Making Secondary School Geography Come Alive in Nigeria: A Case for Fieldwork

Geography studies and describes the earth. It concentrates on both physical and human or cultural features of the earth. The study of which should not be limited to the classrooms. Geographical fieldwork is essential for a better comprehension of phenomena that are being studied from time to time, and it is also required for the purpose of acquisition of right skills among others. However, in Nigerian schools especially at primary and secondary levels, geographical fieldwork appears to be at lower ebb or is no longer in existence. This paper makes a wakeup call for a revival of geographical fieldwork in Nigerian schools. It clarifies what fieldwork is all about, pointing out the differences between it and other similar words, and emphasizes its importance. It finally debunks all flimsy excuses which teachers always give for not organizing fieldwork and makes a call for fieldwork to come alive once again

Antibiotic Profiling of Bacterial Isolates Obtained from Turkey and Chicken in Selected Farms in Ibadan, Nigeria

In recent times, the prevalence of antimicrobial drug resistance has increased tremendously due to a number of factors including use of human drugs for the treatment of animal diseases, leading to the transfer of antibiotic resistance in terms of antibiotic residues in poultry meat to pathogenic bacteria. This study determined the antibiotic profiles of bacterial isolates in poultry cloacal swabs from selected farms in Ibadan. Fifty and twenty cloacal swabs were collected aseptically from turkey and chicken at Apete and University of Ibadan research farm respectively. The samples were immediately transported to the laboratory for microbiological analysis. Thus, the cloacal swabs were screened using MacConkey agar, blood agar and xylose lysine deoxycholate agar. Isolates were identified using standard microbiological techniques and tested to ten different antibiotic discs according to Kirby-Bauer procedure. Sixty-one and thirteen different isolates were detected from turkey and chicken cloacal swabs respectively. Of the turkey isolates, Pseudomonas had the highest occurrence of 25% while Escherichia coli (46%) had the highest occurrence of the chicken isolates. The Gram-negative isolates showed high resistance to augmentin (69%), streptomycin (69%), sulphamethoxazole (78%) and chloramphenicol (82%). Staphylococcus species which was the only Gram-positive isolate in this study was greatly resistant to gentamicin (83%). Both the turkey and chicken isolates had different antibiotic resistance rates and patterns with a huge percentage (86%) of them being multi-drug resistant. This work observed a higher resistance to many of the commonly used antibiotics in the poultry industry thereby, posing a public health risk since most of these drugs are used for treatment of human infections

Assessment of Upper Basic Students’ Knowledge in Some Social Studies’ Basic Education Curriculum Contents in ondo West Local Government Area of Ondo State

This study assessed the knowledge of upper basic social studies students in some selected social studies contents Specifically the study investigated the knowledge acquisition of upper basic two students in some junior secondary one JS I social studies curriculum contents 453 upper basic two social studies students from five randomly selected secondary schools were involved in the study Six JS I social studies curriculum contents were selected and assessed in the study The contents are family life culture meaning and history of social studies examination ethical concepts HIV AIDS and drug abuse An instrument titled Knowledge Assessment in Social Studies Contents KASSC was used to generate data for the study Descriptive analysis was used to analyze data obtained from the stud

Use of physiotherapy services by elderly patients at a central hospital in Zimbabwe

The health status of the elderly in a community may he reflected in their use of the available health services. The records of elderly patients who utilized physiotherapy services at a central hospital in Zimbabwe over a five-year period (1989-1993) were reviewed to determine the range of medical problems for which the patients had been treated through physiotherapy. It is argued that physiotherapy has a role to play in improving the quality of life of older Zimbabweans with physical disabilities. Further, a case is made out for physiotherapists to become involved in health-education programmes to prevent the occurrence of factors which contribute to the onset of physical disability in older persons

Widening student access and participation in Allied Health Sciences: A critical reflection

