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Exploring the contribution of civic education to the fight against substance abuse among the learners in selected secondary schools in Kitwe district in the Copperbelt of Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2024) Chipasha, Christine
This study explored the contribution of civic education to the fight against substance abuse among learners in secondary schools in Copperbelt Province of Zambia. Specifically, the study focused on, the contribution of civic education to the fight against substance abuse among learners, classroom practices that teachers of civic education employ to develop civic knowledge, dispositions, skills and values in the fight against substance abuse among learners and, the best teaching approaches that teachers of Civic Education employ to attain acceptable attitudes and behaviors among the learners in Civic Education. Qualitative research approach was used to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the contribution of civic education in the fight against substance abuse among learners in secondary schools. Data was generated through interviews from 22 participants. The data collected was analyzed using thematic approach. Findings of the study show that civic education empowers learners with knowledge and skills necessary for them to make informed decisions regarding the effects of substance abuse and how to resist peer pressure. It was also revealed that Civic Education helps to instil and strengthen good morals and values in learners needed to fight substance abuse. Equally, it was found out that through Civic Education, learners are able to develop virtues necessary for them to become agents of change in the fight against substance abuse. On the aspect of classroom practices, it was revealed that lecture method, question and answer method, textbook study, discussions, debate and role play are the classroom practices that teachers of civic education employ to develop civic knowledge, skills and values in the fight against substance abuse in secondary schools. On the best teaching approaches, the study found out that experts and role models, project based and co-curricular activities are the best approaches that teachers of Civic Education can employ to attain acceptable attitudes and behaviors among the learners. The study concludes that Civic Education is vital in the fight against substance abuse because it enlightens the learners on the consequences of substance abuse to their education, health and national development. Based on the findings of the study, the study recommends that Civic education curriculum should also include detailed topics about substance abuse at junior level so that learners are well equipped upon entry at grade eight.
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Role of vocational education and training in community re-entry and social re-integration of ex-inmates: a case study of ex-inmates in the Kabwe district of Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2021) Mwanza, Tobius
There are more than 10.35 million people incarcerated throughout the world. According to the International Centre for Prison Studies (ICPS) world prison population list (2015) the United States of America (USA) has the highest prison population rate in the world; 716 per 100,000 of its national population. In Africa the median rate for western African countries is 46 whereas for southern African countries is 205. Zambia is one of the countries in southern Africa with an ever-increasing inmate population that now stand at 21,000 against its holding capacity of 9,000. Nonetheless, the causes of crime and consequent incarceration are complex and among them; poverty, parental neglect, low self-esteem, alcohol and drug abuse, joblessness, these and others can be connected to why people commit crime. However, some people are at greater risk of becoming offenders due to the social environment into which they are born and are brought-up. Studies have shown that the standard specification in the USA show that 1.0 percentage point increases in unemployment can increase property crime by around 1.1 to 1.8 percent (ICPS. 2015). The study that was conducted to investigate the effects of unemployment on the rate of crime in South Africa in Kwa-Zulu Natal Province revealed that unemployment is to be considered as a root cause of many problems that South Africa is facing today such as crime, poverty and suicide. Crime in particular, acts as a symptom of deeper socio-political issues in South Africa (Tshabalala N.G. 2014). In Zambia the youth represent 60% of the total employable age yet most of them are not employed instead they are involved in crime, prostitution, drug abuse, alcohol abuse and other illicit activities (ILO, 2017). It is however, a global practice that in many penal jurisdictions offenders are usually offered some sort of vocational training during their period of detention. This paper intends to look at the role of vocational education and training in community reentry and social re-integration of ex-inmates in the Kabwe District of Zambia.
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Opportunities and challenges of planning for virtual markets in Lusaka.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Luapula, Pasmore
The advent of internet and increase in the usage of information and communication technology has brought about the demand for advertising and transaction of goods and services online through the use of cyber or virtual Markets. Zambia is among the most urbanized countries in Sub-Saharan Africa and is faced with an increase in the users of social media and other digital media platforms where advertising and online transactions are taking place without the required regulations and necessary legislation to guide and regulate the virtual Markets. The study was aimed at assessing how the current planning processes can include planning for virtual urban Markets. The study was set to assess the awareness of virtual urban Markets among urban planners and to examine the potential for inclusion of virtual space in planning for urban Markets. The study was anchored on the data collected from 36 participants which were purposefully selected from institutions responsible for coordination of planning and provision of policies on Virtual Markets and regulation of trade and commerce. The participants included key informants from key institutions and practicing planners. The study findings indicated that there was general awareness among urban planners on the usage of the virtual Markets to the advertisement and transaction of products in the virtual space through cyber platforms. The results further established that though there were policies to provide for advertisement and transacting online through cyber platforms, there are no regulations and standards to guide virtual Markets in their operations. For the possible inclusion of virtual Markets in the planning, the results indicated that there was progress being made by the Government ministries in advancing Virtual Markets by promoting a Smart Zambia campaign. The results indicated a serious challenge of low internet connectivity and high levels of computer illiteracy which hindered full participation of the general citizenry in virtual Markets. Furthermore, absence of hardware such as computers, phones and software coupled with lack of coordination among sector ministries in advancing the use of virtual Markets poses a great challenge in the planning and subsequent legislation of virtual Markets. This study concludes that the inadequacy coordination, low investments in Virtual Markets, inadequate regulations of cyber Markets, high internet access divide, between the urban areas and rural areas, high risks of internet fraud and low access to internet facilities and accessories hinders successful planning for virtual urban Markets. The virtual Market transactions have changed the way people advertise and trade their products in that the physical Market has been avoided and substituted by the virtual Market and so are some of the taxes and fees due to local authorities and the Government. To regulate and plan effectively for the virtual Markets, there is need to provide regulations pertaining cyber transactions and provide necessary education to the citizenry on the importance of virtual Markets. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development together with Zambia information Communication and Technological Authority to come up with a deliberate policy of registering online firms that advertises and transact with the public. The Government should introduce taxes and revenues that are connected with local authorities on every Virtual Market created and pay directly to the council in form of a percentage or loyalties.
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Mathematics teachers’ classroom practices in the context of 21st century skills: a case of one secondary school in Lusaka district, Zambia.
(The University of Zambia, 2023) Chileshe, Chantell Bwalya
Despite global aspirations towards a 21st Century Skills learning agenda, Zambia's efforts to effectively integrate these skills into classroom settings have shown limited advancement. This discrepancy highlights the challenge of translating theoretical aspirations into tangible educational practices. It is in this light that the researcher investigated the mathematics teachers’ classroom practices in the context of 21st Century Skills at secondary school level. Mathematics teachers’ practices were focused on because mathematics as a subject plays a key role in shaping how individuals deal with the various spheres of life, be it private, social or cooperate. The objectives of this study included: determination of what mathematics teachers know about 21st Century Skills; determination of how mathematics teachers’ classroom practices align with facilitation of learners’ acquisition of 21st Century Skills; understanding ways in which classroom-based assessments as administered by mathematics teachers are aligned with 21st Century Skills; and establishment of the views of teachers on the challenges they face in line with the 21st Century Skills. In this qualitative study, an ethnographic research design was utilized. The study sample consisted of two secondary school mathematics teachers who were purposively selected. The first teacher had 29 learners whereas the second one had 24 learners. Semi-structured interviews, lesson observations, performance assessment and document analysis were used to generate information. Content analysis was employed to analyze the collected data. It was found out that the sampled teachers were aware of 21st Century Skills however they deemed technology as the main 21st century skill. The teachers practices in respect of teaching and assessment did not incorporate strategies aligned to the learner acquisition of the 21st Century Skills, an occurrence which denied learners to effectively acquire the 21st Century Skills focused on in this study. Consequently, it is recommended that school mathematics departments implement comprehensive professional development programs for mathematics teachers that encompasses 21st Century Skills beyond technology. Furthermore, professional development programs should integrate innovative teaching strategies and align classroom assessments with 21st Century Skills.
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Management, infrastructure and faculty of selected emerging universities in Kabwe.
(The University of Zambia, 2017) Chisenga, Jacob
Quality in education is a concept that is of paramount importance. In studies of quality issues in education all over the world, it is pointed out that there is as yet no consensus on the definition of the term “quality”. Although it cannot easily be quantified in education terms, factors objecting its enhancement can however be determined based on the perceptions of the various stakeholders entwined to the education system. Among the identified factors critical for quality education are management, faculty, and infrastructure, and these are proving elusive for Universities even worse for emerging ones. Thus the general objective of this study was to assess the quality of management, faculty, and infrastructure in emerging universities as these are crucial for quality education. This study investigated three emerging universities, one public university called Kwame Nkurumah University, and two private called Paglory and Mukuni universities, in Kabwe district of Zambia. This research employed a descriptive survey design method were both qualitative and quantitative data are used to explain a present conditions as viewed and interpreted through various responses. The study used a sample size of 80 respondents who were purposefully selected from the sample population. A questionnaire, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from the respondents. Quantitative data was analysed using inferential statistics while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The following were the major findings from the research. Firstly, it was found out that the faculty of the emerging universities was not fully qualified. It was observed that some lecturers lacked proper qualifications and experience in both types of universities. For example, in the public university, some lecturers were still degree holders teaching degree programmes and even worse in the private sector where some lecturers were diploma holders teaching degree programmes. Other findings revealed that the major factors hindering delivery of quality education as perceived by faculty include: Inadequate resources (modern books, printers, projectors, and computers); inadequate lecture halls; Curriculum not up to date; Lack of active research; and limited sponsorship for further education. On infrastructure, it was established that the general state of infrastructure was poor and also inadequate to meet both faculty and students teaching/learning needs. The universities were observed to have inadequate lecture halls, lecturers’ offices, and other infrastructural learning facilities. Lecturers in the public university were forced to share offices while in the private university, some were reduced to using their motor vehicles as their offices. The study also uncovered three major challenges facing management of the emerging universities. It was found out that management of these universities were predominantly faced by financial constraints, inadequate infrastructure and faculty retention. Respondents in both types of the universities further singled out the financial constraint as the source of all managerial problems. Some strategies that had been put in place to alleviate these challenges included the introduction of distance students who brought in additional funding, sponsorship of lecturers for further education to improve faculty retention, and partnering with the international community for funding. It was also observed that better and adequate infrastructure is being constructed to mitigate the infrastructure problem. Based on the findings of the study, the level of faculty, infrastructure and management of these emerging universities is below standard with the public sector performing better than the private sector in all the areas. The study recommended that all universities practice revenue diversification as a way of reducing dependency on the available limited sources of finance and strongly advocates for non-monetary motivational strategies such as recognition, and sponsorship for further education to retain faculty. Finally, it is recommended that the ministry of Higher Education should physically assess the management, infrastructure, and faculty of all institutions before registering such as a university.