Challenges on learning and teaching of fraction operations in Grade 6 - a case study in a South African primary school
- Authors: Chetty, Ashnee
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Primary) Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Early childhood)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15869 , vital:40534
- Description: Literature review indicates that world over, fraction operations in primary school are challenging not only for learners but also for teachers and South Africa is not an exception. There have been studies on challenges of fraction operations, but could not locate any study at a Grade 6 level in East London education district. The purpose of this study was to assess the specific strengths and challenges in the learning and teaching of fraction operations in Grade 6 in one of the schools in this district. The research paradigm for this study was post-positivism which adopted a mixed methods approach, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods. The population consisted of three teachers and 98 Grade 6 learners in one primary school in East London. The learners were under 18 years and in order to comply with South African ethical regulations involving humans, a letter was sent out to all 98 Grade 6 learners’ parents requesting their consent. Only 59 learners brought back the consent letters signed by a parent or legal guardian and hence, the sample consisted of 59 Grade 6 learners. There were two instruments: a survey questionnaire with 15 items for learners and two interview schedules, one for teachers and another for learners. The time to complete the questionnaire was 45 minutes and the time to complete the interviews was less than 20 minutes for learners and 40 minutes for teachers. As part of a pilot study, the questionnaire was given to six learners in 2017 cohort. Also, the questionnaire was given two colleagues teaching Grade 6 from two different schools. Furthermore, two learners from the 2017 cohort and two colleagues from two different schools were interviewed, respectively, to check the validity of the learners’ and teachers’ interview schedules. Based on the feedback, the instruments were modified for use in 2018. The learners were given the questionnaire to answer first before 10 were selected for interviews. Three teachers, one each from Grades 5, 6 and 7 were interviewed. The quantitative data were analysed to lead to a descriptive data presentation. The qualitative data were analysed thematically. It was revealed that there were similarities and differences in the manner in which teachers teach and the challenges they identified. There were similarities and differences among the responses from the learners. They found certain fraction operations challenging and their strengths were similar as well. The common outline of the learners’ strengths were being able to do like-fractions while, their challenges were on doing unlike-fractions. The teachers too concurred with the learners’ views. The learners got confused because they did not understand fractions as part of a whole. The teachers indicated knowledge of more than one teaching method. The teachers also pointed out how times tables is an essential part of being able to do operations of fractions. This study could be beneficial for teachers, learners, parents and curriculum developers. The curriculum developers need to revisit the time frame, the transition between the grades, and how often the concept of fractions appears throughout every term.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Chetty, Ashnee
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Primary) Mathematics -- Study and teaching (Early childhood)
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MEd
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15869 , vital:40534
- Description: Literature review indicates that world over, fraction operations in primary school are challenging not only for learners but also for teachers and South Africa is not an exception. There have been studies on challenges of fraction operations, but could not locate any study at a Grade 6 level in East London education district. The purpose of this study was to assess the specific strengths and challenges in the learning and teaching of fraction operations in Grade 6 in one of the schools in this district. The research paradigm for this study was post-positivism which adopted a mixed methods approach, utilising both quantitative and qualitative methods. The population consisted of three teachers and 98 Grade 6 learners in one primary school in East London. The learners were under 18 years and in order to comply with South African ethical regulations involving humans, a letter was sent out to all 98 Grade 6 learners’ parents requesting their consent. Only 59 learners brought back the consent letters signed by a parent or legal guardian and hence, the sample consisted of 59 Grade 6 learners. There were two instruments: a survey questionnaire with 15 items for learners and two interview schedules, one for teachers and another for learners. The time to complete the questionnaire was 45 minutes and the time to complete the interviews was less than 20 minutes for learners and 40 minutes for teachers. As part of a pilot study, the questionnaire was given to six learners in 2017 cohort. Also, the questionnaire was given two colleagues teaching Grade 6 from two different schools. Furthermore, two learners from the 2017 cohort and two colleagues from two different schools were interviewed, respectively, to check the validity of the learners’ and teachers’ interview schedules. Based on the feedback, the instruments were modified for use in 2018. The learners were given the questionnaire to answer first before 10 were selected for interviews. Three teachers, one each from Grades 5, 6 and 7 were interviewed. The quantitative data were analysed to lead to a descriptive data presentation. The qualitative data were analysed thematically. It was revealed that there were similarities and differences in the manner in which teachers teach and the challenges they identified. There were similarities and differences among the responses from the learners. They found certain fraction operations challenging and their strengths were similar as well. The common outline of the learners’ strengths were being able to do like-fractions while, their challenges were on doing unlike-fractions. The teachers too concurred with the learners’ views. The learners got confused because they did not understand fractions as part of a whole. The teachers indicated knowledge of more than one teaching method. The teachers also pointed out how times tables is an essential part of being able to do operations of fractions. This study could be beneficial for teachers, learners, parents and curriculum developers. The curriculum developers need to revisit the time frame, the transition between the grades, and how often the concept of fractions appears throughout every term.
