Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education
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Browsing Department of Science, Mathematics and Technology Education by Author "Ndlovu, M.J."
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- ItemAdopting Quality Assurance Standard to Enhance High Operational standards in State Universities, the Zimbabwean Context(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2022-03) Pawandiwa, P.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Shava, G.; Charumbira, J.; Mathonsi, E.The study sought to determine the Implications of Quality Assurance Standards of the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education (ZIMCHE) on Zimbabwean State Universities. For decades Zimbabwe had prided itself of having one of the highest literacy rates and churning out high quality human capital regionally and internationally. Lately sentiments have been expressed suggesting that the quality of education in Zimbabwean State Universities has been declining due to the economic meltdown of the past decade which incapacitated the supervisory body (ZIMCHE). In executing this study nine (9) State university Vice Chancellors, nine (9) senior officials from the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education, twenty-one (21) Faculty Deans, fifteen (15) ZIMCHE board members and six (6) Student Representative Bodies [Zimbabwe National Students Union](ZINASU) and the Student Solidarity Trust] were sampled. The major findings from this research were that ZIMCHE was very relevant and its standards are generally effective despite the fact that the body has had to grapple with funding and human capital constraints among others. The study therefore notes that ZIMCHE and its quality assurance standards play a pivotal role in the enhancement of quality in university education. The researchers recommended the restructuring of the ZIMCHE board to accommodate other members from industrial and professional bodies in a bid to enhance independence, the undertaking of income generating projects by universities to supplement their budgetary requirements, increased budget allocations to the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and the development of better problem solving methods to ensure that students were not prejudiced by ZIMCHEs action on universities. While the current study and others studies have focused on the quality of teaching and learning, it is strongly recommended that future research explores the quality of research.
- ItemIS THERE A SOLUTION TO HIGH PRICING OF PRIMARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL TEXTBOOKS IN BULAWAYO?(The Journal of LiberaL Arts Education, 2022-04-14) Mhone, N.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Zulu, E.; Masukume, C.; Tlou, F.N.The objective of the study was to investigate the causes of the high cost of primary and secondary school textbooks in Bulawayo and establish if there is a possible solution to the pricing of books. The study was a descriptive qualitative and quantitative survey. Data were collected through 90 questionnaires (having distributed 105) and seven in-depth interviews from parents, primary and secondary school teachers, ministry officials, printing companies, retailers/bookshops, street vendors and photocopying business people. The study found that high textbook pricing was a result of parents’ low income and reduced disposable income, the import duty, the economic hardships, the scarcity of textbooks and the use of middlemen in the supply chain. As a result, parents opted for cheaper alternatives such as photocopying, buying from street vendors or flea markets, while some totally forgo purchasing new textbooks and rely on schools to provide. Some parents wait for donors to chip in, or use the Internet, or sell each other photocopied books, while private schools provided all study materials hence they were not directly affected by the high cost of textbooks. The study recommended Government to consider strongly supporting local publishing and printing of secondary textbooks. It further urged local publishers to go electronic and charge lower prices since they will not incur printing costs. It was also recommended that schools should consider e-books for ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels in an effort to reduce the costs of textbooks at these two levels.
- ItemTowards Achieving Quality in Distance Higher Education Teaching and Learning: Experiences from Zimbabwe(International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2022-01) Shava, G.N.; Hleza, S.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Makokoro, P.P.; Tlou, F.Zimbabwe has managed to respond to the movement in support of UNESCO’s lifelong learning concept and strategy that seeks to widen and deepen access to higher education through distance education initiatives. Despite the significant increase in students enrolling in distance education institutions, the gold standard of excellence that is sought by many nations has gradually been compromised. There are symptoms of a downward trend in terms of quality in open distance learning institutions. The qualitative study analysed major factors affecting the provision of quality distance higher education with specific reference to the Zimbabwe Open University, the sole provider of university distance education in Zimbabwe. The study focused on three Zimbabwe Open University regional centres in Zimbabwe. The paper seeks to identify major factors contributing to the declining quality of distance education and discusses measures that distance education providers in Zimbabwe can undertake in order to promote excellence for effective learning in the 21st century. The study established that several factors are affecting the quality of distance education in Zimbabwe. The lack of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) facilities at regional and district centres was a major hindrance to effective teaching and learning.