Keshni Bipath - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Keshni Bipath

ECE Official Conference Proceedings, Sep 17, 2023

Journal of Educational Studies, Nov 30, 2023

Distance Education and Teachers’ Training in Africa (DETA), 2015

South African Journal of Childhood Education, Nov 23, 2022

Children's expression through narrative and drawings reflects their experiences, knowledge, and w... more Children's expression through narrative and drawings reflects their experiences, knowledge, and what they want to reveal about themselves. Relationships with family members, caregivers, peers and others are pivotal for young children to thrive. For children to achieve a positive self-identity, Schaffer (2006:83) suggests, 'factors such as-age, gender, religious background, ethnicity, Background: Within the multilingual context of KwaZulu Natal (KZN), learners in Grades 1-3 are taught in their native language which is isiZulu. From Grade 4, English or Afrikaans becomes the medium of instruction. Yet, many parents prefer that their children be taught in English. It is the assumption that young learners' self-concept and identity affect English language learning and academic achievement. Aim: The study analysed the interplay between self-concept, and identity in Grade 1's literacy practices. Setting: The study was conducted in a Grade 1 class in KZN, South Africa. Methods: The study drew on Critical Multimodal Discourse Analysis (CMDA) to collect, analyse and interpret data. Four participants were purposefully chosen to participate in the study. Data were generated from children's drawings and online interviews. Results: The findings showed how learners' self-concept and identity were influenced by their family contexts, and feelings experienced in homes. This study suggests that primary caregivers and teachers create spaces for literacy practice to increase learners' self-concept and identity as speakers and writers of English. Using alternative communication strategies allow learners to (1) think more deeply about what they value, (2) gain an understanding of who they are in relation to their family members and (3) reveal what their cultural preferences are. Conclusion: The study argues that besides peripheral factors, including family, teachers, and the community, children's self-concept and identity are influenced by their experiences within their social sphere, including school. The study recommends further research to explore teachers influence on young children's self-concept as English Second Language speakers. Contribution: The study's contribution towards knowledge is captured through CMDA to discover and understand learners' self-concept and identity as English language speakers and writers.

South African Journal of Childhood Education, Nov 22, 2021

Journal for Language Teaching, Sep 15, 2021

Ingenious technology-driven education has become prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic in school... more Ingenious technology-driven education has become prevalent during the COVID-19 pandemic in schools. This article solicits pre-primary to Grade 12 learners' parents’/ guardians’ views and experiences of distance learning in Namibia during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study employs a mixed-methods research design to gather and analyse data. The analysis of the qualitative data revealed the following main themes: 1) Barriers to distance learning, and 2) Suggestions to overcome these challenges. The sub-themes were: 1) Communication, 2) Teaching and learning 3) Economic challenges, and 4) Materials and equipment. The results of a quantitative analysis revealed that 73,7% of the participating parents’ children had not received any form of education, and 23,7% affirmed that their children had received some education. 53% of the parents whose children had received an education were very dissatisfied. Therefore, the participating parents’ expectations of e-learning were not positively associated with the provision thereof. Lack of digital literacy prevented teachers from actively engaging with learners in digital communities.

Journal for Language Teaching, Mar 4, 2021

The purpose of this article is to explore the correlation between Namibian preprimary and Grade 1... more The purpose of this article is to explore the correlation between Namibian preprimary and Grade 1 parents’ demographic characteristics and print and digital reading practices in home environments. A quasi-experimental descriptive research design wasselected to launch this investigation in the Khomas region. Survey data documented the relationship between parents’ demographic variables and print and digital reading behaviours. The study tested the null-hypothesis (Hₒ: u1 = u2) and non-directional hypothesis (Hₒ: X1 ≠X2). The underlying assumption is that parents home reading practices positively impact children’s early language and literacy development. The findings reveal that there is no significant relationship between age, gender, education, family size, and employmentstatus, with print and digital reading behaviours that influence children’s emergent language and literacy development in home environments. In a Chi-Square test, the null hypothesis was rejected for age, gender, education, family size, and employment status, but retained and positively correlated to marital status, child reading behaviour, and parents’ book, magazine and newspaper reading behaviour. The implication is that when parents buy print materials for home reading purposes and engage their children in pleasurable reading experiences, their children are more likely to be supported at home to influence favourable language and literacy outcomes in school. The study contributes to family literacy literature and highlights the relationship between parents’ reading behaviours and children’s emergent language and literacy development. Keywords: emergent literacy, home environment, parents, print and digital reading, reading behaviours, socioeconomic status

South African Journal of Childhood Education, Oct 20, 2020

738, the first author's affiliation was given incorrectly in the 'Affiliation' section. The corre... more 738, the first author's affiliation was given incorrectly in the 'Affiliation' section. The correct affiliation should be

In this ever-changing and fast-paced world, parents are under an increasing amount of stress to r... more In this ever-changing and fast-paced world, parents are under an increasing amount of stress to raise their children. Parents are now able to 'Google' and find information on the 'do's and don'ts' of parenting. Although parents want to use a parenting style fit for the 21 st century, they are influenced by the manner in which their parents have raised them. Thus, the impetus of the study was to examine how parents' own experiences of how their parents have raised or parented them determine the parenting style they use with their own children. A narrative inquiry guided by a case study research design was used for the completion of this study. The participants were asked to reflect retrospectively on their experiences during childhood regarding how their parents had interacted with them. They were then asked to reflect on whether these experiences affected their own parenting style with their young children and, if so, describe the effect. Content analysis was used to analyse the data collected from the participants. The data yielded the following results: Parents who were raised by parents using the authoritative parenting style have become authoritative parents themselves. These parents see the benefits of this parenting style as they associate their strengths with being parented by means of this style.

