In the past, many South African students found it difficult to pursue higher education due to the high expense of tuition, which also restricted their prospects for development on both a personal and professional level. Fee-free education has helped to level the playing field and provide equal access to education, regardless of an individual’s financial background. Evidently, financially disadvantaged students now have better access to higher education, and this is attributed to fee-free education in South Africa. However, budgetary restrictions exist in South Africa, and the government’s finances are put under strain by the country’s policy of free public education for all pupils. The purpose of this article was to discuss unforeseen financial constraints in South African higher education due to fee-free education. In this article, a qualitative content analysis was employed which was grounded on analysing the existing scholarly literary writings. This paper established that enrolment rates in universities and colleges all around South Africa have increased significantly because of fee-free education. This research adds to the continuing discourse concerning the expenses tied to achieving equality and the unanticipated financial pressures stemming from tuition-free higher education in South Africa. Keywords: Fee-Free Higher Education, Government Finances, Access To Higher Education, Funding
{"title":"The Cost of Equality: Analyzing the Unforeseen Financial Strains of Fee-Free Higher Education in South Africa","authors":"S. Yende, Z. Mthombeni","doi":"10.38159/ehass.20234116","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234116","url":null,"abstract":"In the past, many South African students found it difficult to pursue higher education due to the high expense of tuition, which also restricted their prospects for development on both a personal and professional level. Fee-free education has helped to level the playing field and provide equal access to education, regardless of an individual’s financial background. Evidently, financially disadvantaged students now have better access to higher education, and this is attributed to fee-free education in South Africa. However, budgetary restrictions exist in South Africa, and the government’s finances are put under strain by the country’s policy of free public education for all pupils. The purpose of this article was to discuss unforeseen financial constraints in South African higher education due to fee-free education. In this article, a qualitative content analysis was employed which was grounded on analysing the existing scholarly literary writings. This paper established that enrolment rates in universities and colleges all around South Africa have increased significantly because of fee-free education. This research adds to the continuing discourse concerning the expenses tied to achieving equality and the unanticipated financial pressures stemming from tuition-free higher education in South Africa. Keywords: Fee-Free Higher Education, Government Finances, Access To Higher Education, Funding","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139265837","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The economic situation in contemporary Ghana makes everyone yearn for economic progress. In Ghana, like many other parts of Africa, religion is responsible for providing the economic, spiritual, and health needs of its adherents. The predominantly Christian population in Ghana makes many people look up to Christianity to provide the road map to the country’s success. In this regard, the prosperity theology/gospel is the most dominant approach to seeking health and wealth among Ghanaian Christians. Though very persuasive, prosperity theology prompts so much debate about its influence on the religious and socio-economic life of Christians and the society at large. On the one hand, it is considered as promoting unethical behaviour and failing to yield qualitative growth for the church. On the other hand, it is considered as attracting a large following to the Christian faith. The need to evaluate the impact of this type of teaching is an urgent theological and pastoral concern because it is the most appealing Christian approach to socio-economic breakthrough for contemporary Ghanaian Christians. This paper, therefore, sought to address the problem of the lack of a balanced assessment of the prosperity gospel and how its weaknesses can be addressed. The study is a literature-based research that gathered data from publications on the subject matter. Through a critical analysis and evaluation of the information gathered, the authors evaluated the overall impact of the prosperity theology on the holistic life (social, spiritual, economic and political) of its adherents and having noted some pitfalls, recommended how this popular theology can be refined. Apart from providing guidelines for addressing the challenges associated with the prosperity theology, the paper also has the potential of yielding ethical renewal for people to live responsibly as they work toward improving their socio-economic and spiritual lives. Keywords: Prosperity, Christianity, Ghana, Salvation
