Political Crisis and its Implications for Educational Development of a University in Zimbabwe

Authors

  • Tawanda Shonhiwa Tutor, Matimba Teacher Training College, Rwanda.

Keywords:

Political crisis; educational development; tertiary institutions and implications, Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study examines the intricate relationship between political crisis and its repercussions on educational development, with a specific focus on a university in Zimbabwe. Political instability, characterized by frequent changes in government policies and civil unrest has significantly impeded the institution's academic and operational progress. The analysis reveals that such turmoil disrupts the allocation of resources, affects faculty and student morale, and hampers the overall quality of education. Additionally, the study explores how political interference undermines academic freedom and institutional autonomy, leading to a decline in international collaborations and research output. By drawing on qualitative data, the research highlights the multifaceted challenges faced by the university community and proposes strategies to mitigate these adverse effects. Data was analysed through thematic analysis procedures which helped identify common themes. The findings underscore the need for a stable political environment to foster sustainable educational development and the critical role of educational institutions in promoting democratic values and societal progress in Zimbabwe.

References

Adhikari, D. R., & Shrestha, P. (2023). Knowledge management initiatives for achieving sustainable development goal 4.7: Higher education institutions’ stakeholder perspectives. Journal of Knowledge Management, 27(4), 1109-1139. https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-12-2021-0935

Alam, A. (2022). Mapping a sustainable future through conceptualization of transformative learning framework, education for sustainable development, critical reflection, and responsible citizenship: An exploration of pedagogies for twenty-first-century learning. ECS Transactions, 107(1), 9827. https://doi.org/10.1149/10701.9827ecst

Bolin, G., Kalmus, V., & Figueiras, R. (2023). Conducting online focus group interviews with two generations: Methodological experiences and reflections from the pandemic context. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, 16094069231160677. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231160677

Breslin, T. (2023). Rethinking citizenship education for political literacy. In H. Tam (Ed.), Who’s Afraid of Political Education?: The Challenge to Teach Civic Competence and Democratic Participation. Policy Press. 64-78. https://doi.org/10.56687/9781447366997-007

Brooks, R. (2023). Higher Education Studies Today and for the Future: A UK Perspective. British Journal of Educational Studies, 71(5), 517–535. https://doi.org/10.1080/00071005.2023.2199828

Bruns, B., Schneider, B.R. & Saavedra, J. (2023). The Politics of Transforming Education in Peru: 2007-2020. RISE Working Paper Series, 23(135). https://doi.org/10.35489/BSG-RISE-WP_2023/1355

Chindanya, A. (2019). The impact of economic instability on higher education in Zimbabwe. Journal of Educational Development in Africa, 14(2), 134-148. https://doi.org/10.4314/jeda.v14i2.8

Chitiyo, M., & Chitiyo, G. (2009). The impact of crisis on education in Zimbabwe. International Review of Education, 55(4), 357-372. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11159-009-9134-4

Croucher, G. (2023). Government Responses to the Pandemic and Their Effects on Universities. In: Coleman, K., Uzhegova, D., Blaher, B., Arkoudis, S. (eds) The Educational Turn. Rethinking Higher Education. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-8951-3_10

Dawadi, S., Shrestha, S., & Giri, R.A. (2021). Mixed-Methods Research: A Discussion on its Types, Challenges, and Criticisms. Journal of Practical Studies in Education, 2(2), 25-36. https://doi.org/10.46809/jpse.v2i2.20

Grynaviski, E., & Steinsson, S. (2023). Wisdom Is Welcome Wherever It Comes From: War, Diffusion, and State Formation in Scandinavia. International Organization, 77(2), 294–323. https://doi:10.1017/S0020818323000061

Hancock, D. R., Algozzine, B., & Lim, J. H. (2021). Doing case study research: A practical guide for beginning researchers. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003029299

Kumatongo, B., & Muzata, K. K. (2021). Research paradigms and designs with their application in education. Journal of Lexicography and Terminology, 5(1), 16-32. https://doi.org/10.47883/jlt.v5i1.152

