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African Digital Health Library (ADHL) - Zambia The African Digital Health Library (ADHL), Zambia node, makes available health related content ranging from theses, dissertations, and Ministry of Health reports from Zambia.Agricultural Sciences AGRICEducation EDEngineering ENGExamination Past Papers
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Internal strategies and mechanisms of combating corruption: the nolle prosequi phenomenon in Zambia.
(International Journal of Advanced Multidisciplinary Research and Studies, 2022) Phiri, Chidongo
This article examines internal mechanism and strategies of fighting corruption at Konkola Copper mines (KCM) in Zambia. The study used the Nolle prosequi [The unwilling to pursue in Latin] law of the Criminal procedure Code (CPC) of Zambia to examine the weaknesses in the strategy and mechanisms of combating corruption. The commonly held understanding of the Nolle prosequi phenomenon by the Zambian people is that it is corruption in form of racketeering and abuse of authority by the state prosecutors and business executives. From observation, one issue affecting the attainment of the sustainable development goals in Zambia is the selective enforcement of the Nolle prosequi law contained in the CPC. Of particular concern is an assumption that evoking the Nolle prosequi law of the penal code, Chapter 87 of the laws of Zambia and the international law on corruption has not helped to reduce corruption but exacerbated it. Theoretically , the concept of Social Justice as represented in the writings of Amartia Sen, (1999) guided this article with emphasis placed on the notion of human capabilities key components in his social justice conception. Sen, contends that inequality discourages the healthy economic activities that shatters development processes (1999:75). To avoid this, Sen suggests the need for political freedom which guarantees economic development and good governance practice. The researcher
argues that this can be achieved with fair enforcement of the Nolle prosequi law. Unfortunately, those affected by it have no much choice to contribute to the reduction of corruption because of not being members of the inner network social relations at KCM. Methodologically, this article is based on library research
though the large part of it involves interviews to those offered criminal amnesty by the prosecutors in entering Nolle prosequi. The argument in this article is that failure to analyse Nolle prosequi within prisms of social relations reduces the chance for eliminating Corruption at KCM in Zambia. This is because, a much closer examination of Nolle prosequi in content and practice gives the reasons of why the law is misapplied hence corruption persistence at KCM in Zambia.
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The role of science teachers in the implementation of quality school based assessments in selected Zambian secondary schools.
(International journal of advanced multidisciplinary research and studies, 2024) Daka, Harrison
The introduction of School based Assessments in Zambia were aimed at improving the teaching and learning as well as raise the bar of students performance in the country. However, the implementation of SBA in secondary schools faces unique challenges, particularly in the context of Zambia, exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the implementation of SBA in science subjects within selected Zambian schools, aiming to develop an evidence-based framework for sustaining the quality delivery of SBA in science education. Through a comprehensive investigation, this research examined the
alignment of SBA practices with guidelines and identified gaps in implementation processes. Key objectives included assessing the evaluation of SBA policy since its rollout, examining administration processes, identifying challenges faced by stakeholders, and proposing interventions for improvement. Methodologically, the study employed tools such as questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed
thematically while quantitative data was analysed using SPSS tool. Research findings revealed that teachers perceived SBA as a process of enhancing teaching and learning of science through the conduct of experiments which in turn improved teachers’ capacity and confidence in handling practical lessons. SBA provided teachers with an opportunity to closely monitor learners’ strengths and weaknesses as well as checking progress of learning. However, a considerable number of teachers held that SBA was an additional load onto their already burdened schedules but mandated to implement it as it was policy. Low staffing levels, time allocated to each science period, the number of tasks, inadequate laboratories and apparatus, resource constraints, high levels of enrolment resulting from positive response of Free Education Policy, many classes to teach by one teacher and lack of motivation, dominated the challenges faced by teachers in SBA implementation. The categorization of SBA revealed a duty-bound approach towards SBA (symbolic compliance), as SBA marks were mandatory for totalling learners’ final marks at the end of secondary school level. The study's recommendations aimed to enhance SBA implementation and foster positive educational outcomes. Furthermore, suggestions for future research include exploring the long-term impact of SBAs on academic performance, conducting comparative studies across different subjects, investigating technology integration, and exploring stakeholder perspectives. The research has contributed valuable insights to the discourse on educational assessment practices, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and strategic actions to improve science education in Zambian schools and beyond. Keywords: School Based Assessments, Monitoring, Standards, Science, Curriculum
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Unmasking international relations in the times of war in Africa: beyond rhetoric, reality and trust.
(International journal of research and scientific innovation, 2024-02-24) Daka, Harrison
This paper unmasks the concept of international relations using the lenses of realist school of thought. Relations of nation states towards each other, and with international organisations, including sub national entities is what international relations (IR) is all about (Antunes and Camisao, 2018; Adams, 2003; Wendt,
1992; Axelrod and Keohane 1993). The significance of IR in the contemporary world, as it were in the past cannot be overemphasized. It seeks to comprehend the roots of war and the preservation of peace both stemming from the nature and exercise of power within the global system. To this effect, the discipline of
international relations comprises of numerous theories, each attempting to explain the power relations and the resultant behaviour of nation states on the international scene. Of particular interest to this article is how the realism theory of IR enhances the prospects of cooperation within the international environmentand the realists’ main obstacles to achieving cooperation in international development. As one of the many theories in the IR discourse, Realism claims to explain the reality of international politics. Realists believe that sovereign states are the principal actors on the international political system, having at their disposal justifiable actions or tools for the protection of their interests. Proponents of realism argue that states are unitary and rational actors of importance seeking to secure their survival through reliance on their own means even if it meant war (Glaser, 1994; Brown, 2007; Milner, 1992).Drawing from secondary sources of data and using a desk top review approach, this study found that realists come close to explaining the actual happenings on the IR scene i.e. the survival of the state at all costs, also called the ethics of responsibility rather than by moral principles as other theorists argue. Realism as a school of thought in the IR discourse has generated a significant volume of debate and criticisms igniting valuable insights and remains an important analytical tool for stakeholders in IR. Key Words: International Relations theories, power, security, sovereignty, corruption
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The role of science teachers in the implementation of quality school based assessments in selected Zambian secondary schools.