- Full Text:
Examining educators’ strategies for promoting science learning and science literacy among grade 9 learners in a South African Rural Education District
- Authors: Mtsi, Nomxolisi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Children's literature in science education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16150 , vital:40673
- Description: Science learning and Science Literacy (SL) play a crucial role in preparing learners to participate in the country’s economy with the relevant knowledge, higher order thinking and analytical reasoning to solve day-to-day problems. The purpose of this research was to examine educators’ strategies for promoting science learning and SL among grade 9 learners in a rural education district in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. Learning of science and promotion of SL complement each other and therefore science educators’ strategies are pertinent. The study used pragmatic paradigm and the mixed method approach and was informed by cognitive and social constructivism as theoretical frameworks. For data collection, the study used convenience sampling based on the proximity and comparative ease of the researcher to reach the rural schools to select 30 out of 67 schools spread over six out of the eight circuits in the selected education district. On the other hand, purposive sampling was used for the selection of learners by their educators based on academic performance, top, average and below average achievers. Since each school had only one grade 9 science educator, 30 grade 9 science educators from the selected 30 schools formed the sample for quantitative data. Out of these 30, 10 educators who volunteered first for interviews and gave permission for being observed in their classrooms were selected for qualitative data collection. Three learners in each of the 10 schools from which the educators for qualitative data collection were selected, constituted the learners’ sample (30 learners). While data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations from educators, data from learners were collected through focus group (FG) interviews. The questionnaire was structured in order to gather educators’ biographical data as well as information on educators’ strategies to promote science learning and SL. The interview schedule was similar to the questionnaire but biographical data were excluded. Observations focused on educators’ strategies for science learning, SL and assessments. The data from the questionnaire were descriptively analysed and the qualitative and transcribed observation data were thematically analysed. Final conclusions were drawn based on the triangulated data. Major findings showed that the strategies which the educators employed in the descending order of use were: Investigation at 97percent; Discussion, Presentation and Project, each at 93percent; Problem solving at 90percent; Demonstration and Question-Answer, each at 87percent; Case study and Brainstorming, each at 77percent; Role-play at 63percent; Lecture at 57percent; Modelling at 47percent, Inquiry at 27percent and Simulation at 23percent. Findings also revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies used by educators. Some of the strengths were: promotion of interactive learning; stimulation of research skills; enhancement of critical thinking and development of confidence through participation. Some of the weaknesses were: learners’ tendency to rely on others; lack of resources hindering learning and promotion of plagiarism. The study recommends that all stakeholders must work together to achieve good quality education. District and Provincial officers ought to track and monitor the science curriculum implementation. Subject specialists, educator subject committees and cluster leaders must also be active in strategic planning for enhancing SL in schools by putting forward their inputs and adopting consensus-based ones. A framework for driving science content with pedagogical content knowledge and practicals-driven strategy for enhancing science content knowledge is proposed.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mtsi, Nomxolisi
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Science -- Study and teaching (Elementary) Children's literature in science education
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/16150 , vital:40673
- Description: Science learning and Science Literacy (SL) play a crucial role in preparing learners to participate in the country’s economy with the relevant knowledge, higher order thinking and analytical reasoning to solve day-to-day problems. The purpose of this research was to examine educators’ strategies for promoting science learning and SL among grade 9 learners in a rural education district in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province. Learning of science and promotion of SL complement each other and therefore science educators’ strategies are pertinent. The study used pragmatic paradigm and the mixed method approach and was informed by cognitive and social constructivism as theoretical frameworks. For data collection, the study used convenience sampling based on the proximity and comparative ease of the