MENVSC / Department of Geography.

In this study, the researcher aimed to investigate and explore the instructional leadership role of the high school head in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL), with specific reference to high schools in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. In an attempt to realise that end, a qualitative approach drawing from ethnographic studies was used to collect data. Therefore, the research instruments included qualitative observations, individual and focus group interviews and document analysis. The participants included five high school heads, ten heads of departments (HODs), ten assistant teachers, and twenty five parents. These were drawn from the five high schools selected for the study. The main findings of the study are that a model for effective instructional leadership aimed at creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) consists of long-term and short-term dimensions. The long-term instructional leadership dimension comprises: visioning, communication of the school vision, value management, professional development of staff, and empowerment. The short-term instructional leadership dimension comprises of characteristics of the instructional leader, characteristics of the followers and characteristics of the situation. Characteristics of the instructional leader include his or her perception of stakeholders, task or people orientation, personality, knowledge and experience, value system and trust in followers. Characteristics of the followers include their readiness to take responsibility, motivation to excel, knowledge and experience. Characteristics of the situation include the school climate and culture, relationships among members of the school community, structuring of tasks, availability of human and material resources, and the use of incentives. The effective application of the instructional leadership model for effective practice by the high school head as the instructional leader in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) takes into account both the long-term and short-term dimensions of effective instructional leadership in order to achieve meaningful educational change. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

In this study, the researcher aimed to investigate and explore the instructional leadership role of the high school head in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL), with specific reference to high schools in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. In an attempt to realise that end, a qualitative approach drawing from ethnographic studies was used to collect data. Therefore, the research instruments included qualitative observations, individual and focus group interviews and document analysis. The participants included five high school heads, ten heads of departments (HODs), ten assistant teachers, and twenty five parents. These were drawn from the five high schools selected for the study. The main findings of the study are that a model for effective instructional leadership aimed at creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) consists of long-term and short-term dimensions. The long-term instructional leadership dimension comprises: visioning, communication of the school vision, value management, professional development of staff, and empowerment. The short-term instructional leadership dimension comprises of characteristics of the instructional leader, characteristics of the followers and characteristics of the situation. Characteristics of the instructional leader include his or her perception of stakeholders, task or people orientation, personality, knowledge and experience, value system and trust in followers. Characteristics of the followers include their readiness to take responsibility, motivation to excel, knowledge and experience. Characteristics of the situation include the school climate and culture, relationships among members of the school community, structuring of tasks, availability of human and material resources, and the use of incentives. The effective application of the instructional leadership model for effective practice by the high school head as the instructional leader in creating a culture of teaching and learning (COTL) takes into account both the long-term and short-term dimensions of effective instructional leadership in order to achieve meaningful educational change. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Education Management)

The aim of this study was to analyse the communication practices of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in their poverty alleviation programmes, using Deutsche Weltihungerhilfe German Agro Action (GAA) in Gokwe South Rural District, Midlands Province, Zimbabwe as a case study. The study was based on the premise that effective communication is essential for successful poverty alleviation programmes. Communication facilitates the diffusion of innovations and encourages active participation by local people in programmes. It is also clear that despite several attempts to end the social malaise, poverty still persists. While several factors such as corruption, misappropriation of funds and misdirection of programs are not innocuous considering the failures of poverty alleviation programmes, communication is an indispensible tool to their success. It therefore becomes imperative that the communication practices be evaluated to identify the missing links. It is evident that by so doing, going forward, NGOs can effectively communicate with the local people and advances towards poverty alleviation can be realised. To this end, third world countries amongst them Zimbabwe and particularly rural communities, Gokwe included continue to suffer from poverty despite a number of programmes to address the pandemic by NGOs. The study was guided by the tenets of the Diffusion of innovations and Participatory development communication theories. These theories were considered the most applicable in terms of the research subject. The study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods and it was carried out in four of the wards in the district. The research methods were applied to solicit information from the rural people on how communication took place between the organisation and the community. The study found out that GAA used mainly the Indigenous Communication Systems (ICSs) in form of meetings and interpersonal face-toface communication modes. Names of projects were also fairly used for communication. The Modern Communication Systems (MCSs) used were cell phones and letters. GAA used local Page v languages mainly Shona and Ndebele and was flexible with the use of the indigenous languages. English language was also used for communication. The communication modes as well as the languages used were effective. The research also analysed and evaluated the communication practices by GAA. The study found out that the organisation effectively used the communication modes which were available for use but there were limitations in terms of access to other communication modes, especially the modern mediums due to poor infrastructure, state monopolisation of the mass media industry using regulations and fear of political persecution. The modern communication modes which GAA did not have access to could facilitate the diffusion of innovations and provide adequate information for active participation by the rural people in poverty alleviation programmes. The study also found out that only one person had heard about GAA through radio and no-one heard about GAA through the television, magazine or newspaper. The orgnanisation did not use these forms of mass media. In addition, the integration of ICSs and MCSs would provide an effective feedback system in Gokwe South Rural District. The researcher suggested the Tilled Communication Field approach whereby every stakeholder is required to make sure that the ICSs and MCSs are available for use by anyone at anytime for development purposes. There is need to give everyone adequate opportunity to use all the communication systems and users are advised to use communication for positive purposes, poverty alleviation included.

