Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Study and teaching $z Malawi'

The thesis of this study is that Classical studies at the University of Malawi, Chancellor College, has been taught with almost no reference to its African context, yet the Classical world, as Ogilvie (1979:2) observed ‘is far removed in time, geography, and philosophy from the world of Africa'. Classics in Malawi is currently taught as in the West, with which it has immediate ties, but if there are to be meaningful gains on the part of students learning Classics in Malawi, we need to contextualise its teaching. The purpose of this study was to identify ways in which Classics teaching at undergraduate level in Malawi might be strengthened in order to make the learning of Classics more meaningful and relevant to the Malawian context, by bridging the gaps between Classical Antiquity and African cultures. The comparative approaches explored will facilitate revision of the University of Malawi Classical Studies curriculum to fulfil the needs and interests of Malawians with the main purpose of contextualising Classical Studies in Malawi. The thesis consists of five chapters which deal with issues relating to Classics teaching in Malawi, namely: the evolution of Classical Studies in Malawi and its challenges; the need to change with the times; views of Latin/Classics teachers about Latin teaching at secondary level; attitudes and perceptions of undergraduate Classics students at Chancellor College to Classics, their perceptions about skills and Classics teaching in general; and views from Classicists from other universities on Classics teaching in general. The main comparative element in the thesis draws on analysis of similar issues in a wide variety of other institutions, including in the UK, the USA, Asia and Africa. Literature relating to Classics pedagogy and Comparative Education approaches, specifically Bereday's Model, has been reviewed. In addition, Classical Reception theory and Social Constructivism theory, particularly with regard to pedagogy, have been surveyed. The study used purposive sampling. Five types of samples and their corresponding data capturing instruments were used, broken down in the following categories: two types of interviews (one involving Malawian Latin or Classics teachers at secondary level, and the other universities' Classics lecturers); review of various documents of international universities' Classics programmes; lecture observations for Classics; and student questionnaire interviews administered to University of Malawi Classics students. The research was a mixed-method design, combining both quantitative and qualitative data analysis, but overall, the study was more qualitative than quantitative. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and qualitative data were analysed using the thematic analysis method. These analyses were followed by discussions of the findings of both quantitative and qualitative data. The major conclusions and implications of the study point to the need for a curriculum review of all Classics courses to ensure that Classics becomes more relevant in the Malawian context.

This study explored the problem of poor performance in science among students who are provided secondary school places on merit in Malawi. Existing studies of the problem are inconsistent suggesting that these studies may have shed light on some parts of a complex problem. Questionnaires, interviews and analysis of documents were used to obtain information concerning students&rsquo
conceptions of science, science learning and events that eventuated into the problem in the past. The population for this study was 89 government and governmentassisted secondary schools. From that population eighteen schools were randomly selected from each of the six education divisions in the country. One thousand five hundred secondary class 3 students drawn from randomly selected schools participated. The participating students completed a 31item learning beliefs and practices 
questionnaire with items drawn from the science education literature and adapted to the local situation and a selfefficacy and attribution of failure questionnaire. Forty students were interviewed about their concepts of science and science learning. Relevant documents found in the Malawi National Archives were analyzed to determine the origin of the problem.

In the past few decades, the proportion of business news compared to general news has increased tremendously across all media platforms in Africa. While the critical role played by business journalism is recognised, little is known about the people who write and report such news. Most studies on business reporting have tended to focus on analysing the content of business news, rather than the specific processes through which business journalists are socialized and trained. The findings of this study are drawn mainly from in-depth interviews with business reporters and editors at two leading newspapers in Malawi, The Daily Times and The Nation. Three major findings emerge trom the study data. First, business journalists vary in their educational and professional backgrounds, as well as the reasons for working on this beat. Second, the majority of them have no prerequisite formal education and training in business journalism and, therefore, have little knowledge and skills about what constitute good business journalism. Third, professionalism in the sub-field is constrained by a host of factors, influence of advertisers being the critical one. The study recommends that business reporting become an integral component of journalism education and training programmes to adequately prepare future generations of business journalists. In addition there is need for media houses to devise strategies to counter obstacles that business journalists face for them to effectively contribute to political economy debate.
KMBT_363

