Browsing by Author "Shava, G.N."

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    Challenges facing progression of disabled pesrons towards senior managerial positions in the National Association of Societies for the care of the handicapped member organisations in Zimbabwe.
    (2022) Khuphe, W.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Shava, G.N.; Zulu, E.; Shonhiwa, S.
    The purpose of this research was to identify and analyze the key factors that affect the limited progression of disabled persons to senior positions at the National Association of Societies for the Care of the Handicapped (NASCOH), the umbrella body that represents different organizations that advocate and support people with disabilities. The research followed a qualitative approach with some limited quantitative analysis of some of the findings. Ten member organizations were sampled in the collection of data. Out of the fifty questionnaires distributed, thirty fully completed and valid questionnaires were received back and that constituted a response rate of sixty percent. The sample was made up of five organizations of the disabled and five organizations for the disabled. The findings of the research show, amongst others, that prejudice and in some instances, weak corporate governance are strong determinants of lack of progression to senior positions of disabled people at NASCOH and in some member organizations. Although this research was small in scale, that is, targeted only ten out of forty-five NASCOH member organizations; many lessons could be learned from the findings of the project. Further research is necessary to explore deeper the identified factors to influence better policy and practice in the study area. The research study found that disabled employees are less represented in employment opportunities. The study further found that there are limited or in some instances, no programmes designed to promote the advancement and development of people with disabilities at NASCOH member organizations. The key recommendation is that there is an urgent need for NASCOH, with the active participation of disability rights activists to push for the establishment of a national policy on disability by the Government of Zimbabwe. Further research is necessary to explore deeper the identified factors to influence better policy and practice in the study area.
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    Effects of school leadership in enhancing learners' achievement in South African schools
    (2020) Shava, G.N.; Sibanda, L.
    Introduction: School leadership has increasingly been gaining attention from educational policymakers, and the entire educational society. Research has also confirmed that school principals are essential for developing and maintaining effective school systems. The role of school leadership in schools is highly complex and dynamic such that strategies are needed to change underperforming schools. This article reported on a small scale exploratory qualitative study that investigated the effects of school leadership in enhancing the learning outcomes of a cohort of schools in a rural setting in South Africa. Purpose: The purpose of the study was to analyse the role of principals in enhancing learning achievement in schools. Methodology: The study took a qualitative research approach with an interpretive epistemological and constructivist ontological perspective. Qualitative evidence was collected from six schools in the same district through semi-structured interview question with educators and school principals. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select information-rich cases from the schools and in selecting the schools. Results: Grounded in the accounts of our study participants, results from the study indicated that school principals are the cornerstones of achieving quality teaching and learning through motivating educators, training and providing distributed leadership Recommendations: From the study findings, it was recommended that there is need to improve the basic unit of the educational institution which include structural, cultural and agential conditions to enhance the effective operations of school principals. There is a need to motivate and enhance existing forms of agency in ways that expand learners’ achievement.
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    Enhancing Development Potential of Diaspora Communities, Experiences of Zimbabweans Living in Botswana
    (2022) Sibanda, K.; Ndlovu, M.J.; Shava, G.N.; Zulu, E.; Shonhiwa, S.
    The study examined the development potential of the Zimbabwean diaspora communities living in Botswana. The current study sought to fill a gap in the interrogation of the willingness and capacity of Zimbabweans living in Botswana to participate in development projects in Zimbabwe. The research was carried out in Botswana using mail and electronic questionnaires, in depth interviews and ethnographic data. Fifty mail survey respondents, 7 electronic survey respondents and 12 in depth study respondents were used in the current study. The mixed method approach used yielded data that could not have been obtained with one method only. Using the transnational capability framework, the research established the existence of both skilled and unskilled Diaspora in Botswana. The study observed that the Zimbabwean community in Botswana is actively involved in transnational activities. The study established that there is willingness to participate in the advancement of their families and communities in Zimbabwe. There are some challenges that hinder the full participation of the Diaspora community that were noted in the study. The shorter periods covered by permits affect the migrants’ capacity to access loans from banks or engage in long term planning as they risk non-renewal of permits. On the Zimbabwean side the economic and political uncertainty affect the commitment by some Zimbabweans in the diaspora to invest in Zimbabwe. The possibility of engagement between Zimbabweans in the diaspora is affected by lack of trust between the current government and the citizens in the Diaspora. The study recommended that the government of Zimbabwe should create a database of Zimbabweans living in Botswana to determine and tap the available skills base for capacity building. The Governments of Botswana and Zimbabwe are recommended to discuss extension of permits and granting of dual citizens to Zimbabwean applicants for the benefit of both countries. There is also need for the Zimbabwean Government to reduce duty on capital goods to allow the Diaspora community to bring productive capital for investment.