The study sought to investigate factors that influence the choice of career pathways among high school students in Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. The investigation serves as a springboard to establishing a career guidance model that would assist career guidance teachers in high schools in their endeavours to help students make career choice from a well-informed perspective. A survey design which was mainly quantitative in nature was used in this empirical study. A self-designed questionnaire was used in collecting data from the participants. One thousand and ten high school students and 20 career guidance teachers participated in the study. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 19 calculated the percentages that were used to analyse the data. The study revealed that family members, both nucleus and extended, had an influence on students’ choice of careers. The influence of mothers and fathers was rated highly as compared to other family members. The study also revealed that schools had an impact on high school students’ choice of careers. Career guidance, especially school career days, was cited as having a positive impact on students’ choice of careers. The geographical location of schools was cited as quite influential in the choices of careers by students. The study also revealed that peers had an influence on students’ choices of careers through peer advice and encouragement. However, the influence of gender on career choice was lowly rated. In other words, gender did not influence the students’ choice of careers. Several recommendations were made. The study recommended the training of parents, peers and teachers to enhance students’ choice of careers. It was also recommended that only trained career guidance teachers be allowed to teach career guidance. Lastly, the study also recommended a career guidance model to assist in helping students choose suitable careers. / Psychology of Education / D. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Abstracts in English, Zulu and Shona / The purpose of the study was to examine the role of educators in enhancing the social wellness on juvenile offenders in Zimbabwe. The theoretical framework that underpinned the study was the Wellness Theory of Bill Hettler (1980) used as the lens to explore and generate understanding on how educators enhance the social wellness of juvenile offenders. The study was located within an interpretive paradigm. Qualitative research design and case study approach were used in this study. Moreover, purposive sampling approach was used to select the samples of educators and juvenile learners who responded to the qualitative questionnaires and those who participated in the interviews, which were used for data collection. The research had five educators and ten juvenile offenders who participated at one of the correctional centres in Zimbabwe based on availability and willingness. In addition, the researcher adhered to ethical standards in terms of gaining permission for access, issues of informed consent, voluntary participation, and confidentiality. Data were gathered by means of self-administered qualitative questionnaires with open-ended questions, interviews and observation. The research identified that no research has been carried out in Zimbabwe’s correctional centres to thoroughly explore the role of educators in the enhancement of the social wellness of juvenile offenders. The findings firstly revealed that education promoted the social wellness and resulted in positive behavioural change among juvenile offenders at the correctional centre. Secondly, education promoted the development of various technical skills in juvenile learners, such as agriculture and welding, as well as interpersonal skills such