scholarly journals AUTOETHNOGRAPHIC VIEW OF SOUTH AFRICAN SOCIAL WORK EDUCATORS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: HIGHLIGHTING SOCIAL (IN)JUSTICE

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (4) ◽  
pp. 393-409
Author(s):  
Nevashnee Perumal ◽  
Roshini Pillay ◽  
Zibonele France Zimba ◽  
Mbongeni Sithole ◽  
Marichen Van der Westhuizen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Social Work ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Social Work Educators ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Social Work Theory ◽  
Critical Social Work ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Pedagogy Of Discomfort ◽  
Institutional Relationships

COVID-19 has exposed the inequalities and polarisation of South African communities and institutions of higher learning on the continuum of privilege. As nine social work educators, we share our reflections on how we traversed the higher education space during the beginning of the pandemic, using an autoethnography lens, with the pedagogy of discomfort and critical social work theory as the threads in the complex tapestry of our stories. We describe our orientations as social work educators, the successes, challenges, and recommendations on reimagining and reframing learning and teaching in relation to student-institutional relationships, boundaries and support.

scholarly journals Investigating The Challenges Of E-Learning In A Developing Institution Of Higher Learning: A Hypothetical Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 83-96
Author(s):  
Albert Tchey Agbenyegah ◽  
Bongani Innocent Dlamini
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Internet Technologies ◽  
Learning And Teaching ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Part Time ◽  
E Learning ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Higher Institutions

The popularity of e-learning (EL) largely infiltrated into every sector of South African institutions of higher learning. This growing interest in EL is due to the advent of rapid internet technologies. For decades, South African institutions of higher learning have accepted EL as a vital learning tool for the enhancement of learning and teaching within the higher education sector. However, there are countless challenges that continue to hinder learning and teaching activities. This study seeks to determine the relationships between various challenges and EL capabilities through stated hypotheses. The study is a descriptive, qualitative design aided by a quantitative approach that were applied to collect data. In total 150 full and part-time ICT students including four permanent ICT lecturers participated in the study. By means of statistical methods of descriptive, inferential statistics aided by independent t-tests, three stated hypotheses were formulated and tested. The study therefore, recommends that higher institutions of learning should increase investments in various EL programs including relevant ICT infrastructure development and also in levels of connectivity. The study further recommends that EL contents should be designed taking into account the cultural characteristics of students.

scholarly journals A Systematic Review of Challenges in Research Supervision at South African Universities

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
King Costa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
South African ◽  
National Development ◽  
Research Capacity ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Postgraduate Students ◽  
Research Supervision ◽  
Knowledge Based Economy ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning

Postgraduate students in South Africa and other parts of the world, particularly in developing nations struggle to complete the research component of their studies. According to the National Development Plan ( 2013) it has become a requirement for South African institutions to play a pivotal role in knowledge production so as to transform South Africa from a resource-based economy towards a knowledge-based economy.  In pursuit of meeting this requirement and further to increase subsidy from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), South African institutions of higher learning have been on the drive for recruiting postgraduate students en masse. One of the main problems facing South African institutions is that the number of students enrolled does not correspond to those who graduate at the end of the postgraduate programme study period.  This study is a systematic review of literature on challenges in postgraduate supervision and further proposes a possible solution.  Five South African institutions of higher learning’s postgraduate throughput data is carefully studied and substantiated by previous research on postgraduate supervision challenges on these particular institutions. Study findings present challenges related to research capacity development and burden of supervision at these institutions.  Collaborative methods of supervision such as the C.O.S.T.A model are hereby proposed as possible solutions to the current throughput problem in South Africa.

Ethnicity, Tribalism, and Xenophobia in a South African Rural-Based University

2021 ◽  
pp. 152-172
Author(s):  
Mavhungu Abel Mafukata
Keyword(s):  
Social Behavior ◽  
Cultural Diversity ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
South African Government ◽  
The South ◽  
African Government ◽  
Ethnic Tensions ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
The University

The South African government has lobbied institutions of higher learning to recruit academics from across Africa to address the challenge of shortage of skills. Some universities have indeed exploited this opportunity. However, it has emerged that these nationals get to face unbearable anti-social behavior from the locals. Among others, these expatriates contend incidences of tribal-ethnic tensions and xenophobia. Multiple theories were adopted to assist the analysis. The results revealed that there was evidence of tribalism, ethnicity, and incited xenophobia at this university. Furthermore, the study found that the acts of tribalism and ethnicity cut across the university community. The study revealed that deaneries and departments reflected ethnic-tribal orientations depending on the tribes of the respective incumbents in those sections. The university should recognise that it has become a space of cultural diversity where people should be recognized outside the ethnic and tribal framework of locality.

scholarly journals ‘Selfishly backward’ or ‘selflessly forward?’: A white male’s insider perspective on a challenge and opportunity of decolonisation for practical theology in the South African context

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alfred R. Brunsdon
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Practical Theology ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Mass Action ◽  
South Africans ◽  
White Males ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Sitz Im Leben ◽  
African Context

