The University of Zambia Journals
Not a member yet
787 research outputs found
Sort by
Analysis of Mentoring Practices Experienced by Student Teachers during Teaching Practice: A Case of Evelyn Hone College
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to analyse mentoring practices experienced by student teachers at Evelyn Hone College within the five factor mentoring model for effective teaching during teaching practice. The first objective was to analyse student teachers’ experiences of mentoring practices during teaching practice. The other objective was to determine the differences in student teachers’ experiences of mentoring practices by background variables (gender and programme of study). This study was quantitative in nature and employed a cross-sectional survey design. The study population was 474 third-year student teachers of Evelyn Hone College. A sample of 155 was drawn using stratified random sampling. Data were collected through questionnaires and were analysed using SPSS version 20. Means and standard deviations were used to determine whether the experiences of student teachers were positive or negative. Manny-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to test the hypotheses. The study revealed that student teachers had positive experiences in all the five mentoring factors (personal attributes, system requirements, pedagogical knowledge, modelling and feedback). However, student teachers were found not to have been adequately mentored in specific pedagogical knowledge areas such as classroom management, teaching strategies, and questioning techniques. The findings further indicated that there were no differences between gender of student teachers and experience of mentoring practices. The study also found significant differences between programme of study and two of the five mentoring practices (personal attributes and modelling). The study concluded that student teachers had more positive experiences in personal attributes, modelling and feedback than in pedagogical knowledge and system requirement. The study also concluded that Programme of study is a major factor in student teacher mentoring. It was recommended that there was need to develop expectations of mentor teachers during teaching practice. The expectations should specifically address student teachers’ needs in system requirement and pedagogical knowledge
Zambia's "New" Constitution – Promised so Much, But Delivered so Little
Get PDFZambian President Mr. Edgar Lungu said the following about amendment of Zambia’s constitution: "We are gathered here today to mark an important milestone in the constitutional history of our country. The nation, and people of this country, will forever remember this day as one that brought us to the shores of giving ourselves a truly people driven constitution since attaining independence in 1964." On the 5th of January 2016, Mr. Lungu assented and signed into law, an Act to amend the Constitution of Zambia. Mr. Lungu’s stated later in his speech that even though a Constitution can make significant change and guarantees right, not even a perfect Constitution can ordain prosperity without individual input and effort
Anaesthetic Related Peri-Operative Complications During Caesarean Delivery at the University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
Get PDFBackground: Caesarean deliveries are increasingly performed at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH), Lusaka, with a 2012 audit report indicating a rate of 17.8%.The procedure is a major surgical intervention and results in higher morbidity than vaginal delivery. Part of this morbidity and mortality during caesarean delivery is that resulting from the anaesthesia relating to the surgery. However, information on the extent of anaesthetic related complications associated with caesarean deliveries in low resource settings such as at UTH is lacking. This study endeavored to explore this aspect.
Objective: To determine the frequency of anaesthetic related perioperative complications during caesarean delivery at the UTH, Lusaka, Zambia
Study Design: A prospective observational study documenting the anaesthetic related complications in women undergoing caesarean delivery at UTH. 246 consecutive parturients undergoing caesarean deliveries were enrolled in the study.
Methodology: All women who presented for caesarean delivery at UTH in Lusaka, Zambia from January 12, 2014 to July 12, 2014 and met the inclusion criteria were recruited into the study. Information on the patient and her management was obtained from the patient’s medical records. Participants were followed up from the time they were taken into theatre, during the procedure until the time they left the recovery room post operatively, and any complication observed was documented. Hypotension, possible aspiration, failed intubation, conversion from spinal to general anaesthesia, severe hypoxemia and death were the main outcome measures. A descriptive analysis was performed. All significant variables were included in the final multivariable logistic model. All tests were set at 95% confidence interval (CI) and a P- value o
Evaluation of Bacterial Contamination of Beef Carcasses in Namwala and Lusaka Districts, Zambia
Get PDFAbattoirs have been purported to be ideal areas were possible microbial contamination of meat products is likely to occur.A total of 314 food of animal origin, mainly, beef, has been identified as a source of dietary protein for humans albeit it being a source of food-borne diseases including zoonoses. This study was carried out to evaluate bacterial contamination and the risk factors associated with contamination of beef carcasses during processing.
