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Persons living with disabilities and Zambia's electoral processes: a study of Lusaka district.
No full textArticleThe study sought to explore issues persons living with disabilities in Zambia face in relation to the electoral processes in selected areas of Lusaka District. Specifically, the study aimed at identifying and understanding the consequences of electoral conflicts on electoral processes, accessibility of polling stations, electoral materials and adequacy of laws and policies that focus on participation of persons with disabilities in civic matters such as voting. The study was qualitative in nature and used a descriptive research design. Participants from various institutions, such as electoral commission of Zambia and NGOs working with people living with disabilities as well as in the area of elections, were purposively sampled and a total of 40 people took part in this study. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews. A thematic analytical approach was applied on the collected data. The study has demonstrated that in Zambia, like the rest of the world, persons with disabilities as citizens are faced with several challenges occurring at individual or micro level as well as those determined by the socio-economic environment or macro level in participating in the electoral process. However, the most prominent of them all is inaccessible infrastructure such as polling stations which includes other elements such as inadequate tactile materials for the visually impaired and other assistive devices, and long distances to polling stations. This study has also revealed that electoral conflicts, coupled with negative attitudes, is among the challenges that persons with disabilities face in their quest to participate in the electoral process. Further, the study demonstrates that although laws and policies that are aimed at promoting and mainstreaming disability issues in all sectors of development exist, they fall short of addressing many aspects and challenges faced by persons with disabilities. In view of these findings, the study concludes that there is need to provide voter education and information in accessible formats (for example, large print, electronic format for voters that use screen-reading technology, written material, and easy-to-understand language for persons with intellectual disabilities) and the provision of closed captions and sign language interpreters on televised voter information announcements
Analysis of quality assurance systems in selected private universities in Lusaka district.
Get PDFArticleHigher education institutions in developing nations are increasingly emphasizing quality
assurance, as seen by the creation of pertinent national and institutional policies, structures, and
processes. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the quality assurance systems in selected
private universities in Lusaka district. This study was guided by four objectives namely to assess
the infrastructure available for students learning, to ascertain the credentials of academic staff and
other staff, to explore how the financial capacity of the selected private universities impacts their
internal and external operations and to establish the measures private universities need to put in
place to ensure quality assurance. The study was guided a case study research design. The data
was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. The data collected was subjected to
thematic and descriptive analysis. The study revealed that infrastructure is an essential component
of the learning environments universities. The study further revealed that some lectures at private
universities don’t actually have the academic credentials they claim to have. The study further
revealed that the financial capacity of selected private universities impacts their internal and
external operations in a negative way as it was dependent on tuition fees from students.
Following the research findings and in response to the conclusions drawn from the study the
following recommendations have been made; Private universities must set up quality assurance
units to safeguard the general interest of all stakeholders in sound standards and maintenance of
high quality education. It will encourage continuous improvement in the management of quality
academic processes. Private universities need to find other alternative sources of funding in order
to reduce sole dependency on fees. Private universities should establish a staff exchange program
especially the non- teaching staff with already established universities especially public
GSJ: Volume 11, Issue 4, April 2023 368
ISSN 2320-9186
GSJ© 2023
www.globalscientificjournal.com
universities. Management of the private universities should put in place modern financial
management control systems especially adoption of computer related packages to make sure they
are able to plan properly and avoid financial surprises
Key Terms: Quality assurance, Private Universities, Financial capacity, Infrastructure, Academic
Credential
Investigation into the effects of deficit irrigation on potato production in Dedza district-Malawi.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering.Deficit irrigation strategies in furrow irrigation are important means of saving irrigation water in areas with poor water management. This study was conducted to establish the strengths and weaknesses of the current irrigation practices in Dedza district, to evaluate effects of alternating deficit, fixed deficit, and conventional furrow irrigation strategies on water saving, potato yield and profitability of potato production under different maximum allowable soil moisture depletion levels. The study was done in Dedza district in Malawi. Farmer plot size in irrigation schemes are limited to 0.22 ha of which 81% use gravity-fed canals to convey water with furrow as a dominant irrigation method due to its many advantages. The Certified potato variety “Violet” seeds were used as study material during the experiment which was laid out as a randomized complete block design. It involved three maximum allowable depletion (MAD) levels of 20, 40, and 60% in which furrow irrigation strategies of (i) conventional furrow irrigation (CFI), (ii) alternate furrow irrigation (AFI), and (iii) fixed furrow irrigation (FFI) were applied. A total of 10, 6, and 5 irrigation events were scheduled for the whole season under 20%, 40%, and 60% depletion levels respectively. Compared to the control (CFI), the results showed that AFI and FFI under 20% MAD, saved 30% and 39% of water with slight crop yield reductions of 6% and 14% respectively. Moreover, under 20% MAD, farmers could achieve 17.8% and 7.3% gross margins above the average national value of US/m3 for the control, the economic water productivity increased by 39% and 46% for AFI and FFI respectively under the 20%
MAD. This research showed that managing the potato crop using AFI or FFI under 20% MAD could allow a farmer in Dedza district to achieve potato tuber yields above the national average while saving water to increase the irrigation scheme membership. The result can be used as the starting point for further research and development of policies that aim at improving potato farmers’ irrigation water and land productivity
Teaching within the context of ‘therapeutic citizenship’: a study on HIV governmentality among Zambian teachers living with ART.
