Basic Secondary School Research Articles

Augmented Reality: a Tool That Encourages Teaching-Learning

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate Augmented Reality, with the aim of to promote teaching-learning in students of traditional secondary schools in the municipality of Aguachica, Cesar Colombia. Theoretical Framework: In this topic, the main concepts and theories that underpin the research are presented. Data analysis and tabulation, computers and information processing, educational, technology, aumented reality stand out, providing a solid basis for understanding the context of the investigation. Method: The methodology adopted for this research comprises for the present research, didactic activities mediated with augmented reality (AR) were implemented as an academic tool, facilitating the acquisition of knowledge by students in an interactive, authentic and focused way; is a basic secondary school student. Data collection was carried out through to assess this degree of satisfaction, a quantitative methodology was applied through student surveys. Results and Discussion: The results obtained revealed according to the research methodology, augmented reality represents a unique educational medium that offers educators the possibility of designing, adapting, and extending meaningful educational experiences for students. Research Implications: The digital age imposes challenges and changes on the education sector (institutions, teachers, students, families) with respect to pedagogical and didactic strategies, which were traditionally carried out in the classroom, but which have now also been extended to any social environment. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by exploring how augmented reality can transform traditional educational methods. The relevance and value of this research are evidenced by lies in demonstrating how augmented reality can revolutionize education by making learning more interactive and effective, facilitating the understanding of complex concepts and fostering critical and creative skills in students.

Cognitive-Discursive Didactic Sequence to Strengthen Inferential Reading of Elementary School Students

Currently, students in basic secondary school in Colombia have a low performance in reading comprehension at the inferential level. This pedagogical proposal aimed to strengthen the level of inferential reading of students who attend elementary school, through the application of a didactic sequence from the cognitive-discursive perspective. Theoretically, the concepts proposed by Cisneros, Olave and Rojas regarding four types of inferences were assumed. Likewise, the theoretical orientations of Van Dijk (1978), Solé (1992) and Martínez (2002) were taken into account to support the cognitive-discursive perspective adopted in the study. Methodologically, the qualitative approach was used with the action research method, and techniques such as observation, questionnaire, field diary and didactic sequence were used. In relation to the results, it is evident that the participants in the closing questionnaire increased significantly compared to the four types of inference evaluated, thus demonstrating greater interpretation when facing the texts.

Phenomenon- oriented learning as a methodological approach to activating the cognitive interest of students of the basic secondary school

Phenomenon- oriented learning as a methodological approach to activating the cognitive interest of students of the basic secondary school

A model of variant teaching for basic school students in the field of artificial intelligence

Today, the need to educate schoolchildren in the field of artificial intelligence is emphasized at the state level. However, issues related to the selection of content and organization of teaching in the field of artificial intelligence to students in basic secondary school are still controversial. Basic general education faces the problem of finding ways to improve teaching methods for schoolchildren in the field of artificial intelligence.The scientifically based implementation in the field of artificial intelligence training at the level of basic general education is associated, firstly, with the development of a model for teaching in the field of artificial intelligence in the conditions of variant school education, secondly, with the identification of approaches to organizing such teaching, thirdly, with the selection and structuring of teaching content in the field of artificial intelligence as part of an informatics course in basic secondary school, fourthly, with the integration of the teaching content in the field of artificial intelligence into various organizational forms of school education. This determined the purpose of the study.As a result of the study, approaches to the formation of the content of variant teaching in the field of artificial intelligence were identified, a model of variant teaching in the field of artificial intelligence at the level of basic general education was created, the principles of implementation of the proposed training model was highlighted, thematic modules for basic and in-depth training in the field of artificial intelligence were identified, educational and methodological materials were developed (theoretical educational material, practical tasks, laboratory work, methodological recommendations, etc.) for variant teaching in the field of artificial intelligence in the basic secondary school. Testing of the educational and methodological materials was carried out at sites in certain educational organizations in Moscow.

Relationship Between Covid-19 School Reopening Managerial Strategies of Hand Sanitization, Temperature Checking and Effective Administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State

This study examined the relationship between COVID-19 school reopening managerial strategies of hand sanitization, temperature checking and effective administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study is 6056. The sample size is 705 comprising of 130 principals and 575 teachers. This study adopted a correlational research design. Two self-structured instruments were used for data collection for the study. The two two self-structured questionnaires tagged “Covid-19 School Reopening Managerial Strategy Questionnaire (COVID-19 SRMSQ) and “Effective Administration of Post Basic Secondary Schools Questionnaire” (EAPBSQ) were used in collecting data for the study. An overall reliability coefficient of 0.86 and 0.83 were obtained for the both instruments using Cronbach Alpha Statistic. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions using the real limit of numbers. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the null hypotheses 1 & 2. While, Multiple Regression Analysis was in testing hypothesis 3. The results revealed that hand sanitization and temperature checking are significant predictors of effective administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa state, F(5, 703) = 33055.330, p < 0.05. The results revealed that hand sanitization and temperature checking significantly predict effective administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations among others were made; hand antiseptic, hand disinfectant, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, hand rub, soap and water) should be enforced in schools for promotion of better hygiene culture in secondary school in the State for the purpose of removing common pathogens (disease-causing organisms) in order to remove all types of germs from hands. Also, school principals should ensure non-contact infrared thermometers, axillary (ampit) scanner and oral scanner are used to check febrile state of staff, students and visitors as this can further reduce the spread of COVID-19

A comprehensive approach to the impact of job stress on women in the teaching profession

Stress related to working conditions, or work-related stress, is the way in which the body reacts to different situations, causing a physical or psychological imbalance. This article contextualizes the work of our female teachers, identifies the causes, conflicts, physical and emotional symptoms brought about by inadequate interaction with the work environment. The research presented here is quantitative and qualitative, assuming as a basic condition to face this study, its dynamic, participative and transforming character. Due to its essence, the research will be descriptive, explanatory and participatory. We worked with an intentional sample of 50 female teachers working in seventh, eighth and ninth grades in four basic secondary schools located in the municipality of San Miguel del Padrón. A survey was applied to teachers to obtain information about our object of study. The emotional state of the female teachers analyzed and their job dissatisfaction are variables that affect their health, motivation, personal fulfillment and performance, thus also affecting the effectiveness of our educational institutions. The improvement of teachers, starting from considering the need to prevent work stress for an adequate professional performance in the context of performance, presupposes the design of various strategies that are conceived from the theoretical references of the historical-cultural approach, with a structure and operation that considers potential levels in correspondence with individual educational needs and adjusted to current conditions.

PSYCHOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF EARLY CAREER GUIDANCE OF STUDENTS WITH DIFFERENT STARTING OPPORTUNITIES

The article deals with the problem of early career guidance of children, starting from high school age. Based on the analysis of psychological and pedagogical ideas of domestic and foreign psychology scientists and teachers (K. D. Ushinsky, B. G. Ananyev, A. S. Mukhina, V. V. Davydov, G. Johnson, F. Froebel, M. Montessori, etc.), the author proposes an approach to the organisation of an early career guidance system aimed not only at children attending preschool educational institutions and basic secondary schools, but also children with disabilities. The author describes the experience of organising the “Skills of the Young” KidS ® Championship as an important psychodidactic tool attracting various subjects of education to career guidance work.

Построение персонифицированной системы воспитания в условиях сельской основной общеобразовательной школы

The article considers the prerequisites for the construction of personalized educational systems in rural primary schools. Modern conditions force the rural school to reconsider the main tasks of its activities, primarily related to the professional mobility of students, which is directly expressed in a conscious and responsible choice of their future profession. In this regard, the conditions and possibilities of the personalized education system (PSV) in the professional orientation of high school students of rural primary school are analyzed. The necessity of the use of PSV in the formation of professional self-determination of schoolchildren in the conditions of rural basic secondary school is identified and justified. The practical experience of cooperation between the school and the family is summarized, which allows, on the basis of an individually differentiated approach, to build the interaction of PSV participants in the plane of professional self-determination. The experience of pedagogical interaction of schools of the Klin city district of the Moscow region in the construction of PSV is presented. The approbation of methods and means of building a PSV, implemented in the conditions of a rural primary school, was carried out. The specifics of the conditions of the main rural school, favorable to the creation of an environment in which personalized educational systems will be designed and implemented, are summarized. Based on the data obtained, conclusions are drawn about the dependence of the probability of participation of high school students in building their own personalized educational system in a rural primary school on the level of educational potential of their family.

ПІДГОТОВКА МАЙБУТНІХ УЧИТЕЛІВ ФІЗИЧНОЇ КУЛЬТУРИ ДО ФІЗКУЛЬТУРНО-ОЗДОРОВЧОЇ ДІЯЛЬНОСТІ В НОВІЙ УКРАЇНСЬКІЙ ШКОЛІ

The scientific article analyzes the regulatory and legal documentation on the organization of physical education in the conditions of the New Ukrainian School, namely: the State Standard of Basic Secondary Education, the Concept of the New Ukrainian School, the Model Curriculum «Physical Culture. 5-6 grades». Analyzing the Model Curriculum «Physical Culture. 5-6 grades», it was determined that the basis of physical culture and health activities in the New Ukrainian School are the activities of the «League of Active Students and Schoolgirls of a Healthy Ukraine». In the course of the research, a questionnaire was conducted among students of higher education in the specialty 014 Secondary Education (Physical Culture) regarding the determination of the current state of preparation for physical culture and health work at the New Ukrainian School. As a result of the survey, it was determined that future physical education teachers feel a lack of knowledge about the content of physical education and health activities in the New Ukrainian School, namely, about the activities that form the basis of the «League of active male and female students of a healthy Ukraine», therefore the process of their preparation for physical education Health activities at the New Ukrainian School need improvement and the search for new effective teaching methods, among which we offer selective disciplines. The article presents the content of the curriculum «Physical Culture in the New Ukrainian School» for students of higher education to freely choose, the purpose of which is to arm students with knowledge about the peculiarities of conducting physical education lessons in general secondary education institutions and the implementation of physical culture and health activities in the conditions of the New Ukrainian School. The main tasks of studying the discipline «Physical Culture in the New Ukrainian School» are the formation of the complex of knowledge, abilities and skills necessary for the implementation of the requirements of the New Ukrainian School in the process of physical education in the students of higher education. The study of the selective educational discipline «Physical Culture in the New Ukrainian School» will contribute to the acquisition of skills and abilities to implement the content of the subject «Physical Culture» for primary and basic secondary school students and to organize physical culture and health activities in the conditions of the New Ukrainian School. Key words: physical culture and health activities, New Ukrainian school, subjects of free choice.

ПРОБЛЕМНИЙ ПІДХІД У НАВЧАННІ СИНТАКСИСУ УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ МОВИ В ОСНОВНІЙ ШКОЛІ

Background. The problem-based learning presented in the study follows the 3C3R bilateral design model which is conceptually grounded in two types of components: three core Cs addressing the context, content, and connections of the learning problem (context, content, connection), and three action-oriented Rs involving research, reasoning, and reflection. These elements support cognitive processes for problem-solving skills and self-directed learning (Hung, 2009). Purpose. The article aims to develop an innovative lesson based on the 3C3R model of bilateral design for problem-based learning, conduct experimental instruction in the 8th-grades of basic secondary school, and report the results of problem-based teaching a range of syntactic phenomena of the Ukrainian syntax such as apposition, comparative constructions, and subordinate comparative sentences. Method. Theoretically, the research relies on the works of Ansarian and Teoh (2018), Yavir and Bilousenko (1992), and Kucheruk (2009). Additionally, it incorporates the use of the bilateral design model proposed by Hung (2006). The 28 participants of the experimental training involved eighth-grade students from Lyceum No. 2 in the Mogilev branch of the Hnivan City Council, (n=13), and Lyceum No. 4 in Berdychiv (n=15). The data were collected from students through a survey which aimed to assess the comprehensibility of the topic; evaluate the teacher's instructional clarity; and doing some language tasks. Results and discussion. The study found that teaching syntax through problem-based learning significantly impacted the cognitive and emotional development of the learners. 75% of them confirmed that the presentation of problem-solving tasks was comprehensible, engaging, and clear. Most students grasped linguistic distinctions between the comparative constructions under study. Notably, 82.1% of the students accurately identified these syntactic structures in sentences. Further research perspectives are related to developing a rating scale for assessing the skills and techniques in problem-based learning; creating effective feedback mechanisms, and fostering a dialogue between teachers and students.

Сучасні підходи до формування здоров’язбережувальної та здоров’ярозвивальної компетентностей учнів базової середньої освіти

The article emphasizes the relevance of the formation of health-preserving and health-developing competencies of students during the adaptation cycle of basic secondary school education (5–6 grade students). It is noted that over the last decade the situation in science regarding the problem of health care has changed significantly and the research data have become the object of study of pedagogical science, which significantly influenced the expansion of the spectrum of interpretation of the concept of “health preservation competence”. Since the definition of “health preservation competence” does not have an unambiguous interpretation, various approaches to defining the terms of health-preserving and healthdeveloping competences have been investigated. It has been established that scientists attach different meanings to the concept of “health preservation competence”, which defines it as an ambiguous and broadfaceted meaning and offers different approaches to its formation in students. Attention is focused on the fact that for students of grades 5–6, it is important not only to preserve health, but also to strengthen and further develop it, and therefore, the formation of health-preserving and health-developing competencies in students of this age. The analysis of the scientific and pedagogical literature proved that the category “health development competence” is considered in the scientific literature not as often as the concept of “health preservation competence”. The stages, tasks and directions of the formation of the researched competencies developed by the scientists and the proposed ways of their formation and development through the prism of the implementation of socio-pedagogical activities, the implementation of pedagogical and health-development technologies, through the use of a system of health and physical culture activities and methodical techniques that direct the educational process to formation of students’ health-preserving and health-developing competencies, healthy lifestyle skills and appropriate health culture.

Relationship between Covid-19 School Reopening Managerial Strategies and Effective Administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State

This study examined the relationship between COVID-19 School Reopening Managerial Strategies and Effective Administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State, Nigeria. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The population of the study comprised 322 principals and 5734 classroom teachers in Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State, giving a total population of 6056. The sample size is 705 comprising of 130 principals and 575 teachers. This study adopted a correlational research design. Two self-structured instruments were used for data collection for the study. The two two self-structured questionnaires tagged “Covid-19 School Reopening Managerial Strategy Questionnaire (COVID-19 SRMSQ) and “Effective Administration of Post Basic Secondary Schools Questionnaire” (EAPBSQ) were used in collecting data for the study. Cronbach Alpha Statistic was used to ascertain the internal consistency of the items of the instruments. An overall reliability coefficient of 0.86 and 0.83 were obtained for the both instruments. Descriptive statistics of mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions using the real limit of numbers. The Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to test the null hypotheses 1 & 2. While, Multiple Regression Analysis was in testing hypothesis 3. The findings of the study revealed that there is significant relationship between wearing of face mask and effective administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State (r – value = 0.304, p <0.05). There is a significant strong correlation between adherence to social distance and the effective administration of post-basic schools in Adamawa State (r = 0.543, p < 0.05). The results revealed that wearing face mask and adherence to social distance are significant predictors of effective administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State, F(5, 703) = 33055.330, p < 0.05. Since the p – value (0.000) is less than 0.05 alpha level, we can conclude that the null hypothesis should be rejected. This means that wearing face mask and adherence to social distance significantly predict effective administration of Post Basic Schools in Adamawa State. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations among others were made; government should make provision for free face mask to teachers, students and visitors within the school premises so as to further curtail the spread of the dreaded covid-19 pandemic within schools and its host community. Government should make provision for safety materials (hand sanitizers; also known as hand antiseptic, hand disinfectant, alcohol-based hand sanitizers, hand rub, soap and water) for promotion of better hygiene (hand Sanitization) culture in secondary school in the state for the purpose of removing common pathogens (disease-causing organisms) in order to remove all types of germs from hands.