Thesis (MTh (Practical Theology and Missiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The purpose of this thesis is to determine, in a practical theological way, (1) the impact culture is having on the teaching at the African Bible College, (2) to develop a revised praxis for the intercultural teaching at ABC, and (3) for ABC to become a more culturally relevant teaching institution as a result. Since cultural differences can often become a great barrier for any intercultural endeavor, and being that ABC is made up of mostly American professors and mostly Malawian students, there is a need to evaluate the challenges that are taking place in this mixed cultural institution. The research questions, which this study addresses, are as follows: 1. What kind of intercultural teaching exists at ABC? What are some of the strengths and weaknesses of ABC’s intercultural teaching? What are some of the current intercultural barriers existing at ABC? How do Malawian learning styles / cultural issues play into intercultural teaching? What kind of “cultural baggage” exists at ABC? 2. What does it mean to be culturally relevant and why is it important? In other words, what are some of the key elements of teaching interculturally? What are some of the common problems? What is contextualization? Interculturation? Westernization? Etc. 3. What is desirable intercultural teaching for ABC? In other words, what models in intercultural teaching would be more appropriate for ABC and why? What should effective intercultural teaching look like at ABC? How can ABC sustain long-term and effective intercultural teaching? An introduction to the subject of intercultural teaching and an empirical investigation of ABC’s teaching is the focus of chapter 2. Chapter 3 introduces several intercultural teaching models and theories that were then used to evaluate and interpret the teaching at ABC. Chapter 3 is mostly devoted to the interpretation of ABC’s teaching in light of these models. Chapter 4 has been devoted to laying out a theological and ethical basis (the normative task) for intercultural teaching. Chapter 5 focuses on the revised praxes for ABC, offering several suggestions for becoming a more culturally relevant teaching institution. In addition, several recommendations for further research and study were made at the end of this thesis.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis het ten doel om op 'n prakties-teologiese manier (1) die impak van kultuur op onderrig aan die African Bible College (ABC) te bepaal, (2) 'n hersiene praktyk vir tussenkulturele onderrig aan die ABC te ontwikkel, en (3) die ABC gevolglik in 'n meer kultureel tersaaklike onderriginstelling te verander. Aangesien kultuurverskille dikwels enige tussenkulturele poging verhinder, en aangesien die ABC voorts meestal uit Amerikaanse professors en Malawiese studente bestaan, is daar 'n behoefte om die uitdagings van hierdie kultureel vermengde instelling te beoordeel. Die navorsingsvrae waarna hierdie studie ondersoek instel, is soos volg: 1. Watter soort tussenkulturele onderrig vind tans aan die ABC plaas? Met ander woorde, hoe vaar die ABC wat betref onderrig op 'n kultureel tersaaklike manier? Wat is die sterk en swak punte van onderrig aan die ABC? Watter tussenkulturele versperrings bestaan tans in die ABC? Hoe word Malawiese leerstyle/kultuurkwessies by tussenkulturele onderrig geintegreer? Watter soort ekulturele bagasie f is by die ABC ter sprake? 2. Wat beteken dit om kultureel tersaaklik te wees, en hoekom is dit belangrik? Met ander woorde, wat is sommige van die kernelemente van tussenkulturele onderrig? Wat is die algemene probleme? Wat is kontekstualisasie, interkulturasie, verwestering, ensovoorts? 3. Wat is die gewenste vorm van tussenkulturele onderrig vir die ABC? Met ander woorde, watter modelle vir tussenkulturele onderrig sou meer geskik wees vir die ABC, en hoekom? Hoe behoort doeltreffende tussenkulturele onderrig aan die ABC daar uit te sien? Hoe kan die ABC langtermyn- en doeltreffende tussenkulturele onderrig handhaaf? Hoofstuk 2 bied 'n inleiding tot die konsep van tussenkulturele onderrig, en 'n empiriese ondersoek na die ABC se onderrigstyl. In hoofstuk 3 word verskeie modelle en teoriee vir tussenkulturele onderrig bekend gestel, wat vervolgens gebruik is om onderrig aan die ABC te beoordeel en te vertolk. Die hoofstuk is dus hoofsaaklik aan die vertolking van die ABC se onderrig aan die hand van hierdie modelle gewy. Hoofstuk 4 bied 'n teologiese en etiese grondslag (die normatiewe taak) vir tussenkulturele onderrig, waarna hoofstuk 5 op die hersiene praktyke vir die ABC konsentreer, met verskeie voorstelle oor hoe die onderriginstelling meer kultureel tersaaklik kan word. Die tesis sluit af met etlike aanbevelings vir verdere navorsing en studie.

