Browsing Faculty of Education by Title
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Mafela, L. (Research and Development Unit, University of Botswana http://www.thuto.org, NaN, 1999)[more][less]
Abstract: The dairy industry arose in Bechuanaland primarily as an alternative to beef production in response to South Africa's restrictions on the import of cattle from the Protectorate African dairy producers were at a disadvantage compared to settler farmers due to the lack of government support for the infrastructure essential for highly perishable dairy produce The decline of dairy production in the later colonial period can be attributed to the revival of beef exporting, which undercut the Administration's already limited interest. These events can be situated within the broader pattern of colonial underdevelopment. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/699 Files in this item: 1
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Merwe, M.; Mberengwa, L. R.; Lekoko, R. N. (South African Association of Family Ecology and Consumer Sciences (SAAFECS). http://ajol.info/index.php/jfecs/index, NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The term empowerment has become a buzz word used by development organisations and government sectors to make development programmes sound technically correct. These programmes are often the cause of the poor becoming disillusioned and passive, since these programmes often do not achieve what they have set out to achieve. One such group that is responsible for the empowerment of community members in poverty and other special circumstances, is the home economics extension officers (HEEOs) in Botswana. This article focuses on the HEEOs’ understanding of the term empowerment as well as the subsequent actions they are taking to bring about empowerment and the hindrances that impede their empowerment practices. Qualitative data gathering methods in the form of open-ended questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were carried out with HEEOs to understand the phenomenon of empowerment. A focus group discussion was in addition conducted with one community sewing group. It became evident that HEEOs linked the term empowerment mostly to training and education. This is contrary to literature, which describes training and education as only the beginning of the empowerment process. Empowerment will however only take place if individuals are encouraged to define their own goals and to act upon them. HEEOs included community members in planning, implementation and evaluation of development programmes, but there is no evidence of authentic involvement. Community groups were also not adequately mentored and supported by HEEOs. In addition, the system within which empowerment practices are carried out appeared to be not conducive to supporting HEEOs in their empowerment practices. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/687 Files in this item: 1
Mberengwa_JFECS_2010.pdf (998.3Kb) -
Nnyepi, M.; Gobotswang, K.S.M.; Codjia, P. (Macmillan, www.palgrave-journals.com/jphp/, May 12, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: This study documents a marked discrepancy between the nutritional status of children aged 0–5 years in Botswana when measured by national surveys compared to clinic-based surveillance. We compared the average prevalence of underweight (weight-for-age z-scores below 2 standard deviations of the mean of the Center for Disease Control (CDC)/WHO reference standards) in children 0–5 years of age. According to clinic surveillance, prevalence of underweight has fallen from 14.670.03 to 3.570.04 per cent between 1993 and 2010. In national surveys, it had fallen from 14.670.01 to 11.570.01 per cent between 1993 and 2007. We explored several possibilities to explain this discrepancy, and conclude that it is because of sampling bias in the clinic surveillance. This finding underlines the need for properly conducted surveys to ensure accurate information about the nutritional status of children. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1051 Files in this item: 1
Nnyepi_JPHP_2011.pdf (1.267Mb) -
Mafela, L. (Research and Development Unit, University of Botswana. http://www.thuto.org, NaN, 1997)[more][less]
Abstract: In both precolonial and Westerm forms of schooling, education was a crucial medium of construction and articulation of ideas concerning the role and behaviour of women. Precolonial education reproduced and maintained sharp gender differentiation in the division of labour. Socialisation and women's own internalisation of their role and position in society, upheld dominant male ideology and subordination of women. Under colonialism, missionary and colonial education renegotiated but did not fundamentally change the role and position of women. However, it inadvertently also provided women with ways to move out of the household sphere into the wider labour market, albeit as unequal participants. Missionary education strictly separated the sexes and rested on the continued association of women with Victorian notions of 'domesticity'. The concept of ideology is used in this paper to tease out and highlight the gender dynamics which have influenced and directed education among Batswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/525 Files in this item: 1
mafela Competing gender ideologies.pdf (794.6Kb) -
