DPhil Dissertations & Theses

Framework for enhancing educational technology adoption by adult learners in Zimbabwe’s vocational training centers

2026-07-16T13:56:54Z

Framework for enhancing educational technology adoption by adult learners in Zimbabwe’s vocational training centers Dhokura, Eunice The study centred on enhancing educational technology adoption through adult learning in Zimbab wean Vocational Training programmes. The study adopted a mixed methods approach and employed an explanatory sequential design This study aims to develop a comprehensive framework to enhance the adoption of educational technologies among adult learners in Z imbabwean vocational training centres. Despite the potential benefits of technology in improving educational outcomes and skill s acquisition, the integration of such technologies has been inconsistent, and hindered by factors such as inadequate infrastruct ure, insufficient training, and varying attitudes towards technology. This research identifies the types of educational technologies currently utilized in vocational training programmes and analyses the key factors influencing their adoption. Additionally, it evaluates adult learners' attitudes towards modern educational technologies and assesses the competency of facilitators in implementing these tools effectively. By synthesising these insights, the study proposes a strategic framework designed to promot e and facilitate the effective adoption of educational technologies, ultimately enhancing the learning experience and employability of adult learners in Zimbabwe. The findings aim to inform policymakers, educators, and training institutions on best practic es for technology integration in vocational education. An explanatory sequential research design was employed as the research paradigm. Semi structured questionnaires, a closed questionnaire, an observation checklist and an interview guide were used as the research instruments. Random sampling was used to select participants for quantitative data whereas purposive sampling was used to select respondents for the interviews. Three hundred and forty respondents were selected for the quantitative part whereas t en were selected for the qualitative phase. Quantitative data were analysed through descriptive statistics whereas qualitative data was coded into thematic areas for analysis The study also recommends that the Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Development an d Vocational Training could enhance the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), and the Diffusion and Adoption Theory. The TAM is an information systems theory that models how users come to accept and use technology. The Diffusion and Adoption Theo ry on the ot her hand, is a more general framework that tries to explain how p eople adopt new ideas, products and services. In addition, the Student Facilitator, Organisational, Technology and Outcome (SFOTO) framework which could be applied in other similar education al contexts, was highlighted. The researcher suggested that further study could be done on the challenges faced by adult learners in educ ational technology adoption in v ocational training centres in Zimbabwe.

Vocational and Life Skills Training Impacts on Resilience Building among Young Women in Rural Contexts in Mwenezi and Chiredzi Districts, Zimbabwe

2026-07-16T13:37:15Z

Vocational and Life Skills Training Impacts on Resilience Building among Young Women in Rural Contexts in Mwenezi and Chiredzi Districts, Zimbabwe Muchabaiwa, Chipo Existing research shows that external shocks such as climate change and extreme weather conditions are major threats to the attainment of well-being outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) particularly in rural areas. This research through a mixed methodology approach sought to understand the extent of vulnerability of young women in rural areas to various external shocks. The study evaluates the impact of vocational training on resilience building in young women in Mwenezi and Chiredzi districts in Masvingo Province which are two of 18 districts where the UNDP coordinated ZRBF-ECRAS project focused on vocational and life skills training was implemented. This study underscores the importance of life, entrepreneurship, and vocational skills training programs in reducing vulnerability and building resilience. In addition, the study highlights the need to address contextual shocks, gender inequality, and barriers such as gender norms, attitudes and practices as well as limited participation in economic value chains to ensure sustainable livelihoods for young women in rural areas. This research also proposes a comprehensive model that addresses the limitations of current vocational training programs. It offers practical insights and recommendations that can facilitate the design and implementation of more effective interventions, ultimately promoting the resilience and well-being of young rural women.

Antibacterial Efficacy of Neorautanenia brachypus (Harms) CA Sm (Zhombwe) in Management of Mastitis in Dairy Cows

