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The role of self-efficacy in promoting the psychosocial well-being of in-school adolescent orphans in Botswana
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to investigate the role of self-efficacy in promoting the psychosocial well-being of adolescent orphans in selected secondary schools in Botswana. Self-efficacy plays a crucial role in the promotion of psychosocial well-being, although it is largely overlooked in senior secondary schools. Bandura defines self-efficacy as the individual’s belief in their capability to achieve tasks set for them and how people judge themselves against the designated performance levels that may exercise influence over event that affect the individual’s live. The literature reviewed suggests that the level of self-efficacy of an individual can vary based on influences including personal experiences. The literature proposes that psychosocial well-being affects all facets of children’s lives, including their interpersonal relationships and the ability to learn. Globally, psychosocial well-being is described as encompassing quality of life, the emotional, social, and physical dimensions of an individual, which are perceived to be some pivotal components for the survival and development of an individual’s mental health. The dynamic interplay between personal, behavioural and environmental factors may influence human attachment and how humans function. The absence of a secured attachment can potentially lead to the emergence of emotional behaviours, thus proving it difficult for adolescent orphans to resist emerging emotional behaviours.
The study followed a qualitative approach and instrumental case study design within the phenomenological paradigm. Data collection methods included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, a reflective journal, and informal observations of participants. The schools were conveniently sampled whilst in-school adolescent orphans were purposively sampled. Thematic content analysis was used to analyse the data. The findings indicate that the understanding and definition of self-efficacy is limited because the construct is under-researched in Botswana. The participants described self-efficacy according to two dimensions, namely: perseverance against life obstacles, and remaining focused in the goals. Additionally, the participants described psychosocial well-being based on the status of the person’s emotional feelings, life with no obstacles, and a supportive environment. The research confirmed that the level of self-efficacy directly impacts the motivation, self-esteem, and academic performance of in-school adolescent orphans. These individuals shared their perspectives on psychosocial well-being across four key dimensions: positive peer and teacher support, non-supportive environment, emotional pain and social disconnection, and helplessness and hopelessness.
Lastly, the study established that self-efficacy has a direct and positive influence on self-confidence, goal-setting, and coping strategies, ultimately contributing to the promotion of psychosocial well-being. Consequently, the study recommends the implementation of relevant
intervention programmes aimed at cultivating self-efficacy to enhance the psychosocial well-being of in-school adolescent orphans. The significance of this study is premised on its potential to make valuable contributions to the literature through acquisition of knowledge, informed literature and policy developmentD. Phil. (Psychology)Psycholog
God-talk rhetoric and the abuse of Women in Neo-Pentecostalism: developing the Pentecostal theology of hearing from God
No full textOne of the tenets of neo-Pentecostalism is the claim of "hearing from God", particularly by
neo-Pentecostal pastors and prophets in Africa. It is for this reason that even during the
sermon presentation in Neo-Pentecostalism there is an element of “thus says the Lord”. This
notion is theorised here as a God-talk rhetoric to apply to neo-Pentecostalism. The
intersectionality of God-talk rhetoric and abuse of women within neo-Pentecostalism has been
explored in previous studies. The contribution here is the development of the Pentecostal
theology of hearing from God in addressing these abuses. The background to this study will
be given by exploring the notion of "hearing from God" in the context of the broader
Pentecostal movement. The article will also introduce God-talk rhetoric as a theoretical
framework for this study. The cases where pastors used this framework to abuse women will
also be highlighted using the case study method. The research question is how do
Pentecostals understand the notion of hearing from God given the abuses? What is the
Pentecostal theology of hearing from God that can help address women's abuse and other
abuses? The article attempts to answer these questions to develop a Pentecostal theology of
hearing from God.Christian Spirituality, Church History and Missiolog
Exploring the potential marketing value of trade performance indicators in driving the internationalisation efforts of selected industries in South Africa
No full textAbstract in English with Afrikaans and Zulu translationsThis interdisciplinary study explores the potential marketing application of trade performance indicators in the internationalisation endeavours of industries, with a specific focus on the footwear and leather industries in South Africa. The study posits that these indicators could contribute to the planning, implementing, and controlling of the international marketing management functions of industry bodies such as the South African Footwear and Leather Industries Association and the South African Footwear and Leather Export Council. An extensive search of academic bibliographies reveals that while some industries do make use of trade performance indicators in different ways, the research into the marketing usefulness of such indicators at industry level is limited. In addition, trade indicators are generally used on an ad hoc basis, oftentimes quite superficially, and mostly for macro-economic analysis. This study adopts an article-based approach and attempts to address the aforementioned shortcomings by way of three articles that make up the body of the study, supported by an introductory and concluding chapters.
