Development of IsiNdebele–based material to enhance understanding and comprehension in some parts of energy concepts in physics curriculum of Zimbabwe

Abstract

English: The problems emanating from the shortage of energy in Zimbabwe requires a heritage-based approach and culture centric solution. Researchers were optimistic that generating Ordinary Level Physics teaching and learning resources in IsiNdebele will bolster the attainment of higher order skills, enhance progress and growth of original scientific ideas and foster problem solving in the indigenous people. A qualitative approach to research under interpretivist paradigm was exploited to gather and contextualise critical information required for advancing vocabulary in IsiNdebele language for the teaching and learning of energy concepts. The paper has developed a Physics vocabulary in IsiNdebele for the teaching of energy to better the teaching and learning of Physics at ordinary level in Zimbabwean Schools. Our elaborate theoretical framework, Culturally Aligning Classroom Science (CACS), justified integration of knowledge from the modern Physics classroom into an indigenised Physics classroom. Now that we have framed the IsiNdebele-Physics vocabulary there requires an overdrive desire to integrate it into the classroom through a teaching text. We recommend that a strong framework for language policy be crafted in order to promote language development beyond the primary school level. Local languages should be employed as media of education instead of only being taught as discrete subjects. It is essential that the grammatical structures of the two languages involved in adoption and adaptation must be braided together, especially the phonemes and morphemes.

IsiNdebele: Inhlupho ezibangelwa yiku swelakala kwezomlilo eZimbabwe zinga xazululwa ngemizamo egxile kwezemvelo lemasikweni ethu. Abachwayisisi balethemba lokuthi ukulungiswa kwe zinsiza zokufundisa lokufunda iPhysics ngesiNdebele kungakhulisa ukutholakala kwamakhono aphezulu, kube lentuthuko lokukhula kwemibono yesayensi njalo kube lula ekuxazululeni izinhlupho ebantwini bendabuko. Indlela yokuchwayisisa yeziqondiso ezichazayo yeCACS yasetshenziswa ekuqoqweni lekuhlelweni kolwazi olubalulekileyo ukuze kuthuthukiswe amagama esiNdebele kwezokufundisa lokufunda izimiso zamandla omlilo. Leli phepha lithuthukise amgama ePhysics ngesiNdebele ukuze ukufundisa lokufundwa kwePhysics ku ‘O’level kube lula ezikolo zaseZimbabwe. Isisekelo sethu esicacileyo seziyalezo kwezemfundiso sifakazela ukuhlanganiswa kolwazi olukhona emfundweni yePhysics yesimanje lasemfundweni yePhysics ehlanganiswe lezomdabu. Njengoba sesihlele amagama ePhysics ngesiNdebele, kule ndingeko enkulu yokuhlanganisa lokhu ekilasini ngokusebenzisa umbhalo wokufundisa. Sixwayisa ukuthi kubunjwe isisekelo esilohlonzi ukuze kuthuthukiswe ukukhula kolimi okwedlula lapho okufundwa kuzinga eliphansi. Izindimi zesintu kufanele zisetshenziswe njengemithombo yemfundo ngaphandle kokufundiswa kuphela njengezifundo. Kubalulekile ukuthi nxa kwakhiwa amagama kusetshenziswa indimi ezimbili ku lumbaniswe imisindo yenkulumo ikakhulu amafonemi (phonemes) lamamofimi (morphames).

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Maphosa M. A., Nyandoro P., Mathe T. and Madzudzo A. (2025). Development of IsiNdebele–based Material to Enhance Understanding and Comprehension in some parts of Energy Concepts in Physics Curriculum of Zimbabwe/ Ukuthuthukiswa kweZinsisa zesiNdebele ukuze Izimiso zaMandla ezikuPhysics Kharikhulamu ye Zimbabwe zizwsiseke, African Journal of Social work, 15(1), 54-63. https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/ajsw.v15i1.6