Active learning strategies used by teachers during English reading comprehension lessons in six selected primary schools in Nigeria
- Authors: Adepoju, Adetokunboh Abayomi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Education, Primary -- Nigeria Learning strategies -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8485 , vital:32838
- Description: Reading is an integral part of education from which one gets access to information. Unfortunately, reading ability among primary school pupils, the foundation level of education, is at its lowest ebb. These pupils when they get to secondary schools eventually fail external examinations-a situation which according to National Examination Council, is caused by inappropriate teaching methods. Consequent upon this, this study assessed active learning strategies used by teacher during English reading comprehension lessons in six selected primary schools in Nigeria. The main research question was: How do teachers employ active learning strategies in teaching English reading comprehension? The study adopted qualitative approach and case study design. With the use of purposive sampling technique to select six head teachers, six primary VI teachers, two members of the School Basic Committee, the Director Local Government Education Authority and six focus groups. The study used interviews, documents and focus group interview as research instruments to collect data. Data were analysed based on interpretivism paradigm which interpreted participants’ views according to the word view of the participants. The study found out that teachers have good knowledge of active learning strategies and use them in teaching English reading comprehension lessons but are faced with some daunting challenges such as non-availability of instructional materials, lack of library, lack of qualified teachers and lack of time. The study concluded that students fail woefully in English reading comprehension because teachers do not use appropriate teaching techniques. The study recommend that teachers must use active learning strategies effectively and more often during English reading comprehension, more time should be allocated for English reading comprehension, effective use of instructional materials should be considered and the government should employ specialist teachers to teach English reading comprehension.
- Full Text:
An assessment of the effect of implementation of performance management system on organizational performance : a case of selected public organizations in Tanzania
- Authors: Nduye, Jacob Gabriel
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Personnel management Organizational effectiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10573 , vital:35609
- Description: Tanzanians continue to demand improved performances and better-quality services from public organizations and the government at large. Since independence in 1961, the Tanzanian government continued to undertake a restructuring of different policies, laws and regulations in public services to improve performances and service delivery. Among the results of the restructuring was introduction of Performance Management System(PMS) across public organizations. The system meant to address and redress not only the concerns of the public on improved performances and better services, but also inculcate performance-oriented culture and accountability for results. Despite such efforts by the government, some of the problems existed before the introduction of PMS such as among others weak incentives and accountabilities, and management skills continue to impede issues of improved performance and service delivery in public organizations. It is from this context that the researcher was encouraged to research on issues of performance management system, highlighting specific areas of its effectiveness to improve performance, motivational factors, use of performance appraisal results on different decisions-making and factors for underperformances which affect organizational performances in public organizations. This study employed a mixed method research design involving both quantitative and qualitative strategies. For the qualitative strategy, data were gathered using in-depth interviews and document reviews; and for the quantitative strategy, questionnaires were used in which the relationship of different variables for the study were statistically analyzed using the SPSS Version 22. In the overall, the study evidences show a strong pressure of support at government level in terms of formulating policies, laws and regulations to back up performance management system to improve performance quality service delivery, but there is less support in public organizations levels. It became clear that many problems still make PMS effectiveness not pragmatic: Political interferences to management of public organizations, government bureaucratic procedures in amendments of outdated laws, inflexible scheme of services important for rewards and incentives and the use of manual voting system for good performances are among problems that the study identified. Furthermore, evidences have shown that a top-down management approach bottlenecks the overall implementation of performance enhancing tools for performance management system effectiveness. There is lack of workers’ participation and ownership of tools such as, strategic plans, client service charters and open performance reviews and appraisal system and the general system, and thus becoming hard to implement it in the public organizations. The study suggests practical initiatives by the government to establish highly strict quality service delivery satisfaction tracking system to allow both employees and citizens to evaluate internal and external performances of the public organizations. The findings upheld vulnerability of PMS to improve performance and service delivery, and therefore more attention and adherence to principles of performance management and laws that are biting to issues of underperformances are imperative.
- Full Text:
An assessment study of the role of life orientation teachers in promoting career guidance and counselling of secondary school learners in the Vhembe district of Limpopo province, South Africa
- Authors: Dama, Nkhangweleni Gloria
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Counseling in secondary education -- South Africa -- Limpopo Life skills -- Study and teaching (Secondary) -- South Africa -- Limpopo
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9577 , vital:34794
- Description: The study sought to assess the role of Life Orientation teachers in promoting Career Guidance and Counselling for learners in secondary schools, and to establish strategies that can be implemented to improve their practice. The study followed a qualitative approach with case-study research design. The population consisted of Life Orientation teachers and learners from secondary schools. Purposive sampling was used to select 18 Life Orientation teachers who are teaching the subject in six secondary schools. A total number of 12 learners from Grade 10- 12 were selected to participate in the study. The study employed three data collection instruments; namely, one-on-one interviews, focus group discussions and questaviews. Data were categorised into themes, analysed and discussed accordingly. A number of findings emanated from the study. Life Orientation teachers understand their role but despite their understanding of such roles, they lack the necessary skills to fully equip learners with relevant knowledge so that they are able to choose careers that match with their subjects of specialization. The study revealed that Life Orientation teachers experience challenges, lack of training, lack of support by different stakeholders, the negative attitude towards the subject by both learners and Life Orientation teachers, the shortage of Life Orientation teachers, the subject is not valued like other subjects, poor parental involvement by parents and constant rotation of Life Orientation teachers. As a result, learners were not fully equipped in terms of knowledge and skills to choose the right subjects for specific careers and instead, some relied on their intuition while others relied on their peers. The study recommended that the Department of the Basic Education should appoint competent staff to address the unique academic/educational, psycho-social and career/vocational problems faced by learners in school, and for them to train the Life Orientation teachers as well. The subject should be taught by permanently by qualified teachers without being shifted to other subjects and to ensure that such teachers gain experience in the subject. This would add status and value to the subject.
