The provision of education in selected upgraded secondary schools of Muchinga Province in Zambia: examining infrastructure and the learning environment
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Date
2016
Authors
Chitamaluka, Chisanga Mark
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Zambia
Abstract
The study sought to ascertain whether the state of infrastructure and the learning environment
in the upgraded secondary schools is supporting the provision of education. The objectives of
the study, were to: determine the state of school infrastructure in up-graded secondary
schools; determine the state of the learning environment in upgraded secondary schools and
identify the strategies schools have employed in providing education in upgraded secondary
schools.
The study used the case study design which employed the qualitative strategy in order to
effectively address the issues raised by the research questions. The method of data collection
included in-depth structured interview guide, structured focus group discussion guide and
observation checklist. The target population included three District Education Board
Secretaries, four Head Teachers from four secondary schools, two teachers from the each
secondary school, six pupils from each secondary school and six parents from each school.
Both simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to select 78
respondents. Data were analysed qualitatively. This involved description, explanation and
interpretation of the raw data.
The findings of the study revealed that infrastructural facilities were in a bad state and were
too inadequate to accommodate the increasing number of learners. Classroom blocks in all
the schools were those previously meant for primary schools and hence very inadequate
Classrooms were inadequate and not spacious. The findings further indicate shortage of
teachers’ houses, classrooms without windows and the doors had no shutters while the classes
were congested and ranged from 60-70 students per class. Schools lacked laboratories,
teaching and learning material. Three schools had no electricity making it difficult to use
electrical appliances.
However, the findings also indicate that schools were not just siting idol. Schools were doing
something about this scenario. The Parents’ Teacher Association in collaboration with school
administration had started to build classroom blocks and also lobbying from Constituency
Development fund to help in building new classroom blocks.
The study concluded that education was being provided in very difficult circumstances. The
old infrastructure being used was also bad and inadequate. If the government did not
intervene now education provision will not be up to date and learning will not be taking
place. The state will have graduates without the skills, knowledge and a changed behaviour to
fit in any society beyond Zambia. Based on these findings the study recommends that the
government should first allocate some initial funding for infrastructure before upgrading a
basic school into a secondary school.
Description
Master of Education in Educational Administration and Management
Keywords
Educational Management , School management and Organization-Muchinga, Zambia