The first article presents a concordance exercise that strives to match industry data from Statistics South Africa, with trade data originating from Customs and Excise, the two official respective sources of this data. The reason for this concordance exercise was to add value to two sets of data (activity data versus product data) which are currently classified in very different ways, by matching them in an objective and organised manner. With the outcome of article one being the concordance of these two sets of data, it is now possible to extract more meaning from the two sets of matched data. Also, the concorded data, made it possible to calculate several of the trade performance indicators that are used later in the study and that draw on both industry-output data and trade data. The findings from this article are used in the article number three.
The second article brings another dimension to the study, beyond the concordance exercise, by undertaking a scoping review of the academic literature to compile a comprehensive list of trade performance indicators at industry level. The article identified 101 trade performance indicators, considerably more than were found to be used in any one of the sources examined. This article’s outcome is the list of trade performance indicators (with supporting discussion) identified from the literature, prioritised according to their popularity in the
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literature. A typology of these trade performance indicators was then compiled. The findings from this article were also used in article number three.
Article number three draws on the concordance exercise in article one, together with the 13 most widely used trade performance indicators identified in article two, to calculate or compute outcomes for these indicators for the footwear and leather industries in South Africa. These computations are considered in terms of their potential marketing application in driving the internationalisation endeavours of the two industries in question, addressing the main aim of the study. It was found that all indicators had some marketing value to contribute, although some were more useful than others. These conclusions led to several recommendations of how these trade performance indicators could be adopted more pragmatically by industries in South Africa.
The study’s contribution to knowledge is (a) the concorded industry and trade classifications, (b) the scoping review of trade performance indicators which identified more than 100 trade indicators used at industry level, and (c) practical recommendations for wider and more meaningful use of trade performance indicators by industries in their international marketing efforts (and possibly by their member firms). All three articles have been submitted for publishing. The dissertation presents a single study based on a multi-method research design.Hierdie interdissiplinêre studie verken die potensiële bemarkingstoepassing van handelsprestasie-aanduiders in die internasionaliseringspogings van bedrywe, met ’n spesifieke fokus op die skoenbedryf en leerbedryf in Suid-Afrika. Die studie postuleer dat hierdie aanduiders kan bydra tot die beplanning, implementering en beheer van die internasionale bemarkingsbestuursfunksies van bedryfsliggame, soos die Suid Afrikaanse Skoen- en Leerbedryfsvereniging (South African Footwear and Leather Industries Association) en die Suid-Afrikaanse Skoen- en Leeruitvoerraad (Suid African Footwear and Leather Export Council). ’n Grootskaalse soektog na akademiese bibliografieë het getoon dat hoewel sekere bedrywe gebruik maak van handelsprestasie aanduiders op verskillende maniere, die navorsing oor die bemarkingsnut van sulke aanduiders op bedryfsvlak tog beperk is. Verder word handelsaanduiders gewoonlik op ’n ad hoc-basis gebruik; dikwels baie oppervlakkig en meestal vir makro-ekonomiese ontleding. Hierdie studie neem ’n artikelgebaseerde benadering aan en probeer om die bogenoemde tekortkomings aan te roer deur te kyk na drie artikels wat die liggaam van die studie vorm, ondersteun deur ’n inleidings- en slothoofstuk.
Die eerste artikel bied ’n ooreenstemmingsoefening aan wat probeer om bedryfsdata van Statistiek Suid-Afrika te laat pas by handelsdata wat afkomstig is van Customs en Excise, die twee amptelike onderskeie bronne van hierdie data. Die rede vir hierdie ooreenstemmingsoefening was om waarde toe te voeg tot twee datastelle (aktiwiteitsdata teenoor produkdata), wat tans op baie verskillende maniere geklassifiseer word, deur hulle te laat pas op ’n objektiewe en georganiseerde wyse. Met die uitkoms van artikel een wat die ooreenstemming van hierdie twee datastelle is, was dit moontlik om meer betekenis uit die twee stelle gepaste data te kry. Die ooreengekome data het dit verder moontlik gemaak om verskeie van die handelsprestasie-aanduiders te bepaal wat later in die studie gebruik is en wat gekry is van sowel bedryfsopbrengsdata as handelsdata. Die bevindings uit hierdie artikel is toe gebruik in artikel nommer drie.
Die tweede artikel voeg nog ’n dimensie by die studie buiten die ooreenstemmingsoefening deur ’n verkennende oorsig van die akademiese literatuur te onderneem om ’n omvattende lys handelsprestasie-aanduiders op bedryfsvlak saam te stel. Die artikel het 101
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handelsprestasie-aanduiders geïdentifiseer, aansienlik meer as wat gebruik is in enige van die bronne wat genoem is. Die artikel se uitkoms is die lys handelsprestasie-aanduiders (met ondersteunende bespreking) wat uit die literatuur geïdentifiseer is, en wat geprioritiseer is volgens die gewildheid daarvan in die literatuur. ’n Tipologie van hierdie handelsprestasie-aanduiders is toe saamgestel. Die bevindings van hierdie artikel is ook in artikel nommer drie gebruik.
