Humanities and Social Sciences

Permanent URI for this collection

http://41.63.25.24:4000/handle/123456789/77

Browse

Recent Submissions

Now showing 1 - 5 of 1017
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Analysing the communication strategies the government is using in implementing the re-entry policy in Zambia’s education system : a case study of Chongwe district.
    (The University of Zambia, 2025) Nkonde, Fridah
    Zambia's Re-entry Policy was introduced in 1997 to allow girls who become pregnant to return to school after giving birth. The policy's goal is to prevent young mothers from being excluded from education and to prevent girls from dropping out of school after giving birth. Despite the policy being introduced 27 years ago, many young girls have continued to drop out of school due to challenges encountered in their pursuit for education. The purpose of this study is to analyse the communication strategies the Government of the Republic of Zambia is using in implementing the Re-entry Policy in Chongwe district of Lusaka Province. This study used the qualitative approach to analyse the communication strategies the government is using to implement the Re-entry Policy in Zambia’s education system. Purposive and random sampling were both used in this study to help the researcher rely on her own judgement when identifying and selecting the individuals, cases, or events that can provide the best information to achieve the study’s objectives. In this study, the sample consisted of three (3) Head Teachers, three (3) Guidance and Counselling Teachers, three (3) Teachers, three (3) teen mothers and three (3) parents or guardians of the teen mothers. The sample also consisted of twenty (20) pupils of which ten (10) were girls and the other ten (10) were boys. The total number of participants in the study was thirty-five (35) participants all picked from the selected five Primary and Secondary schools in Chongwe district and from the community. The findings indicate that the Government had not employed specific communication strategies targeting the implementation of the re-entry policy in the country. The findings were also clear on the fact that despite the introduction of the Re-entry Policy, there were no clear messages delivered through appropriate platforms tailored for diverse audiences on the Re-entry Policy. On the part of the Guidance and Counselling Teachers, the findings indicate that most teachers were not getting proper guidance from the Ministry of Health concerning means and ways of communicating the policy to the pupils. This study recommends that the Government, through the Ministry of Education should embark on awareness raising activities on the Re-entry Policy using Television, Radio, Newspapers, and various Social Media Platforms.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    The role of the army in advancing national development : an in-depth analysis of the Zambia Army’s contributions to infrastructure, healthcare, education, and civilian projects.
    (The University of Zambia, 2024) Nyambe, Happy Akashimiketwa
    The study explores the multifaceted role of the Zambia Army in national development, with a focus on its contributions to infrastructure development, healthcare services, education, and other civilian-related projects. Traditionally seen as a security institution, the Zambia Army has expanded its scope to include socio-economic development activities, addressing critical gaps in underserved communities. This study utilized a qualitative research approach underpinned by the interpretivism paradigm. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, including Zambia Army personnel, government officials, and project beneficiaries, and analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that the Zambia Army significantly contributes to infrastructure development, particularly in rural and remote areas, by constructing roads, bridges, and housing units that enhance connectivity and economic integration. In healthcare, the Army plays a critical role in providing medical services through military hospitals, mobile clinics, and emergency epidemic responses, such as during the cholera and COVID-19 outbreaks. Furthermore, the Army’s involvement in education includes managing schools and vocational training programs that improve literacy and address skills gaps in Zambia’s workforce. These initiatives align with Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (2022–2026), which emphasizes inclusive and sustainable development. The study states examples such as, the Zambia Army having established military-led vocational training programs and secondary schools in underserved areas, thus, improving education. Further, Military-run technical institutions teach engineering, mechanics, and agriculture to civilians. Additionally, it was revealed that, Defence education strategies prepare military personnel for civilian careers and improve the national workforce. The study further shows through secondary sources that military-run schools enhance academic performance and character development by offering disciplined and structured learning settings. The findings show evidence that in marginalised populations, military schools have increased literacy and access to quality education. However, challenges such as resource constraints, limited inter-agency coordination, and the absence of comprehensive monitoring frameworks impede the Army’s ability to maximize its developmental impact. The study highlights the need for stronger collaboration between the Army and civilian institutions, enhanced policy integration, and increased resource allocation to sustain and scale its contributions. Drawing insights from international best practices, the study concludes that the Zambia Army possesses significant untapped potential to drive sustainable development, particularly in addressing infrastructure deficits, healthcare disparities, and educational challenges. This research contributes to the growing discourse on military involvement in national development, offering practical recommendations for optimizing the Zambia Army’s developmental role. Future research could further explore the long-term socio economic impacts of military-led development initiatives.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Print media coverage of agricultural information in Zambia: a comparative study of Times of Zambia and Zambia daily mail newspapers.