- Full Text:
Bayesian spatial modelling of tuberculosis and its effects on socio-economic and demographic factors in South Africa : a case study of the Eastern Cape Province
- Authors: Obaromi, Abiodun Davies
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Tuberculosis -- Epidemiology -- Statistics
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9648 , vital:34813
- Description: This dissertation is concerned with evolving and extending statistical models in the area of Bayesian spatial modelling, an increasingly important field of spatial epidemiology with particular interest towards application to Tuberculosis data in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. In spatial epidemiology, the diseases to be examined usually occur within a map that needs spatial statistical methods that are appropriate, to model the observed data in the presence of some covariates and also cater for the variation of the disease. In this thesis, the Bayesian models were developed in such a way that they allowed several factors classified as fixed and random effects, to be included in the models and using the Bayesian approach. The basic model used in disease mapping is the Besag, York and Mollie model, which incorporates two random effects; one which is spatially structured and the other random effect which is spatially unstructured. The effects (fixed and random) were the covariate effects, socio-economic and demographic variability and the spatial variability respectively, which were all investigated in seven different hierarchical/multilevel Bayesian models. These factors showed varying and substantial effects in the posterior relative risk estimation of the disease. We assumed a negative binomial and generalized Poisson distributions to the response variable or relative risk estimate, 𝑦𝑖 ,to capture the over-dispersion phenomenon that is common and inherent with Poisson density for counts data. Spatial and non-spatial models were developed to model over-dispersion with all the distributions; Poisson, negative binomial and generalized Poisson. Negative binomial and generalized Poisson showed varying properties from comparisons with DIC values and parameter estimates to standard errors, which made either of them fit depending on the choice of model selection. It was found that a lower DIC value could be insufficient to determine a best fit model, if other models present estimates with lower variances even at higher DIC values. The generalized Poisson, a two parameter distribution like the negative binomial, which also has the ability to capture both under-dispersion and over-dispersion, was found to perform better in the results than the negative binomial on the basis of a lower variance and with more exact parameter estimates. A new weighted prior distribution, the “Besag2” ICAR model for the structured spatial random effects, which is an extension of the traditional ICAR prior model with two hyperparameters, was also developed and compared with some existing prior models; BYM and ICAR, to measure for spatial dependency in the regions. This new prior distribution was found to show a better fit, when compared to the basic ICAR prior usually assumed for the spatial random effect in the BYM model. This newly parameterized prior distribution in the Besag, York and Mollie model also led to improved parameter control, as the hyperparameters can be seen independently from each other. The result also showed that the new model performed well, both presenting good learning abilities and good shrinkage behaviour. In terms of model choice criteria, the proposed model performed at least equally well and better than the existing models, and the new formulation also gave parameters that are interpretable and have a clearer meaning. To interpolate scattered or regularly distributed data, there are imprecise or exact methods, but there are some of these methods that could be used for interpolating data in a regular grid and others in an irregular grid. Linear and biharmonic spline methods were implemented in MATLAB, to compare for smoothing in the distribution patterns of tuberculosis in the province. This smoothing spline is a method of fitting a smooth curve to a set of noisy observations using a spline function. This new method is rarely used in disease mapping applications, but it has a superior advantage to be assessed at subjective locations rather than only on a rectangular grid as seen in most traditional GIS methods of geospatial analyses. The proposed new models and methods in this thesis were found to be flexible and robust, since they can be reduced or extended according to the nature of the data. Nevertheless, great care must be considered in the choice of prior densities. The approaches developed in this dissertation helped to broaden the scope for spatial analysis and disease mapping applications in epidemiology and public health studies.
- Full Text:
Chemical transformation and phytochemical studies of bioactive constituents from extract of callistemon citrinus (curtis) skeels
- Authors: Larayetan, Rotimi Abisoye
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Callistemon Wild flowers
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9122 , vital:34272
- Description: Callistemon citrinus belongs to the family Myrtaceae and exhibits therapeutic activities. The aerial parts of this plant are used to treat different ailments, among them are parasitic infections. The leaves, flowers and stems of Callistemon citrinus were subjected to hydrodistillation. The oils collected were studied by GC-MS analysis for the essential constituents. The overall phenolic content of the leaves oil, radical scavenging, antibacterial action and antioxidant activities of the essential oils of Callistemon citrinus were determined using standard methods, with free radical DPPH or ABTS as reference antioxidants. Chemical transformation of the components was examined for a whole year. A relationship between the chemical change in the volatile oil constituents, antioxidant capacity, percentage yield of the oil of Callistemon citrinus and fluctuation in season has been established. Active phytochemicals present in both ethyl acetate and methanolic extracts of Callistemon citrinus were determined spectrophotometrically. The antimicrobial properties, time of kill, and antioxidant activity of the extracts were explored. The bioactive components were characterized by high level of fatty acids. Squalene, a triterpenoid synthesized in human liver was obtained in the two extracts at varying amounts. The ethyl acetate extract demonstrated strong activity against P. aeruginosa ACC (28.7 ± 1.2 mm), Listeria ACC (26.0 ± 2.0 mm) and Escherichia coli ATCC 35150 (24.0 ± 3.5 mm). Qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, saponins, steroids and triterpenoids, fats and oils, flavonoids, phenols and tannins in them. In the quantitative phytochemical determination (total tannin, total flavonoids and flavonols, total phenolic and total antioxidant capacity) were carried out. The minimum time needed to kill the tested bacterial strains totally ranged from 15 to 24 hours. The aqueous extracts used for biosynthesis of nanoparticles were obtained from the fresh aerial parts of the plant. The biosynthesized gold and silver nanoparticles (AuNPs and AgNPs) of the aqueous extracts of the seed, flower and leaf of the plant, which are active as reducing and capping agents, were characterized using UV-VIS spectrophotometry, XRD, SEM, EDS, TEM, and FT IR. The XRD analysis revealed that the AgNPs were crystalline and the TEM showed that the shapes were spherical with an average size of 29 nm. For AuNPs, an average particle size of about 37 nm was confirmed by the TEM while the morphology and composition of the AuNPs were ascertained by SEM and EDS micrographs; uneven spherical shaped nanoparticles were established by the SEM. Both SEM and EDS demonstrated triangular shaped materials made up of silver and oxygen only. Absorption spectra confirmed by UV-VIS signify the dispersed nature of the synthesized nanoparticles with absorption band observed at 280 nm for the leaf AgNPs. FT IR had absorption bands at about 1700 cm-1 establishing the C=O stretching due to the amide bond while the FT IR for the AuNPs showed an absorption peak at 230 cm-1 confirming the presence of gold nanoparticles. The phytochemical investigation, isolation and characterization of the bioactive compounds of various organic crude extracts like hexane, dichloromethane, methanol and ethyl acetate were as well carried out, and the compounds responsible for their medicinal actions were determined. The results from different experiments revealed that the leaves and flowers of Callistemon citrinus possessed phenolic compounds and cyclic ethers with a variety of pharmacological action. The ethyl acetate and methanol crude extracts were found to possess broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities and pharmaceutically essential bioactive components with striking antioxidant capacities that may be used in the synthesis of novel drugs for the management of different ailments. The AuNPs and AgNPs synthesized from the seed, flower and leaf extracts of Callistemon citrinus where found to have prominent antimalarial, antiplasmodial, and antibacterial activities. The biosynthesized nanoparticles inhibit all the bacterial strains used and they were not cytotoxic to Hela cells, confirming their prospect for use as an excellent source for naturally occurring drugs against malaria, cell cytotoxicity, trypanosomes, and microbial infection. Similarly the crude organic extracts and the fractions derived from them exhibited high antimalarial and antitrypanosomal activities, but they were toxic to Hela cells. This is an indication that they will not be safe for use as targeted drugs for mammalian organism.
