Exploring the Influence of School Climate on Teaching and Learning of Agriculture at Senior Secondary Schools in Eswatini
Alfred Tsikati 
& Dumisa Dlamini
Issue: Vol.5 No.16 Issue Article 48 pp.3291 – 3301
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451648 | Published online 24th December, 2024
© 2024 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
School climate is the quality and character of school life reflected in its norms, goals, values, interpersonal relationships, teaching and learning practices and organizational structures. No study has been conducted to assess the school climate that exists in Eswatini schools. Thus, this study sought to assess the school climate that exists in senior secondary schools influencing the teaching and learning of agriculture in Eswatini. The study utilized a qualitative research approach employing a phenomenological research design. Purposive sampling was used to sample 25 agriculture teachers in Eswatini. An interview guide was used to collect data in February 2024. Trustworthiness was ensured by addressing issues related to credibility, transferability, dependability and confirmability. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the qualitative data. The study concluded that the climate in Eswatini schools does not fully support the teaching and learning of agriculture. The study therefore, recommended a review of the school policies set by the Ministry of Education and Training; in order to create a conducive school climate that supports the teaching and learning of agriculture in senior secondary schools in Eswatini. The study revealed strategies that can be used to improve the school climate in senior secondary schools needed for the teaching and learning of agriculture in Eswatini.
Keywords: Agriculture Student, Agriculture Teacher, School Climate, Teaching, Learning.
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Dr. Alfred Fana Tsikati is a Senior Lecturer at the University of Eswatini in the Department of Agricultural Education and Extension. He is the President of Eswatini Educational Research Association (ESWERA). He is a prolific scholar; as he has published more than 50 articles in reputable international and national journals. He has presented more than 50 papers in international conferences. He is an editor of Eswatini Teaching Practice Handbook for Higher Education in Eswatini. Dr Tsikati has written more than 10 book chapters. Finally, he is pioneering the formulation of the National Research Agenda for Agricultural Education in Eswatini.
Dumisa Dlamini is a science teacher at Nsukumbili High School. He has just completed his M.Sc. degree in Agricultural Education at the University of Eswatini. His thesis was on the “Analysis of Contemporary issues Confronting High School Climate on Psychosocial Status of Agriculture Students in Eswatini”. For his first degree (B.Sc. Ag.Ed.) project, he assessed climate change adaptation strategies employed by Swaziland farmers in the Northern Hhohho region. He is currently aspiring to conduct research on the perceptions of high school teachers on the promotion of student motivation and creativity through career fairs and expo.
Tsikati, Alfred and Dumisa Dlamini . “Exploring the Influence of School Climate on Teaching and Learning of Agriculture at Senior Secondary Schools in Eswatini,” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 5, no.16 (2024): 3291 – 3301. https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202451648
© 2024 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
