The impact of mobile phones on the moral formation of pupils: an assessment of the perceptions of school administrators, teachers and pupils on the effects of mobile phones on moral formation in Marist catholic mission secondary schools in Zambia, 2018 to 2022.
| dc.contributor.author | Bwalya, Patrick | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2025-07-31T09:09:26Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2025-07-31T09:09:26Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2025 | |
| dc.description | Thesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Religious Studies. | |
| dc.description.abstract | Mobile phones have become integral part of people’s lives across the globe. While they have a potential to transform human life and society, they too bring about ethical concerns. In Zambia, there has been political and social debate as to whether it is good for school pupils to use mobile phones at school or not. In tandem, there has been an upward trend in the possession and use of mobile phones among pupils, despite the prohibition. The perception is that Mobile phones in the hands of pupils contribute to indiscipline and deterioration of morals. The perceived effects of mobile phones on moral formation of pupils prompted this study. The study investigated the fears and perceptions of teachers and administrators toward mobile phones in the hands of pupils. The study answered questions such as: Are the teachers and administrators’ claims founded on empirical evidence? Do the pupils share the concerns and anxieties of their teachers and administrators? The study investigated the claims through empirical methods by using an Embedded Mixed Method Design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected, analyzed and blended to develop a stronger understanding of the research problem. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. A sample of 248 respondents was considered for this study. The study was carried out in two Marist Catholic Mission Secondary Schools on the Copperbelt and Central provinces of Zambia. The study established that the majority of teachers and administrators were against mobile phone possession by pupils. The findings also were that the pupils did not share the concerns of teachers and administrators; instead, they felt it was a matter of personal choice and the environment in which an individual was raised. The study found that the majority of pupils used and owned a mobile phone, and that WhatsApp, TikTok, Facebook, and YouTube were applications that had the potential to affect moral formation. However, the perceptions on the effect of mobile phones on behaviour patterns of pupils remained divided, with teachers and administrators perceiving negative influence contrary to the positive perception of the majority of pupils who felt mobile phones had no direct bearing on their behaviour patterns. The study recommended that government through the Ministry of Education establish “Smart Labs” with personalized mobile phones, and “Mentorship Programs” in secondary schools, and that the Managing Agency put up “Moral Encounter” programs. Keywords: Catholic mission school, Marist, Mobile phone, Moral formation, Pupil, Teacher | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/9331 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | The University of Zambia | |
| dc.title | The impact of mobile phones on the moral formation of pupils: an assessment of the perceptions of school administrators, teachers and pupils on the effects of mobile phones on moral formation in Marist catholic mission secondary schools in Zambia, 2018 to 2022. | |
| dc.type | Thesis |