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Factors affecting financial sustainability of non-governmental organizations in Luapula province, Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration (Finance)Amidst the challenging economic conditions, numerous Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Zambia have faced severe financial distress, leading to closures and diminishing financial sustainability. This issue has been exacerbated over the past decade as external support directed towards NGOs in Zambia has notably declined. Unfortunately, there is a lack of comprehensive and well-documented studies focusing on the financial sustainability of NGOs in Zambia, further limiting our understanding of this critical matter. This study focused on the factors that influence the financial sustainability of NGOs in Luapula Province, Zambia. The study explored the impact of key factors which are; financial management, revenue diversification, and donor relationship management on the financial sustainability of NGOs in Luapula Province. It utilized a mixed-methods research approach, involving both qualitative and quantitative methods, to gather data from sampled NGOs. The study population comprised local NGOs operating in Luapula Province, and a sample was selected based on those actively operating within the province. A total of 32 respondents participated in the study. The study tested three hypotheses related to the financial sustainability of NGOs in Luapula Province, Zambia. The results showed that there was an insignificant relationship between revenue diversification and the financial sustainability of NGOs in Luapula Province. On the other hand, financial management was found to significantly influence the financial sustainability of NGOs, while donor relationship
management did not have a significant impact on financial sustainability. Nonetheless, correlation test shows that financial management and donor relationship have a strongly positive relationship. Based on this evidence, the study recommends that NGOs in Luapula prioritize building core
financial management systems, examining the institutional conditions that enable them to meet donor compliance conditions and prioritizing revenue concentration before creating portfolios with multiple revenue streams. These recommendations will help improve NGO financial sustainability
Examining the mechanisms of the student loan recovery for sustainable financing of higher education in Zambia.
No full textThesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Education and Development.For undergraduate students in public universities in Zambia, the main source of funding for higher education is the student loan programme. The student loan scheme is sustained through government and student loans recoveries. Even though Higher Education Loans and Scholarships Board (HELSB) has achieved tremendous progress in the area of loan recovery, there is still much work to be done. This study therefore sought to examine the modalities of student loans recovery for sustainable financing of higher education in Zambia. The study was guided by the Human Capital Theory and Ability to Pay Theory. The researcher employed pragmatism paradigm and an embedded research design. The respondents were sampled using simple random sampling (students), non-discriminative snowball sampling (graduates) and expert purposive sampling (key informants). This study encompassed a sample of 1400 students, 18 graduates, 1 Ministry of Education Official as well as 6 members of staff at Higher Education Loans and Scholarship Board (HELSB). Questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect quantitative and qualitative data respectively. The quantitative data collected was analysed using a software commonly known as SPSS and qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. The findings of the study indicated that the interest rate was relatively high. Despite indicating that the interest rate was too high, some beneficiaries stressed that they would pay their student loans in order for the government to continue supporting other needy students. The findings of the study also revealed that the modalities used by HELSB were retrieving beneficiary records using National Pension Scheme Authority (NAPSA) and Zambia Revenue
Authority (ZRA) database, recovering loans through Public Service Management Division (PSMD) and individual/private employers’ payroll systems. The study established that one of the factors affecting the recovery of loans was failure or lack of insurance of loans. Other factors include untimely remittances, lack of an Integrated Management Information System, failure to capture and recover loans from beneficiaries who are in the informal sector, lack of an investment policy, lack of employment and low salaries. As regards the performance of the student loan recovery scheme in Zambia, the findings showed that the level of loan recovery had increased exponentially from 2018 to date. Owing to this exponential increase, HELSB has
expanded the provision of student loans beyond the traditional University of Zambia (UNZA) and Copperbelt University (CBU). Based on the findings and conclusions, the following recommendations were made: HELSB must consider reducing the interest rate and ensure that the loan deductions are reduced to a fair amount, preferably, the deductions should be proportional to a person’s basic salary. HELSB needs to insure the loans because loan insurance considerably reduces the educational debt's financial risk. HELSB must also make sure that borrowers are well-informed about their obligations to repay their loans at the time of application. To aid in the tracing down of beneficiaries whose loans have matured, HELSB needs