Artikel nommer drie maak gebruik van die ooreenstemmingsoefening in artikel een, saam met die 13 mees gebruikte handelsprestasie-aanduiders wat in artikel twee geïdentifiseer is, om uitkomste vir hierdie aanduiders vir die skoen- en leerbedrywe in Suid-Afrika te bereken of te bepaal. Hierdie berekenings word oorweeg wat betref hulle potensiële bemarkingstoepassing om die internasionaliseringspogings van die twee bedrywe wat ter sprake is aan te dryf om die hoofdoelwit van die studie aan te roer. Daar is gevind dat al die aanduiders bemarkingswaarde gehad het om by te dra, hoewel sommige aanduiders van meer nut was as ander. Hierdie gevolgtrekkings het gelei tot verskeie aanbevelings oor hoe hierdie handelsprestasie-aanduiders meer pragmaties aangeneem kan word in bedrywe in Suid-Afrika.
Die studie se bydrae tot kennis is (a) die ooreengekome bedryfs- en handelsklassifikasie; (b) die verkennende oorsig van handelsprestasie-aanduiders, wat meer as 100 handelsaanduiders geïdentifiseer het wat op bedryfsvlak gebruik word; en (c) praktiese aanbevelings vir ’n wyer en meer betekenisvolle gebruik van handelsprestasie aanduiders deur bedrywe in hulle internasionale bemarkingspogings (en moontlik deur hulle lidondernemings). Al drie artikels is ingedien vir publisering. Die verhandeling bied ’n enkele studie, gebaseer op ’n multimetode-navorsingsontwerp.Lolu cwaningo lwezinhlaka ezihlukene luhlose ukuthola izindlela ezingasetshenziswa ezimakethe njengezinkomba zokusebenza kwezohwebo ukuze izimboni zisebenze ngokwamazwe ngamazwe, ngokugxila ngokukhethekile embonini yezicathulo neyesikhumba eNingizimu Afrika. Ucwaningo lubona ukuthi lezi zinkomba zingafaka isandla ekuhleleni, ukuqalisa ukusebenza, nokulawula imisebenzi yezokuphathwa kwezimakethe zamazwe ngamazwe ezinhlakeni zezimboni, njengeSouth African Footwear and Leather Industries Association kanye neSouth African Footwear and Leather Export Council. Uhlolo olunzulu lwezincwadi zezifundo luveza ukuthi, nakuba ezinye izimboni zizisebenzisa ngezindlela ezihlukile izinkomba zokusebenza kwezohwebo, kodwa kuba nemikhawulo mayelana nocwaningo ngokusebenziseka kwezimaketha ngokwalezi zinkomba ezingeni lezimboni. Ukwengeza, izinkomba zohwebo zivame ukusetshenziswa njengendlela yesikhashana; ngezikhathi ezithile, zikhe phezulu, futhi ikakhulu uma kuhlaziywa umnotho omkhulu. Lolu cwaningo lusebenzise uhlelo lokuhlaziya imibhalo futhi luzama ukubhekana nokusilela okukhulunywe ngakho ngenhla ngokusebenzisa imibhalo emithathu eyakha indikimba yocwaningo, ngokwesekwa yisahluko sesingeniso nesiphetha.
Umbhalo wokuqala umelele imvumelwano ekufaniseni imininingwane yemboni yabakwaStatistics South Africa, nemininingwane yohwebo yabezeCustoms and Excise, okuyimithombo emibili esemthethweni yale mininingwane. Isizathu sale mvumelwano ukwengeza ubumqoka bale mininingwane yomibili (imininingwane yomsebenzi uma iqhathaniswa neyomkhiqizo), nehlukaniswa ngezindlela ezihluke kakhulu, ngokuthi iqhathaniswe ngendlela ehlelekile futhi enenjongo ethile. Ngokwemiphumela yombhalo wokuqala omayelana nemvumelwano yalawa maqoqo amabili emininingwane, kube lula ukuphuma nencazelo ezwakalayo uma kususelwa kulawa maqoqo amabili emininingwane eqhathanisiwe. Imininingwane yemvumelwano iphinde futhi, yakwenza kwaba lula ukubala izinkomba ezimbalwa zokusebenza kohwebo nokusetshenziswe kamuva ocwaningweni nokukhishwe ngaphansi kwemininingwane yemiphumela yokusebenza neyohwebo. Imiphumela yale mibhalo isetshenziswe embhalweni wesithathu.
