The effectiveness of the University of Namibia Oshakati campus Science Foundation programme in preparing students for degree programmes
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Date
2020
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University of Namibia
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the Oshakati campus Science Foundation, Programme (SFP) in preparing students for degree programmes at the University of Namibia (UNAM). The study was situated in qualitative and quantitative research paradigms. The population of the study consisted of all the former students who went through the UNAM SFP from 2005 to 2016 at the Oshakati campus (approximately 1298). as well as all SFP lecturers. The sample consisted of I 00 former SFP students and five SFP lecturers. Out of the I 00 former SFP students, 50 were selected by using the stratified random sampling method according to the degree programmes they had enrolled in. Snowball sampling was further used to select 30 SFP graduates who had completed their studies and 20 who were not enrolled in any of the degree programs at
UNAM. The I 00 participants completed a questionnaire with open and closed-ended items. Convenience sampling was then used to select five SFP lecturers for individual interviews. The research tools for data collection were a questionnaire, an interview guide, and document analysis. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data were coded into common themes that emerged from the findings. The findings of the study showed that 80% of the students had successfully completed the SFP. The results also revealed that 80% of former SFP students had furthered their studies at tc11iary institutions. Sixty-three percent of those who passed the SFP were still studying with different tertiary institutions. The remaining 37% had already completed their further studies and were all employed. It also emerged from the findings that from 2006 up to 2016, more former SFP students passed their first year at UNAM and progressed to the second year of their studies. Al l five SFP lecturers were or the view that the SFP was very effective in preparing students to take up further studies in science-related fields because more students managed to pass the I st year of their studies. The lecturers further indicated that there was no specific model used in the teaching or the SFP. The researcher therefore has designed and suggested the use or the Foundation
Programme Outcome Based Approach (FPOBA) as a possible teaching model for the SFP. This model is informed by the programme evaluation theory and incorporates the teaching and learning strategies that were reportedly effective. It is hoped that by using this model, the SFP could become more efficient and effective in preparing students for tertiary education in science-related fields of
study at UNAM.
Description
A dissertation submitted in fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy