The University of Zambia Journals
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Genetic Distance and Gene flow in Two Breeds of Nigerian Indigenous Goats Using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphic Marker
Get PDFGoats constitute an indispensable part of the rural agricultural systems because of their capacity to withstand severe weather, potential to yield milk and meat, fast generation times. Additionaly, they can withstand the substandard diets that are provided by restricted grazing on marginal soils. Gene flow, genetic distance, genotype frequencies, and alleles were investigated using two native goat breeds from Nigeria. The investigational goat populations included Red Sokoto (50) and WAD (45). For each animal, an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) container was filled with approximately 5 milliliters of aseptic blood taken. Polymorphism of restriction fragment length and Agarose gel electrophoresis were carried out after the DNA samples were isolated and purified. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), gene allele frequency, anticipated and observed heterozygousities (He and Ho, respectively), and populations were compared based on their genetic distances. The degree of genetic diversity was great. According to the findings, Red Sokoto and WAD exhibited the highest genetic similarity (0.9996) and the lowest genetic distance (0.0004) between the two populations. If more animals from different goat breeds are collected, improved genetic research and marker-assisted selections in goat improvement programmes would be achievable
Environmental and Economic perspectives of Katima Mulilo Metal Fabrication Roadside Works, in Garden Compound of Lusaka, Zambia
Get PDFKatima Mulilo roadside is the hub of informal metal fabrication works in the city of Lusaka, arising from the mass retrenchment of artisans and craftsmen from light steel fabrication manufacturing industries. The study investigated the environmental and economic consequences of this development. It examined the current policy frameworks which delineates some skills as acceptable and others not for employment purposes. The objective of the study was to examine the environmental and economic perspectives of Katima Mulilo Metal Fabrication Roadside Works (KMFW). The study population included all out of school youths and all metal fabrication artisans in Garden Compound. The sample comprised 40 participants (20 out of school youths and 20 artisans). The study was an intrinsic qualitative which used interview and participant observations to collect data. The data was transcribed and analysed using the thematic analysis tool. The study revealed that there are several environmental and economic problems in Zambia ascribed to the roadside apprenticeship activities, such as poor sanitation, lack of occupational health and safety considerations, environmental pollution, economic exploitation of the youths and uncontrolled rowed behaviour. The current scenario in Garden Compound has also witnessed massive immigration and emigration of traders in search of business opportunities. The study recommends the need to incorporate apprenticeship activities in the national qualification framework to give the youths an avenue to sustainable livelihoods
Preschool Teachers’ Experiences in Handling Linguistically and Culturally Diverse Learners in the Teaching and Learning Process in Multilingual Literacy Classes of Luampa District of Zambia
Get PDFMultilingual classes across age groups are becoming more and more challenging to teach and manage due to the diversity in the culture and language of learners. Multiple counties around the world are struggling to handle multilingual classes in an inclusive way as most adopt monoglossic practices (one size fits all) while a few have adopted heteroglossic practices that include all learners in classes. As globalization and cultural integration deepen, understanding the intricacies of multilingual classrooms has become crucial. In this study, researchers sought to analyse preschool teachers’ experiences in handling linguistically and culturally diverse learners in multilingual classes of Luampa District of Zambia. As a qualitative study, we used a descriptive research design and sampled 6 preschools comprising 28 to 42 learners in each class, 6 preschool teachers, 18 parents to preschool learners and 6 preschool headteachers. Data was collected through class observations, and semi-structured interviews. Content analysis was used to analyze data collected. The findings of the study showed that teachers of Luampa district used multiple strategies to handle learners from the following languages: Lozi, Mbunda, Luvale, Chokwe, Luchazi, and Nkoya among others. Teachers stated that the linguistic diversity of Luampa district presents both a unique opportunity and a significant challenge for educators and learners. The study offered insights and recommendations to foster an inclusive and effective learning environment. The study makes suggestions that inform policymakers and educators on how to better accommodate and leverage the rich linguistic tapestry of Luampa district's preschool learners. Due to multilingualism across classes, preschool teachers and learners faced experiences such as language barrier, lack of linguistic competence in the familiar language, inadequate classroom space, lack of teaching and learning materials, shallow planned work in the syllabus. The study recommended that the government should consider a bilingual or trilingual language in education policy in Luampa district where Mbunda, Lozi and English, for example, can be used simultaneously in classes to reflect what is happening on the ground
