The University of Zambia Journals
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Geotechnical Characterization of Alisol Soils in Eastern Province of Zambia
Get PDFIn this study, the geotechnical characterization of alisol soils of Eastern Province in Chief-Mutenguleni area was investigated. The Zambian agricultural soil classification was used as the foundation to investigate the behaviour of active clay minerals for alisols soils from the study area. The X-XRD Rietveld analysis depicted the presences of vermiculite, montmorillonite and Ferrum related minerals which are typical of alisols soils. The grain size analysis, Atterberg limits, Califonia bearing ratio (CBR), direct shear test, undrained unconsolidated triaxial test, and consolidation Oedometer were carried out. The CBR test also showed potential swelling and shrinkage behaviour of the investigated alisols soils. Based on the Casagrande plasticity chart the alisol soils from Chief Mutenguleni in Eastern province can be classified as soil with low and high plasticity based on the soil horizon or presence of termite mould in the study area
Demystifying Use of Septic Tanks for Waste Water Treatment in Developing Countries
Get PDFThe narrative that septic tanks are agents of ground water pollution, has contributed to the false negative responses that are experienced any time an installation of these tanks is undertaken. To demystify this narrative, it was imperative to explore different perspectives from social-cultural environment to technological one. The study used qualitative multiple case study approach, to review available published literature, surveys and experimental studies on septic tanks. To resolve the challenge of low sanitation coverage that may risk achievement of SDG 6.2, focus should shift from conventional centralised systems to onsite in this case septic tanks. Within the context of septic tanks, dome shaped digesters should be preferred because of structural integrity when tested for deformations, bending moments and shear forces under different combinations of loads. The social perspectives of pollution, caused by septic tanks, should not stand if baseline data on variables such as space, soil formation and strength of material are conducted. To avoid environmental contamination, areas designated for septic tanks should be delineated as such. An inventory of all septic tanks should be kept. Consultants and developers involved in selection of waste water treatment options, should avoid false negative response and focus on empirical results, after delineation. The research findings have indicated that dome shaped digesters as opposed to traditional rectangular septic tanks, should be adopted if developing countries are to improve sanitation coverage
Construction Waste Management Practices in the Construction Industry
Get PDFThis article evaluated the knowledge of Construction Waste Management (CWM) among contractors in Gqeberha and establish what legislative shortcomings were there in terms of CWM regulations. The reduction in landfilling could decrease the waste management cost for construction companies, and reduce negative impacts on the environment. This article used a qualitative design approach. The primary data was obtained through structured interviews from a selected number of main contractors in Gqeberha. The study focused on on-site agents, contracts managers, and Health Safety and Envronment officers through a non-probability sampling technique. The study reveled that the lack of government legislation, to discourage the landfilling of waste, was the main catalyst. The primary data also stated that the lack of recycling facilities also contributed to the abundance of landfilling waste among contractors in Gqeberha. The research findings also showed that contractors in Gqeberha were knowledgeable on several construction waste management strategies. Future research will require contractors to research the potential economic benefits of CWM, as well as minimisation and recovery CWM strategies, and the local municipality to explore methods of discouraging landfilling waste, within the construction industry and in other sectors, as well as the economic and environmental benefits of CWM. The article provided insight concerning the CW and CWM practices among contractors in Gqeberha, including identifying the interventions required to address shortcoming
Lecturers’ Perception of the Note-Taking Challenges of College of Education Students in Kwara State, Nigeria
Get PDFNote-taking is an indispensable skill that help improve students’ coping abilities in the learning environment and beyond. Despite the relevance of notetaking to students and teachers, College of Education students are confronted with diverse challenges in taking accurate notes. Therefore, this study investigated lecturers’ perception of the note-taking challenges of College of Education Students in Kwara State, Nigeria using descriptive survey design of a mixed method research. The population of the study was all lecturers of English in private, State-government owned, and Federal Colleges of Education in Kwara State, Nigeria. The sample size consisted of forty-eight respondents from ten (10) colleges. A questionnaire was used to elicit information and data. The study revealed that the perception of lecturers at colleges of education on students’ note-taking challenges were high with inferred/grand mean of 2.97 and 0.76, respectively. Also, a significant difference based on gender existed in the perception of lecturers on the note-taking challenges of college of education students in Kwara State. However, there was no significant difference in the perception of lecturers on the note-taking challenges of College of Education students in Kwara State, Nigeria based on college type. The study also indicated that no significant difference existed in the perception of lecturers on the note-taking challenges lecturers’ qualifications of College of Education students in Kwara State, Nigeria based on lecturers’ qualifications. The study also pointed out that no significant difference existed in the perception of lecturers on the note-taking challenges of College of Education students in Kwara State, Nigeria based on lecturers’ years of experience. It was therefore, recommended that students should take note-taking skills more seriously. Lecturers should encourage learners in attaching importance to note-taking, while other stakeholders create enabling environment in this regard
A Critical Appraisal of Ethnicity and Religion: It’s Implications on Development in Nigeria 2017-2021
Get PDFThe Nigeria Political System over the years has suffered serious and unbearable setbacks arising from ethnic and religious prejudice. Consequently, development has retrogressed abysmally. The study examined the link between ethnicity, religion and its implications on development in Nigeria. The study addressed the following objectives: to show the nexus between ethnicity, religion and development in Nigeria, to examine the nature and activities of ethnic/religion politics in Nigeria, to identify the implications of ethnicity and religion on development in Nigeria and to identify the consequences of ethnicity/religion on development in Nigeria. The study adopted the Elite theory as theoretical framework and the qualitative mode of inquiry and analysis was used. This enabled the researcher to be involved in critical observations. The findings of the study were that ethnic politics/religion resulted in underdevelopment in Nigeria, ethnicity and religion created division and disunity among the people of Nigeria. The study concluded that ethnicity and religion have retarded development. It was recommended that ethnicity and religion should not be seen as a basis for elections as it has destroyed development. Good and sustainable education should be given to the electorates to see the implications of ethnicity and religion on the development of our society