2026-07-16T13:04:47Z

Antibacterial Efficacy of Neorautanenia brachypus (Harms) CA Sm (Zhombwe) in Management of Mastitis in Dairy Cows Kaseke, Tinotenda Blessing The control of bacterial mastitis in dairy farming has raised attention due to the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Some herbal plants have been documented as having medicinal properties making them potential alternatives. However, their antimicrobial potential against bovine mammary pathogens is not well studied. The present study aimed at investigating efficacy of Neorautanenia brachypus, a medicinal herbal plant, in the management of mastitis in dairy cows. To achieve this, different plant parts; seeds, leaves, brown tuber and white tuber were extracted using 10 different solvents. The percentage yield and qualitatively screening of the extracts for presence of phytochemicals was done to inform further tests. Further analysis was done to quantify total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent and the aluminium chloride colorimetric method respectively. The screened extracts were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli (ATCC and mastitis clinical strains) using agar well diffusion method (AWDM). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the plant extracts were determined using microbroth dilution and planting method respectively. The findings made room for further exploration of extracts from the fresh and dried plant extracted as crude methanolic and three phytochemicals; alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids obtained from selective extraction. These were evaluated for yield, phytochemical confirmatory tests and antibacterial activity of mastitis field strains. The field strains were obtained from 4 different farms (n=73) and isolated using microbiological techniques followed by profiling for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) using 7 different antibiotics. The strains were also evaluated for their susceptibility to the tuber methanolic extract using AWDM, MIC and MBC using methods described earlier. The determined MIC was used to evaluate the in vitro mechanism of action (MOA) of the tuber methanolic extract based on the kill kinetics, membrane permeability, nucleic acid and protein leakage assay. The tuber methanolic extract was evaluated for cytotoxicity and compounds present using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The well evaluated methanolic extract was used to formulate an oil based intramammary infusion. The infusion was evaluated for stability using the accelerated and real time condition. The organoleptic and physicochemical parameters, antimicrobial efficacy and microbial quality were evaluated at set timelines. The infusion was also evaluated for efficacy in a clinical trial using 15 lactating dairy cows screened and found to have mastitis. The treatments for the trial were the infusion at 3 doses, infusion at 10 doses and a known commercial infusion. The efficacy was evaluated based on the reduction in somatic cell counts (SCC), change in milk vii quality and re-isolation of mastitis bacteria post treatment over 35 days. The findings showed that the yield using different solvent was in the order seeds>leaves>brown tuber> white tuber based on the mean rank scores with water giving the highest yield. However, there was no significant difference between the brown and the white tubers. The TPC and TFC quantification showed the tubers were the least in content. The results however showed that yield does not translate to high antibacterial potency. The combination of the tuber and methanol had higher antibacterial activity showing significant differences (P < 0.05) with extracts from the seeds and leaves. This could be attributed to the tuber extracts having more of the bioavailable active compounds to suppress microbial growth. The crude methanolic extracts exhibited to be low in yield when compared to the selectively isolated saponins and alkaloids but had the highest antibacterial potency against the multi-drug-resistant field strains; S. aureus and E. coli. The strains were regarded as multidrug resistant as they were only susceptible to 2 out of 7 antibiotics tested. When evaluated for MOA, the methanol extract showed to have bactericidal properties, membrane disruption activity causing leakage of electrolytes, nucleic acids and proteins in a dose dependant manner where higher doses caused the highest effect. The high activity in methanol is likely because of the high solvating power allowing extraction of diverse bioactive compounds in a bioavailable form. The cytotoxicity test showed that the extract was safe because of very insignificant haemolysis to red blood cells. The GC-MS results showed presence of compounds with antibacterial properties but a greater number of the compounds have not been recently characterised as isolated compounds. The extract was therefore a good candidate and was used in formulating oil based intramammary infusion which was very stable throughout the 24 months period.The infusion also performed well as it showed reduction in SCC over the 35 days with no difference (P > 0.05) between treatments. The milk was also evaluated to be good quality. The quality of the infusion is likely to have been maintained by the choice of unreactive reagents and aided by the preservative. The antibacterial activity displayed shows the presence of stable bioactive compounds in the tuber extracts. In conclusion, N. brachypus is a good candidate for combating mastitis in dairy cows. It is important to increase the clinical trial population with varied cases of mastitis to strengthen efficacy data. Also, research on methods of scaling production is valuable.

An analysis of textile technology and design subject operations for secondary schools through work study approach in Zimbabwe.

2026-07-16T10:29:16Z

An analysis of textile technology and design subject operations for secondary schools through work study approach in Zimbabwe. Dube, Sindisiwe The study focuses on analysing Textile Technology and Design (TTD) subject operations for secondary schools in Zimbabwe with the aim of improving towards education 5.0. The study was informed by the theory of constraints (TOC) and Work study. Work study has received commendation in the clothing industry due to its effectiveness on productivity and therefore was used to assist in finding improvement strategies in the TTD subject operations in secondary school in Zimbabwe. A post–positivism approach accompanied by mixed methods was used to find information on TTD operations in secondary schools. A non-probability and probability sampling design was used, purposive –random sampling was used to select 26 schools that offer TTD subject, Authoritative –judgemental sampling to select 26 teachers and 52 students were randomly selected from the schools. Online and manual questionnaires with open ended and closed ended questions, semi-structured interview and observation were used as instruments to collect data whilst an experimental case study was used to determine the time taken for the TTD subject operations. The findings showed that some standard clothing industry operations like design development and packaging were not done in the TTD subject in secondary schools whilst methods used were dominated by traditional methods more than technological methods. Observational time study done in the school environment showed that learners used 2014 minutes to complete a garment while curriculum summative time expects them to use 900 minutes showing an increase of 123.8% in the time taken to make a skirt. Challenges encountered in schools ranged from lack of technological equipment, less competent teachers in using technological tools and methods, and lack of funding to inadequate working environments. Results for time study experiments done in an improved environment showed that the time taken by students reduced to 449 minutes using the whole garment and to 167 minutes using sectionalisation methods. By applying method study, work measurement and time study it was concluded that school operations exhibit loopholes that did not match industry requirements and the expected curriculum exit profile. The study concluded that the operations in TTD subject were 24.8% industrialisation compared with 75.2% domestic or traditional. Through time study, it was concluded that TTD subject operations can be improved from less than 1 garment to between a maximum of 7 garments per student per term when using the whole garment method and to a maximum of 17 skirts per term when using the sectionalisation method. Based on the conclusion of the study, an operational framework was developed and it was recommended, that a time study guide that follows the proposed framework be used.as an engineering tool for improvement of the TTD subject operations in secondary schools in Zimbabwe.