The role of student representatives on education boards : the case of Zambia Institute of special education, Copperbelt College of Education and Kitwe College of Education

Abstract

This study investigated the role of student representatives on Education Boards in three colleges, namely, the Zambia Institute of Special Education, the Copperbelt College of Education, and the Kitwe College of Education. The thesis investigated the effectiveness of the students'representatives on College Boards. Although Kitwe College of Education was not originally part of the research, it was felt that there was need to include a Basic School Teachers' College whose student population consisted mostly of pupils who had just completed school and was entering college life for the very first time. A sample total of 200 Respondents was selected from these three colleges out of whom 153 respondents answered the questionnaire. Data were collected using questionnaires, semi structured interviews and focus group discussions. The data from questionnaires were computer analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). On the other hand the data from interviews and focus group discussions were analysed qualitatively by coding and grouping similar themes together using constant comparative techniques. Tables, charts and graphs were used in the examinations and presentation of data after analysis. These were also used to examine the following major issues: i) Student participation in board meetings. ii) Student participation in the financial committee. iii) Student participation in the decision making process involving: a) enrolment of students in the college b) disciplinary committee meetings involving both lecturers and students. iv) Student participation in the policy formulation process of the college. Vlll The findings of the study revealed that there were varying degrees of student participation in the various colleges and also that the role of student representatives on the education boards differed from one college to the other. The findings also revealed that student board members were marginalised by other board members when it came to decision making involving the utilisation of financial resources and disciplinary proceedings involving lecturers. Some information such as financial and audit reports was not readily available to student board members for them to make informed decisions on matters affecting their fellow students.