A total offour abattoirs were sampled within three months with one in Namwala and three in Lusaka districts. 314 beef carcass surface swabs were obtained from the neck region by swabbing the carcasses, immediately after evisceration and after washing.
The results of mean total viable counts (TVC) of carcass contamination were enumerated as the mean log from 4.7 Log10 cfu/cm2in an abattoir where Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) practiced to 5.8 Log10 cfu/cm2 in abattoirs without HACCP. Bivariate analysis showed a significant difference in carcass contamination when town abattoirs (Lusaka) were compared with rural ones (Namwala); χ2 = 43.87, P < 0.0001. Multiple logistic regression analysis identified poor hygiene practices, the absence of antemortem inspection, and lack of Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) implementation as significant factors associated with carcass contamination.
The microbial load of the fresh beef carcasses in Namwala district was higher than that in Lusaka district as determined by the Total Viable Count. This is an indicator that beef is being produced under poor abattoir hygiene conditions. Therefore, beef carcasses with high bacterial loads are potential sources of foodborne pathogens leading to foodborne disease, hence, there is need for advocating for good hygiene practices in the abattoirs
Morphophysiological Responses of Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Genotypes to Water Stress
Get PDFThe yield of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is highly constrained by water deficit, especially during reproductive development. The purpose of the study was to determine the association of the morphophysiological traits with water stress and how this affects grain yield in common beans. A field experiment involving eight common bean genotypesand three water regimes (50%, 75%, and 100% of crop evapotranspiration) was conducted at the National Irrigation Research Station, Mazabuka District, during the 2012 growing season. A split-plot design, with four replications was used; with soil moisture regime (main plot) and the genotypes (subplot). Based on variation in water stress tolerances, 8 test genotypes - Gadra, KE 3, KE 4, ZM 4488, SER 76 SER 180, SER 89 and CAR-ZAR were used. Water stress treatments were imposed at the pre-flowering stage and were discontinued after forty-three days when the crop was in its late reproductive stage. Significant differences were found among genotypes for Chlorophyll a(Chl a), chlorophyll b (Chl b), Total chlorophyll, relative water content, grain yield, number of pods per plant, seed weight, seeds per pod and days to 50 per cent flowering under the three water stress conditions. The grain yield in normally irrigated conditions (2191.3 kg ha-1) was 60 per cent higher than in high water stress conditions (866.2 kg ha-1), while in the low water stress conditions (1078.3kg ha-1), the reduction in grain yield was 50.8 per cent. There was a significant genotype by the environment, showing that the genotypes behaved differently under the different growing conditions. Results suggested that Gadra, KE 4, ZM 4488, and SER 180 were water stress tolerant while the SER 89, CAR-ZAR, KE 3 and SER 76 were water stress-sensitive genotypes. These results suggest that a selection method based on 100 SW, Chl a, Chl b, and NPP can be used in breeding for bean genotypes to water stress
Academic Journal Publishing Reform
Get PDFThe COVID-19 pandemic global crisis has hastened transformations in all spheres of our lives and activities. The digital transformations that were taking place at snails’ pace suddenly gained pace at lightning speed due to the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Academic publishing, a subfield of publishing which distributes academic research and scholarly works, has equally experienced renewed focus on Academic journal publishing reform. Open publication models have proved invaluable in fast and wide distribution of academic research and scholarly works during the COVID-19 pandemic disruptions. Consequently, traditional journal space is quickly giving way to online journal space
JONAS Special Issue on the Future of Mining in Zambia
No full textThe mining industry has been at the heart of Zambia’s economic development for
over 100 years. The country is endowed with a large known resource base of copper,
emeralds, uranium, tin, gold and other deposits. The country has potential for more
discoveries as more areas are being targeted for detailed prospecting and exploration.