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    Grounded Theory in Educational Research, Features and Processes a Review of Literature
    (International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science, 2022-01) Shava, G.N.; Sibanda, S.; Moyo, S.; Bapire, K.; Mathonsi, E.
    Grounded theory which is a systematic methodology of discovering theory from data in social science and educational research is considered a general methodology and a way of thinking about conceptualizing data. Using Grounded theory, meaning is negotiated and understood through interactions with others in a social process. This paper provides an overview of the features of grounded theory; process activities involved in using grounded theory are highlighted finally the weaknesses and strength of grounded theory are discussed. In this article we argue that using an appropriate research method for an inquiry is critical to successful educational research. Our study adopted a systematic literature review which examined the key characteristic of grounded theory as a technique for analysing qualitative data.
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    Grounded theory in Educational Research: A literature review of features and processes
    (2022) Shava, G.N.; Tlou, F.N.; Shonhiwa, S.
    Grounded theory which is a systematic methodology of discovering theory from data in social science and educational research is considered a general methodology and a way of thinking about conceptualizing data. Using Grounded theory, meaning is negotiated and understood through interactions with others in a social process. This desk top research provides an overview of the features of grounded theory, and in the process, activities involved in using grounded theory are highlighted. Further weaknesses and strengths of grounded theory are discussed. In this article we argue that using an appropriate research method for an inquiry is critical to successful educational research.
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    Leadership and Gender, women management: the social realist analytical theoretical view point.
    (International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS), 2021-05) Shava, G.N.; Chasara, T.; Tlou, F.N.; Mathonsi, E.
    The study leadership from a gender perspective in a rural context in Zimbabwe. The study investigated the challenges faced by female school heads because of their gender in one rural district. Grounded in the qualitative paradigm and using the social realist theoretical analytical framework, a thematic approach was used in analysing qualitative data gathered through semi-structured interviews with ten female school heads. Findings from the study showed that female school heads were not perceived as incompetent and unable by male colleagues only, but also by female staff colleagues as a result of an entrenched culture of male dominance. Among the challenges faced by female principals included: negative attitude from some parents and teachers undermined because of their gender and lack of confidence. The study recommends the mounting of gender awareness workshops with both parents and teachers to sensitive them on gender equity issues. In addition the study calls for mentoring and networking workshops, in service training opportunities and role modelling to be given to female teachers who aspire to, and have potential in leadership so that these female teachers can feel empowered and see that they have the potential executing leadership roles.
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    Principal leadership and school performance: Integrating instructional and transformational leadership in South African schools context
    (2021) Shava, G.N.
    This study aimed to examine the integration of instructional and transformational models of leadership in sustaining school improvement. The question of how the integration of instructional and transformational leadership in schools can influence learners' performance has received a significant amount of interest among researchers. Literature reviews have found two key approaches: educational and transformational leadership models to establish the most appropriate school leadership model. Therefore, this article reports on qualitative research used to arrive at an in-depth understanding of integrating instructional and transformational leadership in enhancing school performance. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with principals in one educational province. Purposive sampling techniques were used to select participants for the study. Findings from the study established that integrating the two models had the potential to enhance learner performance. This study has shown that the integration of instructional and transformational leadership models led to a climate that promotes a culture of teaching and learning, hence increasing quality learning outcomes.
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    Qualitative Research Paradigm, a Key Research Design for Educational Researchers, Processes and Procedures: A Theoretical Overview
    (Indiana Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2022-01-28) Muzari, T.; Shava, G.N.; Shonhiwa, S.
    Social science researchers use qualitative research for in-depth understanding of life experiences with reference to social and cultural depositions. Qualitative research is principally anchored on three theoretical frameworks namely phenomenology, hermeneutics and ethnography. The characteristics of qualitative research are humanistic, naturalistic and holistic in dynamic social realities. On methodology, the qualitative approach is found in the interpretive paradigm, with a case study as the research design. The data generating methods are interviews, observations and document analysis. For ethical considerations, issues of anonymity, confidentiality, human dignity, consent and privacy are of paramount importance for avoidance of psychological and physical human harm. The data analysis requires qualitative data management through content and thematic analysis. In pledging trustworthiness the approach uses prolonged engagement, member checking, peer review and triangulation .The strength of qualitative research is its ability to probe inner humanistic issues whereas the limitation is that its findings cannot be generalized since the study happens within closed parameters.