One of the organizational change technologies developed in response to the inherent weaknesses of the scientific and classical management theories is organization development (0D). The theories grew out of research experiments in change and training in intergroup relations conducted by Kurt Lewin in 1946 in the United States of America. They have been further developed by other researchers and applied to organizations since then, and to educational organizations since the 1960s. This study was carried out in the light of what some of the 0D esearchers and consultants observed, namely, that 0D interventions tend to be less successful in organizations outside the USA, especially in developing countries. They attributed the lack of success of the interventions to the nature of 0D theories, the skills, attitudes and behaviour of OD consultants, the nature of organizations and, especially, culture. Some of the OD consultants said the culture of the people in developing countries is unreceptive to the values which underpin OD theories. I carried out this study to investigate the work-related values of managers in an educational organization in Malawi, and assess the implications of their values for OD interventions. I used a qualitative case study method and the interview technique to gather data for the study. I also used observation and document analysis techniques to supplement the interview technique. The results of the study indicate that most of the work-related values of the managers closely match the values of OD theories. The findings contradict what some of the OD researchers and consultants said about the culture of the people in developing countries. Hence, OD consultants need to investigate the work-related values of the gatekeepers of cli nt organizations and design and implement OD interventions that fit the interests of the gatekeepers.

As leaders of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), strategic leaders are responsible for strategising, the approach to which is influenced by their cultural paradigm. The effects of this strategising are manifested in the day-to-day activities of these leaders. This study aims to build an understanding of the shared cultural assumptions of strategic leaders in agri-based processing SMEs and how these assumptions affect the strategising activities that are adopted when addressing critical incidents related to the internal integration and external adaptation of the SME. Using Strauss and Corbin‟s (1990) grounded theory method, this study develops a theory titled Conveniencing the Family in Business, which is induced from critical incidents. A sample of critical incidents was gathered from 44 qualitative interviews conducted with strategic leaders of various agri-based processing SMEs operating in Malawi. This study found that strategic leaders display persistent and stable pragmatic business survival mind sets, but dynamic cultural assumptions about relationships with organisation members. The cultural influence of these assumptions is manifested in two distinctive and alternative processes making up the theory of conveniencing the family in business. These are the humanising and commodifying of relationships with organisation members, and they are evident in hostile and friendly business environments, respectively. Humanising of relationships with all members of the organisation builds and capitalises on inclusive, organisation-wide social capital that secures the future of the business. On the other hand, commodifying of relationships with non-family organisation members weakens collective support, which becomes mainly dependent on family and friendship ties. Thus, commodifying of relationships serves to perpetuate the close integration of business activity and family requirements to ultimately convenience the family in business, and represents the desired modus operandi of strategic leaders. As strategic leaders of SMEs have not yet conceptualised this, providing them with the conceptual theory developed here may be helpful towards a consistent re-orientation of the internal organisational support in a way that does not exclude but rather harnesses the wider solidarity of organisation members. The process explained by this theory is iterative, dynamic and distinguishes patterns of relationships amongst organisation members, which either enhances or compromises their collective support for the leaders and the enterprise. This by implication affects the performance of the enterprise. The results of this study are discussed from the perspective of social exchange and social capital theory, thereby contributing to the understanding of the strategising activities of strategic leaders, as well as the processes of building or destroying social capital in this type of enterprise.

The aim of the study was to investigate local community contributions to the existing Malawi College of Fisheries curriculum with a focus on Chambo fishery. Chambo fish (Oreochromis species) is the most favoured fish in Lake Malawi. Chambo catches have declined over the years. Responding to the declining catches, the Fisheries Department is engaged in a number of management options to address the issues. Most of these management options are governed by scientific recommendations and do not consider the socio-economic situation of the people who are dependent on fishery. This approach to fishery has influenced the Malawi College of Fisheries curriculum. The existing curriculum is product-centred, developed by a consultant. During the development of the curriculum, there was little consultation with the lecturers and no consultation with the local communities who are using the resource. The fishing communities have been fishing for a long time and have acquired knowledge, skills and experience worth investigating for its potential role in improving the existing curriculum. Through the use of interviews, focus group discussions and workshops with local communities local knowledge was identified for inclusion into the curriculum. A review of the existing curriculum revealed that it has primarily technical focus, grounded in the protection, control and management of the fish stocks, while the local knowledge has a practical focus based on existing practices and requiring an understanding of the sources of the issues. There is also more emphasis on a historical perspective and the context in which fishing practices take place at the moment. It was evident from the study that local communities have much of knowledge, skills and experience gained over the years of fishing , and if properly utilised, it can improve the MCF curriculum. I therefore recommend in this study that the curriculum be reviewed in order to integrate and draw on the local knowledge through a deliberative and participatory process between the local communities and the government so that it addresses the needs of the local communities and improves the training of the extension workers.

