An evaluation of the “new history" phenomenon

An evaluation of the "New History" approach to the teaching of history as a subject on the educational curriculum.The purpose of this article was to evaluate the “New History” approach. This paper explores the argument that the new “New History" phenomenon was an attempt to rejuvenate an interest in History. The “New History”phenomenon was launched because of the fear that History was in danger as it faced possible extinction from the curriculum. Basically, the proponents of the phenomenon believed that History was in the intensive care unit and had lost popularity among stakeholders. Some of the comments given by scholars like Haydn, Arthur and Hunt (1997:25) were that History was, "... a desiccated and stultifying subject of dubious relevance and little clear purpose”. The study was purely qualitative. Curriculum document analysis, classroom observations, and in- depth interviews were used as data collection methods. The study revealed that the possibility of negative attitudes towards History by pupils is primarily due to the teacher centred methods used. It is recommended that the progressive teaching methods such as document study, research projects, role playing, field work, debates, interviews and discussions, which are pupil centred, should be used to stimulate pupils ’ interest in the subject

The Forgotten Women: A Case Study Of Reproductive Health Issues Among Women Living With Disabilities And Educational Implications In Harare, Zimbabwe

A ZJER case study on reproductive health issues amongst Zimbabwean women.The female population in Zimbabwe is currently pegged at 5997 477 (Central Statistical Office, 2002). Women living with disabilities (WLWD) represent 10% (599 747) of the total female population yet their reproductive health needs are poorly understood and not catered for. The study primarily identifies the reproductive health issues for WLWD by specifically investigating knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices pertaining to their reproductive health. It also establishes contributing factors to WLWD’s reproductive he'alth practices and identifies the barriers encountered by such women in their bid to seek reproductive health. The paper is based on survey data and focus group discussions from WLWD; and information from key informants. The study revealed that WLWD do not effectively utilize the available reproductive health services such as contraceptives, access to health information and treatment of STIs. Consequently, they face challenges that include lack of contraceptive use, and increased vulnerability to sexually transmitted diseases including HIV and AIDS. The study also noted that the aforementioned WLWD’s problems are a result of background variables which include socio-economic and traditional factors. The attitude of the society and healthcare providers undermine WLWD’s access to reproductive health services. Proximate determinants such as lack of reproductive health knowledge, inaccessibility, unacceptability and unaffordability of reproductive health services underlie the WLWD’s reproductive health issues. Thus, WLWD have therefore been referred to as ‘the forgotten women’. The study has thus recommended the government and other relevant stakeholders to formulate policies that promote equal access to RH services for the WLWD as other fellow women