Understanding Environmental Education: Conceptualization, Definitions, History and Application
Get PDFThis desk study aimed at clarifying conceptual challenges associated with Environmental Education and highlight its application to society. Data was collected through literature review and author introspection. Explaining the meaning and history of Environmental Education will enable readers and stakeholders to have a common understanding of the subject matter and hence, enhances meaningful conversations and decision making. The way Environmental Education is defined among stakeholders affects its planning, application and implementation in society. Therefore, this paper is an attempt to illuminate the meaning of Environmental Education, its importance and application to society. In order to illuminate the meaning, the paper outline the aims and objectives of Environmental Education. In addition, this paper highlight on the scope of Environmental Education which include the organized efforts to teach how natural environments function, and how human beings can manage behaviour and ecosystems to live sustainably. Therefore, every individual must receive an environmental education in order to manage our environment sustainably
The Evolution of Social Studies Education in Zambia
Get PDFThe field of social studies has been a matter of controversy since the early twentieth century. Even the use of the name Social Studies itself has been a matter of controversy. Despite this, social studies has become established as a core subject in most education curriculum documents across the world, including Zambia. However, the origin and development of social studies education in Zambia has not been documented in chronological order with reasons and rationales for developments and infusion in the education curriculum documents over the years to cover the preand post-independence Zambia. In addressing how social studies has evolved over time, this paper offers a historical account of the origins and development of social studies in Zambia and the why or how social studies came to be part of school curricula. The paper also gives a global perspective to the developments of social studies since its inception in the United States of America in 1916. To achieve this mammoth task, critical
document analysis was employed
Exploring a learner-centred method for the acquisition of 21st-century soft skills among adult education learners
Get PDFThis article presents the findings of a study that looked at learner-centred
teaching methods that inspired adult education students in a higher education
context in the acquisition of knowledge and 21st-century soft skills for the job
market. The study sample was 130 participants and included 126 learners
and 4 lecturers. The study used both quantitative and qualitative research
approaches and was framed within andragogy-the adult learning theory.
Discovery teaching was found crucial in facilitating the acquisition of 21st
century soft skills among the adult education learners. Navigating their way
to the solutions of the assigned problems enable the acquisition of soft skills.
However, the utilisation of discovery teaching was reported to be hampered by
two main broad factors. The diversity and changing landscape of the nature
of adult education learners . Several of them were identified and described
as young, different from the traditional adult education learners who are
often characterised by vast work experience, mature, and focused. This
phenomenon had a bearing on the effective utilisation of discovery teaching in
class because lecturer dependency was described as quite apparent among the
young learners. Secondly, it was observed that the foundational year of study
in the programme did not provide a firm grounding for discovery teaching
and learning. The learners were introduced to lecturer dependency through
responsive academic help rendered to learners and progressed to higher levels
of study. While we found discovery teaching to have versatile inroads in several
pedagogic practices, essential for the acquisition 21st-century soft skills, there
remains a gap in inextricably embedding discovery teaching in the teaching of
learners on this programme
The Impact of Project Cost Management on Contractual Disputes In South Africa
Get PDFCost management is essential in the construction industry, and could cause contractual disputes if not done correctly. This article investigated how project cost management contributed to contractual disputes in the construction project environment. A qualitative approach was used to interview eleven construction professionals. The data received was then analysed using content and narrative analysis methods. It was found that cost management contributed insignificantly to contractual disputes; however, measures such as the engagement of a contract manager, good change control system, approval of project scope, compliance with the terms and conditions of the contract, good project management, competent consultants and contractor, effective communication before and during project execution could be put in place to minimise the incidence of disputes. It was also revealed that construction stakeholders prefer the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) method, such as mediation, to resolve cost-related contractual disputes when they occured. Only eleven construction professionals were interviewed; hence the findings could not be generalisable as the opinion of the construction professionals in South Africa. The construction stakeholders should not put all their efforts into the management of project cost, in an attempt to prevent the incidents of contractual disputes; instead, they should institute other stringent measures that prevent poor scoping, poor cost estimating, and ineffective project management practices, to minimise the incidence of contractual disputes in their projects. The article gave an insight into measures that the construction stakeholders must take to prevent cost-related contractual disputes aside from effective cost managemen
Success Rate and Implications of Contractual Claims Decisions on Contractors In South Africa
Get PDFContractual claims are essential issues and normally disputed because they cause losses if the contractual claims fail to be honoured. The completion of projects can be best without any arising contractual claims by the contractors. However, this appears to be too ideal and almost impossible. Contractual claims have connotations of time and monies, which are to be honoured by the client to the contractor as a payment or compensation for the incurred cost. This article established the success rate or extent to which contractual claims were honoured and the implications of the client’s decisions on contractual claims that were not honoured. The questionnaire was distributed to professionals involved in the administration of contractual claims in projects. Descriptive analysis was used to analyse data. Findings revealed that most contractual claims were honoured in full when they were small in numbers, and when contractual claims increase, the success rate also decreased. The findings further indicated that most projects ended in cost and time overruns due to clients’ decisions on contractual claims. It is expected that the findings of this research will help construction stakeholders to avoid the main causes of contractual claims, and thus increasing the chances of contractual claims being honoured and improving the overall performance of construction projects concerning minimized delays and cost overrun