(International journal of advanced multidisciplinary research and studies, 2024) Daka, Harrison
The introduction of School based Assessments in Zambia were aimed at improving the teaching and learning as well as raise the bar of students performance in the country. However, the implementation of SBA in secondary schools faces unique challenges, particularly in the context of Zambia, exacerbated by the global COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated the implementation of SBA in science subjects within selected Zambian schools, aiming to develop an evidence-based framework for sustaining the quality delivery of SBA in science education. Through a comprehensive investigation, this research examined the
alignment of SBA practices with guidelines and identified gaps in implementation processes. Key objectives included assessing the evaluation of SBA policy since its rollout, examining administration processes, identifying challenges faced by stakeholders, and proposing interventions for improvement. Methodologically, the study employed tools such as questionnaires, interviews, and Focus Group Discussions to collect data. Qualitative data was analysed
thematically while quantitative data was analysed using SPSS tool. Research findings revealed that teachers perceived SBA as a process of enhancing teaching and learning of science through the conduct of experiments which in turn improved teachers’ capacity and confidence in handling practical lessons. SBA provided teachers with an opportunity to closely monitor learners’ strengths and weaknesses as well as checking progress of learning. However, a considerable number of teachers held that SBA was an additional load onto their already burdened schedules but mandated to implement it as it was policy. Low staffing levels, time allocated to each science period, the number of tasks, inadequate laboratories and apparatus, resource constraints, high levels of enrolment resulting from
positive response of Free Education Policy, many classes to teach by one teacher and lack of motivation, dominated the challenges faced by teachers in SBA implementation. The categorization of SBA revealed a duty-bound approach towards SBA (symbolic compliance), as SBA marks were mandatory for totalling learners’ final marks at the end of secondary school level. The study's recommendations aimed to enhance SBA implementation and foster positive
educational outcomes. Furthermore, suggestions for future research include exploring the long-term impact of SBAs on academic performance, conducting comparative studies across different subjects, investigating technology integration, and exploring stakeholder perspectives. The research has contributed valuable insights to the discourse on educational assessment practices, providing a foundation for informed decision-making and strategic actions to
improve science education in Zambian schools and beyond. Keywords: School Based Assessments, Monitoring, Standards, Science, Curriculum
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Information needs and self-care practices of diabetic patients in Mbala, Northern province, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2022) Simuyemba, Chisha Jones
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that occurs either when the pancreas does not produce enough insulin or when the body cannot effectively use the insulin it produces. It is “a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia resulting from defects in insulin secretion, insulin action or both” manifested by carbohydrates, fat and protein metabolism abnormality. If untreated high blood sugar can damage the nerves, eyes, kidneys, and other organs. The purpose of this study was to assess the information needs and self-care practice of Diabetic Patients in Mbala, Northern Province Zambia.
Methods: This was an analytical cross-sectional study where 105 respondents aged 18 years and above participated in the study. Participants were randomly selected. A structured interview schedule and a check list were used to collect data. Statistics Package for Social Sciences computer software package version 23.0 was used to analyze data. Chi square and fisher’s exact tests were used to test the significance of the association between Knowledge on Diabetes Mellitus, attitude towards self-care practices, self-care practices among Diabetic patients and the need for information among Diabetic patients. A 95% confidence interval and P value of 0.05 were used to ascertain the degree of significance. Multivariate binary logistic regression model to determine predictors of self-care practices and need for information was also used.
Result: On analyzing the dependent variables, more than half (61.9%), had high need for information and three quarters (85.7%) of respondents had poor self-care practices. Slightly more than half (58.1%) had high knowledge levels majority (78.1%), had a negative attitude. Significant associations were found P < 0.05 between knowledge levels and self-care practices (P-value 0.017), and between attitude and self-care practices (P-value 0.005). Information needs were also associated with knowledge (P-value 0.040) while attitude (P-value 0.198) showed no association with information needs of Diabetic patients. On multivariable logistic analysis patients with low knowledge levels were 0.080 times less likely to achieve good self-care practices (OR: 0.080, CI: 0.009 - 0.623, P: < 0.020) and those with a negative attitude were 0.174 less likely to achieve good self-care practices (OR: 0.174, CI: 0.049 - 0.584, P: < 0.006). Patients who had low knowledge levels were 2.263 times more likely to have a high need for information compared to those who had high knowledge levels, and this effect was significant (OR: 2.263, CI: 0.957 – 5.104, P: < 0.05).
Conclusion: Negative attitude and lack of information among Diabetic patients were the main reasons associated with poor self-care practices. Particular attention should therefore be given to ensuring that Diabetic patients are given adequate information on Diabetes self-care in order to improve the quality of life.