to establish closer relationships with higher educational institutions, student organisations/unions, and alumni networks. HELSB should also work more closely with employing agencies and employers to ensure timely repayment and recovery of loans. In an effort to increase the employers' compliance levels, HELSB management ought to devote additional resources to leading compliance visits. To enhance the recovery of student loans, the thesis proposed a framework
Assessment of communication strategies in the keep Zambia clean, green and health campaign the case of the city of Lusaka.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Environmental and Natural Resources Management.This study aimed to identify the factors influencing the outcomes of communication strategies in the Keep Zambia Clean, Green, and Healthy Campaign (KZCGH) initiated by the Lusaka City Council. Utilising a qualitative design, key informants from Lusaka City Council, totalling six
respondents and eighteen marketers, were interviewed using an interview guide. The research objectives focused on understanding the dynamics of the campaign. The data was analysed using content and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that the campaign's success was attributed to public-private partnerships, community empowerment, and education programs. Private sector involvement, particularly in waste management, showcased the positive impact of collaboration. Continued engagement with the private sector was emphasized for sustained success, indicating a positive shift in cultural attitudes towards cleanliness and civic responsibility. The primary targets of the campaign were the general public and private sector players. Challenges faced by the Lusaka City Council underscored the importance of collaboration among the public, private sector, and government, aligning with the Cultural Studies Approach and the Health Belief Model. The examination of information communicated through various channels highlighted the dominance of public notices and radio advertisements, emphasising the enduring efficacy of traditional methods. The inclusion of social media channels reflected a strategic acknowledgment of the evolving communication landscape. The study identified limited financial contributions, reduced community engagement, and underutilised public-private partnerships as key challenges. Despite the campaign's success in promoting positive attitudes, disease prevention, and overall community well-being, challenges persist. Effectively addressing these challenges necessitates a sustained collaborative effort between the public, private sector, and government, emphasising continuous communication and community engagement. The study concludes with recommendations for addressing the identified challenges and suggests areas for further research based on the findings. Overall, the research underscores the importance of effective communication strategies that consider cultural nuances,
engage diverse stakeholders, and address health-related perceptions for the success and sustainability of the KZCGH
Computing and data visualisation for selected problems in solar energy using python programming language.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Physics.Solar energy plays a vital role in reducing energy deficits by providing a renewable and sustainable power source, and it significantly reduces contributions to climate change compared to fossil fuels. A deeper understanding of the concepts involved in the study of solar energy is crucial for the
development of more efficient systems. Many textbooks contain key concepts such as mathematical expressions, tabulated values, and graphical representations that are used as pedagogical tools for the mastery of the subject. However, many of these tools are not interactive and may not be able to provide solutions in real-time. Therefore, this study addresses this gap by developing a user-friendly graphical interface for solving, simulating and visualizing six key solar energy problems. The codes were created using Python 3 and its libraries from the Jupyter Notebook environment. To empower user interaction and variable control, Ipywidgets, a Jupyter Notebook library was used. Later, the codes were migrated to the Tkinter framework for further development. The developed graphical user interface (GUI) applications were converted into executable files which were deployed on Windows systems. By facilitating real-time problem solving and data visualization the applets can enhance learning and empower researchers
An evaluation of the effect of the implemented six (6) human resource key focus areas on employees’ performance in relation to Skytrax airport review ratings (2017 - 2019): a case study of Harry Mwanga Nkumbula international airport - Livingstone.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science Human Resource Management.In trying to ensure that they make profits and have good customer service, the Harry Mwaanga Nkumbula International Airport (HMNIA) embarked on a quest to build capacity and motivate its employees by formulating the six HR Key Focus areas in its 2017-2019 Strategic Plan. This study therefore, sought to assess the effectiveness of the implemented 6 HR Focus areas at HMNIA vis-à-vis employees‟ performance in relation to Skytrax Airport Review Ratings. In conducting the study, the cross-sectional mixed methods equal status research design (QUAN + QUAL) was adopted. The study population was all the 143 members of staff at HMNIA. No sample size was used for this study as the study technique used was the census method. Both primary and secondary data were collected using interviews and questionnaires. The research had an 86.1% response rate. The collected interview data were analyzed to identify themes which were then used to identify trends presented in pie charts, bars, histograms, tables and pictograms. The key findings were that the majority of employees‟ considered the HR Key Focus Areas to have improved their effectiveness and productivity, and that the top 3 HR Focus Areas where were viewed as positively influencing their job morale were; improving employee skills, improving employee engagement and creating a learning culture. The study further established that 78% of respondents were interested in the Focus Areas and that 58% rated the HR Focus Areas to have had „above 50% positive impact‟ on their effectiveness and productivity. Overall, the 6 HR Focus Areas were found to be effective in improving productivity and boosting employee morale especially when coupled with transparent
