A study of the right of learners and teachers to quality public education in Zimbabwe

A research article on the right to quality public education in Zimbabwe.Every day, everywhere in the world, the right of learners and teachers to quality public education is violated (Dorsi, 2014). The quality of education is undermined by a deficit of appropriately qualified teachers more particularly in the rural areas. It has been observed that there has been moral decadence in contemporary society, and a marked decline in the character, moral values and general behaviour of students coming out of our school system. According to Mangena (2006), modern society has become increasingly more corrupt, lawless, violent, undisciplined and permissive, and that the trend is more apparent among the younger generation. There is, thus, an urgent need for the country to strive to provide quality public education and to ensure that the products coming out of schools have moral values and good ethical behaviour. Research studies by Sergiovanni and Starratt (2007) suggest that,among the major school-related factors that influence learner achievement, teachers matter most Accordingly, the study sought to investigate issues of the right of learners and teachers to quality public education in Zimbabwe. The investigation employed the documentary research method, and used the secondary documentary sources to gather data. The findings revealed that every learner has a right to quality public education provided by quality teachers. The learners' right to quality public education demands that teachers have a right to quality pre-service teacher education, moral education and in- service teacher education, and continuing professional education, financed by government. Quality education requires quality teachers who also have moral values and good ethical behaviour. The study recommended that government take practical measures to ensure that learners have access to quality education appropriately-qualified school heads and teachers. Finally, a call was made to teacher unions to form a professional teachers’ council and establish a code of professional ethics

A study of ethics and professionalism in Zimbabwe's education system

A documentary research aimed at finding out the ethical practice and professionalism in the Zimbabwe education system.This study sought to investigate issues of ethics and professionalism in the Zimbabwean education system. The investigation employed the documentary research method, and used the secondary documentary sources to gather data. The findings from the data call for the reversal of the trend in the gradual erosion of moral values among people. This requires that the education system inculcates the values of hunhu/ubuntu and ethical behaviour among all learners from early childhood to university level. From an examination of the three normative ethical positions, it emerged that a more fruitful model of deciding right from wrong was to be found within deontological frameworks. A range of approaches to the resolution of ethical issues that may crop up and ethical decision-making were presented. Behaving ethically was at the heart of what it entails to be a professional. Some professional and ethical standards that guide the behaviour of members of the education profession were presented. Opinions differ as to whether or not teaching is a profession. While the general consensus said teaching is a profession, some authors viewed teaching as a semi-profession. Finally, a call was made to educator unions to form Professional Educators/ Teachers' Councils and have codes of professional ethics

Burden of HIV among primary school children and feasibility of primary school-linked HIV testing in Harare, Zimbabwe: a mixed methods study.

Population-based surveys in Southern Africa suggest a substantial burden of undiagnosed HIV-infected long-term survivors of mother-to-child transmission. We conducted an HIV prevalence survey of primary school pupils in Harare, Zimbabwe, and evaluated school-linked HIV counselling and testing (HCT) for pupils, their families and schoolteachers. Population-weighted cluster sampling was used to select six primary schools. Randomly selected class-grade pupils underwent anonymous HIV testing, with concurrent school-linked family HCT offered during the survey. Focus group discussions and interviews were conducted with pupils, parents/guardians, counsellors, and schoolteachers. About 4386 (73%) pupils provided specimens for anonymous HIV testing. Median age was 9 years (IQR 8-11), and 54% were female. HIV prevalence was 2.7% (95% CI: 2.2-3.1) with no difference by gender. HIV infection was significantly associated with orphanhood, stunting, wasting, and being one or more class grades behind in school due to illness (p<0.001). After adjusting for covariates, orphanhood and stunting remained significantly associated with being HIV positive (p<0.001). Uptake of diagnostic HIV testing by pupils was low with only 47/4386 (1%) pupils undergoing HCT. The HIV prevalence among children under 15 years who underwent HIV testing was 6.8%. The main barrier to HIV testing was parents' fear of their children experiencing stigma and of unmasking their own HIV status should the child test HIV positive. Most guardians believed that a child's HIV-positive result should not be disclosed and the child could take HIV treatment without knowing the reason. Increased recognition of the high burden of undiagnosed HIV infection in children is needed. Despite awareness of the benefits of HIV testing, HIV-related stigma still dominates parents/guardians' psychological landscape. There is need for comprehensive information and support for families to engage with HIV testing services