    (The University of Zambia, 2023) Kabuya, Dorcas
    The primary objective of this research study is to compare the coverage of agricultural information by print media in Zambia. Specifically, the study was aimed to analysing the importance accorded to agricultural information in terms of length, placement and prominence. To achieve this objective, the study employed a mixed-methods approach, combining both quantitative and qualitative methods. In this study, two local daily newspapers (Times of Zambia and Zambia Daily Mail) were analysed using content analysis to ascertain their coverage of agricultural information. The researcher analysed a total of 358 newspaper editions for the two named publications on the coverage of agricultural information for a total period of six months namely December of the year 2018, February, June, and December of the year 2019, and February and June of the year 2020 for the two agricultural seasons namely 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 season. It should be noted that dates sampled for each month for both publications were the same so as to enable effective comparative content analysis. In addition to content analysis, a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from journalists. Data collected was analysed using Microsoft excel and Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings show that a total of 374 agricultural news stories were published during the period of coverage selected. Research findings revealed that the frequency of reportage of agricultural information was highest (55.6 percent) in the Zambia Daily Mail. The study concluded that the selected two local daily newspapers did not give significant prominence to agricultural information. This was evidenced by the fact that out of the 17, 597 news stories that were published by the two selected newspapers over a given period, only 374 agricultural stories were published representing 2.1 percent. The study also provided insights on the challenges faced by print media outlets in disseminating agricultural information to farmers and the wider public in Zambia. Based on the findings of the research, it was recommended that more inspirational stories of farmers in agriculture were needed to create more awareness of agriculture and to motivate the youth to take up agriculture as an occupation. Secondly, capacity building workshops should be organised for journalists with a passion for reporting of agriculture information. Least but not last, the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, working with other agricultural stakeholders need to be more active, interactive and give out information the media is looking for in a timely manner.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    An assessment of media coverage of child online protection (COP) in Zambia: a case of Zambia daily mail and daily nation.
    (The University of Zambia, 2023) Chaaba, Hanford Advent
    This study is aimed at assessing the extent and quality of media coverage of Child Online Protection (COP) by the media in Zambia; a case of Zambia Daily Mail and Daily Nation newspaper. The study was aimed at establishing the risks children encounter when they are online and also the quantity (frequency) of COP coverage in the Zambia Daily Mail and Daily Nation newspapers. Additionally, the study sought to examine the policies of the Zambia Daily Mail and Daily Nation newspapers on the coverage of COP issues, and to analyse the challenges that journalists from Zambia Daily Mail and Daily Nation encounter when covering COP. The findings have revealed that COP related issues receive poor or low coverage in Zambian Newspapers. Furthermore, the findings have indicated that topics relating to Child Online Protection are not given the prominence they deserve by the print media. This study used both quantitative and qualitative research designs, with the quantitative content analysis of the two newspapers for the 2021 months of January, February, March and April being the major part used to collect data. This saw a total number of 242 newspaper editions analysed in the four (4) months period of the study. Further, questionnaires, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions and desktop research were used to collect data from selected newspapers (editors and reporters), parents, ZICTA official and pupils. Research instruments used were structured questionnaires, content analysis coding sheets, semi-structured interview schedule and FGD guide. Two theories, Agenda Setting as well as Media Information Dependency Theory, were utilised to contextualise the study. The Agenda Setting Theory was key in informing the study on how the media can set the agenda by telling the public what to talk and think about or discuss, which in this case was COP. Equally, the Media Information Dependency Theory the theory is relevant in helping to understand how heavily dependent on various media platforms the public, including