Bindura University of Science Education

The objective of this study is to investigate the impact of water management practices on livelihoods in Chiredzi District, Zimbabwe. The study will also examine how the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) framework within water has managed to improve practices in water resources management. While several studies have been carried out on the effects of water scarcity on rural livelihoods, there is very little dedicated literature on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) frameworks in marginalised areas of Zimbabwe. Data were gathered using questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observations in the study area. Findings show that water scarcity contributes significantly to depleted surface water and groundwater, thus affecting the livelihood of people in agronomic activities, food production and security, and natural assets, causing prolonged suffering. The study established that the regulatory policy on water and institutional frameworks are not effective enough to address the threats to the sustainability of water resources because they suffer from various weaknesses, constraints, and shortcomings, such as water being utilized by many sectors, poor implementation and enforcement of policies and legislation, and stakeholders and beneficiaries not being involved. The study recommends that policymakers, planners, and water agencies need to understand multiple factors that affect water scarcity so that they design fair governance for local water resources management. The study also recommends the establishment of strong institutions that unite and encourage government and the local community to work together to provide water through drilling boreholes and the construction of small dams to reduce pressure on existing water points. Received: 21 January 2026 / Accepted: 28 February 2026 / Published: March 2026

Integrated STEM education is critical for developing 21st-century skills, interest, engagement, and outcomes. However, in-service teachers often struggle with implementation due to inadequate training and a lack of clear, practical models for blending the disciplines. In this study, we investigated the key factors that can enhance the effective integration of mathematics and science in a real secondary classroom setting, employing a qualitative case study approach that drew on data from classroom observations, student and teacher interviews, student artifacts, and teacher reflections. A science and mathematics teacher collaborated to teach the concept of density in two lesson study cycles, integrating mathematical modeling and science inquiry learning approaches. Our findings revealed four dynamically interdependent factors critical to successful integration: Teacher knowledge, such as Pedagogical Content Knowledge (PCK), integration strategies, and confidence; student autonomy; time allocation; and contingency management. For instance, fostering student autonomy during lessons often requires significant time allocation to accomplish the set objectives and it pauses challenging contingency strategies. How these factors interact and influence the nature of science and mathematics integration was represented in the proposed Dynamic Interdependence Framework (DIF). The framework positioned the teacher as the central agent whose negotiation of this web determines the nature of the integrated lesson, which in turn reinforces their knowledge through a feedback loop of reflective practice. We conclude the study with implications for research, teacher training, and classroom practice in diverse educational contexts, highlighting the need for professional development focused on collaborative planning.

Emergence of industrial-scale Ziziphus fruits processing in the Mid‐Zambezi Valley necessitates selection of superior genotypes for cultivation to meet anticipated increased demand. The study evaluated morphological variation among Ziziphus fruits to determine their agronomic value and genetic diversity. Dry fruit samples were collected from bulked fruits and separated into three perceived varieties, which were further separated into 12 collections. Data depicted large coefficients of variation ≈50% for fruit and seed mass. Fruit parameters ranges were: mass (0.56–2.57 g), length (1.14–2.33 cm), width (1.05–2.16 cm), density (0.24–0.38 g/ cm3), percent pulp (63.03–89.28). Seed parameters were: mass (0.15–0.56 g), length (0.57–1.27 cm), width (0.43–0.66 cm). Fruit mass was positively correlated to yield components. Cluster analysis grouped the collections into two clusters with two sub‑clusters each. I concluded that there could be two Ziziphus species in the area. The WF‐variety is recommended for cultivation and further improvement because of its superior yield and taste variation. The HSDB variety is recommended for its high percent pulp subject to confirmation that hollowness is not a physiological disorder. Research is recommended to determine the Ziziphus spp. genotypes; gen otypes nutritional composition; effect of ecology on fruit morphology; and evaluate agronomic performance.

Abstract Computer vision syndrome (CVS) is a common oculo-visual problem reported among active screen users. This study reports the prevalence of CVS among university students in Bindura University of Science Education (BUSE), Zimbabwe.A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among students in BUSE. Eligible participants were recruited using convenience sampling. Data was collected using a self-administered online questionnaire comprising three sections: socio-demographic information, verified prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS-Q), and knowledge and awareness of CVS.Data was collected from 374 undergraduate students. The majority were from the Faculties of Science and Engineering (30.7%) and in second year (32.1%). Smartphones (81.8%) were the predominant devices used. The prevalence of CVS was 35.6% (n = 133), with a higher, prevalence among females (38.7%) compared to males (31.5%, p = 0.158). Most affected students reported moderate symptoms, with headaches, dryness, and blurred vision being the most frequent complaints. While 48.4% of participants had heard of CVS, detailed knowledge remained limited. Significant associations were found between CVS symptoms and prior knowledge of CVS, screen use duration (≥ 5 years), continuous screen use, medium screen size, refractive error, perceived health impacts, and mandated computer program enrolment (all p < 0.001).A considerable number of university students experience CVS with various common symptoms. The presence of Limited knowledge and several modifiable risk factors underscore the importance of targeted education, ergonomic interventions, and routine vision screening within university settings to mitigate the burden of CVS.