Strategies teachers use to negotiate Power and Multilingualism when teaching English as a second language in Multilingual Classrooms of Muchinga Province in Zambia
Get PDFThe purpose of the study was to analyze strategies teachers use to negotiate Power and Multilingualism when teaching English as a second language in Multilingual Classrooms in Muchinga Province of Zambia. The study employed a qualitative approach and a case study research design. Data was collected through interview guides, classroom observation guides and focus group discussion guides. The sample size was 12 secondary schools, 60 teachers and 12 HODs and 48 grade 10 pupils. Data was analyzed thematically. Theoretically, this study was grounded on: The code and pedagogic discourse theory and multimodality theory. The study findings revealed and confirmed that multilingualism and linguistic diversity in Muchinga province was a reality. Secondly, the findings revealed some strategies teachers were employing in ensuring there was balance of power in classes and these were; teachers’ use of familiar local language, use of learners centered classroom activities and teachers’ negotiation of multilingualism in classes through the use of some pedagogical classroom strategies such translanguaging, code switching and code mixing
Women’s Leadership in a Moment of Crisis: A Biblical Reflection
No full textWomen have been holding leadership positions for many years now. They have been leading since biblical times. According to the biblical narrative, when leadership by men proved inadequate for a new era, women rose to the occasion. Nevertheless, this narrative is not the same in some sections of society. Just because the Bible remarks that women are weaker vessels (1 Peter 3:7), many societies regard women as such and many times women have been left out of occupying critical roles and not to talk of leading in critical times. But, this study endeavoured to change the narrative by showing that women are capable of leading successfully in critical moments in that they have been leading since the biblical times and that they can still lead in current times. This study examined women’s leadership in a moment of crisis as a biblical reflection. The study explored women’s leadership characteristics in moments of crisis and evaluated the extent to which women show up in the moment of crisis using the Bible as a point of reference. The study employed a qualitative approach with a case study design, and document analysis, to capture and understand the views and attitudes of women leaders in a moment of crisis. It revealed that women in leadership at different levels and prominence have succumbed to crises and surpassed them. Among the leadership characteristics employed by women leaders, teamwork and situational leadership were prevalent in overcoming crises. They exhibited resilient leadership and dependence on the biblical knowledge system to guide their leadership, especially in times of crisis. The study established that women leadership in Lusaka and Kafue districts of Zambia faced challenges of patriarchal stereotyping to pandemics such as Covid-19. The study recommends that women be given equal opportunities in leadership roles and fair platforms and learn from the leadership roles exhibited by women in moments of crisis
DECOLONISATION OF THE AFRICAN FESTIVALSCAPE: FESTIVALS FOR WHOM? (CONCEPTUAL PAPER)
Get PDFThe African festivalscape has yet to be traversed from the angle of decoloniality, which points to it requiring some ‘unmaking’ and ‘remaking’, to transform it into an entity relatable to its environments. Thus, the lagging behind of the African sphere in festival development may be attributed to a misunderstanding of the ‘African festival’ construct. This is symptomatic of the residue of colonial hangover observed through systems that still personify former colonisers. This conceptual study seeks to advance festival theory development, by offering insights on festival coloniality deterrents and potential opportunities that may accrue from the decolonisation of the African festivalscape
CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION IN MALAWI: EXAMINING LEARNERS’ KNOWLEDGE, ATTITUDES AND PRACTICES TOWARDS LEARNING CLIMATE CHANGE EDUCATION CONTENT IN SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS
Get PDFIn this study, the researchers examined learners’ knowledge, attitudes and practices towards learning Climate Change Education (CCE) content in senior secondary schools in Malawi. The mixed method convergent parallel design was employed. Data was collected from 64 participants consisting of learners in 8 secondary schools in two education divisions. Questionnaires and focus group discussions were used to collect data. Quantitative data was analysed using SPSS, while qualitative data was analysed thematically. Results indicate that 56.9 per cent of learners had little knowledge of CC. In terms of attitudes, 73.4 per cent agreed that learning CCE content makes them worried about the environment. It was found that an average of 66.9 per cent of the learners did not have a variety of CCE practices for mitigating and adapting to CC. It was recommended that the senior secondary school curriculum should be revised to include CCE content and activities that are likely to promote learning through practice
