Literacy Program Research Articles

Investigating Marketing Challenges Faced by South African SMEs during Covid-19

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) play a crucial part in growing South Africa’s economy, where these businesses employ half of all workers. However, SMEs have struggled to market themselves for assorted reasons that were exacerbated by COVID-19 lockdowns. This study investigated marketing difficulties encountered by SMEs in Durban, South Africa during the COVID pandemic. The methodology used in this study was quantitative in nature. Ninety-six SME owners, CEOs, managers, managing directors, and marketing managers, were surveyed using a convenience sampling approach as the study was conducted under the COVID-19 lockdown. Seventy percent of participants had formal businesses with the remainder being informal. This study finds that marketing obstacles for SMEs in South Africa were due to COVID-19 restrictions, lack of finance, inability to adequately brand products and digital marketing challenges. We recommend increased government funding, better training for managers and financial literacy programs for SMEs managers.

Theoretical perspectives on digital literacy programs: A comparative study of initiatives in Africa and the United States

This review paper analyses digital literacy programs in Africa and the United States, highlighting the theoretical underpinnings and practical implementations across diverse socio-economic, cultural, and technological contexts. Examining key theoretical frameworks—Technological Literacy, Media Literacy, and Information Literacy—explores how these theories inform the design, execution, and evaluation of digital literacy initiatives. The analysis reveals both region-specific challenges and universal opportunities for enhancing digital literacy, emphasizing the need for contextually adapted, inclusive, and sustainable programs. Insights into policy implications and practical recommendations for practitioners are discussed alongside future research directions to deepen understanding and improve the effectiveness of digital literacy programs globally. This paper underscores the pivotal role of digital literacy in empowering individuals and fostering societal development in the digital age.

Exploring Digital Proficiency Among Mothers of School-going Children in Kerala

Early exposure to social and digital media in this digital age greatly influences children’s lives, leading to an increasing number of parents and educators becoming concerned about the potential negative effects of excessive screen time. By investigating mothers’ digital competencies as informal educators, this study fills a significant research gap. The paper emphasises women as mentors, highlighting their responsibility to supervise and guide their children’s use of digital devices in an era of pervasive connectedness. Using a modified version of the DigCompEdu framework, the study focuses on two essential elements: empowering children; and fostering their understanding of digital competence areas. A thousand homemakers from two wards of the Kochi Corporation area in the Ernakulam district, Kerala, India are included in the study. Discriminant analysis is used to identify four important skill areas that demonstrate significant group differences – between Novice, Basic, Independent, and Proficient user groups. Results imply that tailoring digital literacy programs to mothers’ varying proficiency levels can enhance their ability to navigate digital parenting effectively. Additionally, integrating sociodemographic factors into interventions can ensure relevance and efficacy in addressing digital competence disparities among mothers.

E-Pharmacy in Rural Pakistan: Evaluating Platforms' Reach, Opportunities, and Challenges

Background: E-pharmacy platforms in Pakistan have largely focused on urban centers, leaving rural areas underserved due to limited digital literacy, infrastructure, and awareness. Despite potential benefits, little research has examined their reach and challenges in rural Pakistan.Objective: To evaluate the reach, opportunities, and barriers to e-pharmacy platforms in rural Pakistan, and to identify strategies for improving their adoption.Methods: A mixed-method approach was used, involving secondary data analysis to identify existing e-pharmacy platforms, and primary data collection through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with 35 pharmacists, healthcare professionals, and researchers. Thematic analysis was conducted using NVivo software to identify key themes and barriers.Results: Seven major e-pharmacy platforms were identified. These platforms primarily serve urban areas with limited reach in rural regions. Key opportunities include convenience, cost-effectiveness, and telemedicine integration. Major barriers include poor internet connectivity, low digital literacy, mistrust, and logistical challenges.Conclusion: E-pharmacies can bridge healthcare gaps in rural Pakistan but require improved internet infrastructure, regulatory oversight, digital literacy programs, and targeted outreach to build trust and expand reach.