children, had become. This study shows that COP coverage by Zambian newspapers is very low and not given the importance or prominence it deserves. This can be seen from both the quantitative and qualitative analyses of the newspaper content which indicated that COP issues are given very little priority especially that only 31 stories out of 10,680 stories were published between January and April 2021 in the two daily newspapers. This represents 0.6 percent of the total number of stories published during this period under study. Other than the low coverage established, it was also clear that most of the COP articles did not have children’s voices. This meant that children’s views and opinions were not heard on issues that affected them. Further, the children interviewed in the FGDs stated that there was no deliberate drive to dedicate space to children’s issues generally including COP, and that if a story on COP or any other issue that borders on children welfare is to be published, it will be given very small space in newspapers. This tends to make it difficult for children to have a clear interpretation and comprehension of the published COP related article. There is need for newspapers to improve and increase the coverage of COP and give it the prominence or importance it deserves, involve children when developing stories that they intend to provide them with, develop policies and strategies that will help guide their coverage of COP related issues.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Exploring and investigating corruption in the UPND government in Lusaka district.
    (The University of Zambia, 2024) Locha, Prudence
    This study aimed to exploring corruption in the UPND New Dawn Government in Lusaka District, Zambia. The study used a sample of 100 respondents who were selected using purposive sampling technique. The research design combined both qualitative and quantitative methods, involving content analysis for qualitative data and simple statistical quantification to present quantitative data. Nevertheless, the bulk part of this research method was anchored on qualitative methods. Quantitative technique was used to justify the extent of UPND’S corruption since other methods have proven inconsistent towards fighting political corruption. The study's findings uncovered an increase in the presence of corruption by the UPND New Dawn Government, despite being a government that had promised to fight corruption in a transparency and accountable manner. This study explored, investigated and identified various factors that facilitate corruption such as: political patronage, poverty, inequality, weak institutions, ineffective anti-corruption measures, and a culture of impunity among public officials. Key informants also emphasized the lack of transparency and weak oversight institutions as factors contributing to corruption. These findings resonated with Treisman's (2000) research, which identified the role of social and economic heterogeneity, specifically ethnic fractionalization, facilitating the increase in corruption. The study highlighted the complex dynamics at play in the context of political patronage, poverty, and the ineffectiveness of anti-corruption measures. While public perception indicated a significant level of corruption in the UPND government, key informants suggested that stringent anti-corruption measures had resulted in lower levels of corruption. These measures included a clear legal framework to combat corruption, whistleblower protection, enhanced oversight, and independent anti-corruption agencies. Challenges in the fight against corruption included a lack of funding and resources, political interference, whistleblower vulnerability, and limited education and awareness. These challenges were in line with the findings of Maiga (2023), highlighting the negative impact of corruption on human capital development. The socio-economic and cultural effects of corruption were also examined. Economic drain, poverty, income inequality, and inefficient resource allocation were identified as socio-economic consequences. Culturally, corruption led to the normalization of unethical behavior, erosion of trust, and an impact on social cohesion. These findings underline the far-reaching effects of corruption on society and underscore the importance of addressing this issue comprehensively. Macre’s Game theory was applied for determining different strategies in perpetuating corruption by the UPND government in Lusaka. It was used for offering valuable tools for solving strategy problem of how corruption can be reduced. The game theory was used to determine the level of accomplices for corruption crime, were there is not enough evidence for a felony conviction. The argument was that perpetrators of political corruption take the actions simply as a game and not a felony, hence its increase by the actors in the UPND government. Methodologically, the study used a mixed research technique, even though the larger part of it was explorative approach thus involving interviews, focused group discussions, storytelling and observations. In conclusion, the study revealed that while there are measures in place to combat corruption in the UPND New Dawn Government, challenges persist. Addressing these challenges and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability is essential. Corruption not only undermines economic development but also erodes cultural values and social cohesion. It is recommended that efforts to combat corruption include strengthening oversight institutions, promoting ethical leadership, and simplifying legal processes. Public awareness campaigns and measures to reduce poverty and inequality should be prioritized.