Research Grant from South African Medical Research Council
Dr Siphesihle Nqweniso and colleagues at the Nelson Mandela University (NMU) have received a two-year research grant from the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC).
The team around Dr Siphesihle Nqweniso have received a research grant from SAMRC for the project entitled 'Effect of SACE-accredited Foundation Phase and Intermediate/senior Phase Physical Education Short Learning Programmes on the quality of Physical Education Teaching at selected schools in Gqeberha'.
Physical Education (PE) was largely neglected in South Africa for various reasons, including the lack of qualified PE teachers ( 'Global UNESCO report on teachers: addressing teacher shortages and transforming the profession' and 'Supporting teachers through policy development: lessons from sub-Saharan Africa [UNESCO report]' ). Research highlights the urgent need for the in-service training of PE teachers. The KaziBantu project developed two PE short learning programmes (SLPs) - accredited by the South African Council for Educators ( SACE) and has undertaken to conduct these SLPs with support from the Eastern Cape Department of Education.
This study aims to determine the effect of the two SACE-accredited SLPs on the quality of PE teaching at 6 selected quintile 3 primary schools in Gqeberha. The study will employ a sequential mixed methods design. The outcome of the study will provide evidence-based recommendations on the impact of SACE-accredited SLPs on the quality of teaching PE and inform future efforts to improve the implementation of PE in low-income schools and therefore improve children’s physical activity levels and health. Further information can be obtained from Dr Siphesihle Nqweniso ( Felicitas.Nqweniso@cluttermandela.ac.za).