Pheko, B.C. (Kamla-Raj Enterprises, http://www.krepublishers.com, March NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: The primary objective of this paper is to evaluate the outcomes of the 10 year- basic education policy in Botswana through comparison of one cohort national results of School Leaving Examination (PSLE) of 2003 and its Junior Certificate (JC) of 2006. The main assumptions of this policy are that all children will have gone through a quality education. The PSLE (2003) results indicate that most pupils passed their examinations and proceeded to junior secondary education level. However, the problem is that the JC national results of 2006 show that most completers have poor results which do not allow them to proceed to senior secondary education. This is an indication of poor quality education. The observation is that class sizes at junior secondary education are huge (45 - 51) and there are inadequate teaching resources at junior secondary education. The Ministry of Education should take cognizance of the educational problems at this level and make efforts to reduce class size, provide adequate teaching resources so that teachers could be able to give each student the attention she/he deserves. These have affected students’ performances and it is therefore important for the Ministry of Education to introduce Regional examinations at Form 2 in order to monitor each individual performance and provide remedial if it is necessary. These may improve quality education at this level. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1093 Files in this item: 1
Pheko_JSS_2010.pdf (623.3Kb) -
Nkhwalume, A. (IJSRE, http://www.ijsre.com, June NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper represents the voices of six Botswana girls in a case study that investigated social influences on their motivation in mathematics. Interviews were conducted and observations made to explore the girls’ experiences to shed some light on where their motivations were most influenced. The girls’ perceived motivational orientations and subsequent performance in mathematics as reflected in their case scenarios were used as a way of explaining their social implications. Their social experiential narratives were analysed for meaning with a focus on understanding them from an African context in contrast with Western cultural research perspectives. The study emanated from the fact that Botswana women are not vividly present at the post-secondary level in mathematics, science and technology. A compulsory mathematics at senior secondary school level, most young women opt out of mathematics and technology related programmes. The girls’ social experiential narratives were collected and analysed for meaning with a view to understand their implications in learning mathematics in the context of Botswana. The study adopted the Marxist social theory as its theoretical framework and used the concepts of contradiction, ideology, discourse and habitus as operational tools for the girls’ socialised orientation towards mathematic. It emerged that social environment, namely: the family (socioeconomic status, educational beliefs, attitudes, availability of books); the school system (schooling, teachers, textbooks, mathematics curriculum, and assessment) and peer groups (friends, classmates) were the key sources of influence. The interpretations of the girls’ narratives gave rise to the conclusions drawn and the recommendations made concerning social influences on their motivational orientations in learning mathematics. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1078 Files in this item: 1
Nkhwalume_IJSRE_2010.pdf (3.321Mb) -
Kesamang, M.; Taiwo, A.A. (Taylor & Francis, http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals, NaN, 2002)[more][less]
Abstract: The study was undertaken to find out whether there is a significant relationship between the socio- cultural beliefs held by beginning junior secondary school (JSS) students in Botswana and their attitudes towards school science on one hand and their achievement in school science on the other hand. Seven research questions were formulated. The nature of the study dictated the employment of descriptive research (survey) design. The sample for the study consisted of 395 JSS students randomly selected from eleven junior secondary schools within 120 kilometre radius of Gaborone, the state capital of Botswana. The collection of the data for the study was accomplished by the use of three constructed and validated research instruments. The findings of the study include the fact that Setswana1 (Botswana) mythology has a telling effect, to a large extent, on the thought processes of the average Botswana JSS student. This resulted in significant negative relationships between the students’ socio- cultural background and their attitudes towards school science on one hand and their achievement in school science on the other hand. But in spite of the negative effect of the elements of the students’ culture on the ease with which they learn school science, Botswana JSS students are found to be positively disposed towards school science in general. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1112 Files in this item: 1
Taiwo_IJSE_2002.pdf (1.468Mb) -
Mooko, T. (Routledge. http://www.informaworld.com, March NaN, 2006)[more][less]