This study examined public primary school teachersâ perceptions of the factors contributing to safe school learning environments. Teachersâ perceptions and behaviors were examined to assist task force members to develop and conduct a self-study process for enhancing a safe learning environment for pupils. Twenty-eight primary school teachers from one public primary school in Malawi participated in the study. Data on teachersâ perceptions and behaviors were collected through a survey. Frequencies and percentages were used to analyze the survey data on teachersâ perceptions. The data from the self-study process generated the discussions in the task force meetings where teachers shared their perceptions of classroom practices that contributed to a safe learning environment. The task force conducted a four-step self-study process. The steps of the process were building awareness and community, developing a group focus, implementing the ideas of the group focus, and reflecting on the practice. The participating teachersâ experiences suggested that the process discouraged teachers from direct instruction and encouraged them to actively engage students more in their learning. As a result the teachers experienced fewer discipline problems in their classes. The perceptions of teachers in the survey indicated that the school environment was generally positive for teaching and learning. However, there were some elements that could adversely affect school safety. For example, there were problems in maintaining some of the school facilities such as books and childrenâ s latrines. The finding of the self-study process indicated that the school could develop elements of school safety. For example, the teachers in the study developed positive attitudes toward their teaching and learning. They reported for school activities on time and involved learners in their learning. The study had a number of implications for teaching and learning and teacher educators. The self-study process, for example, was able to change teachersâ attitudes about their learners, thereby enhancing the learner-teacher classroom relationship. Suggestions for further research are also given. For example, further studies could focus on the replication of the study in other schools in order to examine the self-study process in different school contexts. And such replication could assist further understanding and refinement of the self-study process for addressing school safety as well as other identified school problems.
Ph. D.