There always exists a naiver, tinier approach to writing good code and, likewise, a longer and more comprehensive way. Imagine a tool that takes advantage of deep machine learning algorithms to fish the most appropriate code and put it in a drop-down menu only for a programmer to select. In recent years, the use of AI-powered programming tools has grown in leaps and bounds and gained much attention. Whereas AI has been around for roughly 30 years, it is still uncertain for educators on how to make instructive advantage of it on a larger scale and how it can essentially have a profound effect on teaching and learning in tertiary education. This article investigates the effectiveness of AI-powered code assistant tools in learning programming. For the research, two leading coding platforms were picked (eclipse and VS code) and a selected AI-powered code assistant tool (Tabnine) was installed. After training the research participants, an experiment was carried out, whereby all 40 participants were given two tests, one on AI-assistant enabled coding platform and the other on non-AI-assistant enabled coding platform. Results indicate that AI-coding tools significantly increase students’ coding efficiency and general motivation to code. Results also show that AI code assistant tools do not affect participant’s code comprehension. From the results found it is recommended that AI code assistant tools must be incorporated to aid students in developing a positive attitude towards programming and also to improve their coding efficiency.

The ever-increasing incidences of abandoned goods at checkout points threaten the viability of retail operations in many supermarkets. Abandoned products are associated with reshelving costs, deteriorating value due to multiple handling, and turning checkout points into a mess. The incidences of dumped goods at checkout points can be reduced if retail operations managers get some insights into the motivations behind such retrogressive consumer behaviour. The need to get such insights led to this study that conducted interviews with customers who had just abandoned their picked products at checkout points. The aim of the study was to find out the reasons behind the abandonment of goods by customers at retail checkout points. To achieve this objective, a phenomenological research approach was adopted. A sample of 30 conveniently selected participants, determined through reaching a saturation point, was interviewed. Data collection took 5 weeks during the months of December 2024 and January 2025. The data was analysed thematically. The results indicated that customers dump products at checkout points due to several reasons, such as insufficient funds, discrepancies between checkout price and shelf price, checkout price unavailability, checkout system failure, and slow-moving queues. The study recommended that supermarkets should engage banks to provide balance inquiry facilities inside or closer to the supermarkets, ensure matching of checkout prices with shelf prices, prompt pricing of new stocks, maintenance of robust service recovery systems, and improve order processing speeds at checkout points.

Freshwater lymnaeid snails are involved in the transmission of fascioliasis in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia, as well as in temperate regions. This study improved and standardized laboratory rearing and breeding of first-generation (F1) R. natalensis using field-collected F0 snails. Ninety field-collected R. natalensis adult snails with shell heights of 4-5 mm were divided into three experimental treatment groups: A, B, and C. Each experimental treatment group comprised of ten (10) 2L containers, with each containing 3 snails. Group A, the control, was fed Elodea sp. weed powder and Cyperus papyrus twigs from snail-sampling sites as oviposition material. Group A containers were filled with water from the snail sample sites. Spring-watered snails in experimental group B were fed with dried lettuce, fish flakes, and eggshells. In experimental group C, snails were fed with algal wafers and trout pellets in dechlorinated water. Groups B and C used polystyrene strips for oviposition. Daily snail mortality and egg mass counts were obtained. Experimental group B snails produced 69 egg masses and 500 F1 offspring with the lowest snail mortality (13%). Group C produced 60 egg masses and 450 F1 offspring. The mortality rate in this group was 20%. Group A control snails laid 10 eggs and 48 F1 offspring. Also, mortality (66%) was higher in this group. Mean egg masses differed significantly between groups A and B (Group A: 0.85 ± 0.22 egg masses; Group B: 2.33 ± 0.53, p = 0.034) and A and C (Group A: 0.85 ± 0.22 egg masses; Group C: 2.16 ± 0.48, p = 0.041), but not between groups B and C. Treatment differences explained 11.4% (F1, 25 = 4.36, p = 0.047) of egg mass variability. The median snail survival in group B was 8.11 days versus 4.57 days in group A. Significant differences in median survival time were observed between experimental groups (Log Rank X² = 9.87, p = 0.007). Group B had the highest fecundity and lowest mortality among the treatment groups. However, the use of spring water increased the costs of mass breeding of snails using this approach. On the other hand, experimental group C produced a comparable number of egg masses. Thus, for mass breeding of R. natalensis, the use of an experimental approach from group C would be recommended as it is cheaper.