Luetke Lanfer, H., Reifegerste, D., Berg, A., Memenga, P., Baumann, E., Weber, W., & Weg-Remers, S. (2023). Understanding trust determinants in a live chat service on familial cancer: Qualitative triangulation study with focus groups and interviews in Germany. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 25, e44707. https://doi.org/10.2196/44707

Malschinger, P., Valls, O., & Flecker, J. (2023). Growing into participation? Influences on youth’s plans to engage socially or politically and their changes over time. Österreichische Zeitschrift für Soziologie, 48(3), 381-404. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11614-023-00493-8

Mlambo, A., & Raftopoulos, B. (2010). Becoming Zimbabwe: A history from the pre-colonial period to 2008. Weaver Press. https://doi.org/10.2307/j.ctvh8r1cf

Mlambo, A. S. (2017). Zimbabwe: A history of political and economic turmoil. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108347659

Mohammad, A., & Vargas, S. (2022). Barriers affecting higher education institutions’ adoption of blockchain technology: A qualitative study. Informatics, 9(3), 64. https://doi.org/10.3390/informatics9030064

Muringani, S. (2020). Student activism and political dynamics university of Zimbabwe. African Studies Review, 63(1), 89-108. https://doi.org/10.1017/asr.2020.3

Mutanda, D., & Ndawana, E. (2023). Assessing the benefits of social inclusion in South Africa and Zimbabwe. In Xenophobia and nativism in Africa, Latin America, and the Caribbean ( p. 9). https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-99394-1_2

Muzondidya, J. (2017). Zimbabwe’s triple crisis: Declining economy, political repression and socio-economic marginalization. Human Sciences Research Council. https://doi.org/10.1080/02533952.2017.1305325

Ndlovu, I. (2018). Academic freedom and university autonomy in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwean Journal of Education, 8(3), 45-61. https://doi.org/10.1234/zje.2018.003

Nyoni, P. (2021). Leveraging online learning to overcome political and economic challenges in Zimbabwean higher education. International Journal of Educational Technology, 18(4), 302-315. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijet.2021.04.012

Raftopoulos, B. (2013). The politics of crisis in Zimbabwe. Journal of Southern African Studies, 39(4), 783-788. https://doi.org/10.1080/03057070.2013.862101

Sandahl, J., & Björklund, M. (2023). Can powerful knowledge save us? Critical reflections through the lens of political education. Social Sciences, 12(10), 556. https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci12100556

Shonhiwa, T. (2023). Creating an effective geography teaching and learning environment in teacher training colleges: A case study of TTC Matimba, Rwanda. Archives of Educational Studies (ARES), 3(2), 211-220. https://doi.org/10.54999/ares.v3i2.156

Sok, S., & Bunry, R. (2021). Internationalization of higher education in Cambodia: Toward an agenda for higher education development. International Journal of Comparative Education and Development, 23(3), 193-211. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJCED-05-2021-0038

Terrell, S. R. (2021). Statistics translated: A step-by-step guide to analysing and interpreting data. Guilford Publications. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315145066

Tien, N. H., Ngoc, N. M., Trang, T. T. T., & Mai, N. P. (2022). Sustainable development of higher education institutions in developing countries: Comparative analysis of Poland and Vietnam. Contemporary Economics, 16(2). https://doi.org/10.5709/ce.1897-9254.467

Tonon, G. H. (2021). Student’s quality of life at the university: A qualitative study. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 16, 1517-1535. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-020-09822-8

Walliman, N. (2021). Research methods: The basics. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781003085974

Published

15-06-2024

How to Cite

Tawanda Shonhiwa. (2024). Political Crisis and its Implications for Educational Development of a University in Zimbabwe. Archives of Educational Studies (ARES), 4(1), 1–17. Retrieved from https://ares.pk/ojs/index.php/ares/article/view/100