The potential role of sanctuary areas for biological control of Schistosomiasis and development of sustainable fisheries was investigated at Cape Maclear, Lake Malawi National Park (LMNP). There has been a recent increase in the incidence of schistosomiasis infection which is a threat to the local community as well as the tourism industry which is the major source of income to LMNP as well as Chembe Village. At the same place there is increasing fishing pressure due to growing human population and declining fish resource. The increase in the incidence of schistosomiasis transmission was attributed in part to over-fishing of the molluscivorous fish which are believed to control the vector snails for schistosomiasis. Four molluscivorous fish species, Trematocranus placodon; Trematocranus microstoma; Mylochromis sphaerodon and Mylochromis anaphyrmus were reported to account for more than 90% of the fishes (by numerical abundance) which feed on the gastropods above 15 metre depth. The gastropod numbers was reported to be highest at 1.5 to 4.5 metre depth. Of the four molluscivores, T. placodon was proposed as a biological control agent for schistosomiasis based upon the previous observations of its feeding habits in artificial conditions. Captive propagation of T. placodon for reintroduction at Cape Maclear in Lake Malawi has been proposed. The present study aimed at providing baseline data required to test the hypotheses that: 1) Over-fishing of the molluscivorous fish has resulted to the increased incidence of schistosomiasis at Cape Maclear. A sub hypothesis to this was that an extension of the LMNP can act as a sanctuary area for the biological control of schistosomiasis by protecting molluscivorous fish which could control schistosomiasis vector snails. 2) A park initially designed to protect the colourful rock dwelling fish and for promotion of tourism may not effectively protect the food fish. To test the first hypothesis, the biology and ecology of T. placodon were investigated with a view to evaluating the effect this species could have on the schistosomiasis vector snail population and hence the control of bilharzia in the lake. The proportions of various gastropod species at Cape Maclear was compared with those found in T. placodon guts. Comparisons of T. placodon abundance and demographic structure inside and outside LMNP were made. To test the second hypothesis, this study investigated the food fish species that use LMNP 100 m protected zone and some basic ecological factors to appreciate the extent to which the adjacent fishery might benefit from their use of the park waters. T. placodon numerical abundance (number of individuals per unit area) ranged from 5.7 to 40.5 /200 m² and it significantly (P< 0.05) varied between sampling sites. Otter Point and Mitande which are inside the park had the lowest abundance as compared to the other three sites; Nguli inside the park; Fisheries and Nchenga outside the park. Two sites in the park, Otter Point and Mitande, had a greater proportion of mature T. placodon individuals than all other sites. The abundance of T. placodon fluctuated significantly from month to month at Nchenga, Nguli and Fisheries (X² test, P<0.0001 for all the three sites) and insignificantly (P>0.05) at Otter Point and Mitande (X² test). T. placodon densities found in the present study corresponded to the peak density of 30 individuals / 200 m² reported in 1986 but did not correspond to that of 1.0 / 200 m² for 1994. There was no evidence to support the previous reports that T. placodon abundance had decreased tremendously from 1986. The reason suggested to account for the discrepancies of T. placodon abundance reported in the present study and other studies was inadequate sampling in the previous studies which did not take into account spatial and temporal variability in T. placodon abundance. The findings reported in this thesis show that there is no need for captive propagation of T. placodon to be reintroduced into the lake at Cape Maclear and that it may prove to be unsuccessful. However, since juvenile T. placodon dominated in abundance at the three sites along the major beach which is outside the park boundaries, it is suggested that the park boundaries be extended to this area so that T. placodon should be protected to allow individuals to grow to bigger size which would be more effective for gastropod control. T. placodon between 60 mm and 80 mm TL fed on benthic insects, phytoplankton and from detritus material. Individuals between 80 mm and 100 mm fed on a mixture of benthic insects, fish scales and small gastropods and at sizes greater than 100 mm individuals specialized feeding on gastropods. Gastropods of five genera were taken and they were: Melanoides , Bulinus, Gabiella, Lanistes and Bellamya. Of these genera Melanoides fonned the greatest part of T. placodon diet. Bulinus was the second most abundant genus but compared to Melanoides its proportion was very small. Of the three Bulinus species taken by T. placodon, B. globosus, is a confirmed vector for Schistosoma haematobium which is prevalent at Cape Maclear. This species was eaten in the least quantities. A comparison ofthe five gastropod proportions in T. placodon diet and in the habitats they occupy showed that Melanoides were taken in proportionately more quantities than Bulinus at most sites. These findings contrasted the previous reports that T. placodon preferred Bulinus to Melanoides. By applying the optimal foraging theory which predicts that an animal species searching for food will go for the type of prey with the highest profitability, it is concluded that the Bulinus cannot be eliminated completely by molluscivores because if their population size falls below a certain level, the fish will switch to other gastropod types. It is concluded that the increase in schistosomiasis may not be necessarily due to overfishing the molluscivorous fish but could be due to the fact that there has been an increase in the proportion of the B. globosus albeit in small numbers which are infected with schistosomiasis parasites. An integrated approach to schistosomiasis control at Cape Maclear comprising vector control, improved water supply, sanitation and health education is suggested since no method can be effective in isolation. Few food fish species were observed to use the park at various times, varying from one species to another with regards to duration, life history stages and abundance. Only a few fish species taken by the adjacent artisanal and commercial fisheries were represented among those observed in the park. This was attributed to the limited diversity of habitat types covered. Only small population size of some species visited the protected area and only part of the life cycle of some species were observed in the park. The use of the park area was seasonal for some species and the protected zone boundaries can be crossed more than once within a day because 100 m distance is just a few minutes swim by fish. Under such circumstances the park cannot function as an effective sanctuary for food fish. An increase of the park size may be a better option to effectively protect the food fish.

