Inclusive Education a Vehicle Towards Decolonization of the South African Curriculum

Inclusive education is an approach to teaching and learning that aims to provide equal opportunities and support for all students, regardless of their background, abilities, or disabilities. It recognizes and values the diversity of students and seeks to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every learner can thrive. This desktop review paper set intended to provide an Afrocentric paradigm of inclusive education, its contribution to the curriculum's decolonization, and how it resonates with South Africa's curriculum's decolonization. This is accomplished by referencing academics who argue that it is consistent with Ubuntu and traditional African culture. A search from scholarly databases for academic literature pertinent to the suggested title was used to perform the review. The data were subjected to sifting and content analysis, and new themes were noted. The paper explores themes that include multicultural education as the cornerstone for recognizing all cultures as equally legitimate, an inclusive education curriculum as a decolonial endeavour to enhance inclusion and Africanizing Inclusive Education Curriculum.This paper suggested that multicultural education should be valued, and curricular changes should advocate for indigenous pedagogy's educational Afrocentric value in inclusive education

Constructivist Mentor: Influence of Mentor teachers on Mentees

The importance of mentor teachers in assisting preservice teachers in their transition into the teaching profession has increased significantly over time. Mentor teachers' practical experience in the classroom is highly valued as it complements the theoretical knowledge that trainees acquire. This paper discusses the constructivism theory and Hudson's five-factor model, which includes personal attributes, system requirements, pedagogical knowledge, modeling, and feedback. The paper explores the role of mentor teachers, the characteristics of constructivist mentors, challenges that mentors face, and ways to improve mentorship to develop preservice teachers' professional competencies during their teaching practice. The recommended strategies include classroom observation, professional learning communities, reflection, technology integration, and field experience, among others. Constructivist theory is a valuable addition to field experience models as it enables mentors to build on the mentee's previous knowledge to assist in their acquisition of the necessary knowledge and skills to teach

DISPARITIES IN RURAL UNIVERSITIES TRANSFORMATION: A REVIEW FROM A SOUTH AFRICAN PERSPECTIVE

In recent years, the South African government has placed a greater emphasis on transforming rural universities. This has been driven by a desire to increase access to higher education and improve the quality of education in rural areas. However, this process has not been without its challenges, among which is the fact that rural areas tend to be less developed than urban areas, making it difficult to attract and remain in the fulcrum of development. This paper is located with an Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) approach toward transforming rural universities in South Africa. A systematic review approach was employed to investigate the problem, which enabled the researchers to draw logical conclusions from the findings of exhaustive literature to address the problem of the paper. After systematic scrutiny, inclusion and exclusion criteria were operationalized by limiting to 8 relevant articles. The databases used were Google Scholar, ResearchGate, Scopus, JSTOR, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, and Education Resources Information Centre (ERIC). Findings revealed that Inequality, Poor physical infrastructure, and Lack of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) infrastructure and training support in Rural Universities were dimensions against rural university transformation in Africa. The paper, therefore, concludes that rural universities (RUs) are grappling with several challenges thwarting their efforts in delivering quality teaching and learning with the recommendation that adequate infrastructure, policy change, and provision of academic support for students should be provided.

Fundamental influences related to language-based difficulties in financial mathematics

Motivated in part by a sustained amount of research in South Africa and principally guided by techniques of problem-solving suggested by Polya as well as error analysis by Newman, the current research examines fundamental influencers (underlying factors) relating errors due to language difficulties in financial mathematics concerning the language of instruction. The current research was accomplished using a case study design. The sample size was 105 out of a population of 186, with assumption of confidence and precision levels at 95 per cent and 0.5 respectively. The aim of the study was addressed by using both sets of structured-interview and document analysis for collecting data. Analysis of data was conducted by both content analysis as well as correlation analysis, wherein, the analysis revealed that errors committed by learners in financial mathematics were due to language difficulties. In contrast, misinterpretation of the mathematical semantics was not as a result of not indicating answers as expected, not following instructions, and not understanding instructions

Relations between Texture Coefficient and Energy Consumption of Gang Saws in Carbonate Rock Cutting Process

Texture coefficient is one of the most influential parameters in rock engineering specifications in various projects including drilling, cutting, permeability of all-section drilling devices, etc. Meanwhile, investigating and forecasting the energy consumption of saw cutters are one of the most important factors in estimating the cutting costs. The present study aims to investigate the relationship between rock texture characteristics and the amount of energy consumption of the gang saw machine in the process of cutting carbonate rocks. To evaluate the effects of texture on the rocks' engineering specifications, 14 carbonate rock samples were studied. A microscopic thin section was made from each rock specimen. Then, five digital images were taken from each section under a microscope and the values of area, environment, the largest diameter and the smallest diameter of all grains in each image were determined. Using these specifications, the coefficient of texture of all rock samples was calculated and the relationship between the texture coefficient and the rate of energy consumption of the gang saw machine was investigated for the studied samples. The study results indicated that there was a significant relation between the texture coefficient and energy consumption rate in the three groups of carbonate rocks

FORMATION OF YOUNGER PUPILS' SUSTAINABLE INTEREST TO TAKE PHYSICAL CULTURE IN OUTDOOR EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

The results of the study and the data of Ukrainian and foreign scientists showed that children are passively involved in physical activity. School lessons of physical culture lose their priority among the preferences of students. The interests of younger students in physical education contradict with the curriculum. Physical development has a declarative and situational nature, since only about 20% of children engage in motor activity in the morning. In view of this, the author developed a method of forming a sustainable interest in physical education and sports during the extracurricular institution, which has been introduced from 2017 to the present at the University of Gifted Child (UGC), which operates at the Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (Ukraine). Here, they have created a special educational, development and leisure environment of health-conscious content. The study confirmed the hypothesis that the effectiveness of this process is provided by a number of conditions: students have knowledge of physical culture and sports, health, well-known fellow countrymen; practical activity of children; valuable attitude of younger students to physical education, motivation for healthy lifestyle, emotional satisfaction from exercise, physical activity, sports, active rest; highly professional teaching staff who are well-known athletes, creative students; innovative methods and forms of learning, etc. It is proved that if significant attention is paid to the cognitive and value components, then it is possible to generate more intense interest in physical culture in childre