- Full Text:
Critical assessment of the human resource capacity needs of senior management at Thaba Chweu Municipality in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
- Authors: Dube, Boy David
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Municipal government Rural poor Senior leadership teams
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/12172 , vital:39193
- Description: The terrain of local government is not only very complex, dynamic, and challenging, but also very unique. The quality of human resources is vital in a public institution, particularly in institutions that are meant to service communities by providing sustainable basic services. Amongst the concerns raised at a municipal level are the lack of professionalism and the required competency and capacity amongst the workforce that must perform the actual duties of servicing the local communities. This study was aimed at identifying and analysing human resource development and human resource management policies, strategies and needs in line with the current circumstances and conditions at a particular municipality. A series of challenges (that a number of community members, newspaper articles, community leaders and both the Mpumalanga Provincial Government and other spheres of government raised and complained about) prompted this study. Constant complaints are leveled against municipalities about appropriate and well qualified candidates being overlooked for employment opportunities at the expense of nepotism, cronyism and blatant corrupt activities. This study is a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods. In line with the quantitative method of generating and assembling information, the researcher used the judgement sampling method. Questionnaires were administered to collect quantitative data while primary data was collected via interviews. Data was obtained from 45 participants in Thaba Chweu Municipality. The findings show that the majority of respondents (in the form of percentages) spoke against the capacity of the officials. A smaller percentage spoke in favour of the availability of capacity. These respondents stated that municipal officials have the required skills and capacity to perform their duties. Furthermore, the study found that there was inconsistency in the implementation of council resolutions and interference in administrative matters. These factors compromised achieving the objectives of the municipal strategies and policies. The study recommends that the municipality ensures that the human resource management and development departments are consonant with current and modernised needs and that delegations to line functionaries are properly assigned and documented.
- Full Text:
Educators' perceptions of inclusive education for learners with physical disabilities
- Authors: Mpu, Nondumiso Yolanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: People with disabilities -- Education -- South Africa Inclusive education -- South Africa Disability studies -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9401 , vital:34346
- Description: There is a grave concern that in South Africa, the total population of learners between the ages of 5 and 18 was estimated at approximately 14.6 million – of which near 1,000,000 are disabled. The record in addition to this regard estimates that the wide variety of children with disabilities who are of school‐going age, yet are out of school, could be as high as half a million. The motives why disabled children are not attending school are manifold; however paramount among them is that their needs are not catered for. Inclusive education entails changing values, attitudes of people, specifically of educators and learners, policies and the practices inside schools. Since post apartheid there is only one known policy which reveals that only 20 percent of learners with disabilities were accommodated in special schools. Current statistics show that only about 64,200 learners with disabilities or impairments are accommodated in about 380 special schools. This indicates that, potentially, 280,000 learners with disabilities or impairments are unaccounted for. Analysis of the data reveals the extent of the disparities in provision for learners with disabilities, for example: The incidence of disabilities in the Eastern Cape constitutes 17.39 percent of the disabled population, yet the province has only 10.79 percent of the total number of special schools. Gauteng has 17.14 percent of the disabled population but has 25.26 percent of the schools. The Western Cape has 5.47 percent of the disabled population but has 21.58 percent of the schools. This mismatch between needs and provision is a direct result of previous apartheid policies that allocated facilities on a racial basis. Inclusive education calls for an education system, which does no longer discriminate, however welcomes all individuals, providing support and services so that every child benefits equally in mainstream schools around their regions as only 41 special schools are in the Eastern Cape. Educator perceptions as the key personnel in the inclusion and in the implementation of policies related with classroom related issued play centre stage and need to be considered.
- Full Text:
Effect of a participatory voter education programme on secondary school students' political knowledge and attitude in Ekiti State, Nigeria
- Authors: Dada, Adekunle Babatunde
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Voting -- Education (Secondary) -- Nigeria Political participation -- Nigeria Education, Secondary -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9478 , vital:34355
- Description: Nigeria has been besieged by an array of political, economic and social problems. This became obvious as many Nigerian youths that are said to be future leaders, because of the crucial role played in political and social development of the nation are derailing politically. These young leaders don’t just wake up to become leaders in a day; they need to be empowered and their minds need to be redirected through appropriate civic and electoral education in order for them to be strong enough to play their inevitable roles in sustainable national development and electoral processes. The continuous use of teacher-centered strategies portends retardation in teaching-learning processes; as learning outcomes are largely reduced to mere passing of examination; leaving out the essential knowledge, attitude and practice which are required for enhancing responsible citizenry and active political participation of students. The use of conventional method has also led to poor attitude of students to socio-political issues. This study therefore determined the effect of a Participatory Voter Education Programme on Secondary School Students’ Political Knowledge and Attitude. It also investigated the moderating effects of location and gender on the dependent variables. The pre-test, post-test, control group quasi-experimental design with a 2x2x2 factorial matrix was adopted for the study. One hundred and fifty-four secondary school two students from the three senatorial districts of Ekiti State were randomly selected for the study using multi-stage random sampling and assigned to experimental and control groups. An intact class sample selection was also employed for the study. Seven null hypotheses were generated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Four instruments were developed. These were Voter Education Concepts (Political) Knowledge Test (VECKT), Voter Education (political) Attitude Test (VEAS) Instructional Guide for the Participatory Teaching Strategy and,Conventional Teaching Method Guide. The study lasted for ten weeks. Data collected were analyzed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA), Estimated Marginal Means (EMM) and graphs. There was a significant effect of treatment on secondary school students’ political knowledge (F (1,385) = 1026.945; P <0.05). The Secondary school students exposed to the participatory Voter Education programme performed better (X= 29.17) than those exposed to the conventional Method ( X = 6.65). Also there was a significant effect of treatment on Secondary School Students Political Attitude (F (1,385) = 98.970; p < 0.05). Those exposed to participatory Voter Education programme performed better ( X = 63.97) than those in the conventional Method ( X = 56.27). Also, those in the Urban area obtained higher mean Political Knowledge score ( X = 19.78) than those in the rural area ( X = 16.78). While there were no significant main effect of gender on secondary school students’ political knowledge and attitude. The participatory Voter Education programme is effective in impacting Secondary School Students’ political knowledge and attitude. It was, therefore, recommended that the Participatory Voter Education programme be adopted by the Social Studies/ Civic Educators for presenting the political concepts to students in their classroom.