communication with the employees. The study recommended that the small section of respondents who indicated that they had not seen the Focus Areas and the 38% of respondents who said the Focus Areas were not sufficient be addressed by the Human Resources Office through training in workshops, seminars or inductions at joining the compan
Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of selected foodborne associated bacteria from cockroaches.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in One Health Laboratory Diagnostic Sciences.Cockroaches appear to be suitable mechanical transmitters for a wide range of food borne pathogenic microorganisms due to their habit of feeding on excreta or garbage and occurrence in places where food is stored or handled. Therefore, they can play a significant role in the dissemination of microorganisms between the environment. The objective of the study was to determine the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of selected bacterial food-borne pathogens isolated from cockroach species. A total of 278 cockroaches were collected from 50 rooms at University of Zambia and 40 houses in Kalingalinga between November 2023 and January 2024. Two species of cockroaches namely Periplaneta americana and Blattella germanica were identified using identification keys. The distribution of these species was found to be statistically insignificant between the two study sites, with B. germanica being more prevalent, accounting for 66.7% of the cockroaches at UNZA and 58.2% at Kalingalinga. Wash homogenates of the external and gut surfaces were used for culturing on selective and differential media. The isolated bacteria were identified using biochemical tests. Bacterial pathogens were isolated from both the external and gut surfaces of the cockroaches, with 39 foodborne-associated bacteria identified. These included Escherichia coli (12 isolates), Salmonella species (7 isolates), and Staphylococcus aureus (7 isolates) from P. americana, and from B. germanica, Escherichia coli (6 isolates), Salmonella species (3 isolates), and Staphylococcus aureus (4 isolates). Of the 39 bacterial isolates, 79% were from the cockroach gut, while 21% were from the external surface, showing that the gut is a significant reservoir for pathogenic bacteria. The distribution of these pathogens was not statistically significant across the study sites or cockroach body parts. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the bacterial isolates revealed varying degrees of resistance. S. aureus showed high resistance to Penicillin G, while Salmonella and E. coli exhibited notable resistance to Ciprofloxacin and Cefotaxime, with 66.7% of all bacterial isolates being resistant to at least one class of antibiotics. Furthermore, 35.9% (N=39) of the isolates were multidrugresistant (MDR), with the MDR rate being 39% (n=18) in E. coli, 40% (n=10) in Salmonella and 27% (n=11) in S. aureus.
Phenotypic testing detected Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria among the isolates, with 8 E. coli and 3 Salmonella identified as potential ESBL producers. After screening on Cefotaxime/MacConkey agar, 3 E. coli and 2 Salmonella were confirmed as ESBL producers. PCR analysis revealed the presence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM genes in these ESBLproducing isolates, with blaCTX-M detected in 2 E. coli isolates and blaTEM detected in all 5 ESBLproducing isolates. The findings from this study highlight the potential role of cockroaches as vectors for foodborne pathogens and multidrug-resistant bacteria in residential and institutional settings. Given the high percentage load of pathogenic bacteria, particularly in the gut of cockroaches, and the observed antimicrobial resistance, the results underscore the need for effective pest control strategies and prudent use of antibiotics to mitigate the spread of resistant bacteria. Moreover, the presence of ESBL-producing E. coli and Salmonella emphasizes the importance of ongoing surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in both healthcare and environmental contexts to protect public health
An analysis of learners’ captivation to shadow education: effects on the mainstream education system in selected secondary schools of Choma district in Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Education in Curriculum StudiesThe importance of education in people’s lives cannot be overemphasized due to the immense positive changes that it brings forth. Meritocratic education systems in most developing countries which encourage stiff competition among learners and schools coupled with the parents’ perception of education
as a major future investment may culminate into what is referred to as shadow education. Shadow education is used widely and covers various forms of private supplementary tutoring and has in the recent decades greatly expanded causing far reaching economic, social and educational implications. The ideal