Get PDFArticleThe concerns of HIV medicalization should not just be ‘normalised’ by clinical approaches. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to examine the extent to which HIV governmentality as mediated through a ‘therapeutic citizenship’ status, among school teachers, especially those on antiretroviral treatment (ART), have an effect on their everyday and development in Zambia. Semi-structured interviews with 41 (20 females and 21 males) purposively sampled HIV positive teachers in Zambia aged between 25 – 55 were conducted in western and southern provinces. Transcripts were processed using NVivo Pro 12®, following an inductive thematic analytic methodology. Results indicate that though a treatable illness, HIV has both latent and visible varying effects based on locality, language, gender, age, career, health care provisions, policy and social strata. Findings show that HIV has strong effect on individual identity and collective affect through past experiences, present events and medico-social uncertainties; stigma is still high and a big problem hindering disclosure; treatment access and adaptation are hard for some people; anxieties and mental health issues/stigma are high but unattended as they are outside set diagnostic medical categories; knowledge and information is averagely low. The results further point to medical success which places the disease somewhere between a disappearing tragedy – with some continuing effects of that history – and a chronic treatable pandemic with ongoing political as well as socio-economic consequences. This paper reveals that while issues around living with the HIV change – life on ART involves a governmentality process due to unending treatment practices that have human development implications. In the conclusion and final proposition, this paper shows that HIV can seem like a disappearing disease yet the challenges for ART are more medico-social and psychological than physiological. Since antiretroviral drugs increase life longevity, research focus and policy interventions should now shift from quantity (span) to quality of life on ART
Exploring the availability of facilities and equipment for teaching of physical education and sport in selected government primary schools in Serenje district, Zambia.
Get PDFMaster of Education in Primary EducationTeaching of Physical Education and Sport (PES) is important for the improvement of
mental and physical alertness of children (Maher, 2016). Hence, the study explored the
availability of facilities and equipment for the teaching of physical education and sport in
selected primary schools in Serenje District of Zambia. It adopted an intrinsic case study
design that allowed the collection of qualitative data. The sample size was 26 comprising
of 25 teachers and one Education Standards Officer. Expert case purposive sampling was
used to select the sample. The study findings show that facilities for teaching Physical
Education and Sport were largely unavailable because only play fields were available in
the five selected primary schools. Those that were available, in some schools they were
not in a good condition. The poor state or lack of facilities and equipment, in the selected
schools, negatively affected the teaching of physical education and sport. Some pupils
even had negative attitude towards the subject. The interventions required enhancing the
teaching of physical education and sport included repair: replacement of equipment by
lobbying the corporate world and communities. In addition, schools suggested
improvisation of facilities and equipment to include traditional forms of PES facilities and
equipment. There is need for MOGE, through the District offices DEBS, to expedite the
distribution of PES equipment to all the schools where PES is taught so that teaching can
be enhanced. In addition, there is need for schools to improvise on certain PES facilities
and equipment which they can manage.
Keywords: Physical Education Facilities, Physical Education Equipment, Primary
School
Developing a tax amnesty model for Zambia to enhance tax payments.
