focus groups, online in-depth interviews and a short, self-administered web-based questionnaire. Phase 1 focused on identifying factors that influence the adoption of m-commerce, specific to the context of South African retail SMEs. The preliminary conceptual framework was revised to include 22 factors, comprising 97 items classified under five contexts: technological, organisational, environmental, managerial and integrated. The revised conceptual framework served as the foundation for phase 2 of the research. Phase 2 incorporated self-administered web-based questionnaires and employed structural equation modelling (SEM) as well as multiple regression to evaluate the validity of the revised conceptual framework. The proposed conceptual framework includes eight factors that influence the adoption of m-commerce among South African retail SMEs, namely, perceived benefits, perceived complexity, perceived cost, organisational innovativeness, government support, customer pressure, global trends and top management support.
The study contributes to the existing body of knowledge by developing a conceptual framework which may provide a better understanding of m-commerce adoption among South African retail SMEs. Additionally, the conceptual framework could assist SMEs in enhancing their understanding and use of m-commerce, enabling them to make informed decisions and improving their marketing strategies. Furthermore, the study offers insight for government and technology vendors in their
efforts to support and promote the adoption of m-commerce among South African retail SMEs.Business Managemen
Radical economic approach in Pentecostalism: A Pentecostal response to economic difficulties
No full textEconomies of the African continent have been faced with difficulties in the last decade caused by various factors including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), unemployment, poverty and so forth. In the South African context, there is another factor that has emerged in the last
decade called ‘load-shedding’ resulting in power cuts that affected the economy of the country.
Consequently, many small businesses had cut jobs as they could not afford alternative energy
generation such as generators and solar energy. These harsh economic conditions have
produced some level of economic difficulties where the economy is not growing because of job
losses and other challenges. How do Pentecostals respond to economic difficulties? This article
attempts to answer this question through the radical economic approach. This approach is
framed as a theory that confronts the conventional economic approaches. In addition, this
theory is based on radical giving, radical charities and radical development.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
Does value-added tax revenue inspire growth? Evidence from Southern Africa
No full textThe purpose of this article is to take the lead and investigate value-added tax (VAT) revenue and economic growth in Southern Africa, especially referring to the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The objective of the study on which this article reports was to look at the relationship between VAT revenue and economic growth. The hypothesis was whether VAT revenue had an impact on economic growth or alternatively whether VAT revenue had no impact on economic growth. The effect of VAT on economic growth in different countries is unclear, and this has become an important empirical question. Our two-stage least squares model indicated that VAT revenue has a positive impact on economic growth. The same goes for the generalised method of moments (GMM) model. The corruption perception index also leads to a positive outcome on economic growth. The current study attempted to contribute to the surprisingly small body of academic economics research examining value-added tax in Southern African countries. Policymakers and revenue authorities should thus take note that room for higher VAT rates exists although these are already quite high in SADC. VAT is regarded as a regressive tax commonly burdening the poor. Alternatively, higher VAT rates and revenues on luxury goods commonly purchased by the wealthy might be an alternative option for further investigation in the future. Efficient and corruption-free service delivery in SADC can contribute to future VAT revenues supporting economic development in the region.Economic
Management of teacher absenteeism in Soweto township schools
No full textThe purpose of this study was to explore how School Management Teams (SMTs) manage teacher absenteeism in Soweto township schools. Two schools from Soweto township in the Johannesburg North District were sampled to participate in this study. Fayol management theory was used as the theorical framework underpinning this study. This is a qualitative study which is grounded in an interpretivist paradigm and the design is case study. Data were generated using semi-structured interviews and document analysis. Two principals and six departmental heads (who are the SMTs managing teacher absenteeism) and four teachers were interviewed. Documents like timebooks, teacher attendance policies, substitute timetables and book control tools were analysed to generate data. The findings of this study revealed that the common factors that contribute to teacher absenteeism in Soweto township schools were ill-health or taking care of sick family members, bereavement, unjustified reasons, leave entitlement, poor work ethics, poor human relations, stress related to working conditions, poor management of teacher absenteeism, service delivery strikes and the attendance of teacher professional development workshops. This study also found that managing teacher absenteeism is a daunting task owing to the obstacles such as non-submission of medical certificate as well as unclear policies and legislations that give teachers rights to be absent. The consequences of teacher absenteeism were backlog on curriculum coverage which leads to learners’ underperformance and ill-discipline of learners. The study established the strategies that the SMTs use to reduce teacher absenteeism in Soweto township schools include the use of policies and circulars provided by the Department of Education as a point of reference, the use of tools like timebooks and ATPs and teacher motivation. From the findings of this study, I recommend that further research be conducted with the teachers as the main participants to explore their personal reasons for being absent from school and a large-scale study using quantitative research approach be carried out to provide findings that are applicable to a larger population.M. Ed. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
Exploring management of high school educators and learners during covid-19: a case study
No full textDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, normal school functionality was halted by unprecedented chaos in the management of both educators and learners. The abrupt increase in the number of learners who were directly or indirectly infected by the COVID-19 pandemic in the schools’ environments has brought confusion from managers about how to manage without fear. Thus, the study’s primary aim was to explore the management of high school educators and learners during COVID-19 at the Ubombo Circuit Management Cluster. Through a qualitative telephone semi-structured interview, the study’s main aim was achieved through four research objectives. Firstly, managers of high school educators and learners during COVID-19 were explored. Secondly, the reasons for the management of high school educators were also explored. Thirdly, the exploration of the environment where high school educators and learners were managed was explicitly presented. Lastly, the reasons why high school educators and learners were managed were explored. A case study design was deemed relevant for the study as it is qualitative in nature.
