Analysing writing competence of learners in selected secondary schools in Zimbabwe
- Dube, Precious https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9715-4609
- Authors: Dube, Precious https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9715-4609
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: English language -- Composition and exercises , English language -- Rhetoric
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21246 , vital:47436
- Description: Writing has been identified as one of the most essential skills that learners require for their personal development and academic success because the world has become so text-oriented. However, learning to master writing skills is a problem that learners face in Zimbabwean secondary schools. Subsequently, the purpose of this study was to analyse the writing competence of learners in selected secondary schools in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Using some aspects of the product-process approach and the cognitive process theory of writing, the study intended to assess the level of writing competence of learners in selected schools in Zimbabwe. The study followed a qualitative approach and adopted a case study research design. A purposive selected sample for the interviews consisted of 40 learners and 8 teachers. Another set of data were collected through document analysis. Both sets of data were analysed thematically. Findings indicated that the secondary school learners in Zimbabwe had challenges related to contextualising the topic, coherence and cohesion. The results further revealed that the language of instruction had an effect on the writing competence of learners and primary school background influenced competence later in secondary schools. The results also showed that although competent and not-so-competent learners shared some similar writing strategies, most of the strategies they used when writing were different. It was also noted that most secondary school teachers did not teach writing skills and most of their teaching methods were teacher centred and therefore unlikely to promote competence in learners. The researcher recommended professional training courses and workshops for teachers, which would help them to teach learners to become competent in writing and in incorporation of ICT in the learning of English Language in secondary schools. It was further recommended that learners should be trained and encouraged to develop a culture of reading, as this is likely to effectively promote their writing skills. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
- Authors: Dube, Precious https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9715-4609
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: English language -- Composition and exercises , English language -- Rhetoric
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21246 , vital:47436
- Description: Writing has been identified as one of the most essential skills that learners require for their personal development and academic success because the world has become so text-oriented. However, learning to master writing skills is a problem that learners face in Zimbabwean secondary schools. Subsequently, the purpose of this study was to analyse the writing competence of learners in selected secondary schools in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Using some aspects of the product-process approach and the cognitive process theory of writing, the study intended to assess the level of writing competence of learners in selected schools in Zimbabwe. The study followed a qualitative approach and adopted a case study research design. A purposive selected sample for the interviews consisted of 40 learners and 8 teachers. Another set of data were collected through document analysis. Both sets of data were analysed thematically. Findings indicated that the secondary school learners in Zimbabwe had challenges related to contextualising the topic, coherence and cohesion. The results further revealed that the language of instruction had an effect on the writing competence of learners and primary school background influenced competence later in secondary schools. The results also showed that although competent and not-so-competent learners shared some similar writing strategies, most of the strategies they used when writing were different. It was also noted that most secondary school teachers did not teach writing skills and most of their teaching methods were teacher centred and therefore unlikely to promote competence in learners. The researcher recommended professional training courses and workshops for teachers, which would help them to teach learners to become competent in writing and in incorporation of ICT in the learning of English Language in secondary schools. It was further recommended that learners should be trained and encouraged to develop a culture of reading, as this is likely to effectively promote their writing skills. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
Parenting and moral behaviour: an exploration of young mothers raising children in golf course, Alice, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Nyatanga, Georgina
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Parenting , Child rearing
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22339 , vital:52027
- Description: Regardless of the efforts that have been put forward to reduce adolescent pregnancies on a global scale, the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is still on the rise, and this has ultimately led to young motherhood to be a common feature in many societies, South Africa inclusive. A number of factors have contributed towards the parenting capacity of young mothers to nurture their children towards developing warranted behavior to be questioned. Owing to this, this study embarked on a journey to explore how young motherhood influences the development of immoral or unwarranted behavior in children in Golf Course, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Informed by the theoretical lenses of the Moral Development Theory, Social Learning Theory, and the Systems Theory; the study aimed to answer the following questions: (i) How does young motherhood influence the development of immoral behavior in children? (ii) What are the types of immoral behaviors that children raised by young mothers are involved in? (iii) What are the possible strategies that can be implemented to curb the prevalence of immoral behavior in children raised by young mothers? The study adopted a qualitative research approach with a case study research design. Data was collected through in depths interviews from the young mothers and key informants. A semi structured interview schedule was used as a data collection instrument. Non-probability sampling technique was used, and the sample of the study was obtained through purposive sampling. Twenty-five participants (twenty young mothers and five key informants) were recruited to participate in the study using the fore mentioned technique. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The study revealed the following aspects: young mothers are confronted with a number of challenges which affect their parenting capacity and nurturing of their children; a majority of children raised by young mothers in Golf Course exhibit a number of unwarranted behavior which is influenced by their family situation and the nature of parenting they receive; lastly training in parenting, availability of child protection services and development of support group services for young mothers were identified as the strategies that can be employed to reduce the development of unwarranted behavior in children raised by young mothers. Based on the findings, the study recommends that government entities together with non-governmental social service providers provide the financial, social support and mental support to young mothers to empower and capacitate them so that they can be able to adopt positive parenting skills which are necessary towards nurturing warranted behavior in children. The study also recommends that young mothers must be conscious of their lifestyle and life choices as these have a direct impact on the behavior of their children. The study concludes that if the conditions of children raised by young mothers are to be enhanced, the prevalence of immoral or unwarranted behavior amongst children raised by young mothers will drop drastically. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
- Authors: Nyatanga, Georgina
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Parenting , Child rearing
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22339 , vital:52027
- Description: Regardless of the efforts that have been put forward to reduce adolescent pregnancies on a global scale, the prevalence of adolescent pregnancy is still on the rise, and this has ultimately led to young motherhood to be a common feature in many societies, South Africa inclusive. A number of factors have contributed towards the parenting capacity of young mothers to nurture their children towards developing warranted behavior to be questioned. Owing to this, this study embarked on a journey to explore how young motherhood influences the development of immoral or unwarranted behavior in children in Golf Course, Alice, Eastern Cape, South Africa. Informed by the theoretical lenses of the Moral Development Theory, Social Learning Theory, and the Systems Theory; the study aimed to answer the following questions: (i) How does young motherhood influence the development of immoral behavior in children? (ii) What are the types of immoral behaviors that children raised by young mothers are involved in? (iii) What are the possible strategies that can be implemented to curb the prevalence of immoral behavior in children raised by young mothers? The study adopted a qualitative research approach with a case study research design. Data was collected through in depths interviews from the young mothers and key informants. A semi structured interview schedule was used as a data collection instrument. Non-probability sampling technique was used, and the sample of the study was obtained through purposive sampling. Twenty-five participants (twenty young mothers and five key informants) were recruited to participate in the study using the fore mentioned technique. Thematic analysis was used to analyze the collected data. The study revealed the following aspects: young mothers are confronted with a number of challenges which affect their parenting capacity and nurturing of their children; a majority of children raised by young mothers in Golf Course exhibit a number of unwarranted behavior which is influenced by their family situation and the nature of parenting they receive; lastly training in parenting, availability of child protection services and development of support group services for young mothers were identified as the strategies that can be employed to reduce the development of unwarranted behavior in children raised by young mothers. Based on the findings, the study recommends that government entities together with non-governmental social service providers provide the financial, social support and mental support to young mothers to empower and capacitate them so that they can be able to adopt positive parenting skills which are necessary towards nurturing warranted behavior in children. The study also recommends that young mothers must be conscious of their lifestyle and life choices as these have a direct impact on the behavior of their children. The study concludes that if the conditions of children raised by young mothers are to be enhanced, the prevalence of immoral or unwarranted behavior amongst children raised by young mothers will drop drastically. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
Socio-cultural factors influencing the interpretation of public health communication of HIV/AIDS messages in selected villages in Lesotho
- Authors: Moqasa, Nketsi Abel
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Mass media in health education , Communication in medicine
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21235 , vital:47431
- Description: HIV/AIDS remain a major public health concern in Lesotho. The spread of the virus has increased exponentially in recent years despite concerted efforts by government to combat the pandemic through public health communication. Both the literature in health and cultural communication attributes the failure of public health messages on HIV/AIDS to resonate with the target audience to several socio-cultural factors including norms, religion and poverty. Using a qualitative research approach within the theoretical framework of the Culturally Sensitive Model of Communicating Health messages, this study investigated the socio-cultural factors influencing the interpretation of public health communication of HIV/AIDS messages in selected villages in Lesotho. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions involving participants from four villages namely, Ha-Makebe, Ha-Fusi, Ha-Foso and Maqhaka. Findings of the study revealed that various cultural factors including multiple sex partners, inconsistent use of condoms and lack of education contribute to the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. The influence of these socio-cultural factors on the understanding of public health communication varies among individuals. The results suggest that some certain socio-cultural factors prevalent in several Lesotho communities encourage people to practise unhealthy lifestyle that increases the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS. Although participants admitted that they were aware of HIV/AIDS messages, they were unanimous that they did not receive the messages as they were intended or expected suggesting that their understanding or interpretation of the messages was moderated by cultural factors. The comments provided by participants attest to the importance of culture in the acceptance and understanding of PHC messages by the target audience. The findings indicate that language and culture exert both positive and negative effects on the reception and acceptance of HIV/AIDS messages. It was also noted by chiefs that the factors aforementioned are not strongly emphasised in the public health communication campaigns aimed at eradication of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho hence, communities are severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Health workers on the other hand, confirmed that messages conveyed to communities are culturally sensitive because they consider the culture of the target audience which is Basotho.This study, therefore, recommends that public health communicators should also encourage other stakeholders who are working hard to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS to consider the implementation of socio-cultural factors when designing HIV/AIDS prevention strategies as this will allow the target audience to accept and interpret HIV/AIDS messages positively. Based on the data analysed, it was identified that there are no policies that link HIV/AIDS message design to the local culture which results in a lack of acceptance of PHC messages related to this pandemic. As noted by some participants, most HIV/AIDS messages reflect perspectives of western culture where unlike Lesotho society, some issues like language, age, poverty are not considered. Therefore, HIV/AIDS messages that reflect the culture of the target audience must be taken into consideration during the design and implementation of cultural policies and interventions. It further recommends that clear policies that deal with HIV/AIDS campaigns and culture in Lesotho be formulated. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
- Authors: Moqasa, Nketsi Abel
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Mass media in health education , Communication in medicine
- Language: English
- Type: Doctoral theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/21235 , vital:47431
- Description: HIV/AIDS remain a major public health concern in Lesotho. The spread of the virus has increased exponentially in recent years despite concerted efforts by government to combat the pandemic through public health communication. Both the literature in health and cultural communication attributes the failure of public health messages on HIV/AIDS to resonate with the target audience to several socio-cultural factors including norms, religion and poverty. Using a qualitative research approach within the theoretical framework of the Culturally Sensitive Model of Communicating Health messages, this study investigated the socio-cultural factors influencing the interpretation of public health communication of HIV/AIDS messages in selected villages in Lesotho. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions involving participants from four villages namely, Ha-Makebe, Ha-Fusi, Ha-Foso and Maqhaka. Findings of the study revealed that various cultural factors including multiple sex partners, inconsistent use of condoms and lack of education contribute to the pervasiveness of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho. The influence of these socio-cultural factors on the understanding of public health communication varies among individuals. The results suggest that some certain socio-cultural factors prevalent in several Lesotho communities encourage people to practise unhealthy lifestyle that increases the chances of contracting HIV/AIDS. Although participants admitted that they were aware of HIV/AIDS messages, they were unanimous that they did not receive the messages as they were intended or expected suggesting that their understanding or interpretation of the messages was moderated by cultural factors. The comments provided by participants attest to the importance of culture in the acceptance and understanding of PHC messages by the target audience. The findings indicate that language and culture exert both positive and negative effects on the reception and acceptance of HIV/AIDS messages. It was also noted by chiefs that the factors aforementioned are not strongly emphasised in the public health communication campaigns aimed at eradication of HIV/AIDS in Lesotho hence, communities are severely impacted by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Health workers on the other hand, confirmed that messages conveyed to communities are culturally sensitive because they consider the culture of the target audience which is Basotho.This study, therefore, recommends that public health communicators should also encourage other stakeholders who are working hard to combat the spread of HIV/AIDS to consider the implementation of socio-cultural factors when designing HIV/AIDS prevention strategies as this will allow the target audience to accept and interpret HIV/AIDS messages positively. Based on the data analysed, it was identified that there are no policies that link HIV/AIDS message design to the local culture which results in a lack of acceptance of PHC messages related to this pandemic. As noted by some participants, most HIV/AIDS messages reflect perspectives of western culture where unlike Lesotho society, some issues like language, age, poverty are not considered. Therefore, HIV/AIDS messages that reflect the culture of the target audience must be taken into consideration during the design and implementation of cultural policies and interventions. It further recommends that clear policies that deal with HIV/AIDS campaigns and culture in Lesotho be formulated. , Thesis (PhD) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
The effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crises on child welfare: a case of Chitungwiza Town
- Authors: Midzi, Tendai
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Child welfare -- Economic aspects , Crisis management -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22401 , vital:52045
