scholarly journals IMPROVING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT OF SCIENCE LEARNERS IN RURAL SCHOOLS THROUGH ASSESSMENT PRACTICES: A SOUTH AFRICAN CASE STUDY

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 523-531
Author(s):  
Rekai Zenda ◽  
Johanna G. Ferreira
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Activity Theory ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Science Achievement ◽  
Physical Sciences ◽  
Informal Assessment ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Group Interviews

This research was embarked on to explore the underperformance of Physical Sciences learners and the subsequent increasing unpopularity of the subject in South African rural schools. As poor academic achievement in science is a concern in many countries and not only in South Africa, qualitative research was undertaken to determine whether assessment can contribute to the improvement of learners’ academic achievement in this particular school subject. The research uses the Cultural and Historical Activity Theory as theoretical lens to analyse how assessment can improve the academic achievement of learners. Data were collected by means of face-to-face interviews with teachers, school principals and subject advisers, the “community” as advocated by the Activity Theory, while focus-group interviews were held with the learners who are the “subjects” in the Activity Theory. Verbatim findings highlight the views of participants and reveal that though efforts are made to incorporate a variety of informal assessment methods, key issues such as poor formulation of questions, weak comprehension skills and unsatisfactory interpretation of questions, remain a problem. Based on these findings, recommendations for improvement are proposed. Key words: case study; improving science achievement; physical sciences assessment; rural schools

scholarly journals The knowledge and perceptions of history students of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC)

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Oelofse ◽  
A Oosthuysen
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Research Method ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation Commission ◽  
Mixed Method Research ◽  
Reconciliation Commission ◽  
Truth And Reconciliation ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
The University

Using the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of South Africa (TRC) and the concept of reconciliation as a case study, the article attempts to assess the knowledge and understanding of the registered undergraduate history students at the University of the Free State’s main campus about the TRC and the concept and process of reconciliation in the country at large. The research will firstly assess whether the younger generation of students, specifically students taking history as a subject, have any knowledge of such a significant and contemporary event in South African historiography as the TRC process. Secondly, in relation to the aims and recommendations of the TRC and against the background of reconciliation efforts in the country, to perceive the views and thoughts of undergraduate history students on the progress in reconciliation endeavours in South Africa. As a result, a sample of 128 undergraduate history students was randomly selected to complete a quantitative questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of both closed and open-ended questions. Group interviews, as a qualitative research method, were added and used to conduct interviews with 16 undergraduate history students selected randomly and answers were recorded. Accordingly, an explanatory mixed- method research method approach was employed by implementing both the qualitative and quantitative method.

scholarly journals Barriers to Professional Recognition: Experiences of Zimbabwean Engineers in South Africa

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Splagchna Ngoni Chikarara
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Accreditation Process ◽  
Professional Association ◽  
African Continent ◽  
Professional Engineer ◽  
Professional Recognition ◽  
Group Interviews

This paper discusses the challenges faced by Zimbabwean engineers as they strive for professional recognition in South Africa. A case study of Zimbabwean engineers is used as an example to explore how a South African professional association dealt with an inflow of migrant professionals from within the African continent. Data was collected through semi-structured individual and group interviews. The findings reveal that the process to become a licenced professional engineer was ambiguous, highly subjective, unnecessarily long, and complex. Furthermore, the Engineering Council of South Africa’s re-accreditation process under-valued their working experience and educational qualifications. Despite being employed in very senior positions for at least three years at the time of the interviews, the participants in this study were not registered as professional engineers. Thus, I argue that the Engineering Council of South Africa is mainly concerned with protecting the interests of the powerful elite in the profession.

scholarly journals Parental involvement in raising Grade 12 achievement in South African rural secondary schools

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 ◽  
pp. 91-99
Author(s):  
Paul Karel Triegaardt ◽  
Veronica Mapaseka Monamoledi
Keyword(s):  
Academic Achievement ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Parental Involvement ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Literacy Skills ◽  
Mpumalanga Province ◽  
The Right ◽  
South African Schools Act

The South African Schools Act No.84 of 1996 obliges parents to bring their children to school from the first day of their schooling. This means that the legislation gives parents the right to be fully involved in their children’s education for better academic achievement. This study examined parental involvement in raising Grade 12 achievement in South African rural schools. A qualitative study was done at three secondary schools in the Mkhuhlu circuit in the Bohlabela region of the Mpumalanga Province. Data were collected in the form of interviews from the principal, teachers, parents and Grade 12 learners at each of the three schools. The study found that at all three schools, parents were not aware of their importance to motivate learners to learn, the need to attend school regularly and the development of their own literacy skills to raise the results in Grade 12. Therefore, the study recommends that parents must be empowered by both teachers and principals in order for them to be able to execute their roles effectively.

scholarly journals Becoming a (male) foundation phase teacher: A need in South African schools?