situation in the Zambian educational system is that provision of quality education to learners should be conducted in schools where they are formally registered and enrolled and they are expected to go home after school hours. However, the situation in most Zambian secondary schools was that, despite being
enrolled and learning in regular schools, some learners pursued paid for supplementary tuitions. Thus, the current study sought to analyze factors that captivated learners to shadow education and its effects on the mainstream education in selected schools of Choma district. Simple random and stratified sampling were used to select four (4) schools and eighty (80) learners respectively while purposive sampling was used to select twelve (12) teachers from sampled schools and six (6) parents of tutored learners. The concurrent embedded design of the mixed methods approach was employed in the current study. Data was obtained from secondary school learners using questionnaires while interview guides were used for secondary school teachers and parents of tutored learners. Qualitative data was analyzed using the Constant Comparative Method to identify emerging themes and categories while quantitative data was analysed using the statistical package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The findings of the study clearly suggested that learners, teachers and parents of tutored learners were dissatisfied with the quality of education in the mainstream education. The majority of secondary school learners in selected schools of Choma district faced a number of challenges such as failure by mainstream teachers to address their individual needs compelling them to turn to shadow education. It was further revealed that shadow education affected the mainstream education both positively and negatively. From this study, it was concluded that learners engaged in shadow education to secure individualized learning and increase their learning attainment. It was thus recommended that Ministry of Education (Mo
E) through Standards Officers, Head Teachers and head of departments and sections should ensure effective monitoring and evaluation at school on how teachers are implementing the curriculum in schools regularly. They should interact with learners so as to know various challenges that they face during the
teaching and learning process to ensure a conducive learning ambience for all learners to reduce the prevalence of shadow educatio
An Investigation of the impact on electronic records management on service delivery in the department of immigration in Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Library and Information ScienceThis study sought to investigate the impact of electronic records management on service delivery in the Department of Immigration. Specifically, the study had the following five objectives to achieve at the end of the study: to establish employee’s experience with the electronic records management adopted in the department of Immigration: to determine the extent to which implementation of the ERMS had improved storage of records at the department of Immigration: to assess the extent to which ERMS had improved accessibility and retrieval of records: to investigate the impact of ERMS on service delivery at the department and lastly to identify the challenges arising from use of ERMS in the department. This study used a case study research design using a single cross-sectional mixed methods approach meaning both qualitative and quantitative data was collected for the study. Data was collected from a sample of 110 respondents drawn from target population of approximately 200 staff who interact with the electronic management system (ERMS). A structured questionnaire consisting of close-ended and open-ended questionswas administered on 100 respondents and oral interviews conducted on 10 key informants that were purposively selected for this study. Quantitative data was analysed using the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS) version 26 while qualitative data was
analysed using thematic techniques. The study established that automation has greatly improved the retrieval and accessibility of records as responded by 86.9% of staff surveyed. Further, automation has reduced storage costs and eliminated misfiling and loss of records, resulting improved service delivery. In.
Furthermore, results from the study reveal that in terms of improving storage of records, efforts to have full storage off site back-up of records has equally been underway with SMART Zambia. This is to ensure that there is a full recovery plan in times of disasters. In addition,the findings revealed that 86.9% of the respondents were of the view that the implementation of ERMS had improved accessibility and retrieval time of records while 84.5% indicated implementation of ERMS had made it possible for same record to accessed by several users simultaneously. The findings from the fourth objective indicate 90.0% of the
respondents rated the speed at which work was being done after implementation of ERMS was faster as opposed to 8.4% who felt it was slow. The major challenges from the studyas revealedby the respondents included lack of fully trained personnel, potential security breaches at , inadequate funding, weak implementation strategies, poor Internet connectivity and frequent power outages, inadequate computer facilities. Other challenges include staff resistance to change. Based on the findings and discussions, the study recommends that the Department of Immigration increases funding to purchase more computers and other related equipment; provides regular staff training based on a thorough needs assessment for all levels of staff;revision of current records management policy to incorporate electronic record management issues spelling out retrieval, accessibility;andimprove backup system to enhance safety and security of electronic records