Perspectives in Education

South African Journal of Childhood Education, 2022

Education infrastructural resources are essential structures and facilities needed to carry out t... more Education infrastructural resources are essential structures and facilities needed to carry out teaching and learning activities including care in early childhood development (ECD) centres. Education infrastructure includes: spacious and well-ventilated classrooms, playgrounds, equipment, basic utilities such as water and electricity and game equipment; the aforementioned are considered to be key elements in a child's holistic growth (Akash 2018). Infrastructure resources that should provide a safe environment conducive for learning are also identified as significant tools in offering quality early childhood care and education (ECCE)

South African Journal of Childhood Education

Background: The education and training experiences of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) p... more Background: The education and training experiences of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) practitioners reflect gaps and inequalities in South Africa’s educational system. Most South African ECCE centre practitioners do not have the appropriate qualifications to provide quality education to young learners.Aim: The study aimed to explore how the education and training experiences of ECCE practitioners impact their professional identity in urban and rural settings in KwaZulu-Natal province and to develop a model that would enhance the education and training of ECCE practitioners.Setting: Ten participants were selected for this study: one centre head and four practitioners from a rural setting, and one centre head and four practitioners from an urban area.Methods: Wenger’s social theory of learning was used to obtain an in-depth understanding of ECCE practitioners’ education and training experiences and how they function as professional workers. An interpretative, qualitative cas...

South African Journal of Education

To realise the ideal of quality inclusive education, proper financial management is vital. Existi... more To realise the ideal of quality inclusive education, proper financial management is vital. Existing literature indicates that the mismanagement of school funds is largely due to principals and the school governing bodies (SGB) in many schools not having good working relationships with stakeholders and lacking the necessary financial skills, more specifically in schools in townships and rural areas. The study we report on in this article investigated the financial management of public primary schools situated in urban areas by adopting a qualitative research approach and employing a multiple case study research design. Five schools participated and data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews with the principal, school accountant and chairperson of the SGB of the selected schools. Findings revealed that, despite the fact that all South African schools are governed and controlled by the South African Schools Act, the financial management of fee-paying schools diff...

Education Sciences

Leadership plays a central role in improving and sustaining quality in Early Childhood Developmen... more Leadership plays a central role in improving and sustaining quality in Early Childhood Development (ECD) settings in the South African context. This article explored the leadership of the Inclusive Education Policy (IEP) and the challenges experienced by ECD centre managers and teachers. Children with disabilities are most vulnerable, marginalised, and denied access to early education, especially in rural communities. Grounded in Bronfenbrenner’s ecosystems theory, the study adopted a qualitative approach. The participants included three centre managers and three teachers from Early Childhood Development centres in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. The findings revealed that most participants had minimal knowledge and understanding of the policy and its implementation. There was also a lack of leadership from the policymakers to ensure that the IEP was monitored, supported, and implemented. Our recommendations are that all ECD practitioners receive appropriate training and development...

Journal for Language Teaching

European Early Childhood Education Research Journal

Advances in Psychology, Mental Health, and Behavioral Studies, 2022

This qualitative study explored the importance of positive interactions between parents and teach... more This qualitative study explored the importance of positive interactions between parents and teachers towards the socio-emotional development of the young child. The purpose of this study was to understand the dynamics of the parent-teacher relationship in the young child's (3-4 years old) socio-emotional development and hence stimulate the need for intentional parent-teacher meetings and positive relationship building. Eight parents and eight teachers were observed, and a semi-structured interview was conducted with each of them relating to their relationship and the socio-emotional development of the young child. The children were merely observed to understand and analyse their socio-emotional behaviour in relation to the required age-appropriate developmental milestones. The study illuminated good parent-teacher relationships to ensure the optimal socio-emotional development of young children, effective planning, and communication in ensuring a good parent-teacher relationship...

student number 29559015 hereby declare that this dissertation, "The role of school management tea... more student number 29559015 hereby declare that this dissertation, "The role of school management teams and parents in learner achievement" is submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of Masters of Education Management at the University of Pretoria, is my own original work and has not previously been submitted to any other institution of higher learning. All sources used in this research report are indicated and acknowledged with a comprehensive list of citations. Signature……………………………………… date…………………………………..

Alternation Interdisciplinary Journal for the Study of the Arts and Humanities in Southern Africa, 2021

Good quality education is usually considered a great 'equaliser', yet bridging the inequality gap... more Good quality education is usually considered a great 'equaliser', yet bridging the inequality gaps in South Africa seems to be an impossible task. Effective Early Childhood Development (ECD) programmes have a positive influence on children's development and school readiness by providing valuable educational and social experiences. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ECD operators were instructed by the Department of Social Development (DSD) to close on 18th March 2020 to prevent the spread and acceleration of infection. This lockdown highlighted the plight of ECD operators who were not able to collect fees from caregivers, impacting the payment of salaries and other fixed costs. The livelihoods of the majority of ECD operators are sensitive to broader economic impacts that affect household income. Media articles and reports were used to explore the government's response to the ECD sector in South Africa. Narrative vignettes were utilised to analyse the lived experiences of four ECD principals from two rural and two urban contexts. Contextresponsive leadership is presented as a lens through which to view the leadership experiences of the four principals. Findings show that government departments undervalued and neglected the ECD workforce. However, while the article was being written (during October 2020), signs of the government hearing the voices of concerned practitioners and providing financial relief Keshni Bipath & Adebunmi Aina 430 became visible. The COVID-19 pandemic had placed ECD in the spotlight through court cases and signed petitions and accentuated the differences in the context-responsive leadership behaviour between principals in rural and urban areas.