Supporting the Mental Health Needs of Neurodivergent Students: Outcomes of a Mental Health Literacy Program for Primary School Educators

This study evaluated the effectiveness of neurodiversity training modules from a mental health literacy program for primary school staff offered over a three-year period (2013–2015), entitled ‘Teaching and Mental Health’. Using archival data, this study aimed to identify how much teachers learned, how confident they were about using this newly acquired knowledge, and how well the training met the teachers’ learning needs. This study also aimed to explore the relationship between knowledge and confidence, and how satisfaction indicators affected this relationship. Key ethical considerations of neurodiversity training and outcome measurement are discussed. A pre-test and post-test survey design was conducted with 99 primary school teachers from the Brisbane region in Australia. Analyses included three paired-samples t-tests, descriptive statistics, a linear regression analysis, and a mediation analysis. Significant increases of knowledge and confidence were found compared to baseline, and mean satisfaction ratings were high. Knowledge was a significant predictor of confidence, and mental health presenter ratings partially mediated this relationship. It is proposed that future delivery of the program should invest in improving presenter effectiveness.

The Moderating Role of Islamic Financing Access in the Impact of Islamic Financial Knowledge and Financial Confidence on Financial Well-being among MSME Owners

Research aims: This study aims to explore the relationship between Islamic financial knowledge, financial confidence, and financial well-being, with access to Islamic financing as a moderating variable, specifically targeting MSME owners in Lampung Province, Indonesia.Design/Methodology/Approach: Data was collected from MSME owners through surveys in Lampung Province, Indonesia. The study employed Jeffreys's Amazing Statistics Program (JASP) for data analysis, examining correlations between variables and assessing moderation effects.Research findings: The findings reveal positive correlations between Islamic financial knowledge, financial confidence, and financial well-being among MSME owners in Lampung Province, Indonesia. Additionally, access to Islamic financing was found to positively moderate the relationship between Islamic financial knowledge, financial confidence, and financial well-being.Theoretical Contribution/Originality: This research contributes to the existing literature by filling a gap and offering fresh insights into the factors influencing financial well-being among MSME owners, particularly within the context of Islamic finance. By uncovering the mechanisms underlying financial well-being in this demographic, it advances knowledge in the field.Practitioners/Policy Implications: Practitioners can develop targeted financial literacy programs and innovative financing products for MSME owners. Policymakers can streamline regulations and incentivize financial institutions to expand Islamic financing options, promoting financial inclusion and sustainable MSME growth in Lampung Province and beyond.Research Limitations/Implications: Despite its contributions, this study has limitations that should be acknowledged. The findings are based on data collected from MSME owners in Lampung Province, Indonesia, which may limit the generalizability of the results. Future research could expand the sample size and geographical scope to enhance the external validity of the findings.

Factors Shaping Students' Love of Money: Gender, Socioeconomic Status, Education, and Work Experience

Love of money plays a significant role in shaping financial behavior, particularly among students in the field of accounting. However, there is limited research examining how factors such as gender, socio-economic status, education level, and work experience influence this attitude. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap by investigating the influence of these variables on love of money among accounting students. Employing a quantitative approach, data were collected from a sample of 187 students from the class of 2020-2021. The research findings reveal that gender (X1), socio-economic status (X2), education level (X3), and work experience (X4) all have a statistically significant effect on love of money, with a significance value (sig) of less than 0.05 for each variable. The novelty of this study lies in its comprehensive analysis of multiple socio-demographic factors influencing love of money. Implications of these findings suggest the need for educators and policymakers to consider these factors when developing financial literacy programs, aiming to foster a balanced financial mindset in students. Highlights: Significant Influence: Gender, socio-economic status, education, and work experience affect love of money. Quantitative Study: Research conducted using a sample of 187 accounting students. Implications: Findings guide financial literacy program development for students. Keywords: Love of Money, Gender, Socio-Economic Status, Education Level, Work Experience

HeLPER (Health Literacy Program to Enhance Responsiveness): a study protocol about co-designing a health literacy initiative for university students