General characteristics of discursive competence as a pedagogical problem

In order to develop a more effective formation method of discursive competence, it is necessary to clarify its definition first. Given the fact that discursive competence still does not have a single, clear definition, it was proposed and substantiated by analyzing the literature on this issue. The purpose of the study was to reveal the essence of the concept of “discursive competence” based on the generalization of scientific and pedagogical literature, to find out the reasons for the formation of discursive competence in basic secondary school students. The author clustered the material related to discursive competence and clarified its definition, its features were determined – mastering the genre stylistic features of various discursive genres, contextualization and the ability to use “communicative models”, functionality. Five main arguments for the formation of discursive competence among basic secondary school students were also formulated. Turning to the works of modern scientists on the topic of discourse and discursive competence, the clustering method was used to determine different approaches to distinguishing the components of communicative competence in the works of various scientists and to determine the main features of communicative competence, then the generalization method to identify their common tendencies, the inductive method to determine the discursive competence. According to most scientists, the main feature of discursive competence is the coherence of speech, but the most common of all discourses, oral discourse, is characterized by incoherence, nonnormative syntax, random pauses and repetitions, asyndeton, anacoluphe. Thus, the prevailing until now definition of discursive competence is not compatible with oral discourse. Discursive competence is competence that involves the understanding and use of verbal and paraverbal signs characteristic of a particular discursive genre, as well as the use of communicative strategies inherent in the communicative situation, knowledge and operation of the extralinguistic aspect in order to create one’s own statements in accordance with the discursive genre features.

Social support for the elderly. Medical Clinic 3. Viñales

Introduction: the aging of the Cuban population constitutes an important challenge of the present and the immediate future because this population group faces changes and health problems that affect the deterioration of their quality of life. Objective: to evaluate the social support to the elderly in the medical office 3, of the Policlínico Fermín Valdés Domínguez, Viñales municipality, from January 2020 to July 2022. Method: quasi-experimental research was carried out applying an intervention strategy, the universe was formed by 299 older adults of the community, from them a sample was selected by simple random method of 200 older adults, theoretical, empirical and statistical methods were used that allowed processing the information in absolute and relative frequencies. Results: the sample was characterized for being predominantly female with 52 %, with an age range between 70 and 74 years, for 25,5 %, most of them had a basic secondary school level completed, were married, retired; they belonged to complete and small nuclear families, the social resources were classified as excellent in 50,5 % and it was found that 51,5 % of the older adults receive somewhat frequent support.Conclusions: the development of a community intervention to increase social support for older adults in clinic 3 contributed to improve the quality of life of this age group by increasing the social resources available to them, their support networks, and decreasing the incidence and decompensation of chronic diseases.

How tracking gets under the skin: German education system and social consciousness of Turkish descent students in basic secondary school tracks

Students of Turkish heritage are overrepresented in basic secondary vocational schools and underrepresented in university-track academic secondary schools in Germany. Macro-level studies analyzing this achievement gap generally focus on the effects of family resources, institutional practices, and discrimination. Yet, the impact of macro-level factors, such as the effects of institutional mechanisms on students’ identities, remains relatively unquestioned. Drawing on the ethnicization framework and utilizing in-depth interviews and ethnography, this study examines the social consciousness of a group of male Turkish descent students in German secondary school tracks. The study analyzes the relationship between social consciousness and the broader educational context, suggesting that this relationship involves ethnicized oppositional elements stemming not from culture but from class and ethnic stratifications affirmed and lived out in German schools on a daily basis.

Assessment of ICT Skills Among Upper Basic Islamic Studies Teachers in Kwara State

The role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education cannot be underestimated. In fact, the integration of ICT simplifies the teaching and learning process and enhances easy access to the contents of Islamic studies. Thus, it is incumbent on teachers of Islamic Studies to have necessary skills, knowledge and training on the usage of ICT tools in school. Hence, this study investigated assessment of ICT skills among upper basic Islamic studies teachers in Kwara State, Nigeria. The study adopted the descriptive research design. Krejcie and Morgan sampling table and purposive sampling technique was employed to sample 358 Islamic studies teachers in upper basic schools within Ilorin metropolis of Kwara State. Data collected were analysed using percentage and means and standard deviation to answer two research questions. The results of the findings showed that use of internet, information search strategy, use of library software and online book selection and acquisition are the Islamic studies teachers' perceived level of ICT skills in basic secondary schools in Kwara State. Based on these findings, it was recommended among others that government and school authority should reward any teacher who tries his/her hands on innovation ideas using ICT tools to teach. Teachers should also be resourceful as that could motivate students to learn and perform better in their study.