{"title":"A Critique of Prosperity Theology in the Context of Ghanaian Christianity","authors":"I. Boaheng, Clement Amoako, Samuel Boahen","doi":"10.38159/ehass.20234114","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234114","url":null,"abstract":"The economic situation in contemporary Ghana makes everyone yearn for economic progress. In Ghana, like many other parts of Africa, religion is responsible for providing the economic, spiritual, and health needs of its adherents. The predominantly Christian population in Ghana makes many people look up to Christianity to provide the road map to the country’s success. In this regard, the prosperity theology/gospel is the most dominant approach to seeking health and wealth among Ghanaian Christians. Though very persuasive, prosperity theology prompts so much debate about its influence on the religious and socio-economic life of Christians and the society at large. On the one hand, it is considered as promoting unethical behaviour and failing to yield qualitative growth for the church. On the other hand, it is considered as attracting a large following to the Christian faith. The need to evaluate the impact of this type of teaching is an urgent theological and pastoral concern because it is the most appealing Christian approach to socio-economic breakthrough for contemporary Ghanaian Christians. This paper, therefore, sought to address the problem of the lack of a balanced assessment of the prosperity gospel and how its weaknesses can be addressed. The study is a literature-based research that gathered data from publications on the subject matter. Through a critical analysis and evaluation of the information gathered, the authors evaluated the overall impact of the prosperity theology on the holistic life (social, spiritual, economic and political) of its adherents and having noted some pitfalls, recommended how this popular theology can be refined. Apart from providing guidelines for addressing the challenges associated with the prosperity theology, the paper also has the potential of yielding ethical renewal for people to live responsibly as they work toward improving their socio-economic and spiritual lives. Keywords: Prosperity, Christianity, Ghana, Salvation","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139280686","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This study explored the citizens’ perspectives on the potency of court sentencing on crime control in the Mthatha policing area of South Africa. It gathered citizens’ views on effective crime reduction strategies. The study comes against a background of an upsurge in crime within South Africa and in the Mthatha policing precinct, in particular. A survey was used to gather data on a sample of 90 purposefully sampled residents of the Mthatha area. The fact that offenders get a chance to renew their lives while they are in prison topped the list of effects of court sentencing, followed by the finding that when criminals are sentenced, their criminal behaviour gets worse. The preventive and deterrent effect of court sentencing was also confirmed in this study. As regards crime prevention, respondents mainly favoured primary and secondary crime prevention techniques, which are more proactive, as shown by the majority’s support of early childhood interventions. Early childhood positive socialisation is therefore recommended as the key sustainable mechanism for the future prevention of criminal behaviour in South African society on a long-term basis. Keywords: Court Sentencing, Crime Prevention, Deterrence, Recidivism
{"title":"Citizens’ Perspective on the Effect of Court Sentencing and Preferred Crime Reduction Strategies in Mthatha Judicial Area, South Africa","authors":"E. Obioha, Anga Dlakulu, Ishmael Mugari","doi":"10.38159/ehass.2023493","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2023493","url":null,"abstract":"This study explored the citizens’ perspectives on the potency of court sentencing on crime control in the Mthatha policing area of South Africa. It gathered citizens’ views on effective crime reduction strategies. The study comes against a background of an upsurge in crime within South Africa and in the Mthatha policing precinct, in particular. A survey was used to gather data on a sample of 90 purposefully sampled residents of the Mthatha area. The fact that offenders get a chance to renew their lives while they are in prison topped the list of effects of court sentencing, followed by the finding that when criminals are sentenced, their criminal behaviour gets worse. The preventive and deterrent effect of court sentencing was also confirmed in this study. As regards crime prevention, respondents mainly favoured primary and secondary crime prevention techniques, which are more proactive, as shown by the majority’s support of early childhood interventions. Early childhood positive socialisation is therefore recommended as the key sustainable mechanism for the future prevention of criminal behaviour in South African society on a long-term basis.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Court Sentencing, Crime Prevention, Deterrence, Recidivism","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131559084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The objective of the study was to investigate the challenges associated with carrying out the National Environmental Management Policy at a distant university in the Eastern Cape Province. The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the university’s environmental management practices. The qualitative part of the investigation was a case study using convenience sampling. Ten managers who implement policies in their departments were chosen as participants in the case study. Phone interviews were also conducted in 2021 due to the COVID outbreak. Data analysis used content analysis. The results indicated that the university’s implementation of the national environmental management policy lacked clarity. The study suggests that the university should create and implement an environment management policy for employees to use as a reference. Furthermore, managers should focus on using effective environmental tools and effective communication strategies. The institution should provide management with tools to explain clear directives under the National Environmental Management Act of 1998. Keywords: Eastern Cape Province, National Environmental Management Policy, Environmental Education, Implementation.