Consequently, the non-probability sampling method was used. That is, four experienced members of the School Management Team were selected for the study. The centrality of management is thus brought forward by the disruptions made by the pandemic on schooling activities since there is little information on existing literature on how high school educators and learners were managed during COVID-19.
The findings of the study reveal that the chaos painted by the COVID-19 pandemic was felt in the Department of Education, and nobody was prepared to face it. As a result, there was no specific format that school managers followed in managing high school educators and learners during COVID-19. Subsequently, most Ubombo Circuit Management Cluster school managers attempted various management strategies that they believed would cater for their schools. However, the strategies saw Grade 12 learners being prioritised in the management process. Therefore, the latter poses a gap that needs further research. Most school managers focused on managing Grade 12 learners instead of all learners during the COVID-19 pandemic.M. Ed. (Educational Leadership and Management)Educational Studie
Assessment of the effects of climate change, renewable energy consumption, economic and population growth on sugarcane productivity in South Africa from 1972-2021
Get PDFText in EnglishSugarcane production in South Africa is influenced by several factors, including environmental dynamics (climate change, carbon dioxide emissions), consumption of renewable energy, population expansion, and economic growth. Understanding the intricate interdependencies between these variables is essential for sustainable agricultural planning. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, this study examines the effects of climate change, renewable energy consumption, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, population growth, and economic growth on sugarcane production in South Africa. The study utilizes time-series data collected annually from various institutions between 1972 and 2021. This methodology facilitates a comprehensive assessment of both short- and long-term dynamics and their interactions by considering the variables of interest in this study. In the long run, temperature and carbon dioxide levels have a statistically significant negative impact on sugarcane yield, with significance levels at 10% and 1%, respectively. Conversely, rainfall, renewable energy consumption, and gross domestic product exhibit a statistically significant positive relationship with sugarcane yield. In the short run, the analysis showed that rainfall has a statistically significant negative effect on sugarcane yield at the 1% significance level. However, renewable energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions have statistically significant positive effects on sugarcane yield, both at the 10% significance level. The causality results indicated insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between sugarcane yield and temperature, renewable energy consumption, GDP, carbon dioxide emissions, and population growth. Nevertheless, a uni-directional causal relationship was identified from rainfall to sugarcane yield, indicating that changes in rainfall patterns may lead to changes in sugarcane yield. The study recommends focusing on growing the renewable energy sector by allocating resources to agriculture for bioenergy production.M. Sc. (Agricultural Economics)Agriculture and Animal Healt
Inaugurated eschatology within South African Pentecostalism futuristic and realised eschatological approaches in equilibrium
Get PDFPentecostal eschatology differs from one sub-tradition of Pentecostalism to the other
in a South African context. Sub-traditions such as classical Pentecostalism and the New
Prophetic Churches (npc s) have been engaged in more than one form of eschatology.
The differences are explored here to understand their implications for Pentecostal
eschatology. The Pentecostal prophets in npc s do not exclusively focus on a futuristic
eschatological approach as opposed to classical Pentecostalism. Pentecostal prophets
in npc s embrace a realised eschatology of the kingdom in the here and the now. The
challenge is that this approach presents some form of abuse in these churches. How
do we address these abuses emanating from an overemphasised realised eschatology?
How do we deal with the tensions between realised eschatology and futuristiceschatology? What could be the relevant eschatology that balances both extremes of
a futuristic eschatology and realised eschatology? These questions are addressed here
through an inaugurated eschatology.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog