The University of Zambia Journals
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Transmission mechanisms of Traditional Ecological Knowledge and sustainable management of natural resources among the Lozi-speaking people in Barotse floodplain of Zambia
Get PDFThe last periods have witnessed a growing research interest of Traditional Ecological knowledge (TEK), with some research focusing on its role in natural resource management. Here, we contribute to this body of knowledge by focusing on the transmission mechanisms of TEK and sustainable management of natural resources among the Lozi-speaking people of Western Province in Zambia. Although TEK plays a role in the sustainable management of natural resources, its transmission between or among generations, remains a neglected field. Using primary and secondary data sources, we found that TEK in the study area included taboos associated with the sustainable use of natural resources and traditional teachings that guided the local people as to the correct time to harvest their natural resourcesas there was evidence of plant and animal species in the study area. The study further showed various ways in which TEK is transmitted from one generation to another in the Barotse floodplain. The most prevalent mode of TEK transmission shown in the study area was found to be through informal transmission. This is because the transmission of TEK was characterised by cultural, rituals and other cultural practices such as kuloba sitaka and kufuluhela. It is through these rituals and ceremonies that TEK is transmitted. (from one generation to another in the Barotse floodplain –can be deleted). Horizontal and vertical mode of TEK transmission was also evident in the study area. This is because the most common actors in the transmission were parents who were imparting the knowledge to their children.The study, therefore, recommends more studies to be undertaken on transmission mechanisms of TEK in other tribal groupings. This is in order to help preserve the knowledge which is currently receiving little attention. There is also need for natural resource managers to seriously consider the significance of TEK and consider its application in natural resource conservation and management. Finally, we recommend that, in order for local communities to use natural resources in a sustainable way, greater attention should be paid to the TEK possessed by communities
Impact of Problem Based Learning on Learner Achievement and attitude in Animal Taxonomy: A case at Kasama College of Education
Get PDFThis study investigated the impact of Problem-Based Learning on students’ achievement and attitude towards Animal Taxonomy. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design. A sample of 74 first year students was purposively selected from the three cohorts of the Secondary Teachers’ Diploma programme at Kasama College of Education, in Northern province of Zambia. Data was collected through a Biology Achievement Test at pre and post- test stage and an Attitude Questionnaire which measured students’ attitude towards Animal Taxonomy. The results were interpreted by comparing the means and by using the t-test and Mann - Whitney U test at P < 0.05, level of significance. A 2-tailed level of significance or P – value after treatment was 0.001 which is below 0.05 for the t-test, which revealed that the experimental group where Problem Based Learning was used, performed better than the control group where Lecture-Based Learning was used. The 2-tailed level of significant of 0.003, which is less than the alpha value (0.05) for the Mann-Whitney U test suggests that there is a significant difference in the attitude of the students towards Animal Taxonomy after using Problem-Based Learning. Problem-Based Learning promotes active and transferable learning and it has the potential of motivating students and assist them develop flexible understanding of Animal Taxonomy as well as attaining lifelong learning skills
Understanding Pupil Absenteeism and its Factors in Rural Primary Schools of Nyimba District of Zambia
Get PDFThis study examined the concept of pupil absentism and explored factors that perpetuate it in rural primary schools of Nyimba district. The objectives of the study were to: establish the causes of pupil absenteeism; identify ways in which pupil absenteeism affected teaching and learning process; ascertain home and school interventions to curb pupil absenteeism in rural primary schools in Nyimba district. A descriptive research design which was supported by qualitative methods of data collection was used in the study. Interview Guides and six Focus Group Discussions were used to collect data from a purposively sampled population of forty two (42) study participants comprising of six (6) guidance and counselling teachers and thirty six (36) pupils. The study used thematic analysis to analyze data, where common themes were identified, grouped for easy interpretation and presented using verbatim based on the research objectives. The study identified ways in which absenteeism affected the teaching and learning processes including poor performance, fostering indiscipline, insufficient comprehension of concepts and the difficulties experienced by teachers. Intervenetions to curb pupil absenteeism were ascertained calling for parents, teachers and all stakeholders in education to make firm decisions to stop absenteeism among the learners by avoiding early marriages, fostering collaboration and being flexible in time management. The study therefore, recommended that school administrators should take keen interest in providing careers talk to learners through invitation of significant people in society to share experiences with learners. Schools should engage in constructive sensitization of parents on the importance of education to curtail absenteeism in primary schools, parents should utilise Parent Teacher Association (PTA) platforms to sensitize each other on the importance of education, promote traditional ceremonies like chinamwali during the holidays and week ends. The study also recommended that the Ministry of General Education should consider building more schools in rural areas to alleviate the problem of long distances learners cover daily. Harsh punishments should be given to men who marry or impregnant school going children
RE-UNITING A PEOPLE SEPARATED BY ‘ARTIFICIAL’ BOUNDARIES USING 100 WORDS: AN AUTOETHNOGRAPHY ACCOUNT OF MALOZI, BASOTHO AND BATSWANA OF SOUTHERN AFRICA
Get PDFScholars in this study interrogated the Malozi of Zambia, Batswana of Botswana and Basotho of Lesotho and established their purported common ethnic heritage in a quest to contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development agenda. The researchers applied Autoethnography and interrogated similarities and differences in 100 purposively selected words. 100 words were selected across themes common to humanity as follows: (i) human body, (ii) family, (iii) environment, (iv) food, (v) animals, and (vi) religion. Finding showed a 100 percent level of similarity across the six themes above with minor variations. Therefore, commonalities in the use of words among the three ethnic groupings is a pointer to a common heritage despite being separated by geographical boundaries. Equally, minor differences in language pronunciations exist but not profound enough to warrant poly-acculturation. Thus, blurring the ‘artificial’ boundaries in existence as perceived by members of those groups. This discourse spurs a realization of a common culture and identity
Sustainability and Greening Concepts in the Curricula of Hospitality and Tourism Training Institutions in Zambia: A Review of Literature
Get PDFIt is unquestionable that the need to address environmental problems has been recognised as an important point of interest for the hospitality and tourism industry. The increased environmental concerns on the part of the hotel operators, consumers, governments and nongovernmental organisations has put pressure on the industry to invest in more environmental friendly practices. The need for a ‘hospitality and tourism sustainability curriculum’ stems from the hospitality and tourism industry being one of the largest industries in the world, with huge negative impacts on the local environment. The growing importance of sustainability education to the hospitality and tourism industry has resulted in an increased pedagogical discussion pertaining to how to incorporate sustainability into the curriculum. This study extensively reviewed literature on sustainability education and greening of tourism and hospitality industry’s curricula to examine the integration of greening initiatives as well as the extent of the incorporation of green initiatives in Zambia. Consensus among the literature reviewed is that there is need for teaching sustainability within the hospitality and tourism curriculum in order to prepare students for the demands of the hospitality and tourism profession. Since the industry is turning towards sustainable initiatives, it is imperative that hospitality and tourism training providers embrace sustainability and recognise that teaching it is of upmost importance to the success of their students and the industry. Educating students about sustainability will not only be popular among students, but there will also be a ripple effect from their sustainable education into the workplace. A review of different curricula from various hospitality and tourism training institutions in Zambia showed that although these institutions offer a comprehensive programme to those individuals who intend to make a career in this, there is an obvious absence of a module in environmental education, sustainability education or indeed green practices
The Use of Active Teaching Pedagogical Approaches in Teaching Civic Education in Secondary Schools in Kasama and Luwingu District of Zambia
Get PDFThe paper explored the use of Active Teaching Pedagogical Approaches in teaching Civic Education in selected secondary schools of Kasama and Luwingu districts of Zambia. The paper was guided by two research objectives: to ascertain the commonly used active teaching methods in teaching Civic Education in selected secondary schools and secondly to determine the extent of engagement of learners in Civic Education lessons. The article was informed by the Social Constructivist theory which emphasizes the use of interactive and participatory methods in the teaching and learning process. Embedded Mixed Method design was dominantly used in Methodological underpinnings. The study established that contrary to the new dictates of civic education where teachers ought to employ more active teaching pedagogies, the commonly used active teaching methods were actually still the same old traditional teaching methods such as: question and answer, research work, brainstorming, and discussion. The learners were engaged in lessons through questioning and learner-centred activities. The paper recommended that school authorities should strictly monitor teacher lesson preparation of work to avoid use of same old Active Teaching Methods and secure enough teaching and learning materials to enhance the use of various and latest active teaching pedagogies in schools
Acute Hemodynamic Changes Associated with Zumba and ZOCA Dance Exercises among Females of Selected Gyms in Lusaka, Zambia
Get PDFBackground: Dynamic exercises are known to elicit hemodynamic changes such as an increase in arterial blood pressure and heart rate. Zumba and ZOCA are part of a fast growing group of dance fitness programmes designed to provide a cardiovascular dynamic workout. Despite their growing popularity, very few studies have been done to provide knowledge regarding the hemodynamic changes associated with these exercises.