{"title":"The Implementation of National Environmental Management Policy at a Rural University in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa","authors":"Vuyokazi Momoti","doi":"10.38159/ehass.20234810","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.20234810","url":null,"abstract":"The objective of the study was to investigate the challenges associated with carrying out the National Environmental Management Policy at a distant university in the Eastern Cape Province. The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the university’s environmental management practices. The qualitative part of the investigation was a case study using convenience sampling. Ten managers who implement policies in their departments were chosen as participants in the case study. Phone interviews were also conducted in 2021 due to the COVID outbreak. Data analysis used content analysis. The results indicated that the university’s implementation of the national environmental management policy lacked clarity. The study suggests that the university should create and implement an environment management policy for employees to use as a reference. Furthermore, managers should focus on using effective environmental tools and effective communication strategies. The institution should provide management with tools to explain clear directives under the National Environmental Management Act of 1998.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Eastern Cape Province, National Environmental Management Policy, Environmental Education, Implementation.","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131317725","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The use of indigenous medicinal plants is still prevalent as the most trusted form of health care, predominantly in developing countries. Overuse of medicinal plant resources, coupled with the negative impacts of unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures, necessitated the development of local methods to conserve medicinal plants. These indigenous conservation methods have proved to be failing and aggravating threats to medicinal plants. This study aimed to review the alternative conservation and management methods to protect medicinal plants in South Africa. A review of the literature presents in situ, ex situ, natural reserves, wild nurseries, botanical gardens, and seed banks as alternative conservation methods proposed and used by scientists to conserve and manage medicinal plant species. These methods are Western practices introduced to the local communities in an effort to conserve and protect the indigenous medicinal plant species for future use and as a cultural heritage. From a qualitative standpoint, this study adopted the interpretivist research design to offer support to employ the systematic review method. Seminal studies on this subject were purposively collected using keywords extracted from the research topic. The collected data was analysed using the inductive Textual Content Analysis (TCA) method. The results of this study reveal that there are various conservation methods that are implemented as strategies to safeguard the existing medicinal plants, and this proves if these methods are implemented correctly these plants will still be available for future use. It is concluded and recommended that the demand for medicinal plants imposes huge threats to their anticipated availabilities, therefore, the relevant stakeholders need to take urgent corrective measures concerned parties should be consistently exposed to improved resources, advanced training and better education about the benefits and importance of these plants. Keywords: Medicinal plants, conservation method, In situ, natural resource
{"title":"A Review Study on Alternative Conservation and Management Methods to Sustain Medicinal Plants in South Africa","authors":"Nyiko Faith Shibambu, W. Maluleke","doi":"10.38159/ehass.2023489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2023489","url":null,"abstract":"The use of indigenous medicinal plants is still prevalent as the most trusted form of health care, predominantly in developing countries. Overuse of medicinal plant resources, coupled with the negative impacts of unpredictable rainfall and rising temperatures, necessitated the development of local methods to conserve medicinal plants. These indigenous conservation methods have proved to be failing and aggravating threats to medicinal plants. This study aimed to review the alternative conservation and management methods to protect medicinal plants in South Africa. A review of the literature presents in situ, ex situ, natural reserves, wild nurseries, botanical gardens, and seed banks as alternative conservation methods proposed and used by scientists to conserve and manage medicinal plant species. These methods are Western practices introduced to the local communities in an effort to conserve and protect the indigenous medicinal plant species for future use and as a cultural heritage. From a qualitative standpoint, this study adopted the interpretivist research design to offer support to employ the systematic review method. Seminal studies on this subject were purposively collected using keywords extracted from the research topic. The collected data was analysed using the inductive Textual Content Analysis (TCA) method. The results of this study reveal that there are various conservation methods that are implemented as strategies to safeguard the existing medicinal plants, and this proves if these methods are implemented correctly these plants will still be available for future use. It is concluded and recommended that the demand for medicinal plants imposes huge threats to their anticipated availabilities, therefore, the relevant stakeholders need to take urgent corrective measures concerned parties should be consistently exposed to improved resources, advanced training and better education about the benefits and importance of these plants.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Medicinal plants, conservation method, In situ, natural resource","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"114621462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Child marriage is socio-economic distress for young women and girls globally, most importantly in developing nations. Child marriage is a violation of human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (article 16). Even though studies had been conducted on child marriages in Zimbabwe, very little has been done in relation to lived experiences of survivors of child marriages. The study’s aim was to explore the survivors’ experiences of child marriages in Zimbabwe. The study focused on Epworth, a Harare Municipality. It employed a qualitative research approach with thirty-six (36) participants taking part. Data was collected using semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The themes identified were causes of child marriage, challenges faced by child marriage survivors and coping mechanisms used by survivors to survive. The findings revealed that poverty and unemployment were the main causes of child marriage. As a result of these, young girls get married to secure a better life. Depression and humiliation were challenges faced by child marriage survivors. Street vending, attending churches and prayers were coping strategies used by child marriage survivors to survive. The paper concluded that child marriage is a significant socio-economic concern for young girls. It is recommended that income-generating community-based projects such as social support networks should be made available to survivors of child marriage to access basic opportunities. Keywords: Child, Child Marriage, Survivor, Lived Experience, The African Girl Child.
