Browsing by Author "Mabusela, M.S."

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    The challenges of curriculum changes in teaching economic and management sciences in schools in the Umhlathuze circuit
    (University of Zululand, 2018) Mabusela, Sabelo Petros; Mabusela, M.S.
    This study sets out to investigate the teaching of Economic and Management Sciences (EMS) as a subject in the context of curriculum change. The main aim of this study is to identify the challenges teachers face in teaching EMS, determine the suitable teaching strategies to be used to teach EMS and explore the effect of curriculum change in teaching EMS in schools at Umhlathuze Circuit. This study is located within the interpretivist-positivist paradigm and falls within mixed method research approaches. The research instruments used were questionnaires administered to EMS teachers, interviews, learner activities and teacher portfolios. The results show that EMS teachers are facing challenges with regards to the integrated teaching of Accounting, Business Studies and Economics. The results of the study reveal that EMS teachers are still teaching more of Business Studies and Economics while sacrificing the Accounting content. The time allocated to teach EMS is not enough which causes teachers to focus on curriculum coverage rather than ensuring that learners master the content taught. The shortage of textbooks and calculators was also identified as a major challenge in many schools. Many EMS teachers are either trained for at least a combination of two disciplines in EMS. Even the Heads of department are not fully equipped in all three disciplines within the EMS. It is recommended that time allocation for EMS be reviewed. There is a need for sufficient resources in schools to ensure effective teaching and learning. EMS teachers should be able to teach all three disciplines within the EMS effectively. There is also a need for teacher training and development. Teachers should use a variety of teaching strategies and should adapt their teaching practice as a result of curriculum change. Accounting within the EMS should be a stand-alone subject.
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    First time entrants’ student support services in contributing to academic success in technical and vocational education and training colleges
    (University of Zululand, 2018) Ngubane, Phiwokuhle Bongiwe; Mabusela, M.S.; Nzima, D.R.
    The vision of the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) is about increasing enrolments and marketing Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges as viable institutions. The first college entrants often have hurdles that can challenge qualification completion, placing them at high risk of dropping out. The focus of the study was to determine the level of contribution student support services may have on the academic success of first college entrants. The study was carried out in two public TVET Colleges, purposely selected. Data were collected from a sample of 172 respondents of which 100 were first-year students, 20 entry-level lecturers, 20 Campus Management Team members, 2 Student Support Service Managers, 10 Student Liaison Officers, 10 SSS-SACs, and 10 Career Development Officers, purposively and randomly selected. Thirty two participants were purposively selected from SSS unit personnel for qualitative data collection. The study used questionnaires and structured interviews as data collection instruments. Validity was warranted through the judgement of experts in the SSS unit, CMT and lecturing staff, and made possible by allowing them to have access to the instruments of data collections. Reliability was determined by ensuring that an audit trail was done, and it was made available to all participants. Post-positivism paradigm was employed as the study utilised mixed methodology which incorporate both quantitative and qualitative approaches in one study. The findings of this study revealed that, students with learning challenges are not adequately supported to better cope with the college lifestyle. It was also discovered that, opportunities provided by the campuses for academic support were not enough to support the first college entrants. Findings revealed that (100 %) respondents agreed that opportunities provided by the campus for academic support were not enough to support the first college entrants. It was evident from the findings that (62, 2 %) percent respondents disagreed that a major share of SSS budget was allocated for academic support programmes. Equality of opportunity and outcomes is constrained by inadequate funding to address under preparedness (conceptual, knowledge, academic literacy and numeracy) for higher education programmes of especially indigent students. The findings revealed that over eighty percent respondents disagreed that they were satisfied with technological facilities. Furthermore, a majority of participants interviewed remain resolute that the existing infrastructure does not allow effective rendering of support services to students. The study concluded with a recommendation of an initial student integration model, which supports Tinto’s (1993) model of student integration. Adding to that, this study recommended that further research be conducted on academic support focusing primarily on private TVET colleges for comparison purposes, as the present study focus was mainly on public TVET colleges. The study is significant in the sense that its’ findings would provide insight into the TVET college governance councils, management at all levels, SSS managers, SSS units at campus level and policy makers to understand the role of a SSS unit, and the positive impact it may have on students’ academic success.
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    In-service training needs of educators in the teaching of writing skills: a case study of primary schools at eSwatini
    (University of Zululand, 2019) Dlamini, Zodwa, Priscilla; Mabusela, M.S.; Mhlongo, H.R
    Writing is dominant in schools and continues to be important for effective communication. Therefore, learners need to be up- skilled in writing skills as their everyday activities. This study was conducted to investigate the in-service training needs of educators in teaching writing skills in primary schools at eSwatini. The study responded to the questions: (a) To what extent are educators teaching languages, trained in teaching writing skills to primary school learners? (b) What in-service training needs do educators have in teaching writing skills of primary school learners? (c) What competencies do educators possess for teaching writing skills? The mixed method design was adopted for this study which triangulated focus group semi structured interview, documentary analysis and lesson observation. Purposive sampling was used to sample N=56 educators in eight primary schools and N= 6 trainers from three teacher training colleges. The mixed-method approach was used to collect data. Quantitative data were analysed using the statistics, frequencies and percentages as well as cross tabulation. Qualitative data from focus group interviews were analysed by identifying patterns and themes. The study revealed the lack of Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK) in the teaching of writing skills. The findings imply that there no methods of teaching employ in teaching writing skills. In addition, the study findings imply that among other things, there was lack of parental involvement and lack of support from school administrators and government. Recommendations made from this study were that: in-service training department should strengthen workshops with regard to writing skills, there should be preparation of lessons, setting of test, scheme of work and marking of learners’ work. Furthermore, the training colleges should have comprehensive writing skills programmes for all pre-service educators, and not only those who major in languages.
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    Leadership practices that promote effective teaching and learning in the King Cetshwayo district
    (University of Zululand, 2018) Mpungose, Zanele Carol; Mabusela, M.S.; Kapueja, I.S.
    The purpose of this study was to investigate the leadership practices that promote effective teaching and learning in primary schools in the King Cetshwayo District. The King Cetshwayo District was chosen, because it has both rural and urban schools, though rural schools are dominant. Both rural and urban schools in this district face the same disadvantages. This study was qualitative in nature and adopted structured interviews to investigate leadership practices that promote effective teaching and learning in the targeted area. The findings revealed that the principals as school leaders perceived leadership practices differently; this leads to huge differences in their leadership. The findings also confirmed that the school principals shared the same activities and practise differently, but for the same purpose of promoting effective teaching and learning in schools they lead. This study further revealed that school leaders need to work together and discuss the ways to overcome the challenges they face, in order to progress and prosper in their leadership practices. The following recommendations were made based on the findings from the interviews. The idea was to determine which leadership practices promote effective teaching and learning in the King Cetshwayo District. It is recommended that the school leaders should plan the workshops where they will gain knowledge regarding the effective practising of their roles effectively to promote teaching and learning in the schools they lead, the school leaders should attend academic meetings set to help them and understand curriculum matters.