Bibliography: pages 88-95. / The aim of the investigation is to assess the extent to which various initiatives aimed at improving the status of a technical subject like Home Economics (H/E), have helped to transform the attitudes and perceptions of teachers and students in a school in Zimbabwe. The study was carried out at Rusununguko Secondary School in Zimbabwe, where H/E was one of the technical subjects within a curriculum mainly dominated by academic subjects. Students and teachers' attitudes and perceptions towards H/E were assessed along the following dimensions: 1. The extent to which H/E is subjected to gender stereotyping; 2. The extent to which H/E is viewed as suitable for slow learners and low-achieving students; 3. The extent to which the subject suffers from subject choice constraints; 4. The extent to which H/E is viewed in terms of low academic and occupational expectations; 5. The extent to which the subject is perceived as offering low-status knowledge when compared to other subjects.

DEd (Curriculum Studies) / Department of Curriculum Studies / This study sought to evaluate the implementation of intervention programmes that enhance the inclusion of learners with dyslexia in mainstream primary schools of Bubi District, Zimbabwe. A mixed-methods research design was adopted. Questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data while semi-structured interviews and documentary evidence were used to collect qualitative data. All the 50 mainstream primary schools found in the district were included in the study. From these, simple random and purposive sampling procedures were adopted to select participants. Simple random sampling technique was used to choose 150 teachers, that is, 3 from each school. In this case, 50 were Grade 1 teachers, the other 50 taught Grade 3 classes and the last 50 were schools’ clinical language remedial teachers. Purposive sampling was used to select 10 heads of schools who had established special classes in their institutions. The same sampling technique was also used to select a District Remedial Tutor, District Early Childhood Development Trainer and District Schools Inspector. Quantitative data was analysed through the use of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 24. Qualitative data was analysed and interpreted thematically. The major findings of the study were that, lack of adequate policies, negative attitudes from some stakeholders, shortage of expert teachers and relevant material resources were some crucial factors that hampered effective implementation of intervention programmes for learners with dyslexia. The study recommends the development of dyslexia-friendly schools through designing relevant policies, holding dyslexia awareness campaigns both in schools and communities, training of more specialist teachers and the provision of learning resources that are more sensitive to the diverse needs of learners with dyslexia. / NRF

Literature indicates that inclusion of deaf children in mainstream schools is a complex process and that it has eluded many deaf practitioners and education systems for a very long time. New research is, however, pointing to the potential for sign bilingual education as a viable strategy for improving inclusivity of deaf children in mainstream settings. The purpose of the current study was, therefore, to interrogate how sign bilingual education was used as a strategy for inclusion of deaf children in Zimbabwe. The study was premised on Cummins Linguistic Interdependence theory and adopted the mixed methods paradigm which is informed by the philosophy of pragmatism. The sequential explanatory design was utilized and participants were selected using random sampling for the quantitative phase and purposive sampling for the qualitative phase. Questionnaires, face-to-face and focus group interviews (FGIs) were used to elicit data from participants. These data were presented on SPSS generated graphs and analysed using frequency counts, percentages and inferential statistics based on the analysis of Spearman’s Rank Order Correlation Coefficient at 5% level of significance (p=0.005). Consequently, qualitative data were presented as summaries and direct quotes and analysed using thematic and content analyses. The results revealed that the conception, hence the practice of sign bilingual was limited and had challenges, but that it had the greatest potential benefits for inclusion of deaf children in mainstream schools in Zimbabwe. On these bases, the study recommended training of teachers and parents as well as staff development of the teachers and school administrators. The study also recommended adoption of best practices such as early exposure, co-teaching, co-enrolment, multi-stakeholder participation, turning special schools into resource centers for sign bilingual education and inclusion and embracing ICT. A further recommendation pointed to review of policy in line with best practices. Ultimately, the study proposed a framework for sign bilingual education as a strategy for inclusion of deaf children in mainstream schools in Zimbabwe. / Inclusive Education / Ph. D. (Inclusive Education)