In that regard, the mining sector in Zambia will continue to be a significant contributor
to Government revenue and formal employment. Therefore, the country needs to
convert fully its mineral wealth for the benefit of its people. To do this, the country
needs to know where to improve so as derive maximum benefit from the mineral and
ground water resources for the both current and future generation
Understanding School Safety and Security: Conceptualization and Definitions
Get PDFEducational environments must be safe and secure spaces for learners, teachers, non-teaching staff and the local community. Therefore, it is necessary to manage school safety and security properly in order to prevent accidents and incidents, creating an environment in which physical, emotional and social well-being is promoted. This study aimed at clarifying conceptual confusions and applications of terms such as; school safety and security through literature review and understanding of the author. This is because definition of these concepts enable stakeholders to have a common understanding of the subject and hence enhances meaningful conversations and better decision making. More so, how safety or security is defined among stakeholders affects its planning, application and implementation in the school environment
Teachers and learners’ Attitudes towards the Teaching and Learning of Vocational Subjects: A Focus on Home Economics and Expressive Arts at ST Mzee School for the Deaf in Solwezi
Get PDFThe purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of teachers and learners
with hearing impairment in teaching and learning of home economics and
expressive arts as vocational subjects of 2013 revised curriculum at ST
Mzee (Pseudonym) Special School for learners with hearing impairment.
A qualitative case study design was employed in this study. The school and
participants were purposively selected since the aim of the study was to
examine whether or not vocational subjects were positively or negatively
perceived. Four teachers and eight learners with hearing impairment
(Deaf) were involved in the study. Focus Group discussion method was used
to collect data from learners and the teachers were interviewed. Data was
analysed thematically by use of the research questions and emerging themes.
The study established positive attitudes towards the teaching of vocational
subjects by both teachers and learners. Learners tended to enjoy practical
subjects more than theory oriented subjects and the theory component of
the vocational subjects. However, learners reported that they did not have
a wider choice of the vocational subjects to take because the school only
offered two vocational subjects (Home economics and Expressive arts)
and boys were compelled to take Expressive Arts while girls took Home
economics. Teaching and learning was compounded with challenges of
lack of materials for practicals as reported by both teachers and learners.
Teachers further reported lack of adequate room for practical activities
in expressive arts. Inadequate sign language vocabulary also hindered
effective teaching of the theory component of the two practical subjects
that were taught at the school. Institutions must strengthen the Continuous
Professional Development (CPD) meetings to provide strategies for meeting
the needs of learners with hearing impairment
Education Standards Officers Supervision Roles of Curriculum Implementation in Choma District in Zambia: What do Teachers Think?
Get PDFEducation Standards Officers in Zambia, alongside their inspection
and supervision roles, have a responsibility to give a lead in curriculum
implementation by their provision of professional advice to schools.
However, despite the Ministry of General Education having these officers
who should offer support to teachers in various ways of curriculum
implementation by offering guidance, teachers still felt Education Standards
officers had a lot of shortcomings in their work of helping them. The
purpose of this study was thus to analyse teacher’s perceptions about how
Education Standards Officers carry out their work of supervising teachers
in curriculum implementation. Researchers used the qualitative approach
under the descriptive design. 61 participants comprising of 50 teachers,
from public secondary schools in Choma District, 5 head teachers of the
sampled schools 4 Education Standards Officers from the Province and 2
Education Standards Officers from the district were purposively sampled for
this study. Data was collected from head teachers and Education Standards
Officers using interview schedules. From teacher’s data was collected using
focus group discussion schedules. Thematic analysis was used to analyse
the data. The findings revealed that some Education Standards officers were
still in the old school of inspectors who concentrated on finding faults on
teachers. ESOs especially at the district level lacked Subject content (SCK),
Pedagogical content (PCK) and Curriculum content (CCK) knowledge
when supervising teachers due to lack of subject specialisation by Education
Standards Officers at that level. During their visits, ESOs did not announce
their intended visits to schools which made teachers to panic whenever
Education Standards Officers visited the school for teacher observations.
Some Education Standards Officers concentrated on the procedures that
teachers were to follow when teaching than the actual content that was to be
delivered to the learners which reduced supervision to following rules than
handling every situation the way it was supposed to be on the ground. One
of the main recommendations that researchers made was that Education
Standards Officers needed up skilling in their duties so that they have the
required skills, knowledge and right attitudes for their responsibilities. It
was also recommended that there was a need to increase the positions of
ESOs so as to cater for all subject’s specialisation for effective supervision
of the curriculum