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    Quality and Education for Sustainable Development Challenges towards a Transition in Zimbabwean Higher Education.
    (Indiana Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2021-11-30) Shava, G.N.; Tlou, F.N.; Shonhiwa, S.; Hleza, S.
    Purpose The purpose of this article is to examine the challenges of providing quality and Education for sustainable development in the Zimbabwean higher education context. The United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4.7 proposes that Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) should be included at all levels of education. However there is little guidance towards the achievement of this goal. It shall therefore the focus of this study to understand the challenges towards the transition to achieve quality and ESD in Zimbabwean higher education institutions. Design/Methodology In this study exploratory qualitative and interpretive study was used. The qualitative study was embedded in an interpretive paradigm to explore the challenges of achieving quality and (ESD) in the Zimbabwean context of higher education. The researchers employed interviews because they yield in-depth data with the element of voice in the text. Findings Findings from the study indicated that the transition to achieve quality and sustainability is constrained by multiple challenges emanating from institutional and agential conditions surrounding teaching and learning. Practical implications The study has practical implications for higher education. This is a study conducted in Zimbabwe higher education such that the practical implication is the relevance of findings that are applicable to the higher education landscape. Little literature in Zimbabwe is available on ESD and that being the case this study provides in-depth literature on higher education quality and sustainability. Originality This study is among the first studies conducted in Zimbabwe to understand the complexities associated with the transition towards achieving ESD. Opportunities for enhancing quality teaching and learning are provided for in this study. The study demonstrates that there is strong evidence that exists showing that investing in quality higher education is pivotal to reaching the SDG4 including the aspiration of Zimbabwe's Agenda 2030. This study demonstrates that quality higher education makes for good economic and is a development imperative and must be treated as a fundamental macroeconomic variable and given much priority as inflation, unemployment and budget deficit.
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    Quality Education for Sustainable Development in Zimbabwean Higher Education: Towards UNDP 2030 SDG
    (2020) Shava, G.N.
    The article explores the challenges and opportunities of achieving Agenda 2030 Global Goals on education for sustainable development in Zimbabwe higher education. The challenges posed by the need to provide for quality, sustainability, and development demand a renewed reflection on the nature and scope of the higher education systems in order to address current issues of education for sustainable development as stated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which proposes that education for sustainable development (ESD) should be addressed at all levels of education. ESD allows every human being to acquire the knowledge to shape a sustainable future including key sustainable development issues into teaching and learning. The vision of Agenda 2030 is to transform lives through quality education, recognizing the important role of education as a main driver for development and achieving proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their vision which is fully captured by the proposed SDG4 “ Ensuring inclusive equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.” The aim of the study is to explore the complexity of raising higher education quality drawing from the structure and agency theoretical view point to offer deeper insights into the role that agency and structures in higher education may play in achieving the vision of Agenda 2030. In essence the qualitative study provides possible measures for enhancing the achievement of Agenda 2030 Global Goals. Findings from the study pointed to the lack of integrated ESD in higher education professional standards and into curriculum. The study recommends the need to update higher education curriculum, pedagogy, and educational resources to address the twenty-first-century context of teaching and learning.
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    Quality Higher Education for Sustainable Development: The Transition towards Achieving Agenda 2030 Global Goals
    (International Journal of Latest Research in Humanities and Social Science (IJLRHSS), 2022-02) Manokore, K.; Tlou, F.; Mkwelie, N.; Phuthi, N.; Shava, G.N.; Mhlanga, E.; Mangena, A.; Sibanda, Z.; Chasokela, D.
    Quality Higher Education and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) have become part of the discourse and issue in higher education contexts. Every phase or debate of higher education is now being urged to declare its support for ESD. Recently the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda proposed that quality education and ESD should play a vital role for the transformation of the world‟ s economy as expressed in the Agenda‟ s goals and sub goals. The UN Incheon Declaration 2015 highlighted the vital role of education that it plays in the universal journey towards sustainable development across the globe and saving our planet. Higher education should play a pivotal role in the transition towards achieving quality in the entire education system. The UN formally adopted the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) as an outcome of a major global consultative process. Agenda 2030 advocates for providing the opportunity to progress towards the transition to implement quality education and ESD that fosters the knowledge, skills, values, perspectives and actions that lead towards a more sustainable future. The study examines the implementation of Agenda 2030 Global Goal on quality and sustainability in Zimbabwean higher education. The aim of the study is to increase knowledge of potential strategies to meet the fourth UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG4), which strives for quality education. Institutions in the study were at different levels of interpretation, understanding and implementation of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development Goals. The majority of the participants did not have an all-inclusive knowledge and comprehension of ESD mainstreaming as a holistic approach. That is, an allembracing ESD integration as a curriculum systemic concept that holds both curriculum and institutional change, to contribute to the overall re-orientation of education towards sustainability. The qualitative study provides a detailed description on the challenges of implementing quality and sustainability in higher education.