Depending on the Sitz im Leben of practical theologian, the issue of decolonisation will be a greater or lesser reality. For South Africans, decolonisation has become a part of their daily living. Decolonisation can be regarded as a second wave of liberation in the post-apartheid South Africa. Following on the first wave, or even the tsunami of transformation, is the urgent call for the decolonisation of colonial knowledge, structures and epistemologies that endured in the new dispensation. Squarely in the aim of decolonisation efforts are institutions of higher learning and by implication all disciplines taught there, including theology. The non-negotiability of the decolonisation of higher education is evident in the recurring violent protests and mass action, as expressed in different ‘#must-fall’ campaigns over the last few years. This article argues that the current decolonisation drive in South Africa is urging local practical theologians to make an important choice, namely to move ‘selfishly backward’ or ‘selflessly forward’. In other words, maintaining current practices or exploring alternatives in a new context. This choice is embedded in the reality that a significant number of practical theologians in South Africa are white males that may, from a decolonisation perspective, be deemed part of the colonisation legacy. Against this background, the article attempts to provide a reflective insider’s perspective on a challenge and opportunity this creates for practical theology.

A Contextualized Model for Virtual Learning in Higher Institutions

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 60-81
Author(s):  
Mmatshuene Anna Segooa ◽  
Billy Mathias Kalema
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
South African ◽  
Virtual Learning ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
University Of Technology ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Mind Set ◽  
Higher Institutions ◽  
Different Levels

This study aimed at designing a contextualized Virtual Learning model that suits South African institutions of higher learning. The study identified factors necessary for contextualizing VLE to fit the student's perspective in developing countries. Literature was reviewed to identify the contextualizing factors, based on which a research model was designed and validated using data collected from students at different levels of learning at Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa. The study used quantitative approach and the data was analysed using statistical package called Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results indicated that, compatibility, complexity, technological factors, organisational and environmental issues as well as mind-set are significant factors for VLEs contextualization. This study contributes theoretically by bridging the gap in literature and apposite model informing the development of VLEs in developing countries. Practically, the findings of this study will be leveraged by institutions of higher learning that want to implement VLEs within their settings.

(Un)feasibility of FeesMustFall Campaign From a Political Economy Perspectives

2019 ◽  
pp. 153-175
Author(s):  
Ndwakhulu Stephen Tshishonga
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Slow Pace ◽  
Poor Students ◽  
The Poor ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
History Of ◽  
African Student ◽  
The Government

The FeesMustFall campaign since October 2015 has grown to be one of the biggest movements ever witnessed in the history of South African student politics. Similarly to the struggle waged by 1976 youth against the dominance of Afrikaans as the medium of instruction, FMF challenges the current government and universities to provide free, quality, and decolonized higher education. Considering the slow pace of economic growth, the realization of free and quality education might be an impossible dream. Thus, dropping the fees seems to be a financial relieve to the poor students, but not the panacea to challenges faced by institutions of higher learning. FMF movement challenges both the government and ANC leadership to walk the talk by implementing policies and resolutions taken to transform higher education from declining. The question is, What are the costs and benefit of free education as advocated through FeesMustFall campaign? Can South Africa afford sustainable free education without compromising other areas of need?

Ecological University for Transformative and Critical Intellectual Capital Advancement and Scholarship in South Africa

2019 ◽  
pp. 64-85
Author(s):  
Ndwakhulu Stephen Tshishonga
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Ecological Model ◽  
Transformational Change ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
New Order ◽  
Societal Challenges ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Key Stakeholders ◽  
South African Universities ◽  
The University

This chapter interrogates an ecological model of university as a framework to understanding evolving roles played by institutions of higher learning, particularly universities, thus including their implications for a wider society transformational change. Barnett has explored various models ranging from the metaphysical, scientific, entrepreneurial, and bureaucratic to liquid, therapeutic, authentic, and ecological models. The author further argues that being and becoming ecological is a huge project, as it takes the university into a new order of being. A university within this model becomes an entity that constantly engages with itself and its adjacent environment in order to remain relevant and be part of the solutions to the societal challenges. In this chapter, case studies from the South African universities were used as the research technique, including selected interviews with key stakeholders in the higher education sector.

The Ambit of Ethics in the South African Academic Institutions

2021 ◽  
pp. 24-58
Author(s):  
Xolani Mathews Shange
Keyword(s):  
South African ◽  
Higher Learning ◽  
Historically White ◽  
Freedom Of Association ◽  
Black African ◽  
Institutions Of Higher Learning ◽  
Postgraduate Studies ◽  
Higher Institutions ◽  
African Intellectuals ◽  
Ethical Clearance

The chapter examines possible use of instruments and processes such as ethical clearance in the institutions of higher learning as subtle means of perpetuating inequality and racial prejudice towards the indigenous people of South Africa who had recently emerged from the scourge of apartheid with a hope of democracy ultimately providing not only freedom of association and speech, but also intellectual freedom. Freedom to produce African-based knowledge by Black African intellectuals pursuing their postgraduate studies and academics whose careers are at formative stages. However, their vision of becoming producers of African Indigenous knowledge is thwarted by subtle and invisible activities that are aimed at perpetuate coloniality in the higher institutions of learning. Sadly, ethical clearance process has possibly been utilized to derail research outputs that some of the old guard from historically white universities are uncomfortable to witness, thus continuing to maintain the colonial status quo.

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