COVID–19 Pandemic: Its Impact on Universities and Schools in Zimbabwe

The study sought to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on universities and schools in Zimbabwe. The investigation adopted qualitative research design utilising documentary research analysis. Telephone interviews and interviews conducted over WhatsApp social media platforms were the data-collection instruments. Population of the study comprised students and teachers in schools and universities. Findings revealed that COVID–19 had a significant impact on the teaching / learning of students. Universities and some schools adopted online learning during lockdowns. COVID 19-induced switch-over from face-to-face teaching to ICT-based teaching, resulted in universities and schools being exposed to alternative ways of teaching and learning. In universities, students were taught using a blended teaching mode comprising on-line and face-to-face teaching. COVID-19 created opportunities for lecturers to engage in further research. Some universities set up Task Forces that facilitated compliance with WHO COVID-19 protocols, and Ministry of Health guidelines. Schools conducted lessons on a rotational basis. Boarding schools reduced enrolments to enhance social distancing. Online learning was not accessible to all students. The switch-over gave rise to high costs of data bundles, computer hardware and software-related problems. Some students on industrial attachment failed to secure placements or had their contracts prematurely-terminated as some companies had ceased operating. In schools, some students missed out on teaching / learning. In well-resourced schools, students continued learning, reaching their teachers on-line. The study urged university leaders and school principals to embrace COVID-19 as an 'educational change' that offers opportunities to enhance innovation, and create a more positive teaching / learning environment

A study of the biological and economic factors affecting the kapenta (Limnothrissa miodon) population and yield in Lake Kariba

This study investigated some of the variables that influence the fishery of Limnothrissa miodon (kapenta) in Lake Kariba, namely, biological (limnological factors, zooplankton composition and densities) and economic (fishing effort and profitability in the industry). The findings were then assessed to identify relationships with kapenta catches. There were indications that the Lake had warmed up since limnological findings made in previous studies. The mean depth profile temperature recorded for July 2011 of 22.9ºC was 4.3ºC higher than the mean depth profile temperature recorded for the same month from 1987-1999. The mean depth profile temperature value also represented a 5.1ºC increase over the mean depth profile temperature recorded in 1967-1968. Thermoclines and oxyclines in the open water stations were established at depths between 5 and 10 m during the cool dry season and post-turnover period, which agrees with recent observations that the thermocline is migrating upwards. The Annual Birgean Heat Budget was 18 869 cal. cm-2 year-1, an increase of 4 800 cal. cm-2 year-1 from the data for 1967-68. It is clear the heat content of the lake has increased by about 25% in the last 45 years consistent with recent results on the possible impact of global climate change on lake temperatures and heat content. The zooplankton composition and densities in the Sanyati Basin were assessed to validate whether zooplankton densities had declined to the extent of limiting food availability of Limnothrissa miodon. The composition and densities were compared with historical records. There were indications in this study that zooplankton densities have declined considerably in Lake Kariba over the past 25 years. Bosmina longirostris, which recorded peak densities of 16 ind./L and 11 ind./L during the turnover period in 1986 and 1987 respectively, only recorded a density of almost 0.5 ind./L in July 2011. In 2011 the Sanyati Basin (Basin 5) was the most productive basin in Lake Kariba with over 60% of the total annual catch recorded on the Zimbabwean side. However the catch per unit effort (CPUE) slumped from 0.6 in 1997 to 0.13 in 2009. The extent of low catches was exemplified by the total mean monthly catch recorded for Basin 4 of 47.0 tonnes, which was lower than the mean catch recorded for a single rig in 2000 (50.2 tonnes). A comparison of MSY estimates with the trend in annual catches indicated that the MSY was surpassed in the mid 1980s. The argument about the infinite resilience of L. miodon given the current fishing pressures needs to be revisited. The trend in catch per unit effort suggests that the lake is currently experiencing a high fishing pressure and there is need for measures to control this. An assessment of the profitability of the industry showed that the industry was viable despite challenges of declining fish stocks. However, it was predicted that if this trend in declining catches continues small companies will shut down as it will not be economically viable. Consequently, the structure of the industry will revert to being inequitable as was the case pre-1990 and the whole diversification of the sector would have failed. From this study it is recommended that the National Parks and Wildlife Authority addresses the problem of illegal fishing and thefts. There is also need to reduce and rationalise fishing effort in Lake Kariba. Further research is recommended to fully understand the food web dynamics in lake given the limnological changes that have taken place