This study sought to critically investigate the contribution of the ordinary people in the creation of a language policy and its subsequent implementation in Zimbabwe. The study was prompted by the realisation of the near-absence of a coherent language policy framework in Zimbabwe. The language policy situation in Zimbabwe is not clearly stated. A hotch-potch of statutes support the status, creation and implementation of languages that are spoken by the citizens of the country. The country’s supreme law, the constitution is silent about the necessity of a broad-based language policy in Zimbabwe. Only three languages Shona, Ndebele and English are considered to be major in a country with 16 known languages. This situation does not support the development of languages particularly the indigenous languages. Indigenous languages are not considered as a suitable medium of instruction from the third year of primary schooling up to tertiary level. Indigenous languages play a critical role in culture, economics and politics. The study argued that ordinary people have creative ways of contributing to the development of a language policy because these people are constantly creating new words and vocabulary that they implement in their day to day struggle with nature and other social classes. Authorities in Zimbabwe are yet to view the role of indigenous languages in development as a cornerstone of socio-economic and political progress. African languages, particularly the Shona language that was the main unit of analysis in this study revealed its capacity to handle complex ideas. It was recommended that when Shona and other indigenous languages are accorded the status of official languages of the country and then provided with the financial resources and linguistic expertise to develop them then, a coherent language policy can become a living reality in Zimbabwe. / Africam Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

This study explored teachers’ perceptions on the implementation of multicultural education in Zimbabwean primary schools. The sample consisted of twenty teachers (10 male and 10 female) selected through purposive sampling technique. Teachers in the sample had a minimum of five years post qualifying experience. The study focused on five selected primary schools in Chegutu district. Qualitative research was chosen as the research method with phenomenology as the research design. Data collection instruments consisted of unstructured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Interviews were conducted with the teachers at their respective schools. Focus Group Discussions were also conducted with the teachers soon after the unstructured interviews at their schools. Data analysis consisted of a thematic approach where common themes were identified in participants’ responses. A number of findings emanated from this study. Teachers were found to have a narrow focus in terms of their conceptualisation of multicultural education. The study revealed that multicultural education is being implemented at a superficial level as the participants felt that it is being implemented to a limited extent. Some school textbooks particularly those in the Languages, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Education and Environmental Science were seen as reflecting the multicultural character of Zimbabwe. In terms of the language policy, the teaching of marginalised indigenous languages such as Tonga, Nambya, Kalanga and others was seen as a way of addressing the needs of learners in a linguistically diverse nation. The study found out that parental participation in school activities involves parents from culturally diverse backgrounds. The study recommends that multicultural education should be part of the curriculum in initial teacher education. Seminars and workshops should be hosted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to conscientise teachers on the practice of multicultural education. Book publishers should liaise closely with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so as to ensure that the content of textbooks is multicultural in every respect. There is need to consider the teaching of Chewa particularly in those communities where it is commonly spoken. A policy framework regulating the practice of multicultural education needs to be put in place. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

