Improving work in garment design and production among secondary school students: A case study of Textiles Technology Design subject at Advanced Level in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find strategies for secondary school students in Zimbabwe to improve their work in garment design and production. Maximum variation sampling was employed to select 26 schools, whilst 52 students and 26 teachers were randomly and conveniently selected for the study respectively. A time study was done for a basic skirt to estimate the time taken to complete specified operations in design and production. Data was analysed through descriptive statistics and ANOVA. The result showed that the observed average time to make a skirt when students were in their normal school environment was 2014 minutes. Further, the results showed that the average time taken in an improved environment was 449 minutes and 167 minutes using the whole-garment and sectionalisation methods of production respectively. It was concluded that the work output of secondary school students can be improved from a minimum of one to a maximum of 6 clothing items per term within the curriculum time provided and in a well-resourced learning environment. It was concluded that the whole garment method of production would be the best to use in schools as students would need to practise all garment design and production operations to acquire the necessary skills useful to start their own tailoring work or for employment in the clothing industries. The findings imply the Ministry of Education in Zimbabwe on the transformative impact that comprehensive improvements in the practical learning environments could have on improving the work output of students in garment design and production.