Archive of Journal
Volume 79, Issue 4, Apr. 2023

COST-EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS OF PINEAPPLE PRODUCTION IN THAILAND

Volume 79, Apr 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.4.4

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Abstract: Thailand is the world's largest exporter of canned pineapple, although 90% of production is produced for export that the cancellation of commercial privileges had an effect on competitiveness and supply chain, which were formerly vital. In 2018, manufacturers' severe pineapple overstock crisis, greatly affects the purchase price are directly impacted farmers' income. Therefore, this research aimed to analyze the cost management of pineapple production in 2017/18 during this crucial price situation by using a stochastic frontier approach of 388 pineapple farmers in Loei and Nong Khai Provinces in northeastern Thailand. The results showed that overproduction and the usage of fertilizers: Ammonium sulfate and 15-15-15 formula are lacks economy of scale. The surprisingly direction of the variable inefficiency coefficient in this unusual situation that increases the inefficiency are contacting with agricultural extension officers and using flower accelerator. It appears the average of cost-efficiency index only 0.146 indicated the farmers are unable to adjust their crop management and strategies sufficiently. Lastly, it should adequately inform farmers about the process of the circumstances. It is also necessary to mention hedging tools such as farmers' access to contact framing, improving agriculture cooperatives and farmers association, buffer funds, and agricultural price insurance to ensure resilience to any shocks.

Author(s): Phattarapong Malawal, Nattanin Ueasin, Wongchai Anupong, Ke-Chung Peng

THE EFFECTS OF USING EDUCATIONAL COMICS ON STUDENTS’ COGNITIVE AND AFFECTIVE LEARNING IN SOCIAL STUDIES COURSE IN DISTANCE EDUCATION

Volume 79, Apr 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.4.5

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Abstract: The aim of this study is to reveal the effects of using educational comics on students’ academic achievements, democratic attitudes, knowledge retention and students’ experiences about the teaching materials in the 6th grade social studies course “Participating in Administration” learning area. The research was carried out with mixed methods research and embedded design was used in the study. Mixed methods is a research approach whereby researchers collect both quantitative and qualitative data within the same study to understand research problems and integrate two data sets. Using the advantages of combining these two data sets, researchers draw conclusion on the strengths of these methods. Mixed methods research is used in the behavioural, health, and social sciences. The basic assumption of this approach is that it is more advantageous for the researcher to combine statistical trends (quantitative data) with personal experiences (qualitative data) than to use either of these methods alone to better understand the research problem. In an embedded design, both qualitative and quantitative data are collected at the same time, but one type of data, either qualitative or quantitative, is secondary to the other. Considering the findings obtained as a result of the analyses, it was found that there was a significant difference between the mean scores of experimental group students taught with educational comics and control group students in terms of academic achievement, democratic attitudes, and knowledge retention. According to the findings obtained from the interviews, it was revealed that students were pleased with the use of educational comics in online environments via distant learning and they evaluated these teaching materials as informative, entertaining, and attention grabbing. It was concluded that educational comics used in social studies course in distant education had positive effects on students’ academic achievements, democratic attitudes, and knowledge retention and the students found these teaching materials used in distant learning effective and positive.

Author(s): Sinan Akdag, Ufuk Simsek

SOCIAL CAPITAL AND ITS IMPACT IN PROMOTING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Volume 79, Apr 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.4.2

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Abstract: There is a growing body of literature and research on social capital and its relationship to education and the educational performance of students. Social capital is seen as the element that holds communities together, without which society as a whole would collapse. In line with this, the political and educational stakeholders have proposed social capital as a solution to persistent social problems in a progressive manner. This study looked into how the social capital of parents can improve students' academic performance in public secondary schools in the Gauteng province, Pretoria District, South Africa. In order to address the research problem, the study used the quantitative research approach to collect quantitative data. This study used a correlational design and made use of questionnaires from established tools to gauge social capital. A total of 60 students from two secondary schools in Pretoria, Gauteng Province, South Africa, participated in the study. The questions focused on four variables: parent social guidance, parent academic status, parent social capital, and parent academic effort. The dependent variable is educational achievement, which was the termly achievement record collected from the school exams and records administrators. The study concludes that parental academic effort is a strong determinant of academic achievement.

Author(s): Gbenga Michael Adeyeye, Nazreen Dasoo

TEACHERS' ATTRIBUTES THAT FACILITATE EFFECTIVE MATHEMATICS TEACHING IN RURAL SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Volume 79, Apr 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.4.3

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Abstract: This paper examines the attributes of teachers that facilitate the effective teaching of mathematics in rural secondary schools to enhance learner achievement in rural South African contexts. Survey questionnaires were used to identify and describe the attributes of teachers that allow the practical teaching of mathematics in rural high schools in Mahikeng. Participants were required to indicate whether they strongly disagree, disagree, agree, or strongly agree with each variable. The survey tool used, the modified aspects adopted on the basis of the theoretical framework. The calculated Pearson moment correlation coefficient over 03 was used to measure the relationship between the attributes identified and offered by the correlation matrix. It was shown that teachers generally have a variety of trials in different schools that impact effective mathematics teaching. These factors encompassed, amongst others, unresponsive professional teacher development, lack of support by stakeholders, learner indiscipline, challenges in learner assessments and promotions, learner age cohort, underachieving learners, school location, lack of safety and security, congested work schedules, overcrowding, and overload as well as poor leadership styles. The findings further indicated that a lack of effectiveness in mathematics teaching results in the demoralization of teachers, which concerns the learner outcomes in mathematics, suggestive of a relationship between effective mathematics teaching and learner outcomes in mathematics. Presenting an attribute one way or another has a particular impact on the various attributes. Therefore, neither attribute is achievable without consideration of the others. This confirms the viability of multiple relationships across those attributes. The recommendations are that teachers can continuously re-evaluate themselves with respect to the attributes of this study.

Author(s): K.GILBERT PULE

NORTHERN SOTHO RIDDLES AS A FORM OF CHILDREN’S LITERATURE: ISSUES OF LITERACY

Volume 79, Apr 2023
doi: 10.21506/j.ponte.2023.4.1

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Abstract: In this article, riddles will be unpacked as a form of children’s literature by defining what they are and what significance and value they can add to reading development. Clarity will be made on the forms of riddles. An analysis will also be done for selected riddles with a focus on vocabulary and comprehension. This article discusses how some of the emergent literacy skills can be imparted through riddles as an oral form of literature. The components of emergent literacy that will be the focus will mostly be vocabulary and comprehension. As this article unpacks riddles as a form of children’s literature, the focus on vocabulary and comprehension will help assist in showing their relevance to children and literacy. The subheadings of this discourse are introduction, theoretical framework, defining riddles, and conclusion.

Author(s): Zilibele Mtumane, Maishiko Doreen Mojapelo