Province Of Zimbabwe Research Articles

Effects of Poverty on the Educational Attainment of Adolescent Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of poverty on the educational attainment of adolescent orphans and vulnerable children in Chimanimani District, Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe. The contention of the study is that African communities establish strong family support systems because they consider children as the future of their survival. In Zimbabwe, children are often expected to be cared for by their immediate family members and community members close to their immediate family. In this study, qualitative research approaches were employed to explored effects of poverty on learners from households with children as primary caregivers. Using qualitative study approach, the study purposively sampled learners, teachers and parents from Chimanimani District. A qualitative phenomenological methodology was used to conduct interviews, focus group interviews, and document analysis. The study used Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory lenses to understand the phenomena understudy. It was discovered that learners from parentless homes lack a sense of childhood security and are subjected to emotional, social, and psychological stress. The study recommends that communities, instructors, and peers treat learners from child-headed households with dignity and avoid marginalization and segregation of these learners.

The Relationship Between Self-Concept and Social Adaptability of People with Blindness in Harare Metropolitan Province

This study aimed to determine the relationship between self-concept and adaptability of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province, Zimbabwe. People with blindness have a wide range of self-concepts just like sighted people and their experiences may impact their in unique ways. Some people with blindness may have a strong sense of identity and pride in their blindness while others may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or social isolation. The main objective of this study was to determine the relationship between self-concept and social adaptability of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province. The research question for the study was stated as follows: What is the relationship between self-concept and social adaptability of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province? The study embraced a mixed approach specifically an explanatory sequential design was used and it was grounded on Social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura. The study targeted people with visual impairment in Harare Metropolitan province in Zimbabwe. The researcher used Yamane formula obtain the sample size of 384 participants. Quantitative data was collected using a Robson Self-Concept questionnaire. An interview guide was also used to collect qualitative data. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings of the study indicated that, there was a negative correlation analysis between self-concept and social adaptability among people with blindness unveiled a notable negative correlation, indicating that individuals with a more positive self-concept tend to display lower levels of social adaptability, and vice versa. The correlation coefficient denoted a moderate negative relationship between self-concept and social adaptability. The study also recommends that the relationship between self-concept and social adaptability of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province should be enhanced through: Educational opportunities and assistive technologies. Access to assistive technologies can significantly enhance social interaction and independence for individuals with blindness.

The Impact of the Early Childhood Development (Ecd) Program: A Case Study of Mutoko District in Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe

The Impact of the Early Childhood Development (Ecd) Program: A Case Study of Mutoko District in Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe

Contesting the underperformance of women businesses : Entrepreneurship digitalisation – the way to go

Digitalisation is an emerging trend influencing enterprises in developing nations to adapt and improve entrepreneurial performance. The purpose of the study is to establish the relationship between entrepreneurship digitalisation and the performance of women businesses in an emerging economy. A quantitative research study was conducted in Mashonaland West province in Zimbabwe. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 312 women entrepreneurs in various sectors of the economy using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Respondents were randomly sampled, and data were analysed using Structural equation modelling in Amos V21.The study found a strong correlation between women’s entrepreneurial performance and the performance expectation of digital technologies. The results also indicate that women’s entrepreneurship performance is positively impacted by the effort expectations of digital technologies. Additionally, the findings of the study suggest that entrepreneurs’ age has a moderating effect on the relationship between entrepreneurship digitalisation and women entrepreneurship performance.

Analysis of the Levels of Self-Concept of People with Blindness in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe.

This study was on the exploration of the self-concept of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province, Zimbabwe. This was premised on the understanding that, people with blindness have a wide range of self-concepts just like sighted people. However, their experiences may impact their in unique ways. Some people with blindness may have a strong sense of identity and pride in their blindness while others may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or social isolation. The main objective of this study was to analyze the levels of self-concept of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province, Zimbabwe. The study embraced a mixed approach specifically an explanatory sequential design was used and it was grounded on Social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura. The study targeted people with visual impairment in Harare Metropolitan province in Zimbabwe. The researcher used Yamane formula obtain the sample size of 384 participants. Quantitative data was collected using a Robson Self-Concept questionnaire. An interview guide was also used to collect qualitative data. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings of the study indicated that, there were some attributes of the levels of self-concepts among people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan that were positive and highly rated, while others were moderately rated and a few were rated low. The study also made some conclusions and proposed some recommendations like Promoting Supportive Environments and Mentorship Programs, encouraging personal growth and skill development, be enhanced and this can be achieved through embracing the importance of accessibility and resources. to adopt individualized Support and Recognition of Diversity. Wasosa, H., Dr. Mutisya, S. & Dr. Munywoki, V. (2004) Exploration of the Self-Concept of People with Blindness in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe

Entrepreneurial marketing and market performance implications for small-scale retailers: Organizational behavior in a developing economy

In an economic crisis, entrepreneurial marketing (EM) offers a natural, albeit expensive, way to boost the competitiveness of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sector (Majovski & Davitkovska, 2017). This paper investigates whether EM dimensions have a significant effect on the market performance of Zimbabwean SMEs in the small-scale retail sector. A quantitative research methodology was conducted in Chegutu, Mashonaland West province in Zimbabwe. The study adopted a cross-sectional survey design that collected data from 260 owners/managers through self-administered, standardised questionnaires. Data were analysed using WarpPLS 7.0 software. The study ran a structural equation model (SEM) to determine the influence of opportunity vigilance, customer centricity, value creation and risk management on market performance. The study found that opportunity vigilance, risk management, customer centricity and value creation significantly contribute to the market performance of resource-constraint firms such as small-scale retailers. The study concludes that EM determines market performance in dynamic environments such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Further, the study found opportunity vigilance and value creation to have the most significant influence (β = 0.37 and β = 0.22, respectively) on market performance. Therefore, the study concludes that opportunity vigilance and value creation are the most important EM dimensions in small-scale retailers. Small-scale retailers must actively seek opportunities through continuous market sensing and orientation. Further studies could explore this topic in different contexts using actual market performance data and a large sample size.

Obstacles Experienced by Primary School Heads and Teachers in the Implementation of the Wood Technology Curriculum in Bikita District of Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe

Obstacles Experienced by Primary School Heads and Teachers in the Implementation of the Wood Technology Curriculum in Bikita District of Masvingo Province in Zimbabwe

Evaluation of Social Adaptability of People with Blindness in Harare Metropolitan Province, Zimbabwe

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the social adaptability of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province, Zimbabwe. People with blindness have a wide range of self-concepts just like sighted people. However, their experiences may impact their in unique ways. Some people with blindness may have a strong sense of identity and pride in their blindness while others may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or social isolation. Despite these they are required to develop high levels of social adaptability so that they may be able to navigate through their daily lives. The main objective of this study was to evaluate social adaptability of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province, Zimbabwe. The study used a mixed approach specifically a convergent parallel mixed method design to provide a roadmap for the research and it was grounded on Social cognitive theory by Albert Bandura. The study targeted people with visual impairment in Harare Metropolitan province in Zimbabwe. The researcher will use random and Yamane formula get the sample size of 384 participants. Quantitative data was collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, Social Adaptation Self-evaluation Scale (SASS). An interview guide was employed in the collection of qualitative data. The quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The researcher integrated the quantitative and qualitative data. The findings of the study indicated that, the social adaptability of people with blindness had variations. The relationship between self-concept and social adaptability of people with was also varied. Some strategies to be used to enhance self- concept of people with blindness in Harare Metropolitan province, have been proposed. The study has also drawn conclusions and proposed some recommendations like Promoting Supportive Environments and Mentorship Programs, encouraging personal growth and skill development, be enhanced and this can be achieved through embracing the importance of accessibility and resources. to adopt individualized Support and Recognition of Diversity.

Academic Challenges Faced by Adolescent Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Manicaland Province in Zimbabwe

This study examined the academic challenges faced by adolescent orphans and vulnerable learners from child-headed households attending secondary schools in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland Province. Learners from homes without parents are becoming more and more prevalent, but no one has yet taken notice of them. Using Vygotsky’s sociocultural theory of human learning as the theoretical lens, the researchers scrutinized the phenomenon. Thirty participants were chosen from four secondary schools in the Chimanimani District for the qualitative research study. In-depth data about the academic challenges faced by adolescents who are orphans and vulnerable children was generated through focus group interviews. The thematic approach was employed in the analysis of data and invaluable themes were identified. Ultimately, the study’s conclusions were as follows; facilitators and learners need constant motivation, parents can help supervise learners’ work, and teachers should have access to professional development opportunities. The results indicate that in order to guarantee high-quality instruction, guidance and counseling teachers should receive support and opportunity for ongoing professional development. By utilizing learner-centered methodologies, the teaching and learning process should integrate learners’ real-world experiences to improve the learners’ comprehension of the learning materials covered in class.

Exploring the Competences of Rural Primary School Heads in Financial Management: A Case Study of Primary Schools in Mudzi District, Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe

Exploring the Competences of Rural Primary School Heads in Financial Management: A Case Study of Primary Schools in Mudzi District, Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe

Length-weight relationship and condition factor for five common fish species in a recently constructed reservoir (Tugwi-Mukosi Dam) - Zimbabwe

Tugwi-Mukosi is a recently constructed reservoir in the Masvingo Province of Zimbabwe. The objective of the study was to estimate the length-weight relationship (LWR) and condition factors (K) of five freshwater fish species collected from the dam. Three hundred eighty-seven fish samples were caught by gill nets and sein between January and September 2021. The estimated exponent value b varied between 2.814 and 3.228 among the fish species. The b values indicated that three species (Oreochromis niloticus, Coptodon rendalli and Micropterus salmoides) followed negative allometric growth (b < 3). In contrast, Clarias garipinus showed isometric growth (b = 3), while Oreochromis mossambicus exhibited positive allometric growth (b > 3). More than 94% (R2 > 0.94) of the weights (responses) variations were explained by the models, so the models fit the data well. The K values of all the fish species, except for C. gariepinus, ranged between 1.3 - 2.2; this indicates that these species are doing well in the reservoir. This observation suggests that Tugwi-Mukosi currently provides a favourable habitat for the fish species. The current study's findings will give valuable baseline data for assessing the status of fish populations and conducting ecological surveys for future fish conservation and management.

Impacts of School Development Committees in Addressing Challenges in Mudzi District of Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe

Impacts of School Development Committees in Addressing Challenges in Mudzi District of Mashonaland East Province of Zimbabwe

The Significance of Microfinance Establishments on The Growth of Small to Medium Enterprises in Zimbabwe

The study was conducted in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe, focusing on four towns: Kadoma, Kwekwe, Gweru, and Zvishavane. The study examines the establishment of microfinance institutions, which results in the growth of small to medium enterprises. Many SMEs in the Midlands province are finding it difficult to grow their business due to a lack of capital and the ability to access bank loans. The study aimed to determine the significance of microfinance establishments on the growth of small- to medium-sized enterprises in Zimbabwe. A descriptive research design was adopted. The study's sample size was 94 SME owners specialising in agriculture, mining, vending, groceries, beauty salons, auto repairs, transport services, and fast foods in the Midlands province. Data was analysed using Pearson correlation and simple linear regression. The study results showed a strong positive relationship between microfinance loans and Small to Medium Enterprise sales growth, as evidenced by a correlation coefficient 0.989. The results showed that microfinance loans positively affect the profitability of SMEs. The study also found that access to finance, competition, hyperinflation, and high taxes are the challenges affecting SMEs' firm size. The study shows several ways which can be done to improve the growth of SMEs, such as the extension of loan repayment tenure, review of lending policies, and lending SMEs higher packages for accomplishing their projects. The government should implement policies that find ways to reduce inflation, lower tax charges on SMEs, and draft policies that promote the development of SMEs in the country.

A Model for Developing Critical Thinking Skills in Teaching History: Lessons from Zimbabwe

Developing critical thinking skills in students has proved to be elusive for Zimbabwean history teachers. Using critical theory and its strands of critical pedagogy and constructivism, this qualitative case study engrained in the interpretive paradigm investigates whether the current practices by history teachers enhance the development of critical thinking skills and then discusses how classroom practitioners can develop critical thinking in teaching. A multiple case study design was adopted to generate data using document analysis, interviews and lessons observations. The sample, chosen for detailed study through purposive sampling, included three history teachers from three secondary schools in the Gweru Urban District in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Evidence from the study reveals that history teachers continue to use teacher-centred methods of teaching, textbooks as the only resource, poor questioning techniques, and traditional assessment procedures that do not promote the development of critical thinking skills. It is recommended that history teaching must focus on the development of critical thinking skills rather than on the mastery of content for sustainable development to happen as dictated by the demands of the 21st century. To support that, the study proposes a transformative-interactive model to enhance the development of critical thinking skills. The research concludes that critical thinking skills do not happen arbitrarily but are developed. This study extends scholarship on history teaching by challenging and encouraging teachers to reflect on their role in the teaching of history to transform them into the designers of, and researchers of, curriculum methodology.

Instructional leadership practices: Exploring deputy principal’s instructional leadership practices – A Zimbabwean case study

School reform efforts have focussed on the principal as the major determinant of students’ outcome without saying much on the contribution of deputy principals. Deputy principals are 2nd on the school’s hierarchical structure. The distributed leadership construct advocates more actors in instructional leadership. In this study we examined whether deputy principals were engaged in instructional leadership practices for overall student performance. The study was carried out in high schools of the Gutu district of the Masvingo province in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research approach and a case study design were adopted for the study. Three deputy principals, 1 deputising at a government-run school, another at a church-run school and the other at a rural district council-run school were purposively sampled for document analysis, observation and multiple interviews. The findings reveal that deputy principals were engaged in instructional leadership practices cursorily and to a limited extent. Deputy principals performed instructional leadership tasks through vision statement formulation, supervision of lessons, monitoring students’ progress and modelling good teaching behaviour. In the era of accountability and distributed leadership, pressure mounts for more engagement of deputy principals as instructional leaders. We, therefore, recommend a collective approach to vision development by all stakeholders and the development of protocols that encompass pre- and post-observation conferences that mainly focus on the teacher.

Unpacking Continuous Assessment: Teacher Knowledge and Attitudes in Zimbabwe Rural Secondary Schools

The paper explores the implementation of continuous assessment in the context of teacher knowledge and attitudes in Zimbabwean rural secondary schools. Continuous assessment is a new curriculum assessment regime in the curriculum reform agenda in Zimbabwe introduced in the 2015 updated curriculum.The study defines continuous assessment as the mechanism where thelearner performs over timeconstitutes the final gradingof the learner.The researchers explain the teacher-related implementation challenges in continuous assessment in rural secondary schools in Zimbabwe. Ten teachers and five secondary school heads from Goromonzi District of Mashonaland East Province in Zimbabwe participated in the study. The five participating heads were conveniently selected, while theten teachers were randomly sampled to participate in the case study.Semi-structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews were used to collect qualitative data on rural teachers’ conceptualisationof continuous assessment and how this had shaped their attitudes towardthe concept. The general finding from the study was that the new assessment regime had empowered the teachers to make critical decisions about the students they teach and allow learners to co-create knowledge relevant to their life contexts.However, their concerns were around the absence of knowledgeable professionals in the area who can cascade and message the correct and accurate information regarding the implementation of the assessment reform.The study further found that this weakness in the implementation chain had resulted in negative attitudes of teachers and school heads. The study recommends that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education revisit the current continuous assessment to takeon board all educational stakeholders’ concerns for effective implementation of the assessment reform.

Health worker’s mobile phone: Could it be a danger to patients’ health or an innovation for health?

Purpose: The study sought to analyse the role of the mobile phones used by healthcare workers at a Private Hospital in Gweru, Zimbabwe during working hours on transmission of nosocomial infections. Methods: The research was carried out at a Private Hospital in Gweru, Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. The study was a mixed methods research in which data was generated in two phases - qualitatively first then quantitatively. The qualitative was imbedded in the quantitative design leading to a better probability and validity of results. Twenty-five (25) health workers that use mobile phones during working hours were purposively selected for the qualitative study and their mobile phones that had been in use for six months and above were randomly selected for the quantitative part of the study. Interviews were used to collect qualitative data which was thematically analysed. The phones were swabbed and the swabs were cultured to allow identification of pathogens. The data was presented using statistical methods. Results: The study revealed that healthcare workers use their mobile phones to communicate patient’s condition with colleagues and superiors. They also spend time on social media and gaming. However, they do not disinfect them. The result showed that seventeen (68%) of mobile devices were contaminated with E coli, (75%), Staphylococci (38%) and Streptococcal (21%) which are pathogens that have a potential of causing nosocomial infections. Conclusion: The study concluded that health workers’ mobile phones can be an innovation for communicating patient’s information, they also have a potential of causing nosocomial infection hence the need for surveillances of hospital acquired infections in all heath care institutions including private hospitals.

Implications of Female Teenage Marriages on Human Rights Violation in Mt Darwin District of Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe

The study sought to investigate the implications of female teenage marriages on human rights violation in Mt Darwin District of Mashonaland Central Province in Zimbabwe. An Explanatory Sequential Mixed Methodology design with a QUANT ‒ QUAL criterion was adopted for the study. Quantitative results were cross-examined with findings from qualitative data, which explored alternative explanations for violation of Married Female Teenagers (MFTs)’ human rights. Respondents were 192 MFTs who were randomly sampled from the target population while participants were 17 MFTs and five (5) Key Informants who were purposively sampled from the target population. Respondents provided the required information through a closed-ended questionnaire while participants and Key Informants were engaged in face-to-face interviews using semi-structured questionnaire. Data from Focus Group Discussions were obtained through unstructured questionnaire. Quantitative research data were analysed using the SPSS 21.0 while Content Thematic Analysis was employed to analyse qualitative data. The study revealed that teenage marriages violated MFTs’ rights to; pursue education, enjoy good health, engage in income generating projects, be protected from sexual and verbal abuse and make independent decisions while in marriage. Husbands hindered the right to education for MFTs. Right to engage in income generating projects was hindered by lack of capital and refusal by some husbands and in-laws. The rights to make independent decisions were thwarted by restrictions imposed by husbands on MFTs’ movement, choice, association and belonging. The Government and its development partners were recommended to reach out to male teenagers and men with sexuality and gender-based violence (GBV) programmes.

Challenges of Disposal and Access to Electronic Records in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe

Disposal of electronic records is a challenge in many developing countries due to a number of factors such as deficiencies in skills, infrastructure, and legal and policy frameworks. Irresponsible, premature and uninformed destruction, preservation and transfer of electronic records directly affect access to the same now and in the future. Using the theoretical framework of the intergenerational equity theory, this study examines electronic records disposal practices and how they impact upon access to electronic documentary heritage now and in the future. This qualitative study was informed by the constructivist research paradigm and used the case study of government ministries in the Midlands province of Zimbabwe. Fifty-five out of 88 purposively selected public officers participated as interviewees. Data were also collected through personal observation where researchers observed electronic records disposal and access practices in ministries where access was granted. It was established that there were a number of challenges with regard to disposal of electronic records at a time when both the National Archives of Zimbabwe and the government ministries were incapacitated to properly preserve electronic records. Issues of infrastructure, skills and electronic records policies should be attended to so that the present and future generations may equally benefit from the nation’s electronic documentary heritage.

Enhancing the resilience of the orphans using the Ubuntu philosophy: A case of Marange community in Zimbabwe

The aim of the study was to enhance resilience among the orphans using the Ubuntu philosophy. The study adopted the descriptive design as it allowed the participants to describe felt distress. The study population was drawn from Marange district in Manicaland province in Zimbabwe. Purposive sampling technique was used in the study. The auto biological questionnaire was used to elicit the participants’ information. The provided information included the participants’ age, sex and orphan hood status as either double or single orphaned. A sample size of 15 participants was determined by the saturation level which occurred when similar responses were repeated by the participants. Data were collected using semi- structured interview questions and content data analysis was used. The community members served as protection factors against challenges experienced by the orphans. The shared cultural philosophy of Ubuntu invigorates the sense of belonging and confidence among the orphans.
 How to cite this article using ASWNet styleKwembeya M. (2023). Enhancing the resilience of the orphans using the Ubuntu philosophy: A case of Marange community in Zimbabwe. People centred – The Journal of Development Administration (JDA), 8(3), 50-58. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/jda.v8i3.1
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