Thesis (PhD)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The environmental education (EE)-sustainable development (SD) nexus has generated much research and debate at local, national and global levels (Fien, 1993). Although the term EE is quite old, dating back to 1948 in Paris (Palmer, 1998), during the last three decades, it has regained global currency due to numerous environmental challenges that are confronting our planet Earth, including: climate change, land degradation, desertification, and de-forestation, pollution and ozone depletion. The Rio Earth Summit of 1992 generated a new zeal in the provision of EE throughout the world. Since then, many countries have adopted it as a remedial strategy to address these environmental challenges. In Zimbabwe, EE dates back to 1954 during the colonial era when it was provided in the form of conservation education among farmers and in schools and colleges (Chikunda, 2007). The Natural Resources Board (NRB), a department in the Ministry of Lands and Agriculture (which was established in 1941) played a key role in both research and the dissemination of EE (Whitlow, 1988). However, throughout the colonial era and up to the end of the millennium, the country did not have a written EE policy document. Consequently, various government departments and organisations, which provided EE, did so individually. However, this fragmented approach proved to be ineffective and had to be abandoned through the promulgation of the Environmental Management Act (Chapter 20:27) of 2002. This development led to the establishment of an environmental management agency (EMA), which harmonised the provision of EE at local and national levels. This study based on information that was collected between 2011 and 2014, examines Zimbabwe‟s EE programme and its implications for sustainable development. It employed a mixed methods research design which enabled the researcher to employ both qualitative and quantitative approaches in data collection, interpretation and analysis. Derived from the pragmatic school of thought, this research design allows researchers to triangulate with different methods without provoking epistemological conflicts from other schools of thought. The study shows that nearly 84% of the EE in the country is provided by the formal education sector (which includes schools, colleges and universities) while the remaining 16% is derived from non-formal and informal education sources such as: EMA, some government ministries and departments, and several non-governmental organisations (NGOs). However, the bulk of the EE provided in Zimbabwe is biophysical in nature and is geared at transmitting facts about rather than for the environment (Fien, 1993; Chikunda, 2007 and Mapira, 2012a). Consequently, it does not instil a sense of environmental stewardship among ordinary citizens as reflected by increasing cases of environmental crimes including: land degradation, veldt fire outbreaks, deforestation, and the poaching of elephants, rhinos, and other wildlife resources. Furthermore, most people lack a deep knowledge of basic concepts such as EE, SD and ESD, indicating the weakness of the country‟s EE efforts. The study makes several recommendations for the improvement of the country‟s EE programme, including: more funding of EMA and its partners so that they can execute their mandate more efficiently, and revising school and college curricula with a view to infusing EE in courses and syllabi. Other recommendations are that EE should be made compulsory in all formal educational institutions while the state should take environmental issues more seriously than it has done in the past. For example, top government officials should refrain from the poaching of endangered wildlife resources like elephants and rhinos if their country‟s EE policies have to be taken seriously at the grass roots level. Stiffer penalties should be meted out to those found guilty by courts of law while ordinary citizens need more educational campaigns if they have to develop environmental sensitivity and a sense of stewardship, which are necessary ingredients for the success of any country‟s EE programme. Furthermore, alternatives of making a living should be created for villagers and peasants so that they do not have to damage their environment in order to survive. Finally, this study argues that if all the above challenges are fully addressed, Zimbabwe‟s EE programme can achieve its goals in the long run.

Paging jumps from viii to xi. / National calls for equality of opportunity have not been matched by reciprocal responses by girls to participate and achieve in design and technology subjects in Zimbabwean secondary and high schools. Current levels of girls' participation and achievement are of national concern. The study found that fourth form girls' low design and technology subjects enrolment and limited success have ensured a near all-male environment resulting in personal career progression limitations for girls and a gender segregated national socioeconomic society. It is acknowledged that outside Zimbabwe, models of student subject participation and achievement have been studied in the past resulting in the implementation of various motivational and retention strategies. Whilst accepting that girls' decisions concerning participation and achievement-related choices for or against design and technology subjects are individual and complex, some complex and interrelated contributory factors are explored. These are carried out in the context of Zimbabwe in this case study research which involved eight secondary schools of four different types targeting 321 fourth form girls, 26 design and technology subject teachers, eight principals, eight families and two education officers. The eclectic data collection approach chosen for the study relied on multiple sources of information being collected using a variety of techniques such as the student questionnaire, focus group interviews, in-depth interviews, lesson observations, and document and content analysis. The effects of various overt and covert forms of home and school processes of difference, inequality and oppression were explored in the data and how these have affected fourth form girls' design and technology subjects participation and achievement-related decisions. In particular, the effects of home and school contextual and climatic factors have been found to largely militate against girls' 'fit' with design and technology subjects culture, staff and workshop environment. A model involving the student and school contextual and climatic dimensions, to explain girls' participation and achievement perspectives is suggested and explained encompassing sociological, psychological and gender perspectives. Findings in this study contribute to an understanding of girls' participation and achievement processes in design and technology subjects in the African context, a dimension that has been largely missing from mainstream debates on the subject.