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    Sustainability through Vegetable Goat Skin Tanning in Mwenezi District in Zimbabwe: Opportunities and Challenges
    (Indiana Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 2022-12-20) Stephen, H.O.; Silas, S.; Shava, G.N.
    The study analyzed the opportunities, challenges and mitigation strategies that can be harnessed for sustainable goat skin tanning into leather and subsequent manufacture of Textile substrates in a bid to achieve the proposed sustainable development goal SDG 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”. It has been observed that hundreds of goats are slaughtered in Zimbabwe every year mainly to provide meat for family subsistence, rituals, and commercial food and the skins remain unutilized as waste products polluting the environment. The largest number is slaughtered in the December Christmas festive season every year. Tapping these resources into good use and training folks of Zimbabwe in vegetable tanning skills and manufacture of textile substrates from the leather product, creates employment alleviating poverty and at the same time achieving the UN sustainable development goal SDG 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production”. The study therefore aims at updating local authorities, government, NGOs, technical training institutions and citizens in Zimbabwe of the gap so that they proffer initiatives and implement strategies for sustainable vegetable tanning of the goat skins into leather a valuable product in the Textile fraternity. The qualitative study unearths the opportunities, challenges, and recommendations for strategies to adopt and promote sustainable vegetable goat skin tanning activities in a selected district in Zimbabwe.
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    Towards 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.
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    Towards the Attainment of SDGs: The Contribution of Higher Education Institutions in Zimbabwe
    (International Journal of Social Science Research and Review, 2024) Mpofu, F.Y.; Mpofu, A.; Mantula, F.; Shava, G.N.
    The contribution of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in Zimbabwe to the attainment of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been debatable. Through a critical review of the literature, this paper sought to assess how HEI in Zimbabwe contribute to the attainment of the SDGs, ascertain the challenges affecting this contribution, and make recommendations on how the contribution of these institutions could be strengthened. The review established that HEIs play a fundamental role in contributing towards the attainment of the SDGs in Zimbabwe. The institutions contribute through Education 5.0 which is premised on the five pillars of teaching, research, community engagement, innovation, and industrialization. For example, concerning teaching, HEIs contribute to the SDGs through knowledge creation, skills sharing, and empowerment of students and communities that helps in career development, job creation, entrepreneurial development, innovation, and economic growth. Regarding research, HEIs contribute by identifying research gaps and problems relating to sustainable development, researching these, and making recommendations that can inform policy development and practice concerning the achievement of the SDGs. Even though there are notable contributions informed by the five pillars, there are also several challenges hindering the effective contribution of HEIs to the attainment of the SDGs These include limited resources, bureaucratic constraints, and a lack of coordination among HEIs and other stakeholders. The paper calls for a concerted effort from HEIs themselves, and from the government and other stakeholders to enhance the contribution of HEIs to the attainment of SDGs and building a more sustainable and prosperous future for Zimbabwe.
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    Women in Higher Education Leadership and Parenthood: Experiences from a University in Zimbabwe
    (Springer Nature, 2021-02) Shava, G.N.; Chasokela, D.
    In Zimbabwe and most probably the rest of Africa, the occupational and leadership status of women in higher education leadership is still suffering a wide gap as there is unequal representation in leadership positions between men and women. Although women have made substantial gains in higher education learning institutions, they have not achieved parity with men. Women in Zimbabwe higher education are particularly underrepresented at higher levels of leadership and the percentage of female executives decline with increasing organizational rank. Despite the fact that women constitute the majority of workforce in universities in Zimbabwe, they remain poorly represented in high-level leadership positions. Where women have attained high-level leadership positions, they remain disadvantaged, their progress remain impeded due to parenthood responsibilities. Despite the fact that in Zimbabwe today women earn the majority of college and university degrees, they are less likely than men to experience benefits associated with leadership and promotion and they continue to represent a smaller proportion of leadership positions. This study derived from a qualitative case study undertaken at a university in Zimbabwe was conducted to establish challenges faced by women in higher education leadership. The research findings indicated that cultural and social barriers continue to grow and pose a formidable barrier to women in leadership positions. The researchers argue that organizational structures, parenthood and culture make it difficult for women to rise into higher levels in leadership positions.