as anger management, respect, problem solving, and communication. The findings revealed that some juvenile offenders developed entrepreneurship skills. Some of the juveniles were making doormats, fence making and plaiting extensions. One of the juveniles had a unique skill in plaiting and braiding. He taught his friends, and now they are plaiting extensions and selling them. Thirdly, the findings revealed that educators are essential in the enhancement of the social wellness of juvenile offenders in an effort to reduce recidivism and facilitation of good and smooth social reintegration into mainstream society after incarceration. The challenges faced by the educators included limited resources and inadequate training as specialists who teach juvenile offenders. It was recommended that educators be empowered through in-service training to enable them to facilitate the capacitation of juvenile learners’ social wellness. / Ucwaningo lolu luphenye ngendima yothisha ekuthuthukisweni kwenhlalonhle yabantu abahlukumezanayo abasebasha eZimbabwe. Lolu cwaningo lugqamisa imfundo yasejele njengengxenye ebalulekile yenqubo yokuvuselela kanye nentuthuko yezoni zabasha. Uhlaka lwethiyori oluqondise lolu cwaningo luyimodeli yokuphila kahle ekaBill Hettler futhi ucwaningo lutholwa phakathi kwomongo wendaba ohumushekayo. Kusetjenziswe ukuhlahlela okuphathelene nesimo kanye nokuhlaziya okubhekane nesimo esisodwa noma nomuntu oyedwa isikhathi esithile okwenziwe esikhungweni esisodwa sokuLungiswa eZimbabwe. Ngaphezu kwalokho, isampula elinenhloso lalisetshenziselwa ukukhetha isampula eyayiqukethe othisha abahlanu nabahlukumezi abasebasha abayishumi. Leli sampula labantu lihanganyele ngokutholakala kanye nokuvuma kwayo. Umcwaningi wenze izinto ngenkambo elungileyo ngocela imvume yokungena endaweni, ukuthola imvume ebhaliwe ebantwini abayingxenye yocwaningo, ukuhlanganyelwa ngokuzikhethela, nokugcina umbiko ngokwemfihlo. Idatha iqoqwe ngohlu lwemibuzo evulekile, izingxoxo kanye nokubukwa. Lokhu okutholiwe kubonisa ukuthi alukho ucwaningo oluyenziwe emajele aseZimbabwe ukuhlola indima yothisha ekuthuthukisweni kwenhlalonhle yabantu abahlukumezanayo abasebasha. Ucwaningo lubonisa ukuthi, okokuqala, imfundo ithuthukisa inhlalonhle yomphakathi, futhi iholele ekuguqukeni kokuziphatha okuhle kubahlukumezi abasebasha. Ngaphezu kwalokho, imfundo ithuthukise amakhono ahlukahlukene wezobuchwepheshe, njengezolimo, ukushisela, namakhono wokusebenzisana nabantu njengokuphatha intukuthelo, inhlonipho, ukuxazulula izinkinga nokukhulumisana. Okunye okutholakele ukuthi abanye abahlulumezi bathuthukise ikhono lokuqala ibhizinisi elizimele. Abanye bayenze izisulelo zasemnyango, ukuyenza ucingo, nokuluka. Omunye wabahlukumezi nokhono olukhethekile lokuqhina izinwele. Wafundisa abangani bakhe, kanti futhi manje baqhina imifakelo yezinwele, bese bayazithengisa. Okwesithathu, ucwaningo lubonisa ukuthi abothisha babalulekile ekuthuthukisweni kwenhlalonhle yabantu abahlukumezanayo abasebasha njengendlela yokugwema ukona ukophindaphindiwe kwabahlukumezi, kanye nokuthuthukisa ukubuyela kwabo ephakathini okukahle emva kwokuboshwa. Ezinye izinselelo ezibhekane nabothisa izinsizakusebenza ezilinganiselwe nokuqeqeshwa okunganele njengongoti abafundisa iziboshwa zentsha. Kululekwe ukuthi othisha banikezwe amandla ngokuqeqeshwa basasebenza okuzokwenza ukuthi balungiselele ukhlomisa kwenhlalonhle yabantu abahlukumezanayo abasebasha. / Chinangwa chetsvakurudzo ino chaiva chekuongorora basa revarairidzi mukuvandudza ukama nemagariro akanaka munharaunda evapari vemhosva vechiki muZimbabwe. Donzvo rakateverwa netsvakurudzo ino raiva ramafungiro ava Bill Hetter (1980) anotaridza zveukama namagariro akanaka ayo akashandiswa semuono wekuferefeta nekubudisa manzwisisiro angavapo pakuti