{"title":"The Lived Experiences of Survivors of Child Marriage: The Case of Epworth, A Harare Municipality in Zimbabwe","authors":"Ropafadzo Dambudzo Muchawaya, P. Tanga, G. Ekobi","doi":"10.38159/ehass.2023488","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2023488","url":null,"abstract":"Child marriage is socio-economic distress for young women and girls globally, most importantly in developing nations. Child marriage is a violation of human rights as set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (article 16). Even though studies had been conducted on child marriages in Zimbabwe, very little has been done in relation to lived experiences of survivors of child marriages. The study’s aim was to explore the survivors’ experiences of child marriages in Zimbabwe. The study focused on Epworth, a Harare Municipality. It employed a qualitative research approach with thirty-six (36) participants taking part. Data was collected using semi-structured and unstructured interviews. The themes identified were causes of child marriage, challenges faced by child marriage survivors and coping mechanisms used by survivors to survive. The findings revealed that poverty and unemployment were the main causes of child marriage. As a result of these, young girls get married to secure a better life. Depression and humiliation were challenges faced by child marriage survivors. Street vending, attending churches and prayers were coping strategies used by child marriage survivors to survive. The paper concluded that child marriage is a significant socio-economic concern for young girls. It is recommended that income-generating community-based projects such as social support networks should be made available to survivors of child marriage to access basic opportunities.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Child, Child Marriage, Survivor, Lived Experience, The African Girl Child.","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131229544","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The study examined the cultural and traditional importance of roadside graves in the Akumadan Traditional Area of the Offinso North District of Ghana. The study used the Ethnological theory approach which takes into consideration the subculture of a group or group that has a common culture, its goal is to create detailed and comprehensive descriptions of the community and then interpret the ingrained patterns. Achieving the aspirational goal of becoming an ancestor after death becomes impossible if one attempts to use advance care directives in Ghana in particular and Africa in general to request an unnatural death. Since roadside cemeteries or burial places have not been previously investigated, the study unravels the mystery surrounding the realities of these roadside cemeteries in Ghana. A survey research approach was used and the approach serves as the driver to the entire research process. Primary and Secondary literature on culture, graves, and traditions were reviewed and the instruments used for data included interviews, observation, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. These were transcribed and analysed in teams. Key amongst the findings was that ancestors should be kept at Akantifi (the edge of the city in Akan), a place for easy access. They also believed that the dead are part of them (the living) and they need not throw them away hence must be nearer them or by the roadside. It was also revealed that traditional spiritual protection of the community is in the hands of the dead therefore they should be buried near the community (either at the ‘entrance’ of the town or when leaving the town) and for easy ritual performance. Offinso North and for that matter Akumadan Traditional area of Ghana are rich in cultural and traditional belief systems. The paper recommends as a matter of policy that, these cultural and traditional belief systems must be properly documented as part of the rich culture of the traditional area; and a tourism hub must be created by all stakeholders to take care of the rich culture of the area. Keywords: Culture, Grave, Roadside, Tradition, Ancestors
{"title":"Cultural and Traditional Importance of Road Side Graves in the Akumadan Traditional Area of the Offinso North District of Ghana","authors":"Z. Shanunu, E. Alhassan","doi":"10.38159/ehass.2023486","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2023486","url":null,"abstract":"The study examined the cultural and traditional importance of roadside graves in the Akumadan Traditional Area of the Offinso North District of Ghana. The study used the Ethnological theory approach which takes into consideration the subculture of a group or group that has a common culture, its goal is to create detailed and comprehensive descriptions of the community and then interpret the ingrained patterns. Achieving the aspirational goal of becoming an ancestor after death becomes impossible if one attempts to use advance care directives in Ghana in particular and Africa in general to request an unnatural death. Since roadside cemeteries or burial places have not been previously investigated, the study unravels the mystery surrounding the realities of these roadside cemeteries in Ghana. A survey research approach was used and the approach serves as the driver to the entire research process. Primary and Secondary literature on culture, graves, and traditions were reviewed and the instruments used for data included interviews, observation, focus group discussions, and in-depth interviews. These were transcribed and analysed