Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities

The Michigan State University Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) launched a multi-country study to contribute to upgrading and tailoring the agricultural extension curricula at participating institutions. The first phase of primary data collection consisted of focus group discussions. The focus...

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Main Authors: Niekerk, J.A. van, Maltitz, L. von, Davis, Kristin E.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Academy of Science of South Africa 2022
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128076
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author Niekerk, J.A. van
Maltitz, L. von
Davis, Kristin E.
author_browse Davis, Kristin E.
Maltitz, L. von
Niekerk, J.A. van
author_facet Niekerk, J.A. van
Maltitz, L. von
Davis, Kristin E.
author_sort Niekerk, J.A. van
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description The Michigan State University Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) launched a multi-country study to contribute to upgrading and tailoring the agricultural extension curricula at participating institutions. The first phase of primary data collection consisted of focus group discussions. The focus groups were structured around a specific objective: gathering information around specific questions. Focus group discussions were followed by an online survey of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) role players, of which the results will be discussed separately. It was concluded from the focus group discussions that the AEAS workers in South Africa lacked the critical skills to perform their responsibilities efficiently. Several required skills were singled out during the focus group discussions. It was concluded that it is vital for agricultural development in the country to ensure that these skills and competencies are included in all South African teaching institutions' curricula. It is therefore recommended that it is critical for each institution offering agricultural extension training to keep the curriculum relevant so that it meets the needs of the profession. Keeping the curriculum relevant includes participatory curriculum development (PCD), regular review of the curriculum by all the stakeholders of the profession, and the necessary collaborations with professional bodies to regulate the curriculum. The efficiency in the sector will be enhanced if AEAS qualifications at the various training institutions cater to the profession's demands.
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publishDate 2022
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spelling CGSpace1280762025-11-12T04:47:19Z Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities Niekerk, J.A. van Maltitz, L. von Davis, Kristin E. agricultural extension data skills curriculum training education The Michigan State University Alliance for African Partnership (AAP) launched a multi-country study to contribute to upgrading and tailoring the agricultural extension curricula at participating institutions. The first phase of primary data collection consisted of focus group discussions. The focus groups were structured around a specific objective: gathering information around specific questions. Focus group discussions were followed by an online survey of Agricultural Extension and Advisory Services (AEAS) role players, of which the results will be discussed separately. It was concluded from the focus group discussions that the AEAS workers in South Africa lacked the critical skills to perform their responsibilities efficiently. Several required skills were singled out during the focus group discussions. It was concluded that it is vital for agricultural development in the country to ensure that these skills and competencies are included in all South African teaching institutions' curricula. It is therefore recommended that it is critical for each institution offering agricultural extension training to keep the curriculum relevant so that it meets the needs of the profession. Keeping the curriculum relevant includes participatory curriculum development (PCD), regular review of the curriculum by all the stakeholders of the profession, and the necessary collaborations with professional bodies to regulate the curriculum. The efficiency in the sector will be enhanced if AEAS qualifications at the various training institutions cater to the profession's demands. 2022-11-02 2023-01-24T15:44:21Z 2023-01-24T15:44:21Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128076 en https://doi.org/10.2499/p15738coll2.134855 Open Access application/pdf Academy of Science of South Africa van Niekerk, J. A.; von Maltitz, L.; and Davis, Kristin. 2022. Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension 50(2). https://sajae.co.za/article/view/13806/19230
spellingShingle agricultural extension
data
skills
curriculum
training
education
Niekerk, J.A. van
Maltitz, L. von
Davis, Kristin E.
Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities
title Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities
title_full Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities
title_fullStr Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities
title_full_unstemmed Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities
title_short Investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected South African universities
title_sort investigating process skills and competency gaps in undergraduate agricultural extension curriculum in selected south african universities
topic agricultural extension
data
skills
curriculum
training
education
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/128076
work_keys_str_mv AT niekerkjavan investigatingprocessskillsandcompetencygapsinundergraduateagriculturalextensioncurriculuminselectedsouthafricanuniversities
AT maltitzlvon investigatingprocessskillsandcompetencygapsinundergraduateagriculturalextensioncurriculuminselectedsouthafricanuniversities
AT daviskristine investigatingprocessskillsandcompetencygapsinundergraduateagriculturalextensioncurriculuminselectedsouthafricanuniversities