Get PDFMaster Degree in Business Administration and Finance.Tax is one of the biggest sources of revenue in any Country. However, because delinquent taxpayers still exist, there are usually large sums of uncollected revenues, in terms of principal tax and subsequent penalties and interest accrued because of either not filing returns on time or not paying the tax on time. Tax Amnesty is a one-time offer to settle an outstanding tax debt relating to previous tax periods, for an amount that is less than the current debt, as penalties and interests are waived. The Zambia Revenue Authority (ZRA) implemented Tax Amnesty for a period prior to 1st March 2017.The aim of this study was to develop a tax amnesty model for Zambia to enhance tax payments. The study used descriptive research design deploying a mixed method approach (Qualitative & Qualitative). A total number of 68 tax consultants were the respondents with two (02) being key informants. The selection of the respondents was purposive in nature owing their availability and demonstrated expert knowledge. Data was collected using Questionnaires and in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using Statistic Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Descriptive statistics applying the composite mean and chi square to test hypotheses and inferences. Qualitative data analysis used thematic analysis following a constant comparison method. The results revealed that although there was a 50% collection of the tax out of the targeted K8 billion, there was also an increase in the Tax Debt owing to the in accurate database and knowledge gap of the taxpayers on the tax amnesty policy. From the findings, the results showed that the period of the Tax amnesty should not be less than three (3) months, but not more than one (1) year as 95.7% of the respondents were of the view that the implementation of the Tax amnesty should have a sufficient time to file the unfilled returns but should be followed by strict enforcement through the strengthening of the Tax system. It was also noted that 2017 tax amnesty model in Zambia had poor integration of time range of tax amnesty which led to the extensions of amnesty twice. Furthermore, the results showed the proposed Tax Amnesty model which should include the following identified major variables such as ZRA resolving Taxpayer Audit issues, visitation by Tax officers to educate the Taxpayers, allowing a sufficient time to pay at least not less than 3 months but not more than 1 year and an accurate database. On the Overall, this model was correctly specific for the Zambian Tax amnesty. The study has recommended, based on the findings that: There is need to improve the accuracy of Tax database, through engagement of a third party who could independently verify the details of the taxpayers to ensure accuracy of the data. There should be increased knowledge of the Taxpayers through continuous education about tax amnesty and other tax policies.
Keywords: Tax Amnesty Model, Tax revenue, Tax amnest
The role of the United church of Zambia in combating early marriage of girls in Isoka district of Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Education in Religious Studies.Early marriage is a familiar phenomenon in many countries in Africa. It is a harmful traditional practice, a human rights violation that not only denies young girls a choice of whom to marry but also exposes them to psychological, social, health and economic risks. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) in combating early marriage of girls in Isoka District, Zambia. The study sought to achieve the following objectives: to establish the factors that influence early marriage of girls in Isoka District, to examine initiatives put in place by the UCZ in order to combat early marriage of girls and to analyse combating measures put in place by the Church to combat early marriage. Guided by Pilcher and Imelda’s (2008) radical feminist theory, which regarded patriarchy as the primary cause of women’s oppression, the study adopted a case study research design and was informed by primary data obtained through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Snowball and purposeful sampling techniques were used to select participants. Research findings showed that age at first marriage, lack of financial support services and
poverty, among others, significantly influenced early marriage of girls in Isoka District. The study concluded that lack of education had negative effects on people’s ability to access and use the information given on the consequences of early marriage. The study further concluded that the UCZ had programmes in which they worked with the boys and girls and the community and reviewed policies that touched on women’s lives. However, the initiation of young girls into puberty stage (chisungu) was indicative enough that the people of Isoka District were still attached to traditional patriarchal beliefs and practices, which compelled them to force their daughters into early marriage. The study recommended that the government should ensure that every district has recreational and skills training centres where young people could be kept busy and avoid early marriage, especially after dropping out of school
The effect of the chinese system of investment on african development : case study of Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science In Peace Leadership and Conflict Resolution.The effect of the Chinese system of investment in Africa, specifically in Zambia, is a complex issue that has elicited various opinions and perspectives. Hence, the purpose of the study is to assess the Chinese system of investment in African Development and gain a better understanding of the dynamics of Chinese investment particularly in Lusaka and Copperbelt provinces of Zambia. The study used used a mixed method approach thus involving the use of both quantitative and qualitative data in the study. Fifty (50) participants from the Chinese businesses and non-owned Chinese businesses, the University of Zambia, the Zambia Public Procurements Authority, and the Ministry of Mines were targeted in this study. Data was collected through the use of semi-structured
questionnairs and interview guides. Qunatitative data was analysised using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22 while qualitative data was analysed thematically. The study reveled that Chinese investment in local industries has proved to have a positive and negative effects to the economy. It was discoveered that the Chineses business created jobs for local people which has lead to economic growth and poverty reduction, substantial diversification
into financial services, construction, agriculture and manufacturing, technology transfer, infrastructure development as and export opportunities. On the other hand the Chinese investment has brought competitive threat to the infant but growing local firms in Zambia. The study also revealed that Chinese businesses have engaged in unfair trade practices and that majority (92%) of the Chinese businesses do not invest much in the local human resource, a few (8%) of the
businesses assist financially in the further studies of their employees mostly the Chinese busineses do involve local communities in their operations.