This study sought to critically investigate the contribution of the ordinary people in the creation of a language policy and its subsequent implementation in Zimbabwe. The study was prompted by the realisation of the near-absence of a coherent language policy framework in Zimbabwe. The language policy situation in Zimbabwe is not clearly stated. A hotch-potch of statutes support the status, creation and implementation of languages that are spoken by the citizens of the country. The country’s supreme law, the constitution is silent about the necessity of a broad-based language policy in Zimbabwe. Only three languages Shona, Ndebele and English are considered to be major in a country with 16 known languages. This situation does not support the development of languages particularly the indigenous languages. Indigenous languages are not considered as a suitable medium of instruction from the third year of primary schooling up to tertiary level. Indigenous languages play a critical role in culture, economics and politics. The study argued that ordinary people have creative ways of contributing to the development of a language policy because these people are constantly creating new words and vocabulary that they implement in their day to day struggle with nature and other social classes. Authorities in Zimbabwe are yet to view the role of indigenous languages in development as a cornerstone of socio-economic and political progress. African languages, particularly the Shona language that was the main unit of analysis in this study revealed its capacity to handle complex ideas. It was recommended that when Shona and other indigenous languages are accorded the status of official languages of the country and then provided with the financial resources and linguistic expertise to develop them then, a coherent language policy can become a living reality in Zimbabwe. / Africam Languages / D. Litt. et Phil. (African Languages)

This study explored teachers’ perceptions on the implementation of multicultural education in Zimbabwean primary schools. The sample consisted of twenty teachers (10 male and 10 female) selected through purposive sampling technique. Teachers in the sample had a minimum of five years post qualifying experience. The study focused on five selected primary schools in Chegutu district. Qualitative research was chosen as the research method with phenomenology as the research design. Data collection instruments consisted of unstructured in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Interviews were conducted with the teachers at their respective schools. Focus Group Discussions were also conducted with the teachers soon after the unstructured interviews at their schools. Data analysis consisted of a thematic approach where common themes were identified in participants’ responses. A number of findings emanated from this study. Teachers were found to have a narrow focus in terms of their conceptualisation of multicultural education. The study revealed that multicultural education is being implemented at a superficial level as the participants felt that it is being implemented to a limited extent. Some school textbooks particularly those in the Languages, Social Studies, Religious and Moral Education and Environmental Science were seen as reflecting the multicultural character of Zimbabwe. In terms of the language policy, the teaching of marginalised indigenous languages such as Tonga, Nambya, Kalanga and others was seen as a way of addressing the needs of learners in a linguistically diverse nation. The study found out that parental participation in school activities involves parents from culturally diverse backgrounds. The study recommends that multicultural education should be part of the curriculum in initial teacher education. Seminars and workshops should be hosted by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education to conscientise teachers on the practice of multicultural education. Book publishers should liaise closely with the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education so as to ensure that the content of textbooks is multicultural in every respect. There is need to consider the teaching of Chewa particularly in those communities where it is commonly spoken. A policy framework regulating the practice of multicultural education needs to be put in place. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

M.A. / This dissertation is about how poor households struggled to keep children in the school system during a protracted political and socio-economic crisis in post-2000 Zimbabwe. The setting of the research is Nyamande village in Murewa District, Zimbabwe. Fieldwork was conducted between May 2010 and July 2010, at a time that many believe to be past the peak of Zimbabwe’s crisis in 2008. In-depth interviews and observations were used to collect qualitative data from families and households in Nyamande village. My findings revealed that even when such households did not get surplus produce, they still sold what they had in order to obtain income to fund their children’s schooling. Households supplemented their farm produce with off-farm activities such as casual labour on plots, informal trading and sale of assets. Child labour was also employed as a means of supplementing family income in order to meet schooling requirements through activities such as casual labour on farms and roadside selling of produce. The introduction of the multi-currency system or dollarisation (as it was commonly known) in April 2009 improved the conditions in Zimbabwe to some extent; however complexities experienced in Nyamande village included access to the US dollar and Rand currencies. These challenges led to the re-emergence of the barter or exchange system during and after dollarisation as most households adopted this as a strategy to provide for their children’s schooling. Although households displayed various forms of resilience in their efforts to keep children in school, interventions regarding the viability and sustainability of some of these strategies should be considered. Various stakeholders including government, private sector and non-government organisations need to play an active role in uplifting rural communities in promoting children’s schooling.