This study investigates and expands learning associated with the co-management of fisheries resources to inform extension and training in the fisheries sector in two case study sites in Malawi. The study was located in the field of environmental education with a specific focus on community learning, agency and sustainability practices in co-management of fisheries resources. It focuses on how fisheries stakeholder learning can be mediated through expansive social learning processes to inform extension and training in the Malawi fisheries sector and aims at understanding learning as an emergent, agency centred process of change through social learning models that are said to have power to mobilise community agency for change. The empirical research for the study was conducted in two Malawian fishing communities: in Lake Malombe and the south-east arm of Lake Malawi using qualitative case study research design. The two sites were selected because they were the first sites in Malawi to implement fisheries co-management programmes following the failure of centralised management of fisheries resources. Data was generated through interviews, focus group discussions, document analysis, observations and change laboratory workshops in both sites. The two sites fall under one administrative office based in Mangochi where the two important institutions of the sector – the Fisheries Research Unit of the Department of Fisheries and the Fisheries College (a government institution responsible for the training of extension services) are also based. Both sites have implemented new governance structures named Beach Village Committees which are community-based organisational structures that function in parallel with traditional authorities to manage the fishery. Contextual and literature review work showed that extension services and programmes over the past hundred years, as observed in the fisheries sector in Malawi and in extension services elsewhere, have co-evolved with approaches to natural resources management. Early approaches to natural resources management involved traditional management (associated extension services and programmes were community based); later fisheries governance practices changed to centralised management and associated extension approaches were mainly top-down involving command and control or technology transfer. These early approaches have been problematic as resource users were pushed away from their own resources and were viewed as poachers. This resulted in loss of ownership among resources users. Recently in Malawi, after the change of government to democracy in 1994, fisheries management policy focused on co-management and/or adaptive co-management approaches, an approach that has also been adopted in other African water bodies. This has implications for extension service programmes in the fisheries sector that are not yet well defined. The study’s literature review revealed that co-management approaches assume collaborative learning, or co-learning, also termed social learning, or approaches that promote the engagement of different actors who are working on shared practice. They also assume a new form of agency among co-management stakeholders and extension workers. However, the theoretical foundations for establishing co-learning or social learning approaches in support of co-management policies are not well established in the fisheries co-management sector in Malawi, nor are the practices of how to support co-learning amongst diverse stakeholders in the fisheries co-management in the Lake Malawi context. This study sought to address this gap in knowledge and practice.