- Full Text:
Engagement of fathers in early childhood care and education provisioning in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Mufutau, Monsuru Atanda
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Early childhood education -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Education -- Parent participation Early childhood education -- Parent participation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8942 , vital:34175
- Description: This study focused on the engagement of fathers in early childhood care and education provisioning in one education district in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Significantly, a specific programme to get fathers engaged in the early childhood of their children is not well addressed by the National Integrated Early Childhood Development (ECD) Policy of 2015, despite the notion that early childhood education provisioning demands the total involvement of multiple partners and other stakeholders. The research drew its theoretical framework from the ecological system theory. Ecological system theory argues that, in order to understand human development, one must consider the entire ecological system in which growth occurs. This study utilized the quantitative research approach to obtain primary data in line with the positivist paradigm. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The instruments were scrutinized by the research supervisor to ensure validity and were pre-tested in the field study. The reliability was obtained at a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient, of 0.94 and 0.96. The results were presented in the form of pie chart and grouped into different tables of sixteen. Pearson’s ProductMoment Correlation, Analysis of Variance and t-test were used to test the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Two structured questionnaire instruments were used in the study, Principal and Teachers’ Views Questionnaire (PTVQ) and Father’s and Mother’s Views Questionnaire (FMVQ). The Multi-stage sampling technique was used to select the sample for this study. To this end, 16 principals, 12 teachers, 18 mothers and 18 fathers of children in the selected sample served as respondents. The results reveal that stakeholders have positive views about fathers’ engagement in early childhood care and education provisioning. The result indicated that schools do provide support mechanisms to encourage fathers’ engagement in early childhood care and education provisioning. The results showed that a number of strategies are used by the schools. The result also indicated that functional policy and practice will no doubt improve and encourage the engagement of fathers in ECCE provisioning. Furthermore, the study concluded that stakeholders have positive views on the engagement of fathers in ECCE provisioning. The study recommends that all stakeholders and media houses should be involved in the effective dissemination of information, and that the South African government should advocate for ECCE policies that lay out concrete commitment and guidelines for fathers and, above all, symposia, lectures, workshops, and seminars should be organized for fathers.
- Full Text:
Evaluating selected enterprises for sustainable social development in South Africa :|ba case study of Buffalo City Municipality, Eastern Cape
- Authors: Kajiita, Robert Mutemi
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social entrepreneurship Social responsibility of business Nonprofit organizations -- Management
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/10829 , vital:35825
- Description: Globally, countries, institutions, and organizations are investing time, resources, and human capital on finding best solutions to address poverty, inequality and unemployment; and importantly on achieving sustainable development. This study sought to investigate how social enterprises in Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality (BCMM) contribute to sustainable social development within the municipality and the country at large. The study endeavoured to answer the following research questions: what is the knowledge level among the selected stakeholders on social enterprise in BCMM? What is the scope, application, and sustainability of selected social enterprises in BCMM? What is the contribution of selected social enterprises in social development in BCMM? What are the bottlenecks associated with the application of social entrepreneurship in BCMM? These questions were answered through mixed methods approaches and techniques, where both qualitative and quantitative data was collected and analysed. The data was collected through in-depth interviews (key informant technique) and a min-survey which was administered to users of the social enterprises. Qualitative data was analysed thematically, while quantitative data was statistically analysed with help of SPSS software. The interpretation of the findings was premised on pragmatic and transformative paradigms. The study further used theoretical lenses such as empowerment theory, capability approach and positive theory of social enterprise to support and explain the findings. The main findings showed that: the selected stakeholders conceptualized social enterprises through the African lens of communal living; the social enterprises widely provided their services across a range of sectors and geographical locations; the social enterprises had direct and indirect contribution to socio-economic development in BCMM. This was specifically through provision of employment, training and skill development among others; the future of social enterprises in the country is bright as many sectors presented opportunities for social investment; and social enterprises face financial constraints, lack of skills in the sector, and competition from the mainstream market. The recommendations from this study address government entities, social services providers and practitioners, social enterprises, and researchers on pertinent endeavours to improve the growth and development of social enterprises. The study concludes that social enterprises are: vital vehicles of socio-economic development, more especially for the marginalized segment of the populations; tools for reducing inequality; platforms for innovations, community participation and conduits of empowerment interventions. Thus, social enterprises play dynamic role and presents potential for capable sustainable social development in the local communities and the South African community at large.
