Browsing by Title
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Siphambe, H.K. (Blackwell Publishing Ltd, www.blackwellpublishing.com, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Using the most recent Household Income and Expenditure Survey data (2002/2003), this paper presents current rates of return to education for Botswana. The results show that the rates of return have in general declined by one percentage point on average between the periods as shown in Table 2. If we, however, look at the averages for the different school cycles, the fall in the average rates is quite significant at about six percentage points between the periods. The biggest fall is for secondary education, especially upper secondary education, which fell by 28 percentage points between the periods. The rates of return to tertiary education, however, rose by more than 50 percentage points. Ignoring upper secondary, the pattern of rates of return has remained similar to the results of the study based on the 1993/1994 data. Rates are higher for tertiary education and lower for secondary than for primary education. This results are still consistent with rates of return generally rising with level of education. At policy level, the results continue to support sharing of costs between Government and beneficiaries or their parents especially at tertiary education level. Second, the results indicate the need for the country to continue to vigorously pursue job creation and reorient the education system from emphasis on white collar jobs. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/984 Files in this item: 1
Siphambe_SAJE_2008.pdf (599.9Kb) -
Magwaza, A.O.; Meijboom, R.; Muller, A.; Mavunkal, I.J. (Elsevier B.V. www.elsevier.com/locate/ica, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Mono- and bis-substituted phosphite complexes [Ru3(CO)12 x Lx] (L = tris(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite; x = 1, 2) were synthesized by simple substitution reactions, and were characterized by spectroscopic methods. The monosubstituted ruthenium complex disproportionates in acetone producing a mononuclear ruthenium complex as one of the decomposition products. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis established the molecular structure of this new compound. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/259 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Adeyemi, D.A. (IJSRE, http://www.ijsre.com, March NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Recently, the reading-writing connection has come into focus as an area that can be exploited to address English as a second language (ESL) writing skills development. This is because various studies have identified ESL writing as being grossly inadequate both at the junior secondary, senior secondary and college levels in Botswana and elsewhere in Africa where English is learned as a second language (L2). Even in situations where English is taught as the first language (L1), the problem of writing persists. This paper discusses ESL composition teaching and learning issues by looking at the integration of reader-response based pedagogy with process writing as a way of improving the learning and teaching of composition writing skills at the junior secondary school level in Botswana. The paper also discusses the implications of this strategy in writing pedagogy and the procedure for its use in composition writing skills development. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1013 Files in this item: 1
Adeyemi_IJSE_2011.pdf (688.4Kb) -
Arua, E.A.; Arua, C.E. (International Reading Association, www.reading.org/, NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Reports of the poor reading culture of Batswana appear periodically in the popular media, especially the newspapers (see Baputaki, 2006; Hosia, 2007; Seboni & Swartland, 2009). These impressionistic reports speak of an alarming deterioration in the culture of reading in Botswana. In the sense in which it is employed, “poor reading culture” means lack of a reading habit among children, adolescents, and adults, both educated and illiterate. The label thus encompasses complete illiteracy, functional illiteracy, and aliteracy (Sisulu, 2004). Without supporting evidence, the poor reading culture label is difficult to justify for any population group in Botswana. Consequently, we, in this article, investigate the holiday reading behavior of some junior secondary school students in the country to ascertain the extent to which the label applies to them. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1014 Files in this item: 1
Arua_JAAL_2011.pdf (963.1Kb) -
Kumar, R.A.; Raizada, M. (BONELA, www.bonela.org, NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: HIV continues to spread throughout the world, posing increasing challenges to human rights, at both national and global levels. The epidermic continues to be marked by discrimination against certain population groups; those who live on the fringes of the society or who are assumed to be at risk because of their behaviour, race, ethnicity and sexual orientation, gender or social characteristics that are stigmatised in a particular society. As the number of people living with HIV/AIDS continues to grow in nations with different economies, social structures and legal systems, HIV/AIDS related human rights issues are not only becoming noticeable, but also increasingly diverse. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/868 Files in this item: 1
Kumar_BRELH2_2008.pdf (1.629Mb) -
Majinda, R.R.T; Abegaz, B.M.; Bezabih, M.; Ngadjui, B.T; Wanjala, C.C.W.; Mdee, L.K.; Bojase, G.; Silayo, A.; Masesane, I.; Yeboah, S.O. (IUPAC. http://www.iupac.org/publications/pac/, NaN, 2001)[more][less]