Abstract: When Botswana gained independence from the British in 1966, a political decision was taken to designate English as an official language and Setswana, one of the indigenous languages, as a national language. This move disregarded the multilingual nature of Botswana society. Furthermore, although not explicitly stated, the use of other languages was, in effect, prohibited, especially in the school setting and other official arenas. Whereas the government undertook deliberate measures to promote the use of Setswana, no efforts were made by the government to cater for other languages spoken in Botswana. As a result, some of the latter languages have died out whilst others have survived. This paper examines some of the steps that members of the groups that speak these marginalised languages have taken in their quest to develop and maintain their languages. The discussion in this paper considers the six strategies proposed by David Crystal (2000) as some of the ways that speakers of endangered languages could ensure their survival. Deprived of any government support, the speakers of these languages initiated some processes that have seen some significant developments. These include the development of orthographies, the translation of the Bible into these languages and the publication of other written resources in these languages. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/602 Files in this item: 1
Mooko_JMMD_2006.pdf (1.181Mb) -
Garegae, K.G. (Academic Journals. http://www.academicjournals.org, January NaN, 2008)[more][less]
Abstract: Although student discipline had existed since the beginning of mankind, the disciplinary methods employed have changed over the years, giving rise to culturally irrelevant disciplinary strategies. This study explored teachers’ views about approaches to discipline experienced in Botswana schools in terms of policy and practice. In particular, the study sought for information on teachers’ day-to-day experiences and their views with regard to the implementation of student discipline regulations. Twenty teachers, who have been in the field for at least eight years, were interviewed once. Interview proceedings were recorded and later transcribed verbatim. The study showed that teachers feel disempowered by schools’ discipline regulations, and that students take advantage of such regulations to undermine teachers’ authority. Based on the premise that discipline approaches are culturally conceptualized and negotiated, the paper argues that student discipline has grown into an epidemic in Botswana schools because culturally inappropriate approaches are employed. Recommendations as to how the problem could be curbed are discussed and suggestions for further studies are made. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/523 Files in this item: 1
Garegae_ERR_2008.pdf (791.2Kb) -
Monyatsi, P.P. (Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org, April NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This article critically analyses the mechanisms and procedures that facilitate the effectiveness of the current teacher appraisal system in Botswana secondary schools. Teachers in schools, in this case in Botswana secondary schools have to undergo appraisal every year for both accountability and developmental purposes. In this article, the author critically analyzes the extent to which the mechanisms and procedures are in place and adequate to facilitate the effectiveness of the current teacher appraisal in Botswana secondary schools. The article is based on an empirical study that was carried out in a sample of 607 secondary school teachers in two clusters of seventeen schools in the southern region of Botswana. The research design is a multi-methods approach of a survey questionnaire and a semi-structured interview. The results illustrate that there is a need for training, feedback and transparency if the appraisal process is to be effective. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/605 Files in this item: 1
Monyatsi_ERR_2009.pdf (2.131Mb) -
Raditloaneng, W. (Academic Journals, http://www.academicjournals.org, November NaN, 2009)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper provides a critique of globalization with a special focus on the declining role of subsistence agriculture as the backbone of peasant economy in colonial Botswana and the changes that have occurred since independence 30th September 1966. During the colonial and pre independence era, agriculture was the backbone of peasant economy and poverty eradication in Botswana. The post independence era in Botswana resulted in reforms in all the public sectors including education, health, agriculture, tourism, trade, industry, science and communication and others which are typified in the cash economy. Based on a mixed methodology of qualitative and participatory activities in the study of the impact of learned identities of a total of 30 poor people poverty in two selected communities (one rural and one urban) in Botswana, this paper argues that with the advent of globalization, agriculture as the backbone of peasant economy is faced with competition from the other sectors of the modern economy. Despite efforts to engage in diversification of the agricultural sector and harsh climatic changes and human factors, the sector has been adversely affected by climatic changes and human factors too. Based on the deliberation of the poor who participated in the study; to be the backbone of peasant economy and poverty eradication. Registered destitutes who participated in this study had not graduated form poverty to non- poverty at the time of the qualitative study conducted between August 2008 and March 2009, despite the monthly food basket they received from the Government of Botswana. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1065 Files in this item: 1