Umbhalo wesibili uhlinzeka ngokunye okuhlukile ocwaningweni ngaphezu kwemvumelwano ngokuthi ubuyekeze imibhalo yezincwadi zezifundo ukuze kuhlanganiswe uhlu olubanzi
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lwezinkomba zokusebenza kwezohwebo ezingeni lemboni. Umbhalo uhlonze izinkomba zokusebenza kwezohweba eziyi-101, eziningi zazo kutholakale ukuthi zisetshenziswe kunanoma yimiphi imithombo ehloliwe. Umphumela walo mbhalo uwuhlu lwezinkomba zokusebenza kwezohwebo (nezingxoxo eziseka lokhu) ezihlonzwe ezincwadini, ezibekwe ngokwedumela lazo. Lapha kuye kwahlanganiswa lokho kwehlukana kwalezi zinkomba zokusebenza kwezohwebo. Imiphumela yale mibhalo nayo isetshenziswe embhalweni wesithathu.
Umbhalo wesithathu ukhuluma ngemvumelwano esembhalweni wokuqala, kanye nezinkomba eziyi-13 ezisetshenziswa kakhulu kwezokuhweba ezihlonzwe embhalweni wesibili, ukuze kubalwe noma kuhlanganiswe imiphumela yalezi zinkomba embonini yezicathulo nesikhumba eNingizimu Afrika. Lezi zibalo zihlanganiswe ngokohlelo lwazo lokumaketha olungase lusebenze ekuqhubekiseni imizamo yokosebenza ngokwamazwe ngamazwe kulezi zimboni ezimbili okukhulunywa ngazo ukuze kubhekwane nenhloso enkulu yocwaningo. Kutholakale ukuthi zonke izinkomba zinokuthile okungafaka isandla kwezezimakethe, nakuba ezinye ziwusizo kakhulu kunezinye. Lezi ziphetho ziholele eziphakamisweni ezimbalwa zokuthi lezi zinkomba zokusebenza kwezohwebo zingamukelwa kanjani ngendlela enempumelelo ezimbonini zaseNingizimu Afrika.
Igalelo lalolu cwaningo olwazini (a) yimboni enemvumelwano nokuhlukaniswa ngezigaba zohwebo; (b) ukubuyekezwa kwezinkomba zokusebenza kohwebo, okuhlonze izinkomba zohwebo ezingaphezu kwe-100 ezisetshenziswa ezingeni lemboni; kanye (c) nezincomo ezisebenza kakhulu futhi ngokunenjongo ngokwezinkomba zokusebenza kohwebo lwezimboni emizamweni yazo yokumaketha kumazwe ngamazwe (kanjalo futhi mhlawumbe nangamafemu okusetshenziswana nawo). Yomithathu le mibhalo ithunyelwe ukuze ishicilelwe. Inkulumo ebhaliwe echazayo yethula ucwaningo olulodwa, olususelwe ekwakhiweni kocwaningo lwezindlela eziningi.M. Com. (Business Management (Marketing))Colleges of Economic and Management Science
Offenders’ non-participation in a freely provided correctional educational programmes: an investigative approach
No full textAbstracts in English, Afrikaans and ZuluIt is a challenge to provide adult education and training programmes to offenders with diverse interests in correctional centres. Offenders have a lot of time on their hands and education has been shown to provide opportunities to occupy and develop them. Several studies have been conducted on correctional education in South Africa, focusing mainly on the successes of correctional education. This study explored offenders’ non-participation in adult education and training programmes to assist correctional services/authorities and educators in improving mechanisms and finding a way forward for developing offenders through rehabilitation programmes. A qualitative research approach with a case study design was used. The data were obtained through interviews with offenders and a qualitative questionnaire completed by correctional officials who participated in the study. Malcolm Knowles’s adult learning theory of andragogy (found to be a valuable foundation for establishing educational programmes for adult learners, including those who are jailed) and Abraham Maslow’s motivational theory (better known as Maslow’s hierarchy of needs) anchored this study. The findings revealed that the adult offenders lacked motivation and access to services for the fulfilment of basic human needs. It was also found that educators and unit managers did not orientate offenders about the programmes in which they could participate when they started to serve their sentences. Furthermore, the study found that offenders lacked a sense of belonging when they arrived in correctional centres and gangsters used this as an opportunity for recruitment. As a result of the discrepancies in the system, offenders believed that the educational programmes and curriculum were not relevant to their immediate and future needs. Due to a lack of understanding or awareness of the benefits of education, some offenders chose not to participate in educational programmes.Dit is ‘n uitdaging om onderwys- en opleidingsprogramme aan volwasse-oortreders met uiteenlopende belangstellings in korrektiewe sentrums te verskaf. Oortreders het baie tyd en daar is bevind dat onderwys geleenthede bied om hulle besig te hou en te ontwikkel. Verskeie studies oor korrektiewe onderwys in Suid-Afrika het hoofsaaklik op die suksesse van korrektiewe