Decolonizing students mind set to offer transformative service to the nation and the society at large.
Date
2023
Authors
Chikwanda, Musonda
Mulenga, Rosemary
Daka, Harrison
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
One of the core principles of Kwame Nkrumah University (KNU) is training for transformation with a
primary goal of decolonizing students mind set to offer transformative service to the nation and the society at large. This means
decolonizing the thoughts, preferences and values that derive from a colonial way of thinking. A number of scholars
have focused on the value of transformation with little regard on how far the curriculum can help decolonizing
students’ mindset to offer transformative service to the nation and the society at large. This is the knowledge gap this
study addressed. The objective of the study was to suggest strategies that can be employed to decolonize students
mind set to offer transformative service to the nation and the society at Large. The study employed Case Study
design. The study was guided by the transformative theory of leadership. The sample under the study consisted of 8
lecturers, 20 students, 3 Heads of departments, 1 Assistant Dean Postgraduate studies. Others included 1 Assistant
Director postgraduate studies and a Registrar for ODL. Convenience sampling was used to select Kwame Nkrumah
University. Purposive sampling technique was used to select lecturers. The Post-graduate students were selected
using the quota sampling. The researchers used questionnaires with open-ended questions and semi- structured
interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to analyse open-ended questions and semi-structured interviews. The
results indicated that an educator should be a role model to what is expected of a student. The curriculum needs for a
paradigm shift to vocationalise our curriculum. The knowledge acquired by students should help the nation and the
society at large to be critical thinkers, innovative and productive hence decolonization.
Keywords: decolonization, mind-set, transformative service, nation, society
Description
Article
Keywords
Mind decolonization--Students. , Transformation of society.