Abstract: Marketed plants are very important items of trade in many parts of the world. The community uses these for a variety of purposes such as foods, cosmetics, flavors, spices, and medicines. It seems that plants that are used for medicinal purposes form the most common category. Four plants used for treatment of microbial infections, viz., Bolusanthus speciosus, Erythrina latissima, Crotalaria podocarpa, and Elephantorrhiza goetzei, were investigated, and these yielded several known and novel structures, some with appreciable antibiotic activity against the test organisms. The activity of some of the isolated plants and the parts of the plant from which these were obtained lend support to their traditional use. Bulbine abyssinica and B. capitata yielded phenylanthraquinones, some of which were shown to possess strong antiplasmodial activity. In addition, these yielded isofuranonaphthoquinones, which were also found to be weakly antiplasmodial and antioxidant. Scilla nervosa yielded several known and novel homoisoflavoinds of the 3-benzylchroman-4-ones and 3-benzylidinechroman- 4-one type, as well as some stilbenoids. The homoisoflavonoids showed strong antitumor activity against various cancer cell lines. Rhus pyroides gave a novel bichalcone, which showed weak antifeedant activity, consistent with the observation by farmers that the plant was avoided by corn cricket. Results from investigated Dorstenia species originating from Cameroon, Ethiopia, and Tanzania yielded styrenes, coumarins, chalcones, and flavonoids. The chalcones and flavonoids showed various levels of prenylation or geranylation, and an observation made so far is that prenylated flavonoids are only found in Dorstenia species of African origin. The only example of a bis-geranylated chalcone is found in Dorstenia. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/308 Files in this item: 1
Recent results from.pdf (4.630Mb) -
Mnjama, N. (Sage Publications http://idv.sagepub.com, NaN, 2003)[more][less]
Abstract: Seeks to demonstrate that successful implementation of Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation is directly linked to effective and efficient records keeping regimes. Where records keeping systems are poor or ineffective, the implementation of FOI will either be problematic or fail to achieve the desired results. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/250 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)Mnjama_ID_2003.pdf (1.112Mb) -
Segobye, A.K. (Routledge (Taylor and Francis) www.routledge.com, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The colonial and postcolonial experiences of Africans reflect the myriad changes which African societies have undergone over the last few centuries. These include cultural, political and economic transformations mainly carried through formal education and the entrenching of western knowledge and technologies. The material and ideological changes were facilitated by a number of factors which varied over time and place. Formal education via religious missions became one of the tools for accelerated cultural transformation. It instilled new values and cultural aspirations for Africans caught in the complexities of colonial life. Education became the main vehicle for many forms of liberation from poverty, oppression and the inequities oflife. It offered an escape from what was perceived as the inadequacies of African knowledge systems creating new classes and voices within African societies. University education, as and when it became accessible to Africans, was invariably laden with multiple expectations for those who gained entry from their families and the wider communities within which they lived. The university thus became a complex landscape steeped in often contradictory aspirations including the transformation of individual and collective ideas. For some, it marked the attainment of a position of superiority, elite status, and often new forms of power, whilst for others it was a place of learning and enlightenment, associated with the creation of new liberties, and tools for realising broader freedoms. The idea of transformation in the university in Africa can thus be situated in the contradictions and opportunities that university education in Africa has come to represent. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/741 Files in this item: 1
Segobye_SD_2007.pdf (995.1Kb) -
Tesfaye, G.; Teketay, D.; Fetene, M.; Beck, E. (Elsevier, www.elsevier.com, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: Regeneration of seven indigenous tree species having significant ecological and economic importance was investigated in the Munessa-Shashemene dry Afromontane forest (MSF), southern Ethiopia. Densities and distributions of seedlings, saplings and trees were assessed along gradients of altitude, light and disturbance using quadrat sizes of 10×5 m (for seedlings) and 20×20 m (saplings and trees) following line transects. The number of individuals, frequency and height of the study species were recorded in the quadrats at every 100 m drop in altitude. Seedling densities varied markedly among the species and altitudes. Mean densities (number of individuals ha−1) of seedlings ranged from zero (Polyscias fulva) to 5334 (Prunus africana), and from three (Polyscias fulva) to 102 (Podocarpus falcatus) for trees and saplings. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed that seedlings of Celtis africana and Croton macrostachyus were highly favored by disturbance and, hence, were concentrated in canopy gaps within the forest. Based on their population structures, the study species could be categorized into three groups: (1) Species that showed the highest proportion of individuals in the lowest height class and with a gradual decrease towards the upper height classes, which suggests good regeneration; Podocarpus falcatus, C. africana, C. macrostachys and P. africana belonged to this group. (2) Species that showed higher proportions of individuals in the lowest height class and with missing individuals in the subsequent middle height classes, indicative of hampered regeneration; Syzygium guineense and Pouteria adolfi-friederici belonged to this group. (3) Species with no individuals in the lowest and middle height classes but represented by individuals in upper height classes; P. fulva belonged to this group. The species categorized in the last two groups exhibited hampered regeneration, and P. fulva is in the verge of local extermination. High seedling densities (e.g. C. africana and P. africana) and/or adaptive defense mechanisms to herbivory (e.g. P. falcatus and C. macrostachyus) were common attributes of species, which exhibited good regeneration. Regeneration problems were largely attributed to human disturbance, lack of suitable habitat for seed germination or problems associated to seed set (seed predation or abortion). Our study indicated that P. fulva, P. adolfi-friederici and S. guineense require the highest immediate attention for conservation in the MSF. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/827 Files in this item: 1
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Temtime, Z.T.; Shunda, J.P.W. (Science Publications / ANSI Journals; http://www.ansijournals.com/3/c4p.php?id=1&theme=3&jid=itj, June NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: The relationship between the degree of information technology usage, company size and its strategic planning practices has critical implications for sustainability of firm competitiveness. However the relationship has been conceptualised and operationalised in relation to only large firms. Only a few studies have attempted to examine the nature of this relationship in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. This article examines three things: (1) the perception of SMEs about the role of IT in firm competitiveness, (2) the planning behaviour and practices of SMEs, and (3) the relationship between SMEs IT usage and planning behaviour. Data were collected from 44 SMEs in the Republic of Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/198 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)temtime_PJIT_2002.pdf (2.582Mb) -
Makgala, C.J. (Oxford university press/www.oup.com, NaN, 2005)[more][less]
Abstract: This article assesses the weaknesses of opposition in Botswana through the case of Kenneth Koma, the influential President of the Botswana National Front (BNF) from 1977 to 2001. This is done by examining the perception that from 1997 Koma’s relationship with the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) destabilized and weakened the opposition in the country. The article challenges a view, held by some of his detractors in the opposition, that his leadership style was out of tune with global trends. It also argues that what some people have viewed as ‘tribalism’ — the domination of the BDP leadership by members of the Bangwato tribe (of which Koma is also a member) — seems to be primarily a matter of expediency. This alleged tribalism is used by Koma’s critics as a smear. The article analyzes the relationship between Koma and the BDP at both political and personal levels. At the political level, Koma’s failure to keep the BNF united has been capitalized on by the BDP to tighten its grip on power. At the personal level, Koma has used his connections in the BDP to advantage in his business dealings. Koma’s cult status and his personal and political choices have therefore significantly contributed to de facto one-party rule in Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/505 Files in this item: 1
Makgala_AA_2005.pdf (2.367Mb) -
Magogwe, J.M. (University of Botswana, www.ub.bw, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: This article is about the relationship between proficiency, gender and self-efficacy beliefs. It further says that self-efficacy beliefs are important in learning and have been found to influence learning meanwhile Univesity of Botswana first year students have been found to perform badly in English language learning. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/871 Files in this item: 1
Magogwe_MJLL_2006.pdf (1.989Mb) -
Caylor, K.K.; Dowty, P.R.; Shugart, H.H.; Ringrose, S. (November 23, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: The observed variability in vegetation structure within landscapes was used as the basis for model estimates of the range of annual productivity of landscape patches at four sites along a moisture gradient in southern Africa ranging from 879 to 365 mm mean annual rainfall. Principal components of patch-scale variability in leaf area, woody biomass and vertical leaf profiles were derived from intensive characterization of the small-scale spatial structure of woody vegetation at each site. For each site, the mean and extremes of the principal component distribution parameterized an ecophysiology model of vegetation productivity. Vegetation was most heterogeneous at intermediate locations along the rainfall gradient. Variability in vegetation structure led to a range of annual productivity within one site (600 mm) that accounted for 68% of the total range in mean productivity across all sites. Patch-scale estimates of tree productivity were found to be primarily correlated to annual rainfall (r2=0.66, P=0.001) and not woody leaf area (r2=0.01, P=0.75), while grass productivity was found to be related to values of woody leaf area (r2=0.77, P<0.001) and not annual rainfall (r2=0.11, P=0.29). This result indicates that life-form interactions have a significant role in controlling vegetation productivity across the rainfall gradient. The findings of this study emphasize the importance of considering heterogeneity rather than mean structure when modeling productivity, particularly when considering dynamic vegetation structure, where differences between landscape patches may not be well represented in the mean structure. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/933 Files in this item: 1