onderwys gefokus. Hierdie studie het volwasse-oortreders se gebrek aan deelname aan onderwys- en opleidingsprogramme verken ten einde korrektiewe dienste/owerhede en opvoeders te help om meganismes te verbeter en die ontwikkeling van oortreders deur rehabilitasieprogramme te bevorder. ’n Kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering met ‘n gevallestudie-ontwerp is gebruik. Die data is ingesamel deur onderhoude met oortreders en ’n kwalitatiewe vraelys wat deur korrektiewe beamptes voltooi is wat aan die studie deelgeneem het. Malcolm Knowles se volwasseleerteorie van andragogiek (beskou as ’n waardevolle grondslag vir die daarstelling van opvoedkundige programme vir volwasse leerders, insluitend diegene wat in die tronk is), en Abraham Maslow se motiveringsteorie (beter bekend as Maslow se hiërargie van behoeftes) het die basis van hierdie studie gevorm. Die bevindinge toon dat volwasse-oortreders nie motivering en toegang gehad het tot dienste om basiese menslike behoeftes te vervul nie. Daar is ook bevind dat opvoeders en eenheidsbestuurders nie oortreders ingelig het oor die programme waaraan hulle kon deelneem wanneer hulle vonnisse begin het nie. Verder is daar bevind dat oortreders nie ’n gevoel van behoort gehad het wanneer hulle by korrektiewe sentrums aangekom het nie en dat rampokkers die geleentheid benut het om lede te werf. As gevolg van die teenstrydighede in die stelsel, was die oortreders van mening dat die opvoedkundige programme en kurrikulum nie relevant was vir hul onmiddellike en toekomstige behoeftes nie. Weens die gebrek aan begrip of bewustheid van die voordele van onderwys, het sommige oortreders besluit om nie aan opvoedkundige programme deel te neem nie.Ukubamba iqhaza ezinhlelweni zokuqeqesha iziboshwa ezinezintshisekelo ezihlukahlukene ezikhungweni zokuhlunyeleliswa kwezimilo kuyinselelo. Iziboshwa zinesikhathi esiningi ezandleni zazo futhi kuvelile ukuthi imfundo ingasetshenziselwa ukuzihlinzeka ngamathuba okuthi zizigcine zimatasa kanye nokuthi zithuthuke. Sekwenziwe ucwaningo izikhawu eziningana ngemfundo yabahlunyeleliswa izimilo eNingizimu Afrika kugxilwe kakhulu ekutheni iyaphumelela yini noma inayo yini imiphumela. Kulolu cwaningo, kubhekwe ukuthi iziboshwa azilibambi ngani iqhaza ezinhlelweni zokuqeqesha abantu asebekhulile/abadala futhi kuhloswe ngalo ukulekelela iziphathimandla zezokuhlunyeleliswa kwezimilo kanye nothisha ukuba baphucule izindlela zokusebenza nokuthola indlela eya phambili yokuthuthukisa iziboshwa ngezinhlelo zokuhlunyeleliswa kwezimilo. Kulesi sakhiwo socwaningo, kusetshenziswe indlela yokwenza ucwaningo ngokulalela izimvo zabantu kanye nezimo asebeke badlula kuzo (ikhwalithethivu). Kwenziwe ucwaningo kusetshenziswa izinhlolovo eziyizingxoxiswano neziboshwa kanye nohlu lwemibuzo yekhwalithethivu kubasebenzi abasebenza ezikhungweni zokuhlomelelisa izimilo ababambe iqhaza ocwaningweni. Okubhaliwe ngokwendlela yokwenza ucwaningo ebizwa nge-Andragogy, okungeka-Malcolm Knowles yokufunda kwabantu abadala, kutholakale njengesisekelo esibalulekile sokusungula izinhlelo zemfundo kubafundi abadala, kuhlanganise nalabo ababoshiwe. Ngakolunye uhlangothi, u-Abraham Maslow, wethula inkolelo-mbono yakhe ekhuthazayo, eyaziwa kakhulu ngokuthi isigaba sika-Maslow sezidingo. Lezi zindlela ezimbili zokwenza ucwaningo yizo ezisekele lolu cwaningo. Okutholakele kuveze ukuthi iziboshwa esezindala kazinawo umdlandla futhi zintula nendlela yokufinyelela ezidingweni zabantu eziyisisekelo. Kuphinde kwatholakala ukuthi othisha nabaphathi bama-yunithi abazifundisi iziboshwa ngezinhlelo ezingabamba iqhaza kuzo uma ziphuma enkantolo zizodonsa izigwebo zazo. Ngaphezu kwalokho, ucwaningo luthole ukuthi iziboshwa kazinawo umuzwa wokuzithola nokuzihlonza isigaba ezingangena/ezingaphila ngaphansi kwaso uma ziqala ukufika ezikhungweni zokuhlunyeleliswa kwezimilo, yilapho-ke izigelekeqe zisebenzisa ithuba lokubahehela ezikokeleni zazo zangaphakathi. Ngenxa yalokhu kushayisana okungenhla ohlelweni, ucwaningo luthole ukuthi iziboshwa zibona ukuthi izinhlelo zemfundo nekharikhulamu okulandelwayo akuhambisani nezidingo zazo zamanje nezesikhathi esizayo. Kokutholiwe/Kokutholakele, ezinye iziboshwa zikhethe ukungabambi iqhaza ezinhlelweni zemfundo ngenxa yokungaqondisisi nokungaqwashiswa ngezinzuzo zemfundo.M. Ed. (Adult Education)College of Educatio
The design, construction and validation of a chemistry TS for acids and bases in an extendend engineering programme