HeLPER (Health Literacy Program to Enhance Responsiveness): a study protocol about co-designing a health literacy initiative for university students

Examining Drinking Water Preferences among University Students: A Comparative Assessment

In recent years, there has been a clear increase in bottled water consumption globally, which has led to significant health and environmental concerns. This cross-sectional study aims to understand the attitude and preferences of university students in Qatar towards the use of bottled and tap drinking water using an online survey questionnaire (September and October 2022). The number of students who responded to the online survey was 14% (n = 688) of the student population, with a mean age of 22.23 ± 5.15 years from the different colleges. Overall, a higher fraction of students preferred plastic bottled water as the main drinking source on campus (n = 468; 68.02%), with a majority of them being females (72.08%). Out of the 468 students who preferred plastic bottled water, safety was the most important factor (43.80%), followed by convenience (16.88%) and taste (15.60%). Cost (15.17%), personal/family habits (5.13%), environmental concerns (2.14%), and mineral content (1.28%) were found to be the least important factors. Among the 45 students (6.54%) who preferred tap water over plastic bottled water, cost (46.67%) was the dominant factor, followed by convenience (20.00%), environmental concerns and safety (13.33% each), taste (4.44%), and personal/family habits (2.22%). Around 72% believed that plastic water bottles were more harmful to the environment, yet the greater majority still resorted to this source. The research study underscores safety as the major factor favoring bottled water over tap water. Further, it suggests that knowledge alone does not fully explain student behavior, implying other influential factors. This study recommends campaigns focus on attitude and behavior change and not solely emphasize knowledge. There is an immediate need to further educate students through environmental and health literacy programs on water consumption and quality. Enabling the population to understand the positive and negative aspects of their choices may be an effective remedy for ensuring a healthy population and healthy environment.

An Action Research Evaluating Artificial Intelligence (AI) Consumption among Learners of San Vicente National High School as Online Scaffold to Academic Endeavor: Experiences and Practices

Despite the overwhelming use of the internet as an educational or informational resource, research has found that learners are woefully in need of guidance on how to use this resource effectively and subsequently identify reliable sources of information from unreliable. This study aims to determine the practices of students at San Vicente National High School in evaluating the reliability of online sources. This study employed the quantitative research design and utilized a questionnaire developed by the researchers of this study as a tool for gathering the data. The respondents of the study are 81 out of 324 digitally literate high school students enrolled at San Vicente National High School, San Vicente, Loreto, Agusan del Sur, of the academic year 2023-2024. The researchers used a stratified random sampling technique to obtain the sample size of the respondents. The findings revealed that the strategies employed by the students in evaluating the reliability of online sources are fairly practiced. It was recommended that students of San Vicente National High School be trained to critically evaluate the reliability of online sources by focusing on key factors such as consistency, authority, currency, objectivity, references, and language. Teachers should support this by providing curated lists of trustworthy sources and teaching simple practices for cross-checking information. Parental involvement is also essential in helping students develop better assessment skills, while school administrators are encouraged to organize digital literacy programs in collaboration with policymakers. Additionally, peer reviews should be encouraged to foster collaborative learning, and AI integration into the curriculum is suggested to prepare students for a future driven by Artificial Intelligence.

Financial literacy and small and medium enterprises performance: the moderating role of financial access

Purpose The current study examines the relationship between financial literacy and small and the performance of medium enterprises (SMEs), focusing on the moderating role of financial access. Design/methodology/approach The population of this study consists of present SMEs in Kuwait, from whom a sample of 155 businesses was chosen. This study adopted a cross-sectional time frame and analyzed the collected data using partial least square structural equation modeling, and Smart-pls 4 software was applied for calculation. Findings This research reveals that financial literacy significantly influences SME performance, consistent with previous studies, showing that higher financial literacy promotes entrepreneurs' financial management capabilities and enhances business outcomes. Also, the study supports that financial access significantly moderates this relationship, pointing out that adequate access to financial services boosts the benefits of financial literacy. Research limitations/implications Major implications of this study compromise the urgent need for customized financial literacy programs and policies promoting financial thoroughness, particularly in enhancing economies. The study recognizes limitations such as its cross-sectional design, small sample size and reliance on self-reported measures, suggesting further research use longitudinal approaches, a larger sample and objective measures. Practical implications The authors’ recommendations contain comprehensive financial literacy training, development of targeted financial education initiatives, promotion of sound financial management practices and policies to enhance financial access and inclusion, all aimed at boosting SME performance and contributing to economic growth. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is Kuwait’s first of its sort. Thus, the research is even more critical in Kuwait, where social and corporate values differ significantly. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between financial literacy and the performance of Kuwait’s SMEs moderated by financial access.