researcher to reach the rural schools to select 30 out of 67 schools spread over six out of the eight circuits in the selected education district. On the other hand, purposive sampling was used for the selection of learners by their educators based on academic performance, top, average and below average achievers. Since each school had only one grade 9 science educator, 30 grade 9 science educators from the selected 30 schools formed the sample for quantitative data. Out of these 30, 10 educators who volunteered first for interviews and gave permission for being observed in their classrooms were selected for qualitative data collection. Three learners in each of the 10 schools from which the educators for qualitative data collection were selected, constituted the learners’ sample (30 learners). While data were collected through questionnaires, interviews and observations from educators, data from learners were collected through focus group (FG) interviews. The questionnaire was structured in order to gather educators’ biographical data as well as information on educators’ strategies to promote science learning and SL. The interview schedule was similar to the questionnaire but biographical data were excluded. Observations focused on educators’ strategies for science learning, SL and assessments. The data from the questionnaire were descriptively analysed and the qualitative and transcribed observation data were thematically analysed. Final conclusions were drawn based on the triangulated data. Major findings showed that the strategies which the educators employed in the descending order of use were: Investigation at 97percent; Discussion, Presentation and Project, each at 93percent; Problem solving at 90percent; Demonstration and Question-Answer, each at 87percent; Case study and Brainstorming, each at 77percent; Role-play at 63percent; Lecture at 57percent; Modelling at 47percent, Inquiry at 27percent and Simulation at 23percent. Findings also revealed the strengths and weaknesses of the strategies used by educators. Some of the strengths were: promotion of interactive learning; stimulation of research skills; enhancement of critical thinking and development of confidence through participation. Some of the weaknesses were: learners’ tendency to rely on others; lack of resources hindering learning and promotion of plagiarism. The study recommends that all stakeholders must work together to achieve good quality education. District and Provincial officers ought to track and monitor the science curriculum implementation. Subject specialists, educator subject committees and cluster leaders must also be active in strategic planning for enhancing SL in schools by putting forward their inputs and adopting consensus-based ones. A framework for driving science content with pedagogical content knowledge and practicals-driven strategy for enhancing science content knowledge is proposed.
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Selected stakeholders’ views on the use of tablet computers in learning and teaching – a South African case study at a university
- Fernandez, Simon Christopher
- Authors: Fernandez, Simon Christopher
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction Tablet computers Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15903 , vital:40553
- Description: The popularity of mobile technologies has greatly influenced the people of all ages, especially adolescents. Tablet computers as part of mobile technologies, were launched in colleges and universities in many countries to supplement and complement learning and teaching. However, research reports based on the effectiveness of the use of tablet computers in higher education institutions in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province are scarce. In order to address the deficiency, this study examined the views of stakeholders such as students, lecturers and managers on the use of tablet computers for learning and teaching in one of the Eastern Cape universities. The research adopted the Post-Positivist paradigm and mixed method approach. The theoretical frameworks were Constructivism and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. The sample consisted of (a) 155 students from a population of 254 extended-stream National Diploma students in Information and Communication Technology and National Diploma Electrical Engineering cohorts; (b) 14 lecturers from a relevant population of 25; and, (c) 16 managers from a population of 20. Three separate questionnaires as well as interview protocols for each of the stakeholder cohorts provided the core data. All members in the sample were surveyed. The researcher opted to be an outsider and received assistance from a few qualified trained academics to administer the questionnaire to students in different cohorts in order to minimise data bias. Only 18 students, five lecturers and nine managers were interviewed. Quantitative data were captured manually into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 24) and they were analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis: Analysis of Variance and Independent Samples t-test. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis to generate major themes and sub themes for the sub-research questions. Main strengths of using tablets from the findings of the study were (a) tablets motivated students in learning and lecturers in teaching (b) students understood the different styles of learning (c) enhanced students’ engagement and collaboration in learning. Main weakness of using tablets were students’ use of tablets for personal work and social networking during class hours was causing distractions to lecturers and other students. Generally, the evidence shows that strengths were greater than the weaknesses. It should also be noted that all stakeholders were positive and not statistically significantly different from each other in their views towards the use of tablets for learning and teaching in university classroom. However, students had views different from lecturers on the advantages and disadvantages of using tablets. The variance could be due to new students or new lecturers’ ignorance in the effective use of tablets and this might change as their familiarity in the use of the device improves. The research report makes a few recommendations which include training to all students and lecturers on the effective use of tablet computers for learning and teaching and installation of relevant applications before the commencement of each academic year. Moreover, the Information and communication technology technical staff must prevent students from visiting unwanted and restricted sites by keeping a network based tracker and blocker software application.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fernandez, Simon Christopher
- Date: 2019
- Subjects: Computer-assisted instruction Tablet computers Educational technology
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/15903 , vital:40553
- Description: The popularity of mobile technologies has greatly influenced the people of all ages, especially adolescents. Tablet computers as part of mobile technologies, were launched in colleges and universities in many countries to supplement and complement learning and teaching. However, research reports based on the effectiveness of the use of tablet computers in higher education institutions in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province are scarce. In order to address the deficiency, this study examined the views of stakeholders such as students, lecturers and managers on the use of tablet computers for learning and teaching in one of the Eastern Cape universities. The research adopted the Post-Positivist paradigm and mixed method approach. The theoretical frameworks were Constructivism and Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge. The sample consisted of (a) 155 students from a population of 254 extended-stream National Diploma students in Information and Communication Technology and National Diploma Electrical Engineering cohorts; (b) 14 lecturers from a relevant population of 25; and, (c) 16 managers from a population of 20. Three separate questionnaires as well as interview protocols for each of the stakeholder cohorts provided the core data. All members in the sample were surveyed. The researcher opted to be an outsider and received assistance from a few qualified trained academics to administer the questionnaire to students in different cohorts in order to minimise data bias. Only 18 students, five lecturers and nine managers were interviewed. Quantitative data were captured manually into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (version 24) and they were analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis: Analysis of Variance and Independent Samples t-test. Qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis to generate major themes and sub themes for the sub-research questions. Main strengths of using tablets from the findings of the study were (a) tablets motivated students in learning and lecturers in teaching (b) students understood the different styles of learning (c) enhanced students’ engagement and collaboration in learning. Main weakness of using tablets were students’ use of tablets for personal work and social networking during class hours was causing distractions to lecturers and other students. Generally, the evidence shows that strengths were greater than the weaknesses. It should also be noted that all stakeholders were positive and not statistically significantly different from each other in their views towards the use of tablets for learning and teaching in university classroom. However, students had views different from lecturers on the advantages and disadvantages of using tablets. The variance could be due to new students or new lecturers’ ignorance in the effective use of tablets and this might change as their familiarity in the use of the device improves. The research report makes a few recommendations which include training to all students and lecturers on the effective use of tablet computers for learning and teaching and installation of relevant applications before the commencement of each academic year. Moreover, the Information and communication technology technical staff must prevent students from visiting unwanted and restricted sites by keeping a network based tracker and blocker software application.