Thesis (DTh)--Stellenbosch University, 2002
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study is an appraisal of the training program of Veritas College as an answer to the training need of the untrained church leaders in Sub Saharan Africa, focusing on the country of Malawi. Partly as a result of the impact of the Church Growth Movement the number of churches in Africa has increased significantly during the last decade. These achievements have created a major training problem. Theological training institutions have been unable to cope with the massive influx of church leaders. Despite remarkable efforts by them, new methods of theological training have had to be developed in order to fulfil the training needs of Africa. The situation in Africa has changed due to many political and historical developments, creating a need for Christians to be trained in how to impact their context. There is a new environment and challenge for theological education in Africa today. Ideally, theological education should develop all levels of Christian leadership, so that leaders become devoted, effective and knowledgeable workers of God. The Church has always tried to provide theological training for these workers, and has created various educational models. Formal and non-formal education are important modes of training, and form, together with the church, an important triangle in the provision of learning services for the body of Christ. Formal as well as non-formal theological training models, however, have various weaknesses, including a tendency to dominate from the top; a fixed curriculum out of context; an over-emphasis on a content approach; the inaccessibility of training for the untrained church leader; the inaffordability of training for the really poor untrained church leaders in Sub Saharan Africa. This creates a need for change in theological training today. Principles for an appropriate theological education for Sub SaharancAfrica should include i) the development of local church leadership within the context, for the context; ii) a holistic approach to theological education; iii) a focus on character formation in leadership training; iv) training in the context of the local congregation; v) the equipping all levels of church leadership; vi) training to practise theology; and vii) the provision of 'basic theological training'. The training model proposed by Veritas College has an education philosophy called "Integrated Leadership Development" (ILD). This training model is integrated into the functioning of the local congregation and the life of the trainee. ILD also promotes an integrated theological practice, where the trainee is taught how to practise theology. Veritas' training program is built around the basic skills of how to do understand, apply and communicate the Bible. An appraisal is done of the training program of Veritas College as presented in the Synod of Nkhoma of the Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi. From the perspective of the unique training context of Malawi and the CCAP, the development of this program is described and evaluated in the light of the training needs of Sub Saharan Africa. The potential of the Veritas training model to contribute to the training need of Sub Saharan Africa is evaluated. The model has the ability to i) present technical theological training for a semi-literate church leadership; ii) implement basic theological training for church leaders in the local congregation; iii) offer a theological training program not bound to many theoretical books; iv) help semi-literate church leaders to make use of the only piece of literature they possess, namely the Bible; and v) to teach the illiterate through an oral medium. It would indeed appear that Veritas is able to make a positive contribution to the training needs of Sub Saharan Africa.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie studie beoordeel die opleidingsmodel van Veritas College as 'n antwoord op die opleidingsnood van die onopgeleide kerkleiers in Sub Sahara Afrika, met die fokus op Malawi. Gedeeltelik as gevolg van die Kerkgroei Beweging was daar gedurende die laaste dekade 'n aansienlike groei in die aantal kerke in Afrika. Dit het gelei tot 'n geweldige opleidingskrisis. Teologiese opleidingsinstansies kon net nie voldoen in die aanvraag vir opleiding in die steeds toenemende kerkleierskap nie. Ten spyte van noemenswaardige pogings om in hierdie behoefte te voldoen, was daar 'n besef dat nuwe metodes ontwikkel sou moes word om in die nuwe opleidingsbehoeftes van Sub Sahara Afrika te voldoen. Verder vra die benarde sosio-ekonomiese konteks in Sub Sahara Afrika dat gelowiges toegerus word om iets aan hulle konteks te doen. Teologiese opleiding moet daarna streef om aile vlakke van Christelike leierskap te ontwikkel tot toegewyde, effektiewe en ingeligde werkers van God. Die kerk het nog altyd probeer om in die behoefte vir opleiding van hierdie werkers te voorsien deur in 'n verskeidenheid van opleidingsmodelle te voorsien. Formele en informele onderrig vorm saam met die kerk 'n belangrike driehoek in die voorsiening van opleidingsdienste vir die liggaam van Christus. Formele en informele teologiese opleidingsmodelle toon verskeie tekortkominge, insluitend 'n geneigdheid om voor te skryf van bo af; 'n vasgestelde kurrikulum wat nie konteksgetrou is nie; die ontoeganklikheid van opleiding aan die onopgeleide kerkleier; en duur opleiding vir die arm kerkleiers in Sub Sahara Afrika. Dit alles skep die behoefte aan 'n nuwe benadering in teologiese opleiding vandag. Sekere beginsels word voorgestel vir 'n toepaslike teologiese opleiding in Sub Sahara Afrika vandag, insluitend i) die ontwikkeling van plaaslike kerkleierskap binne die konteks, vir die konteks; ii) 'n omvattende benadering tot teologiese opleiding; iii) 'n fokus op karakterontwikkeling in leierskapsopleiding; iv) opleiding binne die konteks van die plaaslike gemeente; v) die toerusting van aile vlakke van kerkleierskap; vi) opleiding om teologie te kan beoefen; en vii) die voorsiening van 'n 'basiese teologiese opleiding.' Die opleidingsmodel wat Veritas College aanbied se opleidingsfilosofie word saamgevat as "Geinteqreerde Leierskaps Ontwikkeling"'(GLO). Hierdie opleidingsmodel is qemteqreer in die funksionering van die plaaslike gemeente en die lewe van die opgeleide persoon. GLO bied ook 'n qeinteqreerde teoloqiese praktyk aan, waar die student geleer word hoe om teologie te beoefen. Veritas se opleidingsprogram is ontwikkel rondom die basiese vaardighede hoe om die Bybel te interpreteer toe te pas en aan te wend vir effektiewe kommunikasie. Binne die konteks van die Nkhoma Sinode van die Church of Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP) in Malawi vertoon die opleidingsprogram van die Veritas College potensiaal. Dit het die verrnoe om i) 'n tegniese teologiese opleiding aan te bied op die bevatlikheidsvlak van die laaggeskoolde kerkleierskap; ii) 'n basiese teologiese opleidingsprogram vir die kerkleiers binne 'n plaaslike gemeente te implementeer; iii) 'n opleidingsprogram wat nie gebind is aan baie handboeke vir die aanbieding van opleiding vir laaggeletterde kerkleiers; iv) laaggeskoolde kerkleiers te help om die enigste boek in hul besit, die Bybel, beter aan te wend; en v) om die ongeletterders mondelings te onderrig. Dit Iyk dus inderdaad of Veritas wei 'n bydrae kan lewer tot die opleiding van die baie onopgeleide kerkleiers in Sub Sahara Afrika.