in teams. Key amongst the findings was that ancestors should be kept at Akantifi (the edge of the city in Akan), a place for easy access. They also believed that the dead are part of them (the living) and they need not throw them away hence must be nearer them or by the roadside. It was also revealed that traditional spiritual protection of the community is in the hands of the dead therefore they should be buried near the community (either at the ‘entrance’ of the town or when leaving the town) and for easy ritual performance. Offinso North and for that matter Akumadan Traditional area of Ghana are rich in cultural and traditional belief systems. The paper recommends as a matter of policy that, these cultural and traditional belief systems must be properly documented as part of the rich culture of the traditional area; and a tourism hub must be created by all stakeholders to take care of the rich culture of the area.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Culture, Grave, Roadside, Tradition, Ancestors","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"115562233","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The article aimed at a critical analysis of the Ghanaian experience of Public Theology. It argued that through Christian perspectives derived from sermons, communiqués, and other official public statements the church has participated in public conversations, public-policy cycles, and other public issues within the Ghanaian context. Participation involves challenging the structures of corruption, injustice, poverty, and inequality that exist in societies and advocating for policies and practices that promote the common good. With perspectives from Christian beliefs and values the study observed the framework for addressing these issues and promoting a more just and equitable society and further places emphasis on the social responsibility of Christians. The study concluded that Ghanaian public theologians must stress the importance of the Christian community’s involvement in addressing social issues and not just focusing on individual spiritual growth. This will lead to the development of a number of initiatives by Christian organizations and churches to address social issues such as poverty, health, democratic consolidation, wealth creation, education, and social justice. Keywords: Public Theology, African Christianity, Christian Council of Ghana, Presbyterian Church of Ghana
{"title":"A Critical Analysis of the Ghanaian Context, Experience and Perspectives of Public Theology","authors":"Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong","doi":"10.38159/ehass.2023484","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2023484","url":null,"abstract":"The article aimed at a critical analysis of the Ghanaian experience of Public Theology. It argued that through Christian perspectives derived from sermons, communiqués, and other official public statements the church has participated in public conversations, public-policy cycles, and other public issues within the Ghanaian context. Participation involves challenging the structures of corruption, injustice, poverty, and inequality that exist in societies and advocating for policies and practices that promote the common good. With perspectives from Christian beliefs and values the study observed the framework for addressing these issues and promoting a more just and equitable society and further places emphasis on the social responsibility of Christians. The study concluded that Ghanaian public theologians must stress the importance of the Christian community’s involvement in addressing social issues and not just focusing on individual spiritual growth. This will lead to the development of a number of initiatives by Christian organizations and churches to address social issues such as poverty, health, democratic consolidation, wealth creation, education, and social justice.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Public Theology, African Christianity, Christian Council of Ghana, Presbyterian Church of Ghana","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"132017873","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Employee efficiency is vital to an organization’s success and sustainability. As such, the work environment can significantly influence employee productivity, either positively or negatively. Recognizing the importance of employees, top-performing organizations prioritize creating a supportive workplace, given that employees spend a substantial portion of their lives performing work-related tasks. Conversely, unsuitable, and unfavourable work environments can contribute to job-related stress. This study investigates the work environment factors that affect employee productivity and explores how these elements can boost employee performance. Data was collected through a survey of 300 randomly selected staff members from three tertiary institutions Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to test the conceptual framework. The findings revealed a positive relationship between the workplace environment and employee commitment, suggesting that employee commitment partially strengthens the impact of the workplace environment on employee performance. This study offers practical insights for academic institution management, emphasizing the need to enhance workplace environmental conditions to facilitate effective academic work within these institutions. Keywords: Work environment, employee productivity, employee commitment, employee efficiency