Музейні уроки – альтернативна форма навчання природничих дисциплін базової середньої освіти

The article is devoted to the issue of the museum lessons as an alternative form of teaching Natural Sciences for students in basic secondary school. It proposes the detailed analysis of the concept «natural sciences museum lessons» and explores educational activities provided by the Ukrainian museums to schoolchildren. The author of the article emphasizes the importance of the museum educational activities for both, students and teachers: while for students museum lessons are the chance to improve their knowledge, skills and abilities, for teachers, they are the opening to explain subject material in an accessible way and meet the basic curriculum. Most museums in Ukraine and abroad offer standard tours, museum lessons, lectures and educational workshops. Analysis of those activities showed that natural museums have an extremely important role in the education process of children. Natural history museums clearly realize the importance of their educational role by setting the programs for schools. They provide the interdisciplinary approach in teaching and offer natural sciences lessons to students of all educational levels. Educational activities offered by natural history museums are usually complementary to school natural sciences curriculum, which include several school subjects – biology, geography, physics, chemistry, and astronomy. It is emphasized that apart from the educational content, the museums offer a very wide choice of possibilities and new teaching methods, which require students’ active participation. The educational activities of the museums are included into the curricula of basic secondary education and provide information and communication technologies for the organization of information and educational environment of the museum. The study describes and characterizes the activity of Lviv museums, which offer museum lessons their compatibility with the core curriculum of basic secondary education. Keywords: museum lesson, museum education, natural history museum, basic secondary education, educational program, museum innovations.

Проблеми реформування шкільництва за концепцією «Нова українська школа»

The article considers the topical issues of secondary education reform according to the concept of “The New Ukrainian Schoolˮ. The first stage of this reform in primary school is coming to end. During this period, a lot of work has been done: the educational material base has been significantly strengthened, especially with new computer systems and educational equipment. New educational programs, textbooks and manuals have been prepared, new pedagogical approaches are being introduced: personality-oriented, competence-oriented and activity-oriented. Teaching and learning technologies are changing significantly, alongside with the approaches to students’ academic assessment. Much has been borrowed from the experience of the developed Western countries, including Finland. There is a change in the views on education of children with special needs and separate programs with additional funding have been created for them. The New Ukrainian School envisages a systematic reform of all levels of education, and the effective reform of the previous level, such as the primary school, should ensure the successful education of students in basic secondary school. Have all the conceptual ideas been implemented in the primary school where the first stage of the reform is coming to end? The answer is not, because not everything could be predicted. There are many objective reasons: the war with Russia, the corona virus, and so on. However, we will definitely defeat the enemy, and the children will continue studying in the Ukrainian schools in their native language. There are many problems to be solved. Is it about how to ensure continuity between the first and second levels of education? How to achieve high students’ motivation to daily educational work? How to modernize the educational process at the next school levels? These and other problems are of concern to the pedagogical community today, because, despite the efforts, students’ interest in higher education, reading fiction, self-education and self-development is declining. These problems are raised in this scientific article on the basis of the gained practical experience. Keywords: The New Ukrainian School, education, principle, teaching aids, teaching and learning technology.

Designing a model for the process of forming critical thinking in students of basic secondary school

Designing a model for the process of forming critical thinking in students of basic secondary school

Exploring fear of childbirth in Kenya through evaluation of the readability of Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire Version A (W-DEQ-A)

BackgroundSeveral tools measuring fear of childbirth (FOC) have been developed in the last three decades, however concerns about their readability have been raised. AimTo explore the fear of childbirth in a sample of women of reproductive age by evaluating the readability of Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire version A (W-DEQ-A). MethodsThe Flesch Reading Ease Formula, the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level, the FOG Scale, the SMOG Index, the Coleman-Liau Index, the Automated Readability Index, and the Linsear Write Formula were used to evaluate the readability of the W-DEQ-A. Also, focus group discussions were held to validate the findings of the readability scales mentioned above. FindingsThe SMOG Index (score = 7.6), Coleman-Liau Index (score = 7.6), and the Linsear Write Formula (score = 9.4) were easily readable by women of reproductive age who had at least secondary school education (grade 12). Concerns were raised over some terms used such as desolate and deserted, which were rarely used in day to day English language conversations. ConclusionsIn this study, participants observed that W-DEQ- A was readable if administered to expectant women with a basic secondary school certificate; but there is a need to simplify some words. It was emphasized that societal dynamics play an important role in the fear of childbirth and therefore the questionnaire should address all aspects contributing to fear of childbirth and not merely the feelings and thoughts women may have at the prospect of labor and delivery.