This qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual study was aimed at exploring and describing secondary teachers’ experiences in dealing with adolescent learners displaying mental distress in Gaborone. Moreover, recommendations were proposed for the support needed by secondary teachers who interact with adolescents learners in order to curb mental distress in schools. The sampling method that was used to identify 21 secondary school teachers who participated in this study was purposive. Focus group discussions, as well as field notes, were used to collect data, which were analysed using a thematic analysis. An array of factors that could lead to delays in identifying adolescent learners with mental distress, such as large student numbers and insufficient resources to meet their needs, learners showing signs of mental distress not being taken seriously, lack of parental involvement, relegating parental duties and lack of trust were revealed by the findings. The researcher observed that approaches to support, such as policy guides, parental involvement, peer education and life skills training were best suited to address mental distress in schools as noted by participants. The participants shared the various ways they employed to deal with mental distress in adolescent learners, and suggested strategies that they, together with parents and other stakeholders, could engage in to address these factors. The identified strategies provided a contextual way of establishing recommendations to overcome adolescent mental distress. These included, but were not limitted to, the engagement by parents in mental health problems in schools, as well as policy reviews, and restructuring the referral system. / Health Studies / M. P. H.

The problem this study addresses is the continuing ineffective teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL) despite the popularity of in-service (INSET) programmes. As a means of situational analysis, ethnographic approaches were used to investigate the INSET participants in the four-year degree programme at the University of Botswana. Responses to one inventory containing second language teaching activities showed that the activities respondents know to characterize ESL classrooms do not facilitate much verbal teacher-pupil/pupil-pupil interaction. Responses to another inventory containing idealised course content showed evidence of needs the preparation programme was ignoring. This confirmed one of two study hypotheses that: there are specific second language teaching needs being ignored by preparation programmes for primary school language teachers. Document analysis verified the assumptions about what classroom English Language Teaching (ELT) was expected to achieve. However, lesson observation revealed that the products of the programme still taught and perceived English as a mental exercise, with the following results: the lessons were complicated, uninspiring, unenjoyable, restrictive, and ineffective. Questionnaire and interview results confirmed the second study hypothesis that: the confidence of non-native English-speaking teachers (non-NESTs) with regard to competence in English, which affects the effectiveness and efficiency of their teaching, is low. As a solution a model specifying the essential programme components for preparing ELT specialists in the primary school is proposed. The proposed model is however not prescriptive and the proposed content is neither exhaustive nor limiting, but only broadly suggestive of the content of each instructional component. It is hoped that the product of the proposed model will become not only a well-educated person in the arts but also a highly proficient and self-confident person in ELT. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

The problem this study addresses is the continuing ineffective teaching of English as a Second Language (ESL) despite the popularity of in-service (INSET) programmes. As a means of situational analysis, ethnographic approaches were used to investigate the INSET participants in the four-year degree programme at the University of Botswana. Responses to one inventory containing second language teaching activities showed that the activities respondents know to characterize ESL classrooms do not facilitate much verbal teacher-pupil/pupil-pupil interaction. Responses to another inventory containing idealised course content showed evidence of needs the preparation programme was ignoring. This confirmed one of two study hypotheses that: there are specific second language teaching needs being ignored by preparation programmes for primary school language teachers. Document analysis verified the assumptions about what classroom English Language Teaching (ELT) was expected to achieve. However, lesson observation revealed that the products of the programme still taught and perceived English as a mental exercise, with the following results: the lessons were complicated, uninspiring, unenjoyable, restrictive, and ineffective. Questionnaire and interview results confirmed the second study hypothesis that: the confidence of non-native English-speaking teachers (non-NESTs) with regard to competence in English, which affects the effectiveness and efficiency of their teaching, is low. As a solution a model specifying the essential programme components for preparing ELT specialists in the primary school is proposed. The proposed model is however not prescriptive and the proposed content is neither exhaustive nor limiting, but only broadly suggestive of the content of each instructional component. It is hoped that the product of the proposed model will become not only a well-educated person in the arts but also a highly proficient and self-confident person in ELT. / Educational Studies / D. Ed. (Didactics)

