The University of Zambia Journals
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Estimation of Spatio-Temporal Variability of Actual Evapotranspiration Using the Sebs Model in the Semiarid Barotse Basin, South-Western Zambia
Get PDFvapotranspiration (ET) is a dominant hydrologic loss flux in the water budget of arid and semi-arid areas. Thus, accurate estimation of its dynamics is critical for assessing water availability and improving water resources management in such areas. In this study the physically-based Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) model was applied to estimate spatio-temporal variability of actual ET (AET) in the semiarid Barotse basin, South-Western Zambia. The model was run using atmospherically rectified MODIS satellite imagery on clear-sky warm-wet, cool-dry and hot-drydays. Furthermore,based on sunshine hours and daily AET, monthly fluxes were generated. The outputs were evaluated against potential ET (PET) and independently modelled AET from the global circulation model of the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecast (ECMWF). It was observed that the ratio of AET to PET at the reference station was in the order of 1.04, 0.64 and 0.30 on warm-wet, cool-dry and hot-dry days respectively. Systematic lack of physical agreement on warm-wet days suggested that SEBS estimates were not necessarily implausible but that assumptions on which PET isbased differed from surface conditions. ECMWF estimates were in better agreement with SEBS at daily and monthly time-steps at Sesheke station than at Kamanga. This was ascribed to input data and vegetation index-based roughness parametrisation. Sensitivity analysis of the model to landuse-based versus NDVI aerodynamic roughness revealed a reduction of fluxes of up to 1.5 mm day-1 on forests using the latter. Flux analysis showed that water bodies and regularly flooded vegetation had the highest rates of 6.9 and 5.9 mm day-1 on warm-wet days respectively. The lowest occurred on croplands and grasslands with a high variation between warm-wet and hot-dry days of up to 64.1 and 71.1% respectively. It is concluded that SEBS model can accurately estimate AET in heterogeneous areas with spatial input data and robustly determined roughness values
Predicting Global Solar Radiation on A Horizontal Surface A Case Study For Zambia
Get PDFInsolation models have been recognized for many years in solar energy systems as important tools to determine
radiations for locations lacking insolation data base. Unfortunately, for most geographical areas in Zambia,
the insolation data is not available. Correlations between the daily measurements of global solar radiation
and the meteorological parameters were presented in tabular form for the selected locations. A common
relationship to estimate global solar radiation for the all Zambia is also established. The values of correlation
coefficients established varied from 53% to 97% and the errors of estimation were between 0.24 and 0.0.84
Strategies Teachers Use in the Management of Inclusive Classrooms in Primary Schools
Get PDFThe article examined the strategies teachers used to manage learners and learning process in selected inclusive primary classrooms in Kazungula and Livingstone Districts of Southern Province of Zambia. An interpretive