A Profile of the Burnout Construct Amongst Teachers: Evidence from Four Senior Secondary School in Botswana

The burnout construct has attracted the attention of researchers in many countries because of its negative effects on the learning and teaching process. Teachers experiencing burnout are characterized by high levels of emotional exhaustion resulting from intense and consistent pressure from demand stressors in the work place. Persistence of these stressors leads to depersonalization of learners and ultimately reduced personal accomplishments. The current study examined the burnout construct amongst secondary school teachers in Botswana and linked its implications to professional competence of teachers. The study used the Maslach and Jackson three dimension conceptualization of the construct. Findings from the study indicated that teachers were experiencing relatively high levels of emotional exhaustion. There were also signs that some teachers were progressing towards the depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment stages of the construct. A recommendation was tendered to the effect that a large scale study should be conducted to determine the number of teachers who are at risk of developing all three indictors of the syndrome. Key words: Burnout syndrome, depression, factor structure, locus of control, cynicism, self-efficacy. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-30-16 Publication date:October 31st 202

Incentives, investment and economic diversification : the case of manufacturing development in Botswana

Includes bibliographical references.Botswana, which is widely known for its remarkable economic growth and prudent macro-economic management, was one of the poorest countries in the world prior to independence in 1966. The country was primarily a subsistence economy largely founded on agriculture, with a modicum of tourism. However, Botswana has since experienced rapid economic growth. This growth has been propelled by the mining sector, particularly the diamond industry. The reliance of Botswana on a single commodity has prompted the government to engage in efforts to diversify the economy. This objective has been an important thread in the country's economic policy since the 1980's and forms the key theme of recent national development plans. Due to a small domestic market, Botswana has embarked on a strategy to promote export orientated companies and the facilitation of Foreign Direct Investment, (FDI). Manufacturing, which is our primary focus, has been identified as a possible vehicle for economic growth and diversification, due to the fact that certain subsectors are labour intensive and could alleviate the country's pressing employment problem. We conducted a survey of fifteen manufacturing firms with the research objective of capturing their views on Botswana as an investment environment, the level of incentives, economic diversification and other related issues. The field research was based on individual interviews using a questionnaire. We argue that factors, which previous studies identified as impediments to investment in the manufacturing sector, have largely been addressed. However, we concur that investment into this sector has not been as high as expected. Although incentive programmes have been established to promote investment, particularly into the manufacturing sector, research on the effectiveness of incentives is inconclusive. We argue that these incentives have to be retained in their current form. In neighbouring countries the development of the manufacturing sector has frequently necessitated the establishment of Export Processing Zones (EPZs). EPZs have found support from institutions such as the World Bank. which regards them as a powerful signal of a country's departure from import substitution to being an export-orientated economy. It is this paper's contention that the establishment of an EPZ is not the best policy option for Botswana. We argue that the objectives of diversification can best be achieved through a multi-tiered investment promotion strategy that will raise awareness of Botswana as an investment destination, facilitate the entry of foreign firms into the country, and identify valuable projects. The investment promotion strategy should seek to raise awareness of Botswana as a preferred investment destination

The Effectiveness of Backyard Gardening Initiative in Poverty Eradication: The Case of Beneficiaries in Ramotswa Village, Botswana