- Full Text:
Evaluation and identification of microbial contaminants in polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in Amathole District Municipality, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
- Authors: Famewo, Elizabeth Bosede
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Tuberculosis -- Treatment -- South Africa Mycobacterial diseases -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape Medicinal plants -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9680 , vital:34818
- Description: Tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The emergence of drug-resistant strains of this organism has become a global public health problem. In the continuing search for effective treatment, polyherbal medicines offer a great hope in the development of alternative drugs for the treatment of tuberculosis. The use of herbal formulations for therapeutic purposes has significantly increased in the developed and developing countries because of their curative property, less toxicity and minimal side effects. However, there is little information on their safety and effectiveness in the literature. To address this, polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa were evaluated. Ethno-medicinal survey was conducted through semi-structured questionnaires coupled with informal conversations with the herbal sellers in five communities in the study area. Bacterial and fungal DNA was extracted from the polyherbal medicines purchased. A fragment of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer region of the fungal rRNA operon were amplified with universal primers 27F and 518R, and ITS1 and ITS4 respectively. Following standard procedures, the amplicons were finally run on Illumina’s MiSeq platform. Furthermore, the remedies were screened against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv using Middlebrook 7H9 media and MGIT BACTEC 960 system. Agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the remedies against eight bacteria and three fungi isolates. The herbal preparations were assayed for their toxicity using hatchability success and larval mortality of Artemia salina Leach. Finally, their nutritive properties were analysed using an inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer for mineral analysis while the vitamins were determined using standardized methods A total of nine polyherbal preparations were collected. The herbs used for the preparation of these remedies belong to 20 families. Apiaceae [5(25 percent)] was the most prominent plant family used, followed by Liliaceae [4(20 percent)], Strychnaceae [4(20 percent)], Rutaceae [4(20 percent)] and Hypoxidaceae [3(15 percent)]. The two most frequently used plants were Allium sativum L. (Liliaceae) and Strychnos decussata (Pappe) Gilg. (Strychnaceae). Rhizomes was the most common parts used, followed by the roots and barks. The herbal medicines were prepared mainly by infusion and decoction. The presences of pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria were identified in the polyherbal medicines. Generally, the most common bacteria identified from the samples were Bacillus sp., Enterobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Rahnella sp., Paenibacillus sp., Clostridium sp. and Pantoea sp. The predominant mycoflora obtained belongs to different genera or species of fungi; these include Alternaria, Candida, Ramularia, Cladosporium, Penicillium, Aspergillus and Malassezia. The susceptibility testing revealed that all the remedies contain anti-tubercular activity against M. tuberculosis H37Rv at concentrations below 50 ug/ml. Seven of the polyherbal preparations showed activity at concentrations below 25 ug/ml. The MIC values exhibited inhibitory activity at 1.562 μg/ml. However, isoniazid showed more inhibitory activity against M. tuberculosis at 0.05 μg/ml when compared to the polyherbal remedies. The inhibitory activity of the polyherbal medicines based on the overall MIC revealed that Hogsback first site (HBfs) and Fort Beaufort (FB) remedies were the most active remedies against the bacterial isolates at the concentration of 2.5 mg/mL. Among the nine herbal formulations, only King Williams Town site A (KWTa) remedy showed activity against Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus fumigatus with the MIC valve of 2.5 mg/mL. While King Williams Town site C (KWTc) and Hogsback third site (HBts) had the highest activity at 1.25 mg/mL against Candida albicans, the remaining remedies were active at 2.5 mg/mL. The percentage hatchability of 44.42 percent, 42.96 percent and 39.70 percent were observed in A. salina cysts incubated with herbal preparations from KWTa, HBfs and HBts respectively. The hatching success of the cysts in these remedies was significantly higher than the positive control (nystatin) and the negative control (sea water) at p < 0.05. The mortality of A. salina nauplii incubated in Alice (AL), King Williams Town site B (KWTb) and KWTc remedies were significantly higher than when larvae were incubated in both controls. Based on Meyer’s index, the LD50 of each polyherbal medicine was between 2.9 and 4.0 mg/ml, the LD50 values greater than 1 mg/ml, an indication that they are not toxic. The polyherbal preparations were found to be rich in vitamins and mineral nutrients. Calcium was the highest macronutrient detected while the lowest nutrient was phosphorus. Iron was the highest micronutrient in the majority of the polyherbal preparations while the lowest value was recorded for copper. Vitamin C was absent in the herbal preparations while vitamin A and E were detected. This study provides significant ethno-medicinal information on polyherbal medicines used for the treatment of TB in the study area. The presence of the identified bacteria and fungi in the herbal formulations is a cause for concern. However, the ability of the remedies to possess activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and other pathogenic microorganisms associated with tuberculosis infection makes them potential sources of new antimycobacterial agents. Also, they are rich sources of mineral nutrients, and are as well non-toxic, thus, they are safe for consumption. In view of their anti-tubercular properties, this study has provided a better understanding of the reasons why TB-patients make use of these polyherbal formulations. Also, the study supports the folkloric use of polyherbal medicines in the treatment of tuberculosis in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.
- Full Text:
Examinee invariant condition of test score equating : the case of school certificate examination in computer studies for examinees across rural and urban areas of selected secondary schools in Malawi
- Authors: Phiri, Gerson Mutala
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Educational tests and measurements -- Malawi Computer studies -- Malawi -- Examinations Malawi School Certificate of Education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8507 , vital:32853
- Description: This study examined the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Equating of test scores to create comparable and interchangeable scores in assessment is increasingly becoming popular to most examining bodies. However, the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) and many other examining bodies in Africa and Europe do not embrace test score equating in their assessment systems. The consequences of not equating test scores have not been clearly documented. Furthermore, there are no proper equating designs for some agencies to employ because they administer tests annually to different examinee' populations and they disclose all items after each administration. Therefore, the study sought to establish whether the invariant condition of equating test scores of examinees holds for the Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) Computer Studies test across rural and urban areas of Zomba District in Malawi. Data were collected through two Computer Studies tests which were administered to a sample of rural and urban examinees. The data were analysed using means, standard deviations, T-tests and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that score distributions and test difficulties were similar across test forms signifying that test score equating is necessary. The classification of examinees into rural and urban geographical areas across the test forms were different before score equating, but similar after score equating. The equating of scores for the two sub-populations of rural and urban examinees displayed similarities in their Standard Error of Equating (SEE) values but they were not the same. The equated scores for rural examinees displayed more equating errors than the equated scores of urban examinees, indicating a better performance in Computer Studies by urban examinees than the performance of rural examinees. The study further revealed that equating of test scores was necessary because it was almost impossible to construct multiple forms of a test that were completely parallel. Even though test developers use the same test specifications to develop test items and make every effort to develop items in one test form as similar as possible to the items in another test form, the study has shown that there is no guarantee that the difficulty levels of the items would be the same. Among the many recommendations made, one major one is that the Malawi National Examinations Board (MANEB) should embrace the practice of equating test scores to improve fairness of decisions which are made on examination results.
- Full Text:
Examining factors influencing the academic performance of grade 12 learners in English language : a study of four schools in the Oshikoto Region of Namibia
- Authors: Limene, Tobias
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: English language -- Study and teaching -- Namibia Teachers -- Training of -- Nambia Language and education -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9566 , vital:34792
- Description: This study examined factors that influence the academic performance of Grade 12 learners in English Language (L 2) in the Oshikoto Region. The theoretical framework that underpinned and guided the present study was the Systems Theory of von Bertalanffy (1930), supplemented and complemented by the School Context Model of Bascia (2014). These helped me to understand how the school context shapes core processes of teaching and learning. The study sample consisted of four principals, eight parents, eight teachers and thirty two learners who were purposively sampled from four selected secondary schools. The study was anchored in the pragmatic paradigm and it adopted the mixed methods research approach. Data collection instruments consisted of questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Major findings were that, both Grade 12 English Language (L 2) teachers and learners lack English Language proficiency. This was due to lack of exposure to the English Language. The study also noted lack of learning materials in both school and the home. Major recommendations were that schools (principals) should expose both teachers and learners to English Language by coming up with policies that make it mandatory for teachers and learners to use English while at school. Teachers should also actively involve learners in their learning by using methods such as debates and drama. The study also recommended that the Ministry of Education, schools and parents work together to provide adequate reading materials for learners. For future research, the study recommended an in-depth qualitative study to test the findings of the present study.