Raditloaneng_JDAE_2009.pdf (1.513Mb) -
Moalosi, W.T.S. (IJSRE, http://www.ijsre.com, December NaN, 2012)[more][less]
Abstract: People in different cultures vary in their descriptions of their self-concept. These descriptions tend to be either individualistic or collectivist. Individualistic cultures preface independence and self-fulfillment, while collectivist cultures tend to be more group-oriented and carry more social responsibilities. Immigration and colonization have had an impact on many collective cultures that had lived among independent ones. Conflict often occurred when interdependent cultures tried to maintain their identity in their new independent environment. Teachers and students at schools frequently experience similar challenges. Theories of cognitive development show that parents differ in their perception of intelligence among these two cultural types (independent and interdependent). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1131 Files in this item: 1
Moalosi_IJSRE_2012.pdf (211.3Kb) -
Ntseane, P. G. (UNESCO. http://www.unesco.org, NaN, 2004)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper argues that sex has to be analyzed and understood from a sociological perspective because sex in itself has a social function. A phenomenological study that was carried out among five ethnic groups of Botswana revealed the importance of taking into account cultural sexual realities when prevention strategies for HIV/AIDS are considered and implemented. Furthermore the study threw light on the ineffectiveness of the current national HIV/AIDS prevention strategy of ‘Abstain, Be faithful, and use a Condom’ (ABC), a strategy borrowed from the Christian cultural morality of sex. Therefore, this paper advocates for empowerment processes that take into consideration local ways of knowing and delivery modes such as participatory approaches. An effective and sustainable alternative to the current national ‘ABC’ strategy is to engage people meaningfully in analyzing their current cultural situation and coming up with working strategies that can make a difference in a country seriously affected by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/757 Files in this item: 1
Ntseane_PLE_2004.pdf (1.377Mb) -
Ntseane, P.G. (AEQ, http://aeq.sagepub.com, November NaN, 2011)[more][less]
Abstract: Informed by the Afrocentric learning paradigm, this conceptual piece argues that Mezirow’s version of the theory of transformative learning is useful, but it would be more so if applied to be culturally sensitive. Using Botswana cultural learning values as an example, the article demonstrates how the theory can be made culturally sensitive to an African learning context. African values identified to inform a collective process of transformational learning are that (a) there is no absolute knowledge because of the communal involvement in knowledge construction and knowledge acquisition, (b) spiritual obligation that is influenced by the metaphysical world means that the knowledge context is complex, (c) knowledge is communal because social change depends on collective responsibility, and (d) gender roles/expectations are critical for processing knowledge. In conclusion, the article argues that the continued marginalization of diverse cultural contexts denies new insight into the positive development of a useful critical theory such as transformational learning. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1117 Files in this item: 1
Ntseane_AEQ_2011.pdf (4.218Mb) -
Moswela, B. (JEAPS, http://www.academicjournals.org/ijeaps, April 20, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper sought to unpack the extent of students’ democratic involvement in the teaching and learning processes. Data that were analyzed were obtained from 253 teachers and 194 students from 15 secondary schools in Botswana using a closed questionnaire consisting of 31 question items. Although the sample may not be representative of all the schools in the country (only 15 out of 233 schools were studied), the study concluded that the teaching and learning activities are largely pursued in democratic environments where teachers consult students on important classroom decisions. These efforts are, however, constrained by the disturbing levels of bullying in the classroom reported by the students. The democratic practices encouraged by the teachers, the study concluded, are consistent with what obtains at the national macro level. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1036 Files in this item: 1
Moswela_JEAPS_2010.pdf (92.21Kb) -
Jotia, A.L. (IJSRE, http://www.ijsre.com, October NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: This paper registers that there is a strong relationship between the prevailing global discourse on Education for Sustainable Development and Democracy in Education. As such, in order for any nation to be seen to be having a relevant and quality education, its education system should be seen to be addressing the principles of democracy in a more direct and robust way. The role of education in advancing the global dream of sustainable development-which of late is also being marshalled by Environmental Education, cannot be overemphasized. However, the paper contends that unless we begin to democratize education to give learners a voice and a sense of being partners and key stakeholders in the process of educating and or advancing the state’s socio-economic and political aspirations, the objectives of having sustainable development will remain an absolute nightmare. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/977 Files in this item: 1