ABSTRACTWidening of access and participation has become a paramount agenda for Allied Health Sciences education in South Africa. In response to the need the Department of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town introduced the Intervention Programme (IP) in 2009 as a strategy for widening of access and participation student. This study reflects on the design and implementation of IP, the complexities of the diversity of students entering the IP, and the implications for curriculum restructuring in the first year of study and beyond. The authors drew on Mezirow’s (1990) theory of transformative learning to explain the multifaceted challenges encountered through our own reflection as programme designers and facilitators, as well as organisers of and participants in curricular reviews using data from student interviews, student performance in first and subsequent years of study, and review documentation. The study shows that curriculum restructuring for a diversifying student body across multiple programmes is a complex process with interrelated and influential factors. Our critical reflections revealed the complexities of aligning intentions that are significantly flawed by presuppositions relating needs and outcomes

THE LOGIC OF BUSINESS STRATEGY : A Case Study of Kone Group

The research is aimed at providing an overview of how Kone Corporation employs strategy as a driver for competitive edge. This research discussed in clear sense, the term strategy. More so, this study addressed how Porter's 5-forces drives manufacturer market position including KONE. This paper also reviewed Kone adoption of new equipment, modernization and innovation as a strategic techniques The research also addressed how major trends in elevators and escalators industry is shaping how KONE strategy responds in relation to perceived changes. The study focused on KONE eco-efficiency approaches to production. The study also discussed on KONE internationalization of strategy by ways of acquisition techniques. Some major achievements made by KONE in this regard were also discussed. This includes the introduction of less carbon emissions products launched by the company. This research adopted qualitative methodology in analyzing data collected. Therefore, the use of interviews and SWOT analysis were chosen. With this method, strength, opportunities, and weaknesses and of course threat of KONE strategy also discussed. The research discussed possible ways to help Kone Group achieve sustainable strategic market position. Recommendations on how KONE could strengthen its strategy and market position in most market where the company enjoys comparative lower market share

Teachers' preparedness for transformative practice in multicultural schools: An analysis of selected post apartheid teachers' self-reports

South Africa's schooling system developed within the historical backdrop of racial subjugation of some of its citizens. The legislation of the new South African Constitution (RSA, 1996) and the South African Schools Act (DoE, 1996) overturned apartheid educational policies in order to instate a process of social justice at all levels of the South African society. Samuel (2003) notes that, teachers are shaped personally and professionally, by the context within which they developed. During apartheid most teachers were trained in mono-racial, mono-cultural schools and teacher training institutions; making them unprepared to teach in multicultural classrooms. Thus thrust into multicultural classrooms after apartheid, they were unprepared for their role. Teachers, though professionals in their field of expertise, are also positioned as role models. Therefore, their dispositions have considerable impact on learners' sense of self which eventually contributes to shaping their futures. It is therefore crucial to examine from which mindset post apartheid teachers operate and how disposed they are to fulfil the responsibility placed on them to act as agents of transformation. Hence, the study documents teachers' reports, examining their knowledge, attitude and practice to see how they have changed, how poised they are for equitable classroom practice and how resolved they are to carry out critical action for social justice. The study was carried out in Cape Town, Western Cape Province, South Africa. The study is a qualitative study that used semi-structured interviews to elicit responses from teachers working in thirteen different schools, representative of the apartheid school-types, which were selected because of their degree of racial integration at the time of data collection. The study discursively documented their notions of classroom multiculturalism1 (CM), the challenges they face, their perceived levels of change and their resolve to act as change agents for social justice. Bennett's (2003) framework for multicultural teaching provided the theoretical framework for the study. Her model, consisting of four conceptual domains, each with three dimensions 'Classroom multiculturalism' refers to the South African deracialised classrooms which was legislatively established in 1996 through a democratic process that began in 1990 and culminated in the abandonment of the apartheid laws, one of which was separate and disparate education for blacks, coloureds, Indians and whites. vi served as a guideline for exploring relevant literature that provided the guidelines for analysis. The model was rearranged and an additional concept, 'ideology of multicultural practice'2, was added to generate a new model. Using this model to investigate teachers' narratives, the study found that certain steps need to be taken at school, national, provincial, municipal council, community, and individual teacher levels for transformation of teachers' practice towards critical social justice to take to take place. The study found that most teachers felt unprepared for their role, lacking the necessary knowledge, attitude and skill for such practice. Most of them reported specific changes in their practice but some did not see why they should change. Few teachers expressed a resolve to act as critical agents of change. The study recommends the newly generated model, called 'Obligatory engagements for teachers in multicultural schools' (OETMS), as a developmental tool for teacher training for multicultural practice both at pre-service teacher training institutions and by government or private institutions, for in-service teachers. 2 'Multicultural practice' in this thesis, does not just refer to teachers' pedagogic practice, but connotes all activities in which teachers engage in, while carrying out their professional duties in multicultural schools. Cole (1989), and Steinberg and Kincheloe (2001) showed that their ideology of multiculturalism affects their multicultural practice

Managing Children with Spina Bifida in sub-Saharan Africa: The Zambian experience?

Purpose:To investigate the management of children with SB and outcome measures used in Zambia.Methods: Aretrospective cross-sectional study was done. Between 2001 and 2010, a total number of 253 children with SB who were managed at both the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) and Beit Cure Hospital (BCH) were identified.Results: Majority (56%) of the patients were aged between 1-6 months (p < 0.001). Hydrocephalus was prevalent in 61% of the patients. Myelomeningocele was the most common (61%) defect and the lumbar region was the common site (60%) (p < 0.001). Majority (28%) of children came from the Southern Province of Zambia (p < 0.001). The majority (81%) of patients were lost to follow-up (p < 0.001). None of the files had outcomes measuring instruments.Conclusions: There is evidence that interventions were given although the outcomes were not measured. The majority of the children came from the Southern Province of the country. Astudy ought to be done to investigate the predominance of the prevalence of SB in that part of Zambia. Many patients were lost to lack of follow-up, hence proper follow-up mechanisms must be instituted by both hospitals. Researchers are challenged to develop measuring instruments that are culturally sensitive and appropriate to the needs of Zambian children

Antimicrobial Activity of Fruit Extracts of Xylopia Aethiopica and its Combination with Antibiotics against Clinical Bacterial Pathogens

The in- vitro antimicrobial activity of ethanol and aqueous fruit extracts of Xylopia aethiopica, four conventional antibiotics: gentamycin, ampicillin erythromycin and ciprofloxacin and the combination of each extract with the conventional antibiotics were investigated using the agar diffusion method.  Clinically isolated strains of bacteria: Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis,  Staphylococcus aureus Streptococcus faecalis and Shigella dysenteriae were used for the assay. The preliminary screening of phytochemical constituents of the fruits of Xylopia aethiopica showed the presence of cardiac glycosides flavonoids, phlobatannins, tannins, phenol, anthraquinones, saponin and steroids. The  ethanol extract was active against P. aeruginosa, B. subtilis, S. aureus,  but showed no activity against K. pneumoniae and  E. coli while the aqueous extract was only active against S.aureus. The test organisms showed susceptibility to the antibiotics used except P. aureginosa which was resistant to ampicillin. Synergism was obtained in 39.3% of   all the combinations investigated, antagonism  in 57.1%, and indifference  in 3.6%  Gentamycin when combined with the aqueous and ethanol extracts had the highest percentage of synergism, Caution should be taken in with concurrent administration of X.aethiopica with  conventional antibiotics  because of the higher percentage of antagonism observed. KEYWORDS: Xylopia aethiopica, antibiotics, plant extract antimicrobial activity, synergism, antagonjsm

Perceptions of academic staff about mentoring in a Faculty of Dentistry in a public university in South Africa

Mentoring programs contribute to the development and retention of academics in dental education. To describe the perceptions of academic staff of the Faculty of Dentistry, University of the Western Cape, South Africa, about a funded pilot mentoring process. Cross-sectional, purposive sampling qualitative design. Twenty mentees who had engaged in the funded mentoring process were targeted for semi-structured interviews, to describe their perceptions about the ongoing mentorship process, experiences in other mentoring processes, and expectations about future formal mentoring in the faculty. Quantitative data was analysed descriptively, while content analysis of the qualitative data was performed to identify themes. Perceptions of eight mentees, aged 37 to 59 years and spent between 3 and over 20 years in the faculty, were categorized into two themes - ‘A welcome initiative’ and ‘Mentorship seen as a holistic experience’. The program provided the much-needed space where mentees felt they could seek guidance for their development. Expectations from a future formal program included assistance in meeting institutional and personal demands. Participants’ expectations were broader than what the pilot program offered, thoug