https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/176 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 19:15:38 GMT 2026-04-05T19:15:38Z https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6982 Title: Industrial Attachment challenges: Lessons drawn from Gweru Polytechnic College in Zimbabwe Authors: Mabhanda, Wilson Abstract: The study sought to establish challenges attachees face during industrial attachment. The examination of this topic was prompted by criticism of polytechnic graduates by employers for being improperly trained. The students on the other hand, lay the blame on industrial training environment. Solutions to the problems shall be used to improve industrial training so as to achieve human capital development. The researcher used open ended questionnaires, focus groups and interviews as data collection methods. Purposive sampling was used to select participants of the study in line with quantitative and qualitative research approaches used in data analysis. The participants were lecturers, students and workplace supervisors in Gweru city. The results of the study were thematically analysed. It emerged from the empirical findings of the study that shortage of attachment places, financial problems, inadequate training, inappropriate areadeployment and issues of student sexual harassment were challenges noted. This study recommended that adequate resources be mobilised towards student attachment and the colleges to have project establishments to help in relieving attachment places. There is also need to develop partnership with industry to easy placement of students, and to deploy attachees under supervision of qualified and experienced mentors. Furthermore, there is need for support from the government, private sector and other stakeholders. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6982 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Mabhanda, Wilson https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6981 Title: Lack of financial literacy exacerbates SMEs’ appalling state in Gweru city Authors: Mabhanda, Wilson Abstract: Unless policy makers are taken to task the spirit of SMEs in Zimbabwe shall remain dampened for the unforeseeable future. Studies conducted confirmed SME owners ignorant pertaining to further challenges experienced in the business due to lack of financial literacy. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of financial illiteracy to SMEs in spite of various interventions to promote growth of SMEs. All the participants of this study were purposefully selected in line with qualitative research approach used in data analysis. The researcher employed a qualitative research approach where document analysis, focus group discussions, open-ended questionnaires and face to face interviews were used. The study revealed that several factors that include lack of financial education contributed further to poor management skills, poor budgeting skills, lack of business information, poor decision making and lack of non business behaviour. The study revealed a considerable low level of financial literacy among entrepreneurs and this has far reaching consequences to the management of their ventures. Such factors worsened the state of SMEs in Zimbabwe. The study therefore recommends that the government, stakeholders, banks, financial support institutions and individuals conduct financial literacy programmes to revive and strengthen the viability of SMEs. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6981 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Mabhanda, Wilson https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6980 Title: Dropouts in the primary schools, a cause for concern: A case of Shurugwi South Resettlements Primary Schools 2006 to 2013 Authors: Kurebwa, Mercy; Mabhanda, Wilson Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors contributing to student drop out rate in Shurugwi South Resettlements. The participants namely head teachers and teachers were purposely selected, in line with the qualitative research approach. Open ended questionnaires, face to face interview; focus groups and document analysis were used as sources of data collection instruments. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. The case study also allows the researcher to explore a bounded system (a case) over time through detailed, in-depth at collection involving multiple sources of information interviews, observations, documents and reports (Cresswell,2007). Qualitative data analysis revealed that dropouts resulted from an array of challenges. These included early marriages for girl child, pregnancy, and lack of finance, poverty, traditional and religious beliefs. Some of the strategies proffered to reduce dropouts included working in coalitions, creating partnership, hosting community conversations and creating prevention plans, teacher parent consultations, and guidance and counselling programmes. This study recommended that the government, community members and teachers work together and come up with a solution to reduce the impact of school dropouts. Thu, 01 Jan 2015 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6980 2015-01-01T00:00:00Z Kurebwa, Mercy Mabhanda, Wilson https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6979 Title: Opportunities and Factors Affecting adoption of STEM Education: The Case of Gweru Polytechnic First Year Commerce Students Authors: Mabhanda, Wilson Abstract: The current study sought to explore the factors affecting adoption of STEM education by first year students at Gweru Polytechnic. The study aimed to solicit various ideas, opinions, perceptions and attitudes on factors that affect adoption of STEM education despite opportunities abound this education reform. Data were collected through face to face interviews, focus group discussions and open ended questionnaires. A randomly stratified sample was used to select 8 lecturers and 30 first year students in the Commerce division espectively. Themes emerged from the in-depth individual interviews were discussed. The data was organised and resented in figures and statistics in line with quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study used a case study design. STEM education has been hailed for empowering the students to develop scientific knowledge needed in every aspect of life. STEM workers earn significantly more and experience lower unemployment rates than in other fields. The study revealed that lack of knowledge; skills, positive attitudes and poor motivation for STEM were prevalent factors that affect adoption among students. It also emerged that there is acute shortage of teaching staff at secondary level and subjects like engineering and Technology do not feature in the secondary curriculum. Some of these factors attributed to stem-phobia resulting in students lacking interest and shun STEM subjects. The study recommends that STEM be taught to students from secondary schools by well qualified and highly effective and motivated teachers. Furthermore, there is need for education to empower the parents, teachers and students for support of the innovation. Finally, the study recommends further research on a wider scale to be conducted by employing different methods to come up with generalisable results. Fri, 01 Jan 2016 00:00:00 GMT https://cris.library.msu.ac.zw//handle/11408/6979 2016-01-01T00:00:00Z Mabhanda, Wilson