varairidzi vangavandudza sei ukama namagariro akanaka munharaunda evapari vemhosva vechidiki. Tsvakurudzo iyi yakazendama pamafungiro anosimbisa madudzirirwo akanaka epfungwa. Mutsvakurudzi akashandisa maonere anokoshesa kunzwisisa mashoko avanhu munharaunda, maitiro avo nemaonere avo. Mutsvakurudzo iyi, umboo hwakadzika hwakatorwa muzviitiko zvikuru zvakamiririra zviitiko zvakada kufanana nazvo. Pamusoro pazvo, avo vakasharwa kuti vave vapi vepfungwa vakasarudzwa zvichienderana nezvavakambosangana nazvo uyewo zvavanoziva pamusoro pedambudziko riri kuferefetwa. Vapi vepfungwa ava vaisanganisira varairidzi uye vadzidzi vechidiki vemazera epakati nepakati. Ava vakapindura mibvunzo yaiva yakagadzirwa pamagwaro avaizadzisa uye vamwe vakaita zvekupa pfungwa dzavo kupfurikidza nehurukuro dzakarongwa nemutsvakurudzi. Pfungwa dzakabuda mutsvakurudzo iyi dzakabuda kubva kuvarairidzi vashanu nevapari vemhosva vechidiki gumi avo vakasarudzwa kubva munzvimbo dzinochengeterwa vakapara mhosva nechinangwa chekuvavandudza mararamiro avo muZimbabwe zvichienderana neuvepo hwavo uye kuzvisarudzira zvakasunguka kupinda mutsvakurudzo. Mutsvakurudzi akatevera mitemo inomusungira kuremekedza kodzero dzevanhu, uye nzvimbo zvinosanganisira kuwana mvumo yekupinda munzvimbo, kupa vapi vepfungwa ruzivo rwakakwana pamusoro pechinangwa chetsvakurudzo, kupa vapi vepfungwa sununguko yekupinda mutsvakurudzo pasina kumanidzwa uyewo mutsvakurudzi akavimbisa kubata hana nekusashambadzira mazita avanhu vakapinda mutsvakurudzo. Pfungwa dzakaunganidzwa kuchishandiswa magwaro emibvunzo akapiwa kunevamwe vevakapinda mutsvakurudzo. Mutsvakurudzi pachezvake ndiye akagovera magwaro aya kuvapi vepfungwa. Mibvunzo yaiva mumagwaro aya yaipa vapi vepfungwa mukana wekurondedzera maonero avo vakasununguka. Dzimwe nzira dzakashandiswa dzaisanganisira hurukuro pakati pemupi wepfungwa nemutsvakurudzi uye kuongorora kupfurikidza nekucherechedza zvakadzika zviitiko. Tsvakurudzo iyi yakawana kuti hapana tsvakurudzo yati yamboitwa inoongorora basa revarairidzi mukuvandudza ukama nemagaririo akanaka munharaunda evana vemazero epakati nepakati munzvimbo dzinochendeterwa vapari vemhosva nechinangwa chekuvandudza magariro avo akanaka munharaunda. Chekutanga, kwakaonekwa kuti dzidzo inosimudzira ukama nemagariro akanaka munharaunda zvinozoita kuti pave nekushanduka kwakanaka kweunhu hwevapari vemhosva vechidiki vezera repakati nepakati. Chepiri, zvakabuda kuti dzidzo inosimudzira kuvandudzwa kweunyanzvi hwekurima, kupisira simbi, kudyidzana, kuzvidzora pahasha, ruremekedzo, kugadzirisa matambudziko uye kutaurirana. Zvakabuda mutsvakurudzo zvinotaridza kuti vamwe vapari vemhosva vechidiki vakavandudza unyanzvi hwekutanga mibato inovandudza upfumi. Vamwe vechidiki ava vaigadzira zvidhava zvepamikova, mafenzi uye kuruka kwamazuva ano. Umwe wevechidiki ava akataridza unyanzvi hwepamusoro hwekuruka nekukosha bvudzi remvere mumusoro. Akadzidzisa vamwe vake avo vave mubasa rekuruka nekukosha bvudzi remvere vachitengesa. Chetatu, zvakaonekwa kuti varairidzi vakakosha pakuvandudza ukama nemagariro akanaka evadiki vezera rekapati nepakati munharaunda nechinangwa chekudzikisa kupariwazve kwemhosva naavo vakasimbopara mhosva uye kuona kuti kupinda nekukwana zvakare munharaunda kwevakambopara mhosva kwaitwa zvakanaka pasina zvigozhero. Matambudziko anosanganikwa nawo navarairidzi anosanganisira kushaikwa kwezvishandiso uye kushaikwa kwemukana wekudzidza unyanzvi hwakakwana hwekudzidzisa vapari vemhosva vechidiki vezera repakati nepakati. Mutsvakurudzi akapa rairo yekuti varairidzi vapiwe unyanzvi kupfurikidza nekudzidziswa vari pamabasa avo zvingaite kuti vagone kubetsera vechidiki vemazera epakati nepakati ukama nemagarire akanaka munharaunda. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)