This study evaluated the effectiveness of the backyard garden initiative in poverty eradication in Ramotswa village, Botswana. The specific objectives of the study were to (1) describe the demographic characteristics of the beneficiaries of backyard gardening initiative (2) estimate gross margins and profits generated in backyard gardens, and (3) measure poverty incidence among backyard garden beneficiaries. Forty (40) beneficiaries of the backyard gardening initiative were interviewed on one-on-one basis using a structured questionnaire. The findings of the study indicated that 32.5% of the beneficiaries did not go to school while 40% had attained primary education. Majority of beneficiaries were elderly women aged 50 years and above. It was found that only one-third of the backyard gardens recorded positive gross margins. None of the backyard gardens made profit. This result implied that the backyard gardens were not able to generate enough revenue to cover their operational and fixed costs of production. Based on the poverty datum line (PDL) criterion (BWP878.87 per month; equivalent to US$80.26 per month), 48% of the beneficiaries of the backyard garden initiative in Ramotswa were not poor. These beneficiaries were not eligible for enrolment in this poverty eradication initiative. However, the backyard garden initiative reduced incidence of poverty among beneficiaries from 52 to 15% in the Ramotswa agricultural extension area. This was a success rate of about 71 percent. Policy implications derived from the findings of this study are that eligibility criteria for enrolment into poverty eradication programmes such as backyard gardening initiative need to be made leakage-proof to ensure that only the target group (poor people) receive the support. The backyard gardening initiative has potential to reduce poverty among its beneficiaries provided the projects are well-managed. The project operators need to be empowered through training and mentorship. It is essential that the beneficiaries receive adequate and timely agricultural extension services. Keywords: poverty, backyard, gardening, programme effectiveness, gross margin, Botswan

Examinations Wash Back Effects: Challenges to the Criterion Referenced Assessment Model

Examinations play a central role in the educational system due to the fact that information generated from examinations is used for a variety of purposes. Critical decisions such as selection, placement and determining the instructional effectives of a programme of study all depend on data generated from examinations. Numerous research studies have shown that examinations have an influence on the learning and teaching process and that such influence could be either positive or negative. It is imperative that washback effect is evaluated to determine its impact on the quality of learning and teaching that goes on in the schools. This paper presents evidence that point towards presence of examination washback effect on the teaching process as a result of the format and content of the Primary School Leaving Examinations in Botswana. A questionnaire containing quantitative and qualitative items was used to capture opinions of teachers relating to the extent to which final examinations influences topic select , content coverage, teaching methods, and classroom activities. Generally, opinions presented by the teachers point towards presence of a negative washback effect. This apparent negative washback effect on the curriculum presents a challenge to a successful implementation of criterion reference testing system in Botswana

Factors affecting patient perceptions od service delivery in Postmasburg Hospital in the Z.F. McGawu District, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Background: There is a requirement to provide proper and safe quality service to patients, hence a view from patients was deemed important as it can help the hospital to improve services rendered to them. There were two Provincial assessments done on National Core Standards in Postmasburg Hospital (overall scores were 32percent in 2013 and 48percent in 2014) and on both occasions, the Hospital failed to comply with the assessments and the implication were a suspected negative impact on the Hospital service delivery. The repercussions could be that the hospital might not be certified or not funded through National Health Insurance following a national assessment if the status quo remains. Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the factors affecting patients’ perceptions of service delivery in order to inform health policy decisions to improve service delivery. Methodology: A quantitative descriptive design was used to collect data on 133 adult patients admitted for a minimum of three days in the different hospital wards. Participants were administered a structured pre-tested questionnaire to collect data relating to their employment status, the number of hospital admissions and the reason for hospital admission. Results: About 41.4percent of participants were neutral or not sure whether the nurses/doctors came often to the ward where they were admitted. The majority (51.9percent) were neutral or not sure whether the quality of food in the hospital was good; 53.4percent expressed uncertainty concerning the adequacy of benches/chairs in the hospital for patients to sit while waiting to be seen by the health worker; and 55.6percent participants were neural or not sure whether the ward/room had enough space for consulting. Asked whether the hospital was user-friendly to disabled persons, 53.4percent participants were not sure. About 43.6percent participants expressed uncertainty regarding the registration satisfactory nature of the procedures in the hospital; the water cleanliness for patients in the hospital (42.1percent); whether their privacy was respected by all the staff within the hospital (51.9percent); permission to be examined and treated (51.1percent); the nurse/doctor who treated them being polite (53.4percent); and the nurse/doctor who treated them being able to answer all their questions about their illness (56.8percent). On whether they will visit the hospital again, 49.6percent participants were uncertain. The majority (69.7percent) agreed that all prescribed medicine was available in the hospital; the staff explained to them on how to use the medicine/pills (67percent); and they were told on how to store their pills/medication (47percent). Gender, education and employment status of the participants affect exactly one dimension each. Females, those with secondary education and employed were more satisfied on the respective dimensions. Conclusion: Patient involvement is an essential feature in healthcare services. Patients influence outcome quality through compliance, defining the right symptoms and physically experiencing treatment. Patient perceptions and satisfaction with service delivery is a multi-dimensional concept that should be studied by operationalising it within its context. Consequently, a conceptual model to understand and measure patient perception and satisfaction of service delivery and care quality in hospital health care services is proposed

