Academic flaws in the face of the COVID - 19 Pandemic: a case of University of Zambia student.

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Date
2022
Authors
Daka, Harrison
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Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI)
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis has brought unprecedented challenges to higher education. The COVID-19 pandemic has subsequently left higher institutions of learning struggling on how to provide quality education to all. Globally, students have faced unprecedented challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Irrefutably, this austere pandemic has disrupted the teaching and learning process and it has affected the provision equitable and quality education. This paper aimed to provide a comprehensive report on the challenges facing University of Zambia Students in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This was achieved by analyzing 400 University of Zambia students’ responses to the survey-based questionnaire. A descriptive statistical method was used to test the validation of the study. The students were sampled using simple random sampling. The study revealed that the major challenges included poor network connectivity, failure to access and upload educational materials on the platforms and lack of digital skills. In order to curb these challenges, the study recommended that the government and private network providers should improve the network provision to all parts of the country. In addition, the study recommended that there is need to have blended learning so as to enhance understanding in the learners for concepts which were not clear when taught during online. It was proposed that the University of Zambia management should also put a deliberate programme to train all students in digital skills. Key words: Academic flaws, Covid – 19, Learning and teaching, Pandemic, Strategies The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis has brought unprecedented challenges to higher education. The COVID-19 pandemic has subsequently left higher institutions of learning struggling on how to provide quality education to all. Globally, students have faced unprecedented challenges stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. Irrefutably, this austere pandemic has disrupted the teaching and learning process and it has affected the provision equitable and quality education. This paper aimed to provide a comprehensive report on the challenges facing University of Zambia Students in the face of the COVID-19 Pandemic. This was achieved by analyzing 400 University of Zambia students’ responses to the survey-based questionnaire. A descriptive statistical method was used to test the validation of the study. The students were sampled using simple random sampling. The study revealed that the major challenges included poor network connectivity, failure to access and upload educational materials on the platforms and lack of digital skills. In order to curb these challenges, the study recommended that the government and private network providers should improve the network provision to all parts of the country. In addition, the study recommended that there is need to have blended learning so as to enhance understanding in the learners for concepts which were not clear when taught during online. It was proposed that the University of Zambia management should also put a deliberate programme to train all students in digital skills. Key words: Academic flaws, Covid – 19, Learning and teaching, Pandemic, Strategies
Description
Article
Keywords
COVID-19--Challenges--Education. , Challenges of COVID-19. , COVID-19 and higher education.
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