- Full Text:
Farmers' vulnerability to climate change and variability and adaptation strategies : a case study of commercial tobacco farmers in Zimbabwe
- Authors: Nyathi, Confidence G
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Climatic changes Global environmental change
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9111 , vital:34269
- Description: The fast track land reform program (FTRLP) of 2000 in Zimbabwe resulted in a dynamic change of Zimbabwe’s agricultural landscape. It resulted in the conversion of white owned commercial farms into resettlement models A1 and A2. Model A1 was intended to decongest communal areas and was targeted at land-constrained farmers in communal areas. Model A2 on the other hand was a commercial settlement scheme comprising small, medium and large scale commercial settlement, intended to create a cadre of black commercial farmers. This model was in principle, targeted at any Zimbabwean citizen who could prove farming experience and/or resource availability and was based on the concept of full cost recovery from the beneficiary (Musemwa, 2011) This study looked at the demographic that constitutes of commercial tobacco farmers, in Zimbabwe after the FTLRP, how they are affected by climate change and variability and how they adapt to these climate extremes; in particular, their uptake of crop insurance. The study was quantitative and utilised a structured pre-coded questionnaire to interview 158 farmers that are into commercial tobacco farming in Manicaland, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Mashonaland East Provinces of Zimbabwe. The focus was on two central themes. The first was an investigation of the commercial tobacco farmers’ vulnerability to climate change and variability in Zimbabwe. The second theme analysed the factors influencing the farmers’ adoption of crop insurance and the challenges faced by both the farmers and insurance companies in its adoption. Three approaches were used to address the above objectives. Firstly to analyze the vulnerability of commercial tobacco farmers to climate change and variability, the integrated vulnerability assessment approach using vulnerability indicators from four tobacco producing provinces in Zimbabwe was used. The vulnerability indicators used included a series of different socio-economic, institutional and biophysical attributes which were further categorized into three classes, based on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC 2001) definition of vulnerability, which consists of adaptive capacity, sensitivity and exposure. The LV Index and LVI-IPCC Index (Ms Excel) were then used to determine the farmer’s vulnerability index. Secondly, descriptive statistics were used to determine the manner in which farmers have been adapting to climate change and variability and lastly, the study used the binary logistic regression model to determine factors that influence the adoption of crop insurance by these farmers. The results from the analysis show that the net effect of exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity is moderate for the provinces of Mashonaland East, Mashonaland Central, Mashonaland West and Manicaland. Through the LVI Index and LVI-IPCC index, the study found indices of 0.566 and 0.100 respectively showing that the commercial farmers in these provinces are moderately vulnerable to the effects of climate change and variability. The factors that contributed the most to this vulnerability were aspects of finance, knowledge and skills, support services, and the state of the environment. In terms of adaptation, the majority of farmers indicated that they were aware of climate change and were aware of increased climate variability and had observed an increase in temperature and rainfall variability. The different ways in which the farmers adapted included, off-farm income, enterprise diversification, irrigation, crop rotation, conservation tillage practices, establishing woodlots and using alternative fuel for curing such as coal. The binary logistic regression model showed that the factors that were significant with a positive effect on the uptake of crop insurance are; subscription to contract farming which was the major determinant, access to crop insurance information, farm tenure and area under tobacco. Factors that had a significant but negative effect, and led to a reduction in the uptake of crop insurance were level of education, perception of crop insurance premiums and enterprise diversification. The farmers were found to be highly diversified either with off-farm income, crop diversification and or enterprise diversification. The study recommended that the farmers should promote sustainable development through their production activities and adaptation strategies adopted to increase their resilience to climate change and variability. Strengthening of social networks and institutional capacities was also recommended to; increase bargaining power, for information dissemination and provision of technical support and extension services to enable the farmers to take on appropriate measues to reduce their vulnerability. In terms of crop insurance uptake, the study recommended improvement in the dialogue between the farmers and insurance companies, and periodic training and education of farmers to improve knowledge and encourage uptake.
- Full Text:
Implementation of programmes for maintaining care and safety of learners in secondary schools in the Graaff Reinet education district
- Authors: Bilatyi, Nkosana Carlon
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Schools -- Security measures -- Eastern Cape School environment -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9379 , vital:34339
- Description: Care and safety of learners refers to the behavioral practices which protect children from danger, risks and injuries. It also includes environment that is free from violence since where there is no fear perceived, there is reverence for the school and its disciplinary measures (Hernandez & Seem, 2004; Marotz, Cross, Rush, 2005; Mathe, 2008; Chukwu, 2008). Schools should have positive environment which allows members of staff, learners and guests to freely interact without threats or fear. Learners and staff should feel psychologically, physically and emotionally safe and secure (Dwyer & Osher, 2000; Tabancali &Bektas, 2009; Butcher& Manning 2005). Consequently, care and safety of learners can also be viewed in a more practical and management oriented way. According to Hull (2010) care and safety of learners in a management oriented way includes, maintenance of school buildings and grounds, care of facilities, furniture and equipment with spacious corridors that allow free flow and emergency movement to prevent illness and death. Classes should accommodate the required educator-learner ratio. The playgrounds are reduced to limited space to ensure that learners are visible and are controllable. Moreover provision of care and safety of learners includes school culture and the appropriate training of educators as well as school staff who should respond to threats and hazards. It also includes addressing the range of crisis the school can face such as death and natural disasters (Phaneuf, 2009). Reeves, Nickerson, Conolly-Wilson, Suson, Lazzaro, Jimerson, and Pesce (2012) contend that the educators on duty should provide learners with safety precautions to guard against the possibility of single learner slipping away and suffering injuries (Dilion, 2007). According to Mogopodi, Banyaladzi & Petros (2015) facilities like laboratories should be suitable for all learners because they help to transform theoretical education into practice making learning effective. Astor, Guerra, Van Acker (2010) suggest that provision of care and safety for learners is among the most essential components for achieving effective teaching and learning. This will only be achieved by putting in place proper care and safety programmes and ensuring that they are effectively implemented (Netshitahame, & Vollenhoven, 2002, Astor et.al.2010).