Jotia_IJSRE_2010.pdf (1.559Mb) -
Kamwendo, G. (Taylor & Francis, http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals, December NaN, 2010)[more][less]
Abstract: Malawi's Vision 2020 document, a national document that serves as a vehicle to project a future for a more developed, secure and democratically mature nation, laments the tendency of Malawians to denigrade local products and glorify all things foreign. Yet, paradoxically, the document does not address the important issue of promoting Malawi's indegenous languages. This silence can be interpreted as reflective of the population's inclination to ascribe greater value to forign culture. In Malawi, as in many other African countries, indigenous languages are not considered worthy as media of education, subjects of advanced study or critical vehicles for national development. They are still victim to a discrimination rooted in Africa's 500 plus years of European enslavement and colonialisation. Against the backdrop of the pursuit of an African Renaissance, this article looks at Malawi's language policies since independence in 1964, and at how, ten years short of an idyllic national vision, Malawi measures up on the important issue of language. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1041 Files in this item: 1
Kamwendo_IJARS_2010.pdf (1.393Mb) -
Youngman, F.; Maruatona, T. (Taylor & Francis, http://www.informaworld.com, July NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: This article addresses the question of whether extension workers can change their attitudes and practices in order to promote participatory rural development by considering the case of Botswana. It discusses the emergent participatory extension paradigm which uses techniques such as participatory rural appraisal (PRA). It describes the new community-based strategy for rural development in Botswana which includes the expectation that the extension services can be reorientated to facilitate increased community participation. Evidence is presented from research in 1995-96 which evaluated a pilot project involving PRAs undertaken by extension workers in four districts. The project sought to find out systematically whether PRA could enhance the ability of the extension services to undertake participatory rural development. The findings suggest that extension workers can develop through training the attitudinal predisposition necessary for adopting a more participatory approach to extension practice. However, there are institutional and contextual constraints which present obstacles to implementing participatory rural development. It is therefore not certain that the proposal to expand the use of PRA on a national scale will lead to the anticipated reorientation of the extension services. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/1043 Files in this item: 1
Youngman_IJLE_1998.pdf (1.239Mb) -
Gobotswang, K. (United Nations University Press. http://www.unu.edu, NaN, 1998)[more][less]
Abstract: Variations in interdistrict nutritional status have puzzled both social policy makers and health workers in Botswana. A total of 643 households and 898 pre-school children were surveyed to determine factors that are associated with the nutritional status of children below the age of five years in the north-western District of Chobe. Except for those in remote and difficult-to-reach places, all households with a pre-school child were selected for the study. The results showed that the nutritioneal status of the preschool children had a strong positive correlation with access to a latrine (r = 0.52) and ownership of cattle (r = 0.27). Age was negatively correlated with the child’s nutritional status (r = -0.02). URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/546 Files in this item: 1
Gobotswang_FNB_1998.pdf (329.4Kb) -
Shehu, J.; Mokgwathi, M.M. (Routledge. http://www.informaworld.com, NaN, 2007)[more][less]
Abstract: The thesis of this article is that national sport and recreation policies constitute a pedagogical problematic, as they are texts bound to specific meaning and learning, with potential to impact on roles and subjectivities. As such, it is crucially important for physical education scholars to adopt a critical stance towards them, opening up the assumptions, intentions and social relations they embody to a profound and sensitive engagement. Ultimately, such a stance has broader implications for intelligible formulation and translation of polices into culturally sensitive practice. Using discourse analysis, a methodology grounded in poststructuralism, the National Sport and Recreation Policy for Botswana is examined for its ideological and epistemological rationale. The analysis presented in this article underscores the need for a reflective and reflexive attitude towards recreation policies, which seem to be taken for granted in postcolonial societies. URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10311/524 Files in this item: 1
Shehu_SES_2007.pdf (1.047Mb)