NARRATIVISATION OF SPACE IN NERVOUS CONDITION BY TSITSI DANGAREMBGA
Get PDFThe objective of this article was the narrativisation of space in Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Condition. It consisted in the inscription of space in the story since the space has significant place in the narration. The concept of space for narratology is the physically existing environment in which characters live and move called commonly setting. This is defined in other words, as the general socio-historical-geographical environment in which all the actions take place and plays a major role in the meaning of the novel and affects characters’ behaviour. As a matter of fact, Western values and traditional ones, represented in these respective spaces of colonialism and tradition, have impacted the African so that they become hybridised or alienated and colonialists racist
Exploring Early Childhood Education Teachers' Play-Based Learning Pedagogical Practices in Zambia
Get PDFAlthough learning takes place throughout life, that which occurs during childhood will never be equaled (UNICEF, 2018). Play is a legitimate right in early childhood (Smith, 2013) and one of the most natural pathways to exploration and learning (Saskatchewan, 2018). However, although play is a legitimate right way of learning in Zambia (MOGE 2013), in practice its implementation varies from school to school (Lungu, 2023). This study explored the play-based pedagogies related to play-based learning of ECE teachers in Zambia and their preparedness to use play as a teaching technique. The study employed a concurrent or convergent parallel mixed-method design. A total of 30 ECE teachers across three districts of Zambia participated in this study. One-to-one interviews were used to collect qualitative data, while structured questionnaires were used to collect quantitative data for the study. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 was used to generate descriptive statistics while qualitative data was analysed using content analysis. The findings revealed that a considerable portion (83%) of ECE teachers perceived their training as sufficient for teaching using play-based pedagogies, but a notable minority expressed the need for more effective training and support in this regard. Further, the findings revealed that PBL was widely incorporated in ECE in Zambia. Among the commonly employed PBL pedagogical practices, teachers consistently incorporated elements such as games, role plays and dramatic play, storytelling, outdoor activities, individual work, pair work, group work, demonstrations, as well as rhymes and songs. However, the study noted a concern about the connectedness of play activity with the content of the day. It was observed that there was no connectedness between play activities and the content of the day. In addition, learning was not captivating enough as teachers were not so creative in using play as a vehicle to deliver curriculum content to the learners. These findings have crucial implications for the enhancement of ECE in Zambia. They underscore the value of competency, focused Continuing Professional Development programmes, creative teaching approaches, diversification of play activities, and the intentional alignment of PBL with curriculum content
Municipal Solid Waste Management: An Assessment of the Management Framework In Zambia
Get PDFGovernance mechanisms for Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) are critical to the sustainable management of waste for effective environmental management and public health. These mechanisms are dependent on management frameworks upon which they are based. This study aimed at assessing current frameworks for managing MSW in Zambia using a descriptive research design with a questionnaire being the data collection tool. Eighty purposively sampled respondents were administered and the tool had a 90 per cent response rate. Data analysis involved the use of frequency tables, percentages, bar, the mean, and standard deviation. The results were as follows; male respondents were 73 per cent as compared to female respondents at 27 per cent, respectively, while source of generation for residential areas was at 88 per cent. Public sector role in the governance of MWS 66.7 per cent, private sector (18.9%), NGOs (7.8%), with academia 2.2 per cent, others 4.4 per cent respectively. Frequency of collection was as follows: daily (45.7%), twice a week (14.9%), weekly (39.4%). Recycling of MSW by the private sector (47.2%), municipality (14.6%), and a combination of both accounted for 38.2 per cent. Management of final disposal sites by private sector (11.7%), municipalities (44.6%) and co-managed sites (43.5%). Lack of technical capacity to develop and implement policies by municipalities was 33 per cent while lack of financial resources for the waste management sector (39%). The results of the study indicate a growing and rooted challenge in the governance of MSW in Zambia. Therefore, governance mechanisms must be based on robust and effective frameworks that will ensure effective service delivery by local authorities with the involvement of all stakeholders, gender and social inclusion and also effective development and application of policies, technology and financial resources. This will result into sustainable waste management service to protect public health and the environment and ultimately implement a circular economy model