2014 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nontokoza Mashiya
Keyword(s):  
Teacher Education ◽  
South African ◽  
Male Students ◽  
Focus Group Interviews ◽  
Young Learners ◽  
Self Confidence ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Preparedness To Teach ◽  
Over Time

This paper reports on a case study of male foundation phase pre-service students who were among the first cohort to specialise in the foundation phase since the inception of the programme at one South African university. The students reported on their experiences of teaching in a female-dominated field and their views about their preparedness to teach in the field. This qualitative study is interpretive in nature. Using purposive sampling, eighteen students were sampled from a population of twenty. Data was generated through focus group interviews and then analysed and categorised. The patterns across categories showed that the pre-service teachers had faced an unwelcoming environment in the schools at the outset, but that this changed over time. Some parents were negative about male teachers in the foundation phase. However, the pre-service teachers were able to work hard and show that they can work with foundation phase learners. The study concluded that male students who enter foundation phase teacher education programmes need a lot of encouragement to boost their self-confidence and to realise the important role they can play in working with young children in a country where many young learners grow up in fatherless homes.

scholarly journals Local Community Participation and Responsible Tourism Practices in Ecotourism Destination: A Case of Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (23) ◽  
pp. 13302
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kim Lian Chan ◽  
Kamarul Mizal Marzuki ◽  
Tini Maizura Mohtar
Keyword(s):  
Community Participation ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Limited Participation ◽  
Work Related ◽  
Key Issues ◽  
Group Interviews ◽  
Lower Kinabatangan ◽  
Responsible Tourism

Recognizing the importance of local community participation in responsible tourism and its benefits, this case study explores and analyses the local community participation and responsible tourism practices at Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, a premier ecotourism destination from the stakeholders’ perspectives. It also describes the perception and attitudes towards tourism development including the key issues and challenges faced by the local communities. The case study adopted multiple methods involving focus-group interviews and survey questionnaires with the respective local communities residing in Lower Kinabatangan. Findings reveal that local communities recognized that Lower Kinabatangan has great potential to be developed as a sustainable ecotourism destination and to generate economic benefit. Despite this, there is limited participation of local communities in ecotourism development and responsible tourism practices among the local communities. The socio-economic demographic of the local community shows that only 42.4% of respondents have work related to tourism activities. Lack of capital and knowledge in tourism activities are the key barriers for local participation in ecotourism development. For Lower Kinabatangan to be a sustainable ecotourism destination, the participation and engagement of the local community and the practices of responsible tourism can no longer be ignored.

The Socio-Economic Challenges of South African Indigenous Musicians: A Case Study of Venda-Based Vho-Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo

2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
N G Mugovhani ◽  
Lebogang Lance Nawa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
South African ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Cultural Policy ◽  
Qualitative Case Study ◽  
Arts Management ◽  
Black South African ◽  
Indigenous Music ◽  
Entire Country

This article discusses and raises awareness about the socio-economic plight of indigenous musicians in South Africa. Through a qualitative case study of the Venda musician, Vho-Talelani Andries Ntshengedzeni Mamphodo, dubbed the “Father of mbila music,” the article highlights the fact that the welfare of Black South African artists, particularly indigenous musicians in South Africa, is generally a precarious affair. Their popularity, at the height of their careers, sometimes masks shocking details of exploitation, neglect, and the poverty they are subjected to, which are exposed only after they have died. Empirical data identifies this as a symptom of, among other things, cultural policy and arts management deficiencies in the promotion of indigenous music. The article aims to find ways to redress this unfortunate situation, which is partially a product of general apathy and scant regard that these artists have perennially been subjected to, even by their own governments, as well as some members of their societies. All these factors mentioned are compounded by ignorance on the part of South African artists. Part of the objective of this study was to establish whether the exposition of the Vhavenda musicians is a typical example of all Black South African indigenous musicians and, if this is the case, whether the suggested ways to redress this unfortunate situation could contribute to or play a role in alleviating the plight of such artists in the entire country.

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