{"title":"Work Environmental Factors and its Impact on Employee Productivity: The Mediating Role of Employee Commitment","authors":"Millicent Pimpong","doi":"10.38159/ehass.2023482","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2023482","url":null,"abstract":"Employee efficiency is vital to an organization’s success and sustainability. As such, the work environment can significantly influence employee productivity, either positively or negatively. Recognizing the importance of employees, top-performing organizations prioritize creating a supportive workplace, given that employees spend a substantial portion of their lives performing work-related tasks. Conversely, unsuitable, and unfavourable work environments can contribute to job-related stress. This study investigates the work environment factors that affect employee productivity and explores how these elements can boost employee performance. Data was collected through a survey of 300 randomly selected staff members from three tertiary institutions Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED), Kumasi Technical University (KsTU), and Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)) in the Ashanti Region of Ghana to test the conceptual framework. The findings revealed a positive relationship between the workplace environment and employee commitment, suggesting that employee commitment partially strengthens the impact of the workplace environment on employee performance. This study offers practical insights for academic institution management, emphasizing the need to enhance workplace environmental conditions to facilitate effective academic work within these institutions.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Work environment, employee productivity, employee commitment, employee efficiency","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129012794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The focus of this paper was to explore teaching experiences with overcrowded classrooms in primary schools in OR Tambo Coastal District of South Africa. The paper took on a subjective exploration approach in which a contextual investigation configuration was embraced. Unstructured interviews were used to gather data. The paper’s overall findings indicate that teachers’ experiences with overcrowding in their classrooms are “stressful.” The overcrowding of a classroom has been identified as a stressful environment by teachers themselves. Inadequate classroom space, health and safety concerns, a lack of learner-teacher interaction, and disruptive behaviour were some of these conditions. Inadequate teaching time, an increase in workload, and emotional and psychological issues were also experienced by teachers. The research also reveals the factors that contribute to stressful experiences namely, Discipline, limited space, and insufficient resources. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that teachers use individual resources and collaborate with one another to manage classroom overcrowding. The paper recommends that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) builds more classrooms and puts in measures to ensure that the ratio of teachers is always below 1:30 in order for teachers to teach students without the stress of facing overload. This article adds to the existing literature on employee welfare in the South African educational system. Keywords: Overcrowded Classroom, Primary Teachers’ Experience, Classroom Discipline, Classroom Management Techniques.
{"title":"Teaching Experiences with Overcrowded Classrooms in Primary Schools in the Or Tambo Coastal District of South Africa","authors":"Noluthabo Tshangana, T. Nomtshongwana, A. Buka","doi":"10.38159/ehass.2023483","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.2023483","url":null,"abstract":"The focus of this paper was to explore teaching experiences with overcrowded classrooms in primary schools in OR Tambo Coastal District of South Africa. The paper took on a subjective exploration approach in which a contextual investigation configuration was embraced. Unstructured interviews were used to gather data. The paper’s overall findings indicate that teachers’ experiences with overcrowding in their classrooms are “stressful.” The overcrowding of a classroom has been identified as a stressful environment by teachers themselves. Inadequate classroom space, health and safety concerns, a lack of learner-teacher interaction, and disruptive behaviour were some of these conditions. Inadequate teaching time, an increase in workload, and emotional and psychological issues were also experienced by teachers. The research also reveals the factors that contribute to stressful experiences namely, Discipline, limited space, and insufficient resources. Additionally, the findings demonstrated that teachers use individual resources and collaborate with one another to manage classroom overcrowding. The paper recommends that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) builds more classrooms and puts in measures to ensure that the ratio of teachers is always below 1:30 in order for teachers to teach students without the stress of facing overload. This article adds to the existing literature on employee welfare in the South African educational system.\u0000\u0000Keywords: Overcrowded Classroom, Primary Teachers’ Experience, Classroom Discipline, Classroom Management Techniques.","PeriodicalId":212587,"journal":{"name":"E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"133356125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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