- Full Text:
Implementation of strategies used to manage conflict between students and staff in secondary schools in Malawi : towards a comprehensive framework
- Authors: Zimpita, Valentino Tipitana
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Conflict management Conflict management -- Study and teaching Violence -- Prevention
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9412 , vital:34348
- Description: The study aimed at examining how strategies used to manage conflict between students and staff in secondary schools in Malawi were implemented. This was after it had been noted that conflicts in secondary schools in Malawi usually ended in violence. The study employed a pragmatic research paradigm. In this paradigm, a researcher employs mixed methods approach which collects both quantitative and qualitative data. Using a concurrent triangulation mixed method design, the two types of data were collected concurrently and analysed simultaneously. Study participants were head teachers, teachers, students, education officials and parents. Most of the teachers were randomly sampled while a few other teachers, the head teachers, the education officials and the parents were purposefully sampled. The study found that there were various causes of conflict in secondary schools in Malawi which included misunderstanding of human rights, poor communication between students and staff, poor school management by head teachers and lack of students‘ involvement in decisions that concerned them. The study further found that conflict was in a way beneficial to schools as it was a learning point for both students and staff. However, such benefits were overshadowed by the many evils that violence brought such as disturbing teaching and learning. The study also found that there were two approaches in the way schools managed conflict; engagement of students and calling for police intervention. It transpired that on the overall, stakeholders were aware of different conflict management skills but they did not know how best to use them. In addition, it transpired that stakeholders were not comfortable with win-win approaches to conflict management. This was against a background that the stakeholders were involved in conflict management in different ways. It also came out clear that support to secondary schools in the management of conflict was at two levels; school level and system level. On the part of monitoring, it transpired that the mechanism which were there were ad hoc and they included inspection visits and the requirement that head teachers should always submit reports which could carry issues related to conflict. The study concluded that poorly managed conflicts which turned into violence were a menace to secondary schools in Malawi. In this regard, there was need to ensure effective conflict management in order to avoid violence. To achieve this, the study has made a number of recommendations. Among them, it has been recommended that schools should from time to time take stork of the likely causes of conflict and address them accordingly. It has also been recommended that schools should put in place mechanisms for ensuring two way communication so that students feel free to air out their concerns. At Ministry level, it has been recommended that the MoEST should take guidance and counselling seriously by among other things training teacher councillors and making the post an established one. It has also been recommended that the MoEST should make sure that head teachers, deputy head teachers, teachers, parents and even education officials are inducted in conflict management.
- Full Text:
Implementation of the school nutrition programme in selected high schools in KwaZulu-Natal Province : implications on learners' nutrition education
- Authors: Mafugu, Tafirenyika
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: School children -- Nutrition -- KwaZulu-Natal School children -- Food -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal Child welfare -- South Africa -- KwaZulu-Natal
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9637 , vital:34812
- Description: The study sought to: examine training, monitoring and support provided to NSNP stakeholders; establish what informs the procurement and preparation of the food; determine its nutritional value; identify challenges encountered in the implementation of the school nutritrition programme; and evaluate the implications of the NSNP on learners’ nutritional education in Pinetown district in South Africa. Underpinned by the pragmatic research paradigm, the study followed a mixed methods research approach which utilised a convergent parallel research design. A random sample of 108 learners and purposive samples of 32 different stakeholders participated in the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse quantitative data, while qualitative data were categorised into themes which were presented in tables and text. The two forms of data were merged at the interpretation phase through triangulation of results. The study found that some of the key stakeholders of NSNP were not adequately supported and trained, and that monitoring was only done regularly by the teacher coordinators. District field officers lacked adequate expertise to train stakeholders. Food was prepared following a menu which was not updated in some schools, and food handlers in two schools could not understand quantities on the menu. The suppliers used the menu for procurement of food. The observed mean intakes per child per day for energy, protein, total fat, cholesterol, dietary fibre, vitamin K and sodium were significantly lower than the expected mean nutrient intakes, while the intakes of all other nutrients were not significantly different statistically, from the expected nutrient intakes. The intakes of all nutrients were below the minimum of 30 percent of RDA which was recommended by the Department of Basic Education. Fruits were rarely supplied. Nutritional education was not adequately taught across the curriculum and most respondents were not aware of basic nutritional principles. Training stakeholders and early payment of the suppliers could significantly improve learners’ benefit from the programme. The study’s proposed framework of implementation of the school nutrition programme recommends ways to improve the implementation process, including the incorporation of nutrition education into the Life Orientation curriculum to enhance good food choices that curb prevalent nutrient disorders among South Africans.
- Full Text:
Implementing values education as a vehicle to enhance moral regeneration among youths in secondary schools in Gokwe South District, Zimbabwe: towards a holistic framework
- Authors: Ndondo, Shepherd
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Values -- Study and teaching -- Zimbabwe Moral education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9423 , vital:34350
- Description: This study focused on the implementation of values education strategies in secondary schools in Gokwe South District in Zimbabwe. The study employed the interpretive paradigm and it used the qualitative approach and case study research design. Purposive sampling was used to select 34 participants who were rich informants and these included 1 District Schools Inspector, 3 School heads, 3 School counsellors, 3 Religious Studies teachers, 3 History teachers, 3 Arts and Culture teachers and 18 learners (6 from each school). Data were obtained through face to face interviews, focus groups and document analysis. The study revealed that most learners in these schools embodied ubuntu that shaped their behaviour. ln order to deal with elements of indiscipline, the schools adopted values education strategies which included Positive discipline, Guidance and Counselling, teaching of Religious Studies, Citizenship Education, teaching of Arts and Culture, and Parental Involvement which were implemented in the selected schools in different ways. Imparting values based knowledge to students is a commendable step, however, there were gaps that were noted in the implementation process. Some subjects like Citizenship Education existed on paper but not in practice in some schools, as students claimed ignorance of their existence. Although these subjects were supervised and supported by the District Schools Inspector (DSI) and the School heads, lack of funds and limited resources negatively affected their implementation. With regard to discipline procedures, it was noted that some teachers utilized corporal punishment, despite it being outlawed in the country, as stated in the Ministry of Education Sports and Culture Circular P.35 of 1999. It emerged that there was lack of qualified School counsellors, Arts and Culture teachers and inadequate Parental Involvement in values disciplines. It was also established that lack of financial resources constrained the implementation of values education strategies in that teachers could not go for staff development workshops. Notwithstanding the hindrances encountered, the study found that there were pockets of good practices in implementing values education. The study concluded that selected secondary schools used several strategies in values education which involved counselling misbehaving learners and involving parents when their children have behaviour problems. It was also revealed that members of the school community were playing different roles in the implementation process. The study recommended that there should be active participation of all members in positive disciplinary procedures so that values education strategies become effective.The study also recommended that teachers be trained in teaching values disciplines for effective implementation. Lastly, based on the findings of the study and literature, the researcher proposed an alternative model for implementing values education strategies that will hopefully contribute to the eradication of moral decadence among the youths.