Caylor Ringrose 2004.pdf (1.770Mb) -
Thakadu, O.; Irani, T.; Telg, R. (http://www.informaworld.com, April 12, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: The present study examined the relative effectiveness of 2 public instructional communication methods in improving selected predictors of knowledge-sharing behaviors among communities in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. A total of 120 subjects took part in a quasi experimental study, with 2 experimental treatments: (a) visualized Power Point presentation and (b) verbal presentation with no visual aids. The results showed that neither method was more effective than the other. However, significant differential effects of method by grouping factor, position, were found among belief and intention measures. The study concluded that neither method was more effective, but recommended use of integrated public instructional communication methods. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/778 Files in this item: 1
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Nleya, P.T. (Athabasca University Press, http://www.aupress.ca/index.php, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The rapid growth and modernization of economies in developing countries like Botswana creates new and unmet demands for certain kinds of educated and skilled labour. The expansion of secondary and tertiary school systems has also created a problem of unemployed school leavers. The growth of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), globalization and the digital divide likewise, have together put new pressures on developing countries to accelerate their development to meet these demands. This paper reports the results of a survey that sought to assess levels of eLearning readiness, applications and trainee requirements in Botswana’s private sector. Such baseline data can inform policymakers and researchers and promote the transformation required of private sector companies to become learning organizations. The findings suggested that eLearning readiness (eReadiness) levels were moderate to low, and that archaic technology (i.e., overhead projection) was used by more than half of the private sector organizations for training (with far less than half using digital eLearning applications). While the overall findings suggested low levels of eLearning readiness, applications and trainee requirements in Botswana’s private sector, seventy percent of trainers reported that their organizations encouraged them to acquire basic computer skills to facilitate eLearning. The current eLearning situation in Botswana, and the literature reviewed, demonstrates that the integration of ICTs in both developing and developed countries was a gradual process. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) have expedited the change process in developed countries. However, several limitations are associated with such partnerships and this renders lessons for developing countries to emulate. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1046 Files in this item: 1
Nleya_CJLT_2009.pdf (2.629Mb) -
Nthomang, K. (Cambridge University Press, http://www.cambridge.org/journals/journal_catalogue.asp?mnemonic=MOA, August NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: Colonial processes continue to dominate many Indigenous peoples development programmes in countries around the world. This paper examines some of the underlying factors that contribute to continued failure in the implementation of the Remote Area Development Programme (RADP) in Botswana. It argues that it is not just failed implementation that is the problem, but a more fundamental problem found in its philosophy, which suggests relentless colonialism. This paper is based on the empirical findings of a recent study in one Basarwa settlement in Botswana and draws on the practical experience of the author. Case examples from this study are used to unravel and illustrate embedded colonial practices of the RADP. Recommendations from the findings argue for the development of a decolonising approach of development practice that may respond effectively to problems that result from this relentless colonialism. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/164 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb)nthomang_radp_ modernafricans_2003.pdf (173.3Kb) -
Oduaran, A.; Modise, O.M. (Washington State University, http://www.wsu.edu/~wjbs, NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: The Department of Out of School Education and Training, Ministry of Education and Skills Development, Republic of Botswana has been engaged in a rigorous exercise to reform the adult basic education program. In this paper, we discuss briefly how the issues of relevance, equivalence and progression have been applied to the planning process built into the adult basic education program. We argue that a suitable progression scheme is required to enable adult learners to move on to an adult relevant post-basic education program which would enable them to acquire a recognisable certificate that can help them fit into the learning society and knowledge economy being created in Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/638 Files in this item: 1