- Description: This study examined the effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children (analysed in terms of two indicators of health and education) in Chitungwiza. The study endeavoured to achieve the following specific objectives: (i).to assess the effect of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. (ii). to examine child support strategies that are implemented to sustain children during economic crisis in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. The economic exigencies and shocks spawned by economic crisis on the weak welfare systems of the developing world countries drastically undermine the wellbeing of children. Therefore, this study focused on analysing the economic crises-spawned form and scale of child vulnerabilities at the household and national level because these units provide primary child care in Zimbabwe. This study was underpinned by two frameworks namely, the Social Risk Management Approach (SRMA) and the Transformative Social Protection Framework (T.S.P). The study used a mixed methods or triangulation approach, through use of primary data (quantitative and qualitative data) and secondary data (archival data) as the basis for data collection as well as the analysis. This was guided by a mixed research design specifically a case study and a mini survey. Complementarity of the research methods was achieved through the use of data from household surveys with 100 heads of households (selected through a combination cluster and random sampling) in Chitungwiza Town and in-depth interviews with 1 official from each of the following units; Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Public Service Labor, and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Child care, UNICEF, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and Child Line Zimbabwe (selected through a purposive sampling technique). Data was analyzed qualitatively through thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data through the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 25) and Microsoft Excel 2007. The study revealed that there are so many child vulnerabilities entrenched by the country’s chronic economic crisis that include poor education and health outcomes, drug abuse and juvenile delinquency, early pregnancies and child marriages, child labour and exploitation among others. Social safety nets in place such as BEAM, AMTO and HSCT are to some extent helping vulnerable children but currently these are not covering a significant percentage of children from poor households due to budget, capacity and fund appropriation challenges at the behest of the country’s economic crisis. Household child support strategies such as smallholder agriculture and gardening, informal trading and jobs are to some extent helping in promoting child wellbeing but their potential is undercut by challenges relating to inter alia the hyperinflationary economic environment, regulation and suppressed markets. The study inter alia recommends the institution of transparency and accountability as provided in the 2013 constitution to curb leakages and misallocation of the few resources, the reinstatement of the multicurrency monetary system in order to stabilise the country’s hyperinflationary environment, a transformation of the delivery of social safety nets in terms of targeting and coverage of the poor households, more effective budgeting and resource allocation system, supporting the informal sector and enhanced integration of social work practise in government social protection programs. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
- Authors: Midzi, Tendai
- Date: 2021-01
- Subjects: Child welfare -- Economic aspects , Crisis management -- Economic aspects
- Language: English
- Type: Master's theses , text
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/22401 , vital:52045
- Description: This study examined the effects of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children (analysed in terms of two indicators of health and education) in Chitungwiza. The study endeavoured to achieve the following specific objectives: (i).to assess the effect of Zimbabwe’s economic crisis on the welfare of children in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. (ii). to examine child support strategies that are implemented to sustain children during economic crisis in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe. The economic exigencies and shocks spawned by economic crisis on the weak welfare systems of the developing world countries drastically undermine the wellbeing of children. Therefore, this study focused on analysing the economic crises-spawned form and scale of child vulnerabilities at the household and national level because these units provide primary child care in Zimbabwe. This study was underpinned by two frameworks namely, the Social Risk Management Approach (SRMA) and the Transformative Social Protection Framework (T.S.P). The study used a mixed methods or triangulation approach, through use of primary data (quantitative and qualitative data) and secondary data (archival data) as the basis for data collection as well as the analysis. This was guided by a mixed research design specifically a case study and a mini survey. Complementarity of the research methods was achieved through the use of data from household surveys with 100 heads of households (selected through a combination cluster and random sampling) in Chitungwiza Town and in-depth interviews with 1 official from each of the following units; Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, the Ministry of Public Service Labor, and Social Welfare, Ministry of Health and Child care, UNICEF, the National Social Security Authority (NSSA) and Child Line Zimbabwe (selected through a purposive sampling technique). Data was analyzed qualitatively through thematic analysis, while descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data through the use of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences, Version 25) and Microsoft Excel 2007. The study revealed that there are so many child vulnerabilities entrenched by the country’s chronic economic crisis that include poor education and health outcomes, drug abuse and juvenile delinquency, early pregnancies and child marriages, child labour and exploitation among others. Social safety nets in place such as BEAM, AMTO and HSCT are to some extent helping vulnerable children but currently these are not covering a significant percentage of children from poor households due to budget, capacity and fund appropriation challenges at the behest of the country’s economic crisis. Household child support strategies such as smallholder agriculture and gardening, informal trading and jobs are to some extent helping in promoting child wellbeing but their potential is undercut by challenges relating to inter alia the hyperinflationary economic environment, regulation and suppressed markets. The study inter alia recommends the institution of transparency and accountability as provided in the 2013 constitution to curb leakages and misallocation of the few resources, the reinstatement of the multicurrency monetary system in order to stabilise the country’s hyperinflationary environment, a transformation of the delivery of social safety nets in terms of targeting and coverage of the poor households, more effective budgeting and resource allocation system, supporting the informal sector and enhanced integration of social work practise in government social protection programs. , Thesis (MSW) -- Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, 2021
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2021-01
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