- Full Text:
Incidence of porcine circovirus type 2 and porcine parvoviruses in swine herds of some communities in Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Afolabi, Kayode Olayinka
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Swine -- Diseases Swine -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9691 , vital:34820
- Description: Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is one of the swine pathogens of global economic importance. Since its first detection in early 1990s as the main etiologic agent of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) and many other porcine circovirus-associated diseases (PCVAD), the virus has been extensively studied and has been found to be present in virtually all the pig producing countries of the world. As a viral pathogen that brings about clinical diseases aided by co-infecting pathogens, the involvement of many other viral agents including porcine parvoviruses (PPVs) have caught the attention of stakeholders worldwide. However, no surveillance study of the viral pathogens has been carried out in South Africa as there are little or no information on their prevalence in the swine herds of the country. This present study therefore aimed at detection and molecular characterization of PCV2 and PPVs in swine herds of some selected communities in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. A total of 375 field samples were collected from seven commercial and communal farms from three District Municipalities of Eastern Cape, South Africa between 2015 and 2016. Structured questionnaires were also administered to each farm at the time of sample collection to obtain some important information relating to health status and farm management practices in the sampled farms. With the aid of conventional PCR method, 339 samples were initially screened for the presence of PCV2; positive amplicons were sequenced and obtained partial genomes of the virus were preliminarily analyzed. In order to obtain the complete genomes of the virus, four overlapping primer pairs were used to amplify the full-genome of PCV2 from the initial positive samples; amplified genomes were sequenced using the Sanger methods, sequenced PCV2 genomes were assembled and characterized. Furthermore, the prevalences of some designated PPVs in the sampled farms were obtained using 110 samples randomly selected from the previously archived samples and screened with 6 different primer pairs specific for the detection of 7 PPVs. All the amplified parvoviruses’ genomes were sequenced; their sequenced partial genomes were subsequently base-culled and analysed. The data obtained revealed that 54/339 (15.93 percent) samples from the swine herds were positive for PCV2; whereas the degree of occurrence of the viral pathogen as observed at farm level ranges from approximately 5.6 to 60 percent. The majority 15/17 (88 percent) of the analyzed partial sequences were found clustering with other PCV2b strains in the phylogenetic analysis. More interestingly, two other sequences obtained were also found clustering within PCV2d genotype in the initial screening and analysis. Furthermore, 15 complete PCV2 genomes were successfully amplified, sequenced and assembled. NJ and ML phylogenetic analysis of the complete ORF2 gene and full genomes unanimously showed 11 of the assembled genomes belonging to genotype PCV2b. Another 3 of the characterized sequences formed clade with other reference mutant PCV2b and PCV2b subtype 1C (PCV2d) strains from different parts of the world. The last sequence however, clustered with other reference strains belonging to PCV2 intermediate clade 2 (PCV2-IM2) recently identified in a global PCV2 strains phylogenetic analysis. Other genetic analyses including multiple sequence alignment and p-distance analysis also confirmed the outcomes of the phylogenetic analyses of the complete capsid gene and fullgenomes of the virus. On the other hand, the findings of the molecular profiling for PPVs showed that all the screened parvoviruses were present in the study area, having prevalence of 29.1 percent (PPV1), 21.8 percent (PPV2), 5.5 percent (PPV3), 43.6 percent (PPV4), 21.8 percent (PBo-likeV) and 44.6 percent for PBoV1 and PBoV2. Double infection of the screened PPVs was observed to be very rampant among the pigs as high as 20/110 (18.2 percent) for PPV2/PPV4 and PPV4/PBoV; followed by 19/110 (17.3 percent) of the samples for PPV1/PPV4 and PPV1/PBoV. Three of the viruses were found simultaneously in 19 of the screened samples representing 17.3 percent, whereas 8 (7.3 percent) samples were positive for four of the viruses. Phylogenetic analyses of PPV1, PPV2 and PBoVs 1 and 2 were conducted with two major clades homologous for each of them. This is the first report of PCV2 in swine herds of the Province and the first detection of PCV2b, PCV2d and PCV2-IM2 strains in South African swine herds. It follows the first reported case of PCV2a in an outbreak of porcine multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS) in Gauteng Province, South Africa over two decades ago. Also, this is the first major epidemiologic study on PPVs in the country following the initial case study of 1975. These findings confirmed the presence of the allimportant viral pathogens among pigs and also give preliminary insights into the possibility of co-infections of the pathogens in the studied area. This could however result in a serious large scale outbreak of devastating disease(s) associated with the viral pathogens, thereby ultimately resulting in huge economic losses if no appropriate measures are taken to effectively curb their spread across the country.
- Full Text:
Influence of trans-border trading activities on senior secondary school students' academic performance in economics in Ogun State, Nigeria
- Authors: Titus, Adesegun Benedict
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Smuggling -- Education (Secondary) Borderlands -- Nigeria
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/9659 , vital:34814
- Description: The study investigated the influence of transborder trading activities on senior secondary school students’ academic performance in economics in Ogun state, Nigeria. A descriptive survey research design involving 320 students that comprised males and females were selected through stratified random sampling technique. Two self-developed instruments were used: student questionnaire on transborder trading activities (SQTTA) with a Cronbach alpha index of 0.7845; and the economics achievement test (EAT) with a co-efficient index of r= 0.814. The results of the data collected were collated, coded, analyzed and interpreted through the use of descriptive research statistics of frequency, mean, percentages, and standard deviation while Step-wise regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses raised in the study, and the inferential statistics t-test was used to test the significant differences between the independent and dependent variables. The results revealed that there is a positive significant influence of smuggling on students’ academic performance in economics concepts (t=4.123; df =307, p<0.05) and a negative significant influence of school location on students’ academic performance in economics concepts (t=0.952; df=307, p>0.05). The study revealed that the most prevalent transborder trading activities like smuggling of used tyres, small firearms and fairly used clothes had negative influence on students’ academic performance. Based on these findings, discussions were focused on the involvement of students in trans-border trading activities and the location of schools, amongst others, which has no significant influence on students’ academic performance. However, it was recommended that schools should not be located near border areas in future.
- Full Text: