Asian Journal of Humanity, Art and Literature

137-149

Authors: Mulatu Dea Lerra

Evidently, the implementation of a DL system does not ensure a high-quality education. The purpose of this study is to explore the dynamics and challenges of distance education at Private Higher Institutions in South Ethiopia. In a given study, a representative sample of tutors and academic program leaders selected through simple random and stratified sampling techniques. Questionnaires and interview were instrumental for data collection. The finding revealed that, the number of learners in a class during tutorial programs is not to the standard, the tutors’ are responsible for one to two courses at a time and the remainder for more than two courses, assignments were too difficult for the ability of the students on the courses some learners do not receive modules before tutorial sessions and, consequently, some were forced to share modules, modules were not given long enough in advance of the actual tutorial sessions less commitment of stakeholders to realize the DL program. It is recommended that, Intensification distance education units at the institution and ensuring that students have a suitable educational background when they join to the specific program would make distance education efficient. In addition to this, it is good to try to make the system more flexible and use different information and communication technologies to support distance education.

155-162

Authors: Muhammad Adeel Kamran, Tahira Shamshad

The study conducted in arid areas of Dera Ghazi Khan occasionally affected by hill torrents (Suri-Lund, Vidore, Sakhi-Sarwar, Mithawan) coming from Koh-e-Suleman range. The study found that hill torrent water is used for agriculture, domestic and livestock. The management of this water significantly affects on income, crop yield, soil fertility, health conditions and living standard of farmers. The local cost effective methods to store this water include wah, dubba and bundh but most of water is wasted as they are insufficient. The water distribution mechanism fosters cooperation and helps to form new relations with co-farmers. The study suggested that government and NGOs should help people to construct concrete diversions, bundhs, ponds and dams to manage hill torrent water.

169-185

Authors: W.Z. Sadomba, Lizzy Zinyemba

This study sought to investigate factors that affect caregiver compliance to professional health advice with reference to children. An anthropological approach was used and clients were observed from mainstream health facilities to their homes to analyze the broader social structures, in familial settings, that influence decision making and final practices of the caregiver who visits the health centres. The study revealed a more complex pattern with a sophisticated cultural structure of caregivers who control and make decisions other than the person who visits the facility. Often this structure is unknown to mainstream health professionals with consequences on efficacy. In addition to the social structures is a powerful belief system that conditions the caregiver. This significantly compromises the advice by mainstream health professionals in a dual health care delivery system as Zimbabwe's. The study recommends that to improve on caregiver compliance mainstream health professionals need to know and engage this other invisible caregiver structure.