No full textChemistry is often perceived as difficult because of its abstract concepts and the gap between everyday and scientific ideas. This presents a challenge for access students due to their weak prior knowledge, insufficient preparation, and persistent misconceptions which hinder their performance in foundation chemistry and their ability to build a strong basis for first-year study. It is therefore important to use topic-specific teaching strategies that explicitly address these difficult concepts and misconceptions. As a result, lecturers’ topic-specific pedagogical content knowledge (TSPCK) plays a key role in shaping such strategies, as it influences how lecturers plan, sequence, and teach content in ways that anticipate and address student learning challenges.
Since acids and bases are consistently identified as one of the most difficult chemistry topics to teach and learn, this study focused on designing, constructing, and validating an acids and bases TS (TS) tailored to access students in the extended Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BEng Tech) degree programme. The study was framed by a pragmatic research paradigm and used a mixed-methods approach to collect and analyse the data. Furthermore, it was guided by design-based research within a qualitative case study framework. Two iterations of the TS were developed and tested: iteration one with three phases, and iteration two with five phases.
Phase 1 investigated access students’ prerequisite knowledge of acids and bases using a modified Background Knowledge Questionnaire administered to 2021 and 2022 student cohorts. The results showed that students struggled with gateway concepts such as ionisation, first ionic dissociation, hydrolysis, and were unable to correctly write equations for the dissociation of diprotic and polyprotic acids. Their misconceptions were extensive, and in some cases more pronounced that those reported in prior literature.
Phase 2 involved the use of a Content Representation (CoRe) Questionnaire to explore lecturers’ chemistry teaching experience, content planning, and pedagogical choices for acids and bases. Three lecturer participants were purposively sampled. In 2021, one lecturer completed a CoRe which informed the refinement of the instrument for 2022. In the following year, three lecturers completed CoRe Questionnaires were synthesised into a Composite CoRe from which five ‘Main Ideas’ of the topic emerged.
Phase 3, semi-structured interviews were carried out with the three lecturers to determine how they would sequence these ‘Main Ideas’, what factors they considered when planning an acids and bases TS, and which resources they used. The interviews revealed that textbooks were the primary source of content. Although lecturers were aware of student challenges, they did not consistently consider the broader aspects identified in the CoRe, and their teaching was largely textbook driven.
Phase 4 focused on developing the ‘Integrated Teaching Framework’ by comparing and synthesising the Learning Demand Framework, Educational Reconstruction Model, the Ingénierie Didactique framework, Ghirardi et al.’s (2014) model, and the TSPCK model. Using this ‘Integrated Teaching Framework’ with the findings from the Background Knowledge Questionnaire and the Composite CoRe, the acids and bases TS was designed and constructed.
Phase 5 entailed the implementation and validation of the acids and bases TS. The Reformed Teaching Observation Protocol (RTOP) was used to validate the acids and bases TS. The RTOP scores from the 2021justified the need for the acids and bases TS and the RTOP scores from 2022 lectures showed that the intervention can be introduced successfully. I also revealed changes in mode of delivery, teaching strategies, and the use of technological tools. The foundation chemistry lecturer, after engaging in an intervention meeting with the researcher and being exposed to literature on misconceptions, shifted from a traditional transmission approach to a more activity-based approach, although elements of lecturer dominance in classroom talk remained. Student interviews reinforced the RTOP findings and integrated the student voice into the findings of the study.
This study will contribute to chemistry education research. Firstly, it provides a validated acids and bases TS that addresses prerequisite knowledge gaps and common misconceptions among access students. Secondly, it offers a practical example of how TSPCK can inform topic-specific strategies for novice lecturers. Thirdly it introduces the ‘Integrated Teaching Framework’ that can guide the design of not only acids and bases TSs but also TSs in challenging chemistry topics. Finally, it will contribute an acids and bases TS which can be used by lecturers who teach chemistry to first year access students.
Future research is recommended to encourage lecturers to assess students' prerequisite knowledge, explicitly target misconceptions, and adopt the Integrated Teaching Framework when developing TSs. This framework is not only suitable for TSs for access students, but its principles can also be adapted for TS in other science education contexts.D. Phil. (Science Education)College of Engineering, Science and Technolog
The influence of participatory management on learner achievement in the Mkhuhlu Region of Mpumalanga Province
No full textThis qualitative study explored the impact of participatory management practices on
learner achievement within the educational context of the Mkhuhlu region. Through a
comprehensive examination of educators' and stakeholders' experiences, the
research addressed critical challenges in educational management as outlined in the
problem statement. Employing semi-structured interviews and document analysis, the
study captured a diverse range of perspectives, facilitating an in-depth understanding
of how participatory management is perceived and implemented across various
educational settings. Thematic analysis was used to identify and interpret complex
themes, reinforcing the study's objectives and providing insights into effective
management practices. Findings revealed that participatory management practices—
when effectively implemented—enhance communication, collaboration, and shared
decision-making, which in turn positively influence learner achievement. Furthermore,
participants identified the need for sustained stakeholder engagement and capacity
building to support effective management practices. This research contributes
valuable insights to the field of educational management, highlighting the significance
of participatory practices in enhancing learner outcomes and informing future
strategies for educational improvement.M. Ed. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
Application of stemming plugs for the reduction of air blast induced during surface mine blasting
No full textThe use of stemming plugs with the intention of optimizing blast performance is gaining popularity in surface mining. This is because stemming plugs are purported to enhance energy retention and reduce the environmental impacts of blasting. The main objective of this study was to assess the potential of stemming plugs in reducing air blast at a quarry.
The stemming plugs commercially known as Varistem® of diameter 102 mm were used for onsite testing. A total of 27 blasts were carried out under similar blast design conditions except for the stemming length that was varied between 1.9 and 3 m. The resultant air blast levels were recorded from two different monitoring stations around the pit. From the test programme, 15 blasts incorporated the Varistem® stemming plugs while the remaining 12 were conducted using standard stemming with aggregates only. The first monitoring station (i.e., Station A) was approximately 100 m away from the blast block while the second (i.e., Station B) was 700 m away. Data was collected from these two stations simultaneously for each of the 27 blasts. Using this arrangement, the data was modelled to correlated air blast and scaled distance. Finally, a comparison by statistical analysis was then carried out between the Varistem® blasts and the standard blasts.
Results from Station A showed that 33% of the Varistem® blasts in contrast to 67% of the standard tests exceeded the regulatory threshold limit of 134 dB set by the United States Bureau of Mines (USBM). From Station B, all the Varistem® blasts were below the threshold while about 25% of the standard blasts were above the limit. The scaled depth of burial was also determined to estimate the level of blast energy containment. It was subsequently found that all Varistem® blasts were within the controlled energy range explaining why acceptable air blast levels were produced. Lastly, the empirical model by the USBM was found to describe the air blast of the quarry better than McKenzie’s model. In essence, the results produced from this study showed that the Varistem® stemming plugs are doing some work in reducing blast induced air blast compared to standard stemming methods. Nevertheless, on the body of knowledge, there exists no model specifically applicable to the Varistem® stemming plugs. There are also currently no guidelines available for the design of a blast involving Varistem® plugs in compliance with regulatory standards on air blast. Understanding the contribution of Varistem® stemming plugs to blasting operations is expected to add value to the body of knowledge by making available data for use by the scientific community.M. Sc. (Engineering)Mining Engineerin
The impact of induction programmes on the effectiveness of primary school principals in KwaZulu-Natal
No full textA successful school is largely dependent on the effectiveness of its principal.
Principals in South African primary schools have been exposed to numerous changes
over the past few decades. They play a pivotal role in the quality of education in
schools and there is a need to have effective induction programmes in place to
effectively support and develop them. Over the years, many countries have initiated
or adopted structured training and development programmes for new principals to help
them meet and acquire specified standards and skills before assuming principalship
in schools. This study investigated the impact of induction programmes in iLembe
District, KwaZulu-Natal on the effectiveness of primary school principals.
This study followed a qualitative research methodology to understand the lived
experiences of ten selected primary school principals in iLembe District. Semi structured interviews were utilised to gather data on how new principals were inducted
into their work and responsibilities. Primary school principals were purposefully
selected to participate in the study, and their consent to participate voluntarily in the
study was obtained without any coercion.