In conclusion, the Chinese system of investment in Zambia requires a collaborative approach between Chinese businesses, the Zambian government, and local communities to ensure that the benefits of Chinese investments are shared equitably and that negative impacts are minimized. Such an approach would help to create a win-win situation for both China and Zambia, fostering a positive and sustainable relationship between the two countries
The public health significance of enterococci from dairy cattle in Lusaka province, Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Tropical Infectious Diseases and Zoonosis.Enterococci are commensal Gram-positive bacteria found in the intestines of humans and animals, but can also cause infections. Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium are a common cause of urinary tract infections, wound infections, bacteremia, infective endocarditis in humans and bovine mastitis in dairy animals. Notably, Enterococci infections in the nosocomial setting (hospital-acquired infections) are usually difficult to treat while Infections of animals with Enterococci are rarely targeted explicitly with antimicrobial agents. However, as normal inhabitants of the intestinal tract, Enterococci are exposed to antimicrobial selection every time animals are exposed to antimicrobials. Thus, Enterococci inhabiting non-human reservoirs such as poultry and cattle play a critical role in acquiring and disseminating antibiotic resistance determinants. Antibiotic-resistant bacteria associated with animals may be easily transmitted to humans via food chains such as milk, meat and eggs. These resistant bacteria are also widely distributed in the environment via animal and human waste. Currently, there is little information about Enterococci infections in the dairy cows in Zambia. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the public health significance of Enterococcus species in milk and faecal matter of dairy cow in Lusaka province, Zambia. This cross-sectional study was carried out from September 2022 to March 2023 in selected districts of Lusaka Province, including Chilanga, Chongwe, and Lusaka districts. Three cows from each farm were randomly selected and both milk and faecal matter were collected and thus ninety-nine raw milk and 99 faecal samples were collected from 33 dairy farms. Both milk and faecal samples were processed to isolate Enterococcus species using standard microbiology procedures. Enterococcus species were tentatively identified based on phenotypic characterisation and confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) utilising the tuf gene. PCR was also used to speciate Enterococci using the SodA gene for E. faecalis and E. faecium. In order to determine susceptibility patterns, isolates were subjected to seven different antibiotics using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method, while vancomycin-resistant isolates on disc diffusion were subjected to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing using the E-strip method. Erythromycin-resistant isolates were screened for the presence of erm A, B, and C resistance genes. Enterococci recovery rate was (40%) and (90%) in milk and faecal samples, respectively. Using the tuf gene, the 50 randomly selected isolates were confirmed as, Enterococci species, of which (22%) were E. faecalis and (8%) were E. faecium. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns showed the highest resistance was to ampicillin, 63% and 57% in faecal matter and raw milk, respectively. The faecal matter Enterococci isolates had the highest resistance patterns in almost all the antibiotics except tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The prevalence of multi-drug resistance was 15% and 34% in milk and faecal matter isolates, respectively. The prevalent erythromycin resistance gene was erm B. The detection of Enterococci spp. in milk indicates poor hygienic conditions and contamination and, thus, a public health threat as Entrococci may be transmitted to humans through milk consumption. These findings highlight need to formulate education programs to farmers on good hygiene practices to prevent dissemination
The contribution of the “one Zambia, one nation” motto to peace and stability : a study of selected wards of Munali constituency in Lusaka district, Zambia.
Get PDFThesis of Master of Science in Peace, Leadership and Conflict ResolutionThis study explored the contribution of the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto to peace and stability in selected wards of Munali Constituency in Lusaka District. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish how the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto does contribute to the peace and stability of the nation, to describe how the motto contributes to peace and stability, identify challenges that are not supporting the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto in contributing to peace and stability and highlight possible solutions that would enhance the “One Zambia, One Nation” motto in contributing to peace and stability in the country. This study employed a qualitative narrative design and was informed by the Nationalism and National Integration theories. The study used semi-structured interviews to source for primary data and collected the data that has been thematically analyzed as secondary data. The study purposively selected wards of Munali Constituency in Lusaka District and 30 participants will be purposively sampled from the selected wards of Munali Constituency constituting of five (5) Ward Councilors, a member of parliament and twenty-four (24) members of the community development committees. The findings of the study revealed that, the “One Zambia, One Nation” Motto is key to the national unity, peace and stability enjoyed in Zambia. The Motto has been described as a binding element of the country’s social cohesion, promotes brotherhood and co-existence of the Zambian people. It was also brought in heated arguments on why it is not fully implemented but used as a shield for politicians with minds of divide and rule with their “wako ni wako “syndrome. Some of the issues brought out for partial implementation of the ideology or Motto are: Lack of commitment by the politicians, insufficient peace education activities in communities with emphasis on the real meaning of the Motto other than being used as a normal slogan without much impact. This research revealed that the One Zambia One Nation Motto is used mainly by politicians as a manipulative tool during political campaigns to secure votes, yet do not walk their talk once in power. The study recommended the need to sensitize the Zambians as well as politicians in a democratic society on the benefit of implementing the Motto fully and develop policies that bridge the gaps of nepotism, but promote national unity to achieve sustainable peace and stability in Zambia