An investigation of the internal controls for Zambia Airports Corporation limited financial performance.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Business Administration General.The study investigated internal controls for Zambia Airports Corporation Limited financial performance. This was necessitated by the observance of weaknesses in internal controls and financial performance of selected parastatal bodies in Auditors General’s report for the year ended 31st December, 2020. Specific objectives were to assess the effectiveness of internal controls, assess the financial performance and establish the relationship between internal controls and financial performance. The study used mixed method research approach which utilized both quantitative and qualitative data from Lusaka based employees at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport and Zambia Airports Headquarters. Purpose sampling technique was used to achieve the study objectives. Targeted sample size was 105 out of the 2021, 1050 list of Zambia Airports Corporation Limited employees. Quantitative data was analyzed by means of descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Qualitative data was analyzed using thematic data analysis by examining themes within data. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires. The response rate was 93% implying that 98 questionnaires were received for analysis. Qualitative data from five managers was collected using interview guide. The overall outcome from most respondents on the first specific objective was that internal controls at Zambia Airports Corporation Limited were moderately effective. This implies that it satisfied the minimum requirements for internal controls effectiveness best practices. The outcome on the second specific objective was that most respondents were of the view that Zambia Airports Corporation Limited failed to achieve its profit and revenue targets for the past three years. This implies that financial performance was poor for the past three years. The outcome on the main (third specific) objective was that internal controls help achieve profit and revenues targets. This implies a positive relationship between internal controls and financial performance at Zambia airports. To improve Zambia Airports Corporation Limited financial performance, it was recommended that management considers strengthening its internal controls by responding timely to evaluated risks, ensure risk management committee worked closely with internal audit committee, provide regular feedback on financial performance to its employees, conduct awareness workshop on internal controls and its importance to its employees, and ensure internal audit unit was adequately staffed
Chemical resistance of cowpea genotypes to aphids (aphis craccivora koch) and bruchids (callosobruchus maculatus F.).
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems.Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] is an annual legume, considered important as a cash and nutritional security grain legume in the semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea yields in the sub-Sahara African region are low partly due to several biotic stress factors, which includes several insects. One of the major insect pests at the developmental stage in cowpea production is the aphid species, Aphis craccivora Koch and at post-harvest stage, the bruchid (Callosobruchus maculatus F.). Therefore, this research seeks to contribute to knowledge on useful genetic materials and associated traits for cowpea resistance to aphids and bruchids in cowpea genotypes by firstly, identify cowpea genotypes that exhibit multiple resistance to aphid and bruchid infestation, secondly, by identify aphid and bruchid resistance metabolites linked to the genes associated with multiple insect resistance in cowpea and lastly, by determining the heritability of genes associated with production of metabolites linked to multiple insect resistance in cowpea. The germplasm used consisted of three parental lines namely; Musandile (MS-parent), Bubebe (BB-parent), and Lutembwe (LT-parent) obtained from Zambia Agricultural Research Institute (ZARI), one landrace variety namely; Namuseba and 101 advanced mutant lines (7th generation mutants) provided by the Department of Plant Sciences under the School of Agricultural Sciences, at the University of Zambia, and 5 purelines from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA). The non-restricted aphid screening, was conducted in the field at the University of Zambia (UNZA) (Lat= -15.39058o, Long = 28.32813o ), and the restricted aphid screening was conducted in the greenhouse at Natural Resources Development College (NRDC) ((Lat= -15.3833o , Long= 28.3667o ),) in Lusaka Province, Zambia. Bruchid screening was conducted in the insectarium laboratory, Department of Plant Science, School of Agricultural Sciences at the University of Zambia. The metabolite analyses (qualitative analysis) were conducted in the chemistry laboratory at the University of Zambia, and by Food and Drugs laboratory (quantitative analysis). Significant differences at a 5% level of significance were observed among 110 genotypes under consideration with regard to aphid and bruchid resistance. Mutant lines were identified to possess different resistance traits MS1-8-2-6-8-1 (aphid resistance only), LT11-5-2-2-2 (bruchid resistance only), and BBBT1-11 (aphid and bruchid resistance). Phenolics were identified to be highly responsible for the multiple resistant trait expressed by BBBT1-11, under the control of three or more genes. BBBT1-11 can be utilized in breeding programs with a target of breeding multiple insect resistant cowpea genotypes. Further research should also be conducted in order to genotype the BBBT1-11 and identify the QTLs responsible for the trait observed in BBBT1-11