Methods: Case study in which 27 females took part in either a Zumba or ZOCA class. Using digital blood pressure monitors, recordings of blood pressure and heart rate were taken, firstly, before commencement of the exercise, secondly, after 30 minutes after exercise and thirdly, at the end of the class. Results:Meanbaselinebloodpressureswere118(SD=14)mmHg and77(SD=7)mmHg,systolicanddiastolic blood pressures, respectively. After 30 minutes of dancing, mean systolic blood pressure increased to 130 (SD = 19) mmHg (p˂ 0.05) while diastolic blood pressure only rose to an average of 80 (SD = 8) mmHg (p˃ 0.05). At the end of the class (after the cool down phase) mean systolic blood pressure reduced to 109 (SD = 13) mmHg (p˂0.05) while diastolic blood pressure reduced to 74 (SD = 12) mmHg (p˂ 0.05).
Conclusions: Zumba and ZOCA elicited significant hemodynamic changes that can be attributed to these exercises stimulating the cardiovascular regulatory mechanisms (e.g central command and exercise-pressor) sufficiently and hence resulting in autonomic adjustments that were concurrent with effective dynamic exercise
A MULTIMODAL APPROACH TO THE STUDY OF DISCOURSE OF PROTEST: An Example of the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Nigeria Labour Congress Face Off
Get PDFVaried interests are inevitable issues between the working class and the State, and this often degenerates into labour conflicts between the government and the people. The subsidy removal by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2012, triggered off anger among millions of Nigerians and protesters all over the country expressed grievances against the policy through slogans, music, speeches, cartoons, placard inscriptions, images, internet/electronic outlets like Facebook comments, radio, television, and so on. Kress’ (2004), Fundamentals of Image Analysis and Hall (2012)’s Discourse of Protest were harmonised as a framework for this work. This paper examines language and images and identifies the inter-semiotic and semantic coherence in this complementary multimodal mode
FIFTY YEARS ON: THE COMPUTERISATION OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ZAMBIA AS AN ASPECT OF SOCIAL CHANGE: THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE
Get PDFThis paper discusses computerisation of the University of Zambia as an aspect of social change and the social impact that this technological change has had on academic and support staff, students and the organisation as a whole. The paper uses the Diffusion of Innovation Theory by Everett Rogers to discuss the computerisation of the University of Zambia. There is no doubt that the computerisation of the University of Zambia has created a major impact and change on organisational efficiency and effectiveness as well as enhancing people’s work standards. However, the paper recognises challenges inherent in this process of change. These include underutilisation of computer applications by staff, and a highly centralised user support system. The paper ends by discussing the implications of this computer-based technological change for the authorities
Our Elders Never Lie: The Metaphor Power Base of Proverbs among the Tonga Speaking People of Zambia And Zimbabwe
Get PDFThis article seeks to explore ways through and extent to which the use
of proverbs inspires confidence in the youth towards their elders in the
African society in general and the Valley Tonga of Zambia and Zimbabwe
in particular. The Achebean saying that ‘proverbs are the palm oil with
which words are eaten,’ does not only point to the fact that proverbs make
ordinary speech aesthetically pleasant to the ear but also that the wisdom
contained therein is culturally/socially accepted. The effective and efficient
deployment of proverbs in this regard earns the user respect from targets
of his address. The article analyses various ways in which proverbs are
incorporated in everyday speech and how these in turn, enhance chances
of delivering the intended message successfully among the Valley Tonga
communicators. In most cases, when a Tonga speaker wishes to delegate
presentation of a complex matter to the proverb, they attribute the wisdom
to the Tonga society of yester years. This tendency, the article concludes,
removes personalities from the proverb while promoting objective analysis
of the situation by those addressed. The article examines selected proverbs
in terms of structure, pattern of usage, types of images/metaphors used
and their expected impact. The article applies a triangulation theoretical
framework of Appraisal, Ethnopoetics and Afrocentricity theories to
delineate the communicative intent of the proverber. Together, the theories
look at social functions of the language rendered by performers of the oral
arts