ODUARAN_WJBS_2009.pdf (2.972Mb) -
Jain, P.K.; Lungu, E.M.; Mogotsi, B. (Elsevier Science Ltd. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/09601481, January NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: Lack of trained manpower for repair and maintenance of solar energy devices in Botswana has resulted in failure of devices, loss of revenue, and dwindling of consumer faith in solar technologies. The government of Botswana commissioned a study to assess the needs for trained manpower in New and Renewable Sources of Energy (NRSE) technologies, to identify the required training programs and their levels, and the facilities that need to be upgraded and/or created for the implementation of such training programs at the existing technical and educational institutions within the country. The paper presents the findings of the study, and the recommendations made. The study proposed seven training programs at progressively increasing skills and expertise levels that include two certificate courses in each of the solar water heating and photovoltaic technologies for maintenance personnel, a national craft certificate program in solar energy technologies, a higher diploma in energy technologies for supervisory personnel, and a short course for upper management personnel in decision-making positions in order to raise their skills in the procurement of equipment and services, and to provide overall effective leadership. A short course to upgrade the skills of the present maintenance personnel to alleviate the immediate problems is also proposed. Required upgrading of existing technical training facilities, the creation of new facilities and estimated budgetary requirements constitute some of the recommendations. The recommendations have gone through various channels of discussions, and have been accepted in principle. The report is currently under consideration for implementation by relevant government departments. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/137 Files in this item: 2
license.txt (1.998Kb) -
Nenty, H.J. (Kamla-Raj Enterprises http://www.krepublishers.com, April NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: At the students’ level, researchers’ orientation tends to be undefined and hence students easily fall prey to having their orientation determined by factors other than those related to the nature of their research problems. The difficulties they experience especially in quantitative methods, biased supervisory advice, research orientations and motivational factors constitute some level of impediment to content learning, choice of research problem and to students’ views of the importance of research skills for their future work. The tendency is for them to narrow their choice of problem to only that which will suit their non-crystallized orientation. This exploratory study tried to look at such interconnected web and to determine the influence of research orientation on some research-related affective and cognitive behviour of UB graduate education students. To test the six research hypotheses posited to guide the study, data were collected from 78 UB graduate education students who registered for education research courses in 2006. These hypotheses were tested by carrying out z-test of independent proportion, chi-square analyses and one-way ANOVA statistical analyses. The results showed that a significantly higher proportion of the students prefer qualitative to quantitative research and gender has a significant influence on such preference. Research orientation was found to have significant influence on attitude towards research, research motivation, and perceived level of intellectual demand by research; but not on intention to enroll in a doctoral programme; willingness to be involved in research study; and their self-reported academic performance in research course. Problem with numbers was found to be a significant determinant of students’ research orientation. These results were discussed and recommendations made. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/732 Files in this item: 1
Nenty_JSS_2009.pdf (637.8Kb) -
Stephenson, D.; Kgomotso, A.K.; Matladi, T. (University of Botswana, NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: Water reservoir storage requirements are a function of demand and variation in inflow. The greater the variation the greater the storage required to meet a specified draft. The selected recurrence interval of failure also affects the storage required. It is found that the variation in flow increases the lower the average flow. Arid countries such as Botswana are therefore more vulnerable to drought than low mean annual flows would indicate. Rainfall and river flow records for Botswana were analyzed to produce maps that show the coefficients of variation (COV's) over the country.Examples of the use of the charts are given.The COV of river flow is significantly higher than for rainfall. This means that it is theoritically more economic to harvest rain than to attempt to store river flow. There is also less evaporation from rain tanks owing to the smaller surface area to depth ratio. However, the scale of storage also affects economics and rain harvesting affects catchment water balance. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/625 Files in this item: 1
Stephenson_BJT_2006.pdf (1.089Mb)