Insights into tyrosinase inhibition by compounds isolated from Greyia radlkoferi Szyszyl using biological activity, molecular docing and gene expression analysis

Greyia radlkoferi ethanol extract and its five compounds were tested for their inhibitory activity against the mushroom tyrosinase enzyme and melanin production on melanocytes. The crude extract showed significant tyrosinase inhibition with IC50 of 17.96 μg/ml. This is the first report of the isolation of these 5 compounds from Greyia radlkoferi. 2',4',6'-Trihydroxydihydrochalcone showed the highest tyrosinase inhibition at 17.70 μg/ml (68.48 μM), with low toxicity when compared with crude extract. This compound is therefore, a key component in the crude extract, which is responsible for tyrosinase inhibitory activity. The RT-qPCR indicated that the mechanism of action is most likely post transcriptional. Further, the molecular docking study showed that tyrosinase inhibitory activity depends on interaction of the compound with Cu2+ ions at the active site. This is the first report of the tyrosinase inhibitory activity of the G. radlkoferi extract and molecular insights on interaction of its compounds with Cu2+ ions as the driving factor for tyrosinase inhibition. These results suggest that the extract of G. radlkoferi and the compound 2',4',6'-trihydroxydihydrochalcone have great potential to be further developed as pharmaceutical or cosmetic agents for use against dermatological disorders associated with melanin.The National Research Foundation [Grant 90355] and the Department of Science and Technology [Grant 0024/2015].http://www.elsevier.com/locate/bmc2017-11-30Plant ScienceChemistr

The Consumption of Khat and Other Drugs in Somali Combatants: A Cross-Sectional Study

Having interviewed military personnel in Somali, Michael Odenwald and colleagues conclude that drug-related problems, mainly relating to the use of khat, have reached proportions formerly unknown to the country

Trade-offs in decision making by impact investors between socio-environmental return and financial return

Impact Investing is an alternative source of funding for socio-environmental impact optimising organisations. The legitimacy of this investment approach has been questioned however, as the model combines two competing institutional logics. The impact investor faces the logic of socio-environmental impact and the profit logic, which have traditionally been thought of as being on opposite ends of the spectrum. Combing multiple logics is confusing and can ultimately handicap the firm, however this can be resolved by specifying the trade-offs among the various dimensions. Research on Impact Investing in the past few years focused on the performance of Impact Investing funds in comparison to conventional funds, but could not conclusively prove if there is a cost to Impact Investing. For this reason there is not a full understanding of the trade-offs, if any, of Impact Investing. The objective of this study is to demystify the trade-offs inherent in Impact Investing, in order to support the legitimacy of the investment strategy as an alternative form of financing. The study was performed as a qualitative research, using 15 semi-structured, in-depth interviews with investment professionals and experts, who had been practicing for at least two years. The collected data were analysed using inductive content and frequency analysis techniques, which enabled the researcher to extract and extrapolate the recurring themes and develop a practical framework for effective management of an Impact Investing asset portfolio. The results of this research show that the question of trade-offs depends on the framing, as there are instances where the trade-offs are distinct, however high impact and high returns can be achieved without compromise. There is no denying the immensurable risks involved in Impact Investing, some are as seen in conventional capital markets, yet some are inherent not only in the impact approach, but also in other variants of the strategic positioning of the investment firm involved. The risks can be mitigated by integrating impact into the business model and aligning values throughout the Impact Investing value chain.Mini Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2017.sn2017Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS)MBAUnrestricte