The motivation of learners by teachers is key to learner academic success. Consequently, an understanding of the motivation strategies is important for teachers because learners have diverse learning needs and interest. This study conducted in one private school in Botswana is designed to explore the motivation strategies used in teaching and learning. The aim of this study is to establish the various motivational strategies used by teachers on learners to enhance their academic performance in the intermediate phase. To accomplish this, the objectives of the study are: - To explore what motivational strategies are that the teachers using currently - To determine why they are using such strategies - To establish the efficacy of such motivational strategies - To map alternate motivational strategies teachers that can use in their classrooms The theories that underpin the study are teacher leadership and theories of motivation. Three theories of motivation that were drawn on namely are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg’s Two - Factor Theory and Behavioural Theories. The related literature both national and international was examined to show how previous research informed the current study. A mixed methods case study design was employed. Questionnaires, focus group interviews and observations were used to generate data. The participants in the study were the intermediate phase teachers and assistant teachers and intermediate phase learners. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analyses. The findings revealed that most of the teachers were using a variety of motivational strategies which had a positive effect on the learner’s academic performance. The findings also revealed that meeting the learner’s needs is key to their learning success. Stemming from the findings, it is recommended that learner’s academic performance can be improved if the teachers could employ a variety of learner-centred teaching and learning activities, capitalize on the learners existing needs and also expand the learners’ opportunities by engaging in alternate learning strategies. / Educational Management and Leadership / M. Ed. (Education Management)

The phenomenon of conflict is the problem that principals are faced with in their respective schools. The aim of this study was to explore the role that innovative leadership could play in managing conflict at the selected schools in Botswana. For the purpose of this study, a qualitative research approach was adopted. It included interviews, during which the informants responded to open-ended questions; observations, where the researcher visited the schools and interacted with the informants; and document analysis. These methods were employed to determine the perceptions of participants regarding the nature, extent, and causes of conflict at the selected schools. The study indicated that a number of factors could significantly contribute in managing conflict. Employing innovative educational leaders, benchmarking, using bottom-up communication skills, and the engagement of policy analysts, are some of the key recommendations made for avoiding further conflict within schools and between schools and the Ministry of Education. / Educational Leadership and Management / D. Ed. (Educational Management)

The motivation of learners by teachers is key to learner academic success. Consequently, an understanding of the motivation strategies is important for teachers because learners have diverse learning needs and interest. This study conducted in one private school in Botswana is designed to explore the motivation strategies used in teaching and learning. The aim of this study is to establish the various motivational strategies used by teachers on learners to enhance their academic performance in the intermediate phase. To accomplish this, the objectives of the study are: - To explore what motivational strategies are that the teachers using currently - To determine why they are using such strategies - To establish the efficacy of such motivational strategies - To map alternate motivational strategies teachers that can use in their classrooms The theories that underpin the study are teacher leadership and theories of motivation. Three theories of motivation that were drawn on namely are Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Herzberg’s Two - Factor Theory and Behavioural Theories. The related literature both national and international was examined to show how previous research informed the current study. A mixed methods case study design was employed. Questionnaires, focus group interviews and observations were used to generate data. The participants in the study were the intermediate phase teachers and assistant teachers and intermediate phase learners. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic content analyses. The findings revealed that most of the teachers were using a variety of motivational strategies which had a positive effect on the learner’s academic performance. The findings also revealed that meeting the learner’s needs is key to their learning success. Stemming from the findings, it is recommended that learner’s academic performance can be improved if the teachers could employ a variety of learner-centred teaching and learning activities, capitalize on the learners existing needs and also expand the learners’ opportunities by engaging in alternate learning strategies. / Educational Leadership and Management / M. Ed. (Education Management)