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The effect of guided enquiry-based learning approach on electrical engineering students' recall ability, conceptual understanding, problem solving skills and critical thinking ability in power electronics course at a selected university in South Africa
- Authors: Kumar, Vinod
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Power electronics Power electronics -- Problems, exercises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8474 , vital:32836
- Description: Power Electronics (PE) forms the major part of the syllabus for the Industrial Electronics (INDE) course of the National Diploma (ND) programme in Electrical Engineering. This study investigated the effect of Guided Enquiry-Based Learning (GEBL), an Active Learning (AL) approach on Electrical Engineering students’ recall ability, conceptual understanding of PE, problem solving skills and critical thinking ability. The study was carried out at one of the campuses of a selected university in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province in an attempt to check if GEBL would improve student performances in the above focused areas. The expected population for this research in 2017 was 21, similar to the numbers enrolled in 2016. However, in 2017 the enrollment dropped to 14 and this posed a limitation. Since cancelling the study due to the drop in enrollment would have caused the loss of a research report on PE students, it was decided to continue with it. This was especially so, since no other report on PE within South Africa could be located. The instruments were developed using inputs from subject experts to ensure content validity. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument. A pilot study was conducted during the previous year with the 2016 PE students and deficiencies in the instruments were rectified. Out of the 14 students in 2017, seven volunteered to be taught using the GEBL approach. All ethical considerations applicable to the study were adhered to. All students from the GEBL group signed the informed consent forms prior to the study. The study adopted a pragmatist paradigm and a mixed method approach. A quasi experimental non-equivalent group post-test only research design was used where both the experimental group and the control group were selected (without random assignment). The post-test only design was selected because of the time constraints with the semester courses. A student-centred GEBL approach was used as an intervention for the experimental group and a teacher-centred traditional approach was used for the control group. Students from both the GEBL and Traditionally Taught Groups (TTGs) were subjected to the same assessments. Quantitative data were collected from two formative assessments and one summative assessment and the qualitative data were collected by interviewing all students from the GEBL group. The collected data were statistically and thematically analysed to determine the extent to which the intervention affected the students’ recall ability, conceptual understanding of PE, problem solving skills and their critical thinking ability. The main conclusions were that when compared to the traditional approach, GEBL was significantly more effective in enhancing recall as well as understanding of PE concepts. However, significant differences were not evident in problem solving and critical thinking. The recommendations are that: students must be encouraged to be more active in the learning process; the shift of strategy from traditional to AL methods such as GEBL must be introduced gradually; and the benefits of GEBL and exposure to it must be popularised in order to develop positive attitudes to GEBL not only among students, but also teaching staff.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Kumar, Vinod
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Power electronics Power electronics -- Problems, exercises -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/8474 , vital:32836
- Description: Power Electronics (PE) forms the major part of the syllabus for the Industrial Electronics (INDE) course of the National Diploma (ND) programme in Electrical Engineering. This study investigated the effect of Guided Enquiry-Based Learning (GEBL), an Active Learning (AL) approach on Electrical Engineering students’ recall ability, conceptual understanding of PE, problem solving skills and critical thinking ability. The study was carried out at one of the campuses of a selected university in South Africa’s Eastern Cape Province in an attempt to check if GEBL would improve student performances in the above focused areas. The expected population for this research in 2017 was 21, similar to the numbers enrolled in 2016. However, in 2017 the enrollment dropped to 14 and this posed a limitation. Since cancelling the study due to the drop in enrollment would have caused the loss of a research report on PE students, it was decided to continue with it. This was especially so, since no other report on PE within South Africa could be located. The instruments were developed using inputs from subject experts to ensure content validity. Cronbach’s Alpha was used to test the reliability of the instrument. A pilot study was conducted during the previous year with the 2016 PE students and deficiencies in the instruments were rectified. Out of the 14 students in 2017, seven volunteered to be taught using the GEBL approach. All ethical considerations applicable to the study were adhered to. All students from the GEBL group signed the informed consent forms prior to the study. The study adopted a pragmatist paradigm and a mixed method approach. A quasi experimental non-equivalent group post-test only research design was used where both the experimental group and the control group were selected (without random assignment). The post-test only design was selected because of the time constraints with the semester courses. A student-centred GEBL approach was used as an intervention for the experimental group and a teacher-centred traditional approach was used for the control group. Students from both the GEBL and Traditionally Taught Groups (TTGs) were subjected to the same assessments. Quantitative data were collected from two formative assessments and one summative assessment and the qualitative data were collected by interviewing all students from the GEBL group. The collected data were statistically and thematically analysed to determine the extent to which the intervention affected the students’ recall ability, conceptual understanding of PE, problem solving skills and their critical thinking ability. The main conclusions were that when compared to the traditional approach, GEBL was significantly more effective in enhancing recall as well as understanding of PE concepts. However, significant differences were not evident in problem solving and critical thinking. The recommendations are that: students must be encouraged to be more active in the learning process; the shift of strategy from traditional to AL methods such as GEBL must be introduced gradually; and the benefits of GEBL and exposure to it must be popularised in order to develop positive attitudes to GEBL not only among students, but also teaching staff.