Understanding the social and emotional domains of physical literacy in post‐secondary education: A scoping review

AbstractWhile a variety of definitions persist, a common definition of physical literacy is that it encompasses the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities over the lifespan. While this perspective to physical literacy is broad, a great deal of curricular outcomes still focus on the physical competence, knowledge and understanding aspects of the framework leaving a gap in the holistic nature of the construct. This scoping review explores the construct of physical literacy within post‐secondary education, focusing on how social and emotional dimensions are integrated in teaching, delivery and assessment. This scoping review followed PRISMA‐ScR guidelines. Five online databases were used to identify papers published that used physical literacy in combination with post‐secondary as the educational setting with a focus on curriculum. The findings underscore a substantial gap in the literature. It was identified that the physical aspects of physical literacy were predominant with limited attention to the social and emotional domains. The gap implies that the comprehensive construct of physical literacy, which encompasses non‐physical facets, is often omitted in post‐secondary curricula. The review highlights an unexplored opportunity for post‐secondary institutions to intentionally construct more comprehensive physical literacy programmes. By incorporating social and emotional dimensions into these programmes, students gain a more holistic understanding of physical literacy. Subsequent research can delve into effective integration strategies and the potential benefits of such an approach.

A financial inclusion model for Nigeria: Standardizing advisory services to reach the unbanked

Financial inclusion remains a significant challenge in Nigeria, where a large segment of the population, particularly in rural areas, lacks access to formal financial services. This review proposes a standardized advisory services model designed to bridge the gap between financial institutions and the unbanked. The model aims to address key barriers, including low financial literacy, lack of trust in financial systems, and limited access to technology and infrastructure. By integrating financial literacy programs, digital advisory platforms, and community-driven partnerships, the model offers a comprehensive solution to expand financial inclusion in Nigeria. The review explores the demographic characteristics of Nigeria’s unbanked population and the underlying reasons for their exclusion from the formal financial system. It highlights the role of standardized advisory services in building trust and providing accessible financial education, savings, and credit opportunities. Drawing from global examples such as Kenya’s M-Pesa and India’s Jan Dhan Yojana, the model incorporates best practices for outreach and engagement. A critical component of the model is its reliance on digital and mobile technology to deliver services to underserved communities. Additionally, the review emphasizes the importance of a strong regulatory framework, with the Central Bank of Nigeria playing a key role in monitoring and enforcing standards. The model also outlines challenges to implementation, including cultural resistance, technological infrastructure gaps, and sustainability concerns. By promoting financial inclusion, this advisory services model is expected to foster economic empowerment, poverty reduction, and overall economic growth in Nigeria. The review concludes with policy recommendations, urging collaboration between public and private sectors to ensure the scalability and success of the model across diverse regions. Keywords: Financial Inclusion, Advisory Services, Nigeria, Review.