Analyzing the effect of ore grade uncertainty in open pit mine planning; A case study of Rezvan iron mine, Iran

Due to uncertain nature of grade in ore deposits, considering uncertainty is inevitable in geological modelling of resources and mine planning. In other words, uncertainty in grade of mineralized materials, is one of the most significant parameters need attention in mine planning. In this paper, a comparative procedure utilizing Sequential Gaussian Simulation (SGS) and traditional Ordinary Kriging (OK) was applied in an iron ore mine, and the influence of ore grade uncertainty in mine planning was investigated. It was observed that grade distribution, resulted from the SGS is almost identical to that of the real exploration data as compared to the OK method. Also it is emphasized that uncertainties including ore grade of deposit would significantly affect the technical and financial aspects of plans. Comparison shows that the simulation-based ultimate pits exhibits less risk in deviating from quantity and quality targets than traditional approach based on a single orebody model obtained by OK method. Using SGS method, there was an increase in the value of net present value of mine plans

Climate change education as a means to protect the planet: a review of the relevant literature

Climate change is a worldwide phenomenon and it is a great concern to all countries as it brings about a global warming climate system that affects human behavior. South Africa, like other countries, is severely affected by climate change. Although attempts are increasingly made to integrate climate change into school curricula, teachers have challenges in preparing and implementing climate change lessons. This study, therefore, sought to review literature related to the integration of climate change education in the school curriculum and to identify the strategies teachers use when integrating climate change education in teaching and learning. The study adopted a literature review approach and a comprehensive electronic search for relevant literature was done using Google Scholar search and springer which led to the discovery of a research article suitable for the study. Three African countries Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa were selected as case studies. It emerged from the literature that although governments of South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya, are making concerted efforts to raise climate change awareness and education, there appear to be no clear strategies for teachers to use when integrating climate change education into their lessons. What appears is that these countries are concerned about the effects of climate change and are attempting to achieve its integration in the school curriculum. The study concludes that attempts to address climate change in these countries are made although with varied strategies and paces

Design and Construction of a Cabinet Dryer for Food Waste and Evaluation of its Kinetics and Energy Consumption

IntroductionProviding new solutions to control wet waste is one of the most important issues in maintaining public health. Drying will reduce the harmful effects on the environment by reducing moisture and the smell of wastes as well as easy transportation and disposal costs. The purpose of the design and development of the household dryer is to dry food waste in order to reduce its volume and prevent the spread of its pollution in the air, water, and soil. To study the drying behavior of food waste, an experimental cabinet dryer was designed, fabricated, and evaluated for drying food waste.Materials and MethodsThe dryer consisted mainly of the drying chamber, electric heater, fan, air inlet channel, mesh tray, air distribution plates, temperature sensor, and control panel. Different parts of the dryer were made of a stainless galvanized sheet. The dryer was modeled using Catia 2019 software and its various parts were designed. The heating power was calculated as 2.7 kW. A centrifugal fan with an air volume of 310 m3h-1, 2800 rpm, and 110 Pa was used to supply airflow in the dryer. In the drying process, a tray with medium and lateral air passage was fabricated and applied. Food waste was obtained from fruit and vegetable waste, homemade food, and fruit shops. And nonfood items such as glass, paper, plastics, and metals were separated from the waste and crushed with a shredder, and reduced to sizes less than 20 mm. First, the product was placed in the environment for one hour and then pressed with a mechanical press with the same pressure to eliminate part of the water. An anemometer UT363 model made in China was used to measure the air velocity. The temperature was measured and controlled by a temperature thermostat of G-sense model made in Iran. The effect of three temperatures of 50, 60, and 70 °C and three inlet velocities of 1, 1.5, and 2 m s-1 on the kinetics and intensity of drying of food waste and energy consumption of food waste with a thickness of 3 cm was investigated. Moisture ratio and drying intensity diagrams were extracted. Diffusion, activation energy, and energy consumption were determined.Results and DiscussionDrying kinetics diagrams showed that temperature had a significant effect on moisture variation of food waste during drying. Drying period decreased with increasing temperature. The slope of the drying intensity diagrams increased with the increase of the dryer temperature. Drying rate was decreased at the temperature of 70 °c and it had a steeper slope that indicates the more intensity of the drying process in this condition. The drying process of all three samples occurred in the falling rate stage. The air duct on the side and in the middle of the tray caused hot air conducted above the tray and increased energy consumption. Effective moisture diffusivity of food waste during the drying process was in the range of 3.65×10-9-4.56×10-9 (m2 s-1). The effective moisture diffusivity at temperatures of 50 °C and 60 °C was less than 70 °C. Because at the temperature of 70 °C, the membrane resistance of the cell destroyed by high heat and increased the diffusion coefficient in the material.ConclusionIncreasing temperature caused the drying period decreased and the drying occurred in the falling rate stage. Temperature and the interaction of velocity and temperature had a significant effect on the drying process. The highest drying intensity and the lowest drying time were observed at the temperature of 70 °C and a velocity of 2 m s-1. Energy consumption had the maximum value at the temperature of 70 °C and a velocity of 2 m s-1 and a minimum value at the temperature of 50 °C and a velocity of 1 ms-1. The amount of activation energy for the food waste mass at three velocities was equal to 10417.44 J mol-1