The research findings revealed that in South Africa, the Department of Basic
Education has invested in the provision of principalship development and training
nationally. They also revealed that the circuit managers lack the necessary skills
required to perform their roles properly, which impacted the effectiveness of principals
in schools and the quality of education ultimately. Most principals interviewed
conceded that there were no induction programmes in iLembe District. They indicated
that they felt overwhelmed and unsupported in their work. It also emerged that the
Department of Basic Education does not have any programmes for inducting the newly
appointed principals. A lack of induction programmes impacts negatively on the
efficiency of principals and the broader school community. The absence of well-prepared principals negatively affects school performance. Principals struggle to
implement school improvement plans, manage resources and foster a positive school
culture, which impacts negatively on learner performance and staff morale.
The intended contribution of this study on principal induction is to provide valuable
insights into the effectiveness of induction programmes in iLembe District. Additionally,
the study seeks to highlight the broader implications for educational leadership and policy and support the creation of more robust induction frameworks that promote
long-term success in school principalship. It is recommended that the Department of
Basic Education prioritise and support primary school principals, as they are critical in
managing and improving education in schools and nurturing development of primary
school learnersD. Ed. (Education Management)Educational Leadership and Managemen
An exploration of the role of post-secondary correctional education in the rehabilitation of female offenders incarcerated at the KwaZulu-Natal Westville Correctional Centre, South Africa
No full textText in English with summaries in Xhosa and Southern SothoThis study, grounded in the interpretive paradigm, explored the lived experiences of female offenders of the academic post-secondary correctional education (PSCE) and vocational skills programmes offered at the Westville Female Correctional Centre. The aim was to determine whether the programmes played a role in the rehabilitation of inmates. A qualitative phenomenological research approach was followed and data were collected through one-on-one in-depth interviews with 13 inmates enrolled for PSCE as well as three professional staff members whose role, among others, was to facilitate rehabilitation programmes. Professional staff members, as well as some uniformed correctional officials, were commended by the inmate participants for going over and beyond their call of duty to support inmates pursuing PSCE. The study revealed that offenders had access to a plethora of formal post-secondary educational programmes offered mainly by the University of South Africa (Unisa). Four of the inmates’ fees were covered by their family members and nine were funded by the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). It was found that the vocational skills programmes offered by the centre were presented inconsistently; were insufficient; were non-formal or were based on antiquated ideas of femaleness (e.g. make-up, nails, crocheting, beadwork, hospitality, baking). Moreover, only two out of the 11 skills programmes were accredited by the Sector Education Training Authority (SETA). This means that most of the skills training offered did not meet industry standards and failed to prepare female offenders for employment or self-employment upon release. Likewise, the centre did not offer inmates National Accredited Technical Education Diploma (NATED), technical, or artisan-related courses. The lack of the aforementioned skills programmes and the focus on effeminate programmes perpetuate the gender stereotype that women can only be employed in certain industries.
Nevertheless, the participants agreed that PSCE, whether formal or non-formal, plays a vital role in the rehabilitation of female inmates by helping them with self-development, increasing their chances of employment or self-employment, and lowering the rate of recidivism. Recommendations include: (i) the centre to improve training on the rehabilitation of correctional officials; (ii) the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) to approach the National Treasury to increase its personnel budget to allow for the hiring of more professional staff members, and (iii) the centre to consider entering into agreements with SETA-accredited service providers that will consistently offer skills programmes that are gender-sensitive and focus on female offenders’ needs.M. A. (Criminology)Criminology and Security Scienc
Assessment of sunflower production determinants and the economic viability of using sunflower as a biofuel feedstock in South Africa
No full textSunflower production in South Africa is influenced by a number of factors, including environmental dynamics (temperature and rainfall), consumption of renewable energy and trade openness. The study assessed sunflower-production determinants and the economic viability of using sunflower as a biofuel feedstock in purposively selected areas in South Africa. Understanding the intricate interdependence among these variables is essential for sustainable agricultural planning. Using the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) method, this study seeks to examine the effects of climate change (temperature and rainfall), renewable energy consumption, and trade openness on sunflower production in South Africa. The study utilises time-series data collected annually from various institutions between 1965 and 2021. The ARDL methodology facilitates a comprehensive assessment of both short- and long-term dynamics and their interactions by considering the variables of interest in this study. A significant long-run positive relationship between sunflower production and temperature and precipitation was found in this study. A negative long-run relationship was found between sunflower production and trade openness. Renewable energy consumption (2nd lag), trade openness (1st and 3rd lag), and precipitation (1st lag) were all found to significantly impact sunflower production positively in the short run. The economic viability analysis indicated that Limpopo & Brits (Irrigation) is the most profitable region for biofuel production from sunflower feedstock, with a 25% IRR and an NPV of R31 935. The North West and Eastern Free State also show potential, with IRRs of 25% and 24%, respectively. In contrast, the Northwestern Free State has a negative NPV of R-5739, suggesting it needs further evaluation. The study recommends a focus on growing the renewable-energy sector by allocating resources to agriculture for bioenergy production.M. Sc. (Agriculture)Agriculture and Animal Healt