The Impact of Restrictive Macroprudential Policies through Borrower-Targeted Instruments on Income Inequality: Evidence from a Bayesian Approach

This study used the panel data from 15 emerging markets to examine the impact of restrictive macroprudential policies on income inequality from 2000–2019 using Bayesian panel vector autoregression and Bayesian panel dynamics generalised method of moments models. The chosen models are suitable for addressing multiple entity dynamics, accommodating a wide range of variables, handling dense parameterisation, and optimising formativeness and heterogeneous individual-specific factors. The empirical analysis utilised various macroprudential policy proxies and income inequality measures. The results show that when the central banks tighten systems using macroprudential policy instruments to sticker debt-to-income and financial instruments for lower-income borrowers (the bottom 40% of the income distribution), they promote income inequality in these countries while reducing income inequality for high-income borrowers (the high 1 percent of the income distribution). The impact of loan-to-value ratios was found to be insignificant in these countries. Fiscal policy through government expenditure and economic development reduces income inequality, while money supply and oil-price shocks exacerbate it. The study suggests implementing a progressive debt-to-income (DTI) ratio system in emerging markets to address income inequality among lower-income borrowers. This would adjust DTI thresholds based on income brackets, allowing lenient credit access for lower-income borrowers while maintaining stricter limits for higher-income borrowers. This would improve financial stability and reduce income disparities. Additionally, targeted financial literacy programs and a petroleum-linked basic income program could be implemented to distribute oil revenue to lower-income households. A monetary supply stabilisation fund could also be established to maintain financial stability and prevent excessive inflation.

Health Education for Sustainable E-Waste Management

A combination of ever-increasing device usage and lightning-fast technological advancements has led to a critical problem: electronic waste. One technique to encourage people to dispose of their electronic waste in a more sustainable fashion is to raise their level of green literacy. Using a literature review approach, this study examines green literacy programs as they pertain to e-waste management. After that, it evaluates the programs' effectiveness and makes recommendations for further developments. This publication uses a thorough literature review technique as its research method. The scholarly sources used were journals, academic books, research reports, and policy documents. The selection of sources was based on their relevance, credibility, and contribution to understanding key themes related to green literacy, public health education, and behavior change in e-waste management practices. Additionally, the analysis focused on the intersection between educational interventions, awareness campaigns and global health initiatives, especially those targeting vulnerable populations such as children and pregnant women. The findings demonstrate that while green literacy can raise public knowledge and comprehension of the significance of responsible e-waste management, there are still obstacles to its widespread adoption. By using social media, communities, and educational institutions, green literacy has the potential to raise awareness about the risks of e-waste and the significance of recycling. However, challenges such as public apathy and limited access to recycling facilities continue to impede the implementation of green literacy. The community, along with the governmental and private sectors, must work together to address these issues and encourage the sustainable disposal of electronic trash. Ongoing education and awareness efforts utilizing many communication platforms, including social media, the media, and educational programs in communities and schools, are necessary to improve e-waste management. In order to create easily accessible recycling facilities and launch programs that reach different societal levels, the government must collaborate with the commercial sector and non-governmental organizations.

Life Beyond Classroom: The Plight Of Retired Educators

This study describes the plight of retired academicians of Agusan Del Norte and Agusan del Sur using the purposive sampling approach in the selection of the participants. The use of focused group discussion allowed the researcher to unveil the sentiments of the retired educators. This undertaking used a phenomenological approach with interview guide as a data-gathering instrument. The gathered data were analyzed using thematic analysis. It was revealed that during the first few months of retirement, the retired educators embraced a stress-free life; they reinvigorated their daily routine and revamped their financial approach. The study likewise revealed that sustaining a lifelong financial gameplan, shaping a passionate faith through fervent prayers, and savoring retirement bliss while maintaining mental clarity can help retirees cope with the sudden change of lifestyle brought about by retirement. Moreover, the insights that were revealed are, establishing a well thought financial retirement plan, understanding that retirement is an ending of a beautiful beginning and retirees should know that Health is our Greatest Fortune. The findings of this study can be a tool towards crafting a skills and development and financial literacy program for educators. Hence, this study can be used to review the current GSIS pension program.

Student perspectives on optimising AI tools to enhance personalised learning in higher education

This explanatory qualitative paper discusses students’ recommendations on how AI tools can be optimised to enhance personalised learning in higher education. There are several obstacles to the successful adoption and application of AI technology, two of which are user acceptance and striking a balance between AI-assisted and conventional teaching techniques. The Technology Acceptance Model is used in this research as a theoretical framework to analyse how users accept and use technology. It makes the case that users’ acceptance of technology is mostly influenced by their perceptions of its usefulness and ease of use, which can direct the creation of strategies to enhance the application and efficacy of AI technologies in individualised learning. Open-ended questionnaires were given to 40 University of the Free State students from different faculties as part of a qualitative explanatory case study methodology. The findings reveal that both students and lecturers need to be trained in using AI tools and that there should be a balance between using AI tools and traditional teaching methods to enhance personalised learning in higher education. Considering the findings, the study suggests that institutions and lecturers need to address the challenges posed by AI tools immediately and leverage AI to its full potential in creating an effective and personalised learning environment by establishing clear ethical guidelines and policies for AI usage in higher education and implementing comprehensive AI literacy programs for lecturers and students to ensure they understand the capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations of AI tools.

Alfabetización Evaluativa: Acompañamiento docente para promover la evaluación auténtica

The literacy in assessment is a skill lacking in a significant number of teachers, negatively impacting students’ educational progress. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the impact of a literacy and support program for teachers through authentic assessment training. The research conducted was exploratory in nature. It involved three teachers from schools in different districts of Chile, teaching Language and Literature at the 1st year of high school level, and three accompanying researchers. To determine the level of literacy, pre and post-tests were conducted, measuring the dimension of “gathering learning information”. Additionally, to assess the effectiveness of the intervention, teachers were required to enhance their latest evaluation tool according to the parameters of authentic assessment. The results revealed that teachers had a moderate level of assessment literacy and were unfamiliar with authentic assessment. Furthermore, no improvement in their evaluative competencies was observed following the support provided. These findings underscore the urgency of enhancing teachers’ assessment literacy, emphasizing the need for specific training opportunities in this area.

LIVED EXPERIENCES OF TECHNICAL, VOCATIONAL, LIVELIHOOD TRACK (TVL) SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN WRITING TECHNICAL PAPERS IN THEIR CHOSEN TRACK: A QUALITATIVE INQUIRY

The purpose of This qualitative inquiry is to explore and understand the lived experiences of technical, vocational, and livelihood (TVL) senior high school students in writing technical papers in their chosen track within the Davao del Norte Division. This study aims to generate findings that will guide teachers in designing appropriate interventions to help students develop the necessary skills for writing technical papers in their chosen track. The participants are 14 TVL students from three different senior high schools in the Davao del Norte Division, selected through purposive sampling. Through in-depth interviews and focused group discussions the study identifies key challenges such as difficulties with grammar, problem in conceptualization, and meeting deadlines, as well as coping mechanisms like utilizing prior knowledge, resourcefulness, and seeking support. The results underscore the significance of considering online tools, English proficiency and awareness about prospective impacts of learning technical writing. The results of the study highlighted that innovative teaching strategies are required to help TVL students, such as digital literacy programs and mentoring procedures for further faculty enhancement on skills in reading technical writing. The implications call for a better understanding of TVL students' struggles, promoting an educational environment that values digital proficiency and effective communication. Future research should quantitatively examine these challenges' impacts and the role of AI tools in writing, aiming to develop targeted interventions for improved technical writing skills. KEYWORDS: TVL students, technical papers, qualitative study, lived experiences, writing challenges, teacher interventions. Davao del Norte

COVID-19 pandemic and women transitioning from incarceration: a study of online health information seeking among underserved and marginalized women

ABSTRACT Based on interviews with 118 women recently released from incarceration in the U.S. Midwest, this study examines changes in their online health information consumptions and evaluations throughout the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022). Findings show that women transitioning from incarceration, who are often marginalized at the intersection of gender, socioeconomic status, and race, faced challenges navigating and assessing online health information during the pandemic. We use a feminist framework in analyzing online health information seeking and assessments among women recently released from incarceration while acknowledging intersectional marginality experienced by this population. Given the limited existing research on reentry programs focusing specifically on justice-involved women, our study contributes to developing and improving health and information literacy programs for this underserved and marginalized population.