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Assessment of the implementation of the National Certificate (Vocational) plant production modules
- Langa, Phakama Perry Macmillan
- Authors: Langa, Phakama Perry Macmillan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Curriculum planning Technical education -- Curricula Vocational education -- Curricula
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2359 , vital:27778
- Description: From 2010, the South African vocational skills education is offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) through the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. TVET colleges need to be transformed in order to empower young learners with the skills required by the various sectors of the economy. The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of the National Certificate (Vocational) Plant Production module in Training and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges. The sample for this study is concurrent triangulation whereby complementary methods of data sources were brought together to offset each other‘s weaknesses. The sample for this study consisted of participants from three TVET colleges: one deep rural, one semi-rural/semi-urban and one urban in terms of geographical location. A total of 18 participants were interviewed: 2 subject advisors engaged by the colleges, 1 lecturer from college A, 3 lecturers from college B, 2 lecturers from college C, 4 graduates from college B, 3 graduates from college C and 3 employers .Research design for this study has features of both a survey and a case study. The mixed-method approach was applied using document analysis, questionnaires and interviews for data collection. The researcher found out that there is a disparity between the Plant Production guidelines and their implementation and assessment. Among the main reasons for failure to implement the guidelines properly are poor or inadequate infrastructure for doing practical work, high rate of student absenteeism within the investigated categories, and the high drop-out rate at Levels 2–4. To minimize the challenges in offering the Plant Production module, the study recommends that since some colleges cannot afford purchasing large sizes of land to properly implement the Plant Production guidelines, the government and the DHET should link the Primary Agriculture training to the land reform program where students can be trained under the land reform program.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Langa, Phakama Perry Macmillan
- Date: 2016
- Subjects: Curriculum planning Technical education -- Curricula Vocational education -- Curricula
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , PhD
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10353/2359 , vital:27778
- Description: From 2010, the South African vocational skills education is offered by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) through the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges. TVET colleges need to be transformed in order to empower young learners with the skills required by the various sectors of the economy. The purpose of this study was to assess the implementation of the National Certificate (Vocational) Plant Production module in Training and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges. The sample for this study is concurrent triangulation whereby complementary methods of data sources were brought together to offset each other‘s weaknesses. The sample for this study consisted of participants from three TVET colleges: one deep rural, one semi-rural/semi-urban and one urban in terms of geographical location. A total of 18 participants were interviewed: 2 subject advisors engaged by the colleges, 1 lecturer from college A, 3 lecturers from college B, 2 lecturers from college C, 4 graduates from college B, 3 graduates from college C and 3 employers .Research design for this study has features of both a survey and a case study. The mixed-method approach was applied using document analysis, questionnaires and interviews for data collection. The researcher found out that there is a disparity between the Plant Production guidelines and their implementation and assessment. Among the main reasons for failure to implement the guidelines properly are poor or inadequate infrastructure for doing practical work, high rate of student absenteeism within the investigated categories, and the high drop-out rate at Levels 2–4. To minimize the challenges in offering the Plant Production module, the study recommends that since some colleges cannot afford purchasing large sizes of land to properly implement the Plant Production guidelines, the government and the DHET should link the Primary Agriculture training to the land reform program where students can be trained under the land reform program.
- Full Text:
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