Calls to improve basic education, such as those made at the Dakar conference on 'Education for All' , now stress the need for increased quality and not only increased enrolment in education. Within primary education, many governments and donors suggest that teacher education to introduce new pedagogy will lead to this increased quality. Within the' school effectiveness' discourse dominant in international development, teacher education and qualified teachers are viewed as inputs to education. The quality of education is also narrowly defined by quantitative indicators. The thesis addresses the limitations of this perspective by looking in detail at the processes of education and educational reform. It also challenges the frequent reliance on universal recommendations on pedagogy that do not seem to take account of local contexts. The thesis raises several issues concerning the definition and development of appropriate pedagogy for rural lower primary classes in sub-Saharan Africa. The standard definition of learner-centred teaching is questioned by case studies of some experienced lower primary teachers and student teachers. These teachers work in challenging school conditions in Southern Malawi and the strategies they use within this context are described. The thesis suggests that indicators and interpretations of leamer-centred teaching that derive from Western cultures are not so relevant in Malawi, particularly in rural areas. Teachers' use of songs, and other aspects of oral culture, in their lessons show how they take account of the physical and socio-cultural context of the learners. The thesis argues for the need to broaden and localise conceptions of learner-centred education to take account of the cultural context. The strong focus on individual learners that has developed in individualistic Western societies is less useful in large classes in more collective cultures. Attention then turns to the processes that develop and define appropriate pedagogy for educational reform in countries struggling to include more children in formal schooling. The thesis argues that some teaching strategies that work well in these Malawian classrooms are omitted from, or even viewed negatively, in current teacher education reform in developing countries. The way different people's knowledge about pedagogy is used in Malawian teacher education programmes is described. Programmes with structures that allow local teacher knowledge to be shared and developed are contrasted with programmes that favour more universal prescriptions of the 'right way to teach'. The thesis concludes with a discussion of how intercultural analysis could help make explicit the assumptions and default decisions that are being made about pedagogy. Volet's work on pedagogical transfer is adapted to suggest a model of the dynamics of donor technical advice to teacher education reform in developing countries. This would enable the pedagogy of teacher education reform to take more account of local contexts, and hence make its contribution to improving teaching and learning in schools.

The purpose of the study was to analyse if the two year upgrading programme done at Malawi College of Health Sciences attended by Nurse Midwife Technicians (NMTs) is able to improve the competencies, knowledge, skills and attitude of the graduates when providing comprehensive nursing and midwifery care. The main objectives of this study were • to determine the effectiveness of the Upgrading Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery programme in preparing the competencies of State Registered Nurse Midwifes (SRNMs) • to make recommendations on the training of Upgrading Diploma in Nursing and Midwifery programme The researcher used a quantitative, exploratory, descriptive design. A questionnaire with closed and open-ended questions was used to collect data from SRNMs who completed the upgrading programme. The findings indicated that the upgrading programme has a significant impact to improve the competencies of the NMTs to work as SRNMs.
Health Studies
M.A. (Health Studies)

For several years specialists in reading have debated on how pupils should learn to read. The debate has focused on two methods of teaching reading, that is, the phonic method and the whole language method. Some researchers have identified five elements of reading instruction that are critical to achievement in reading, namely; that reading instruction should include phonics, phonemic awareness, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. These are the components that make up what is termed a balanced literacy approach. Although there is some debate on what constitutes the balanced literacy approach, this study adopted the understanding of the approach described above. The study investigated whether the use of the balanced literacy approach could improve standard four pupils’ achievement in reading and writing in English. The targeted population consisted of twelve schools located in Zomba rural district. Pupils were tested before and after the intervention. Teachers in the experimental group were trained twice on balanced literacy approaches, first before the intervention and midway of the intervention. Observational measures revealed that teachers generally implemented the treatment. The post intervention data indicated that pupils responded very well to the activities that were presented to them. The reading and writing achievement of pupils that were present for the post-test increased more than those of the control group. The results obtained suggest that the balanced literacy approach improved the reading and writing achievement of standard four pupils in the experimental group.
English Studies
D. Litt. et Phil. (English)

(in English) The present thesis explores the issue of teaching heritage language learners and returnee students in English as a foreign language (EFL) classes in Czech secondary schools. The aim of the thesis is to examine the experiences of heritage language learners and returnees in the EFL classroom, their strengths and weaknesses in English, their attitude towards English language learning in terms of potential anxiety and motivation, as well as heritage language learners' wishes in relation to language instruction. These issues are investigated from the perspective of the students themselves. The theoretical part reviews the relevant literature on heritage language acquisition and teaching, and on the effects of experience abroad on language acquisition. Moreover, it is complemented by discussions of differentiated instruction and language education for the gifted, two areas which can prove helpful in terms of finding suitable solutions to the problems encountered by the target population in foreign language classes. The empirical part is qualitative and consists of the analysis of in-depth semi-structured interviews with three participants, gymnázium students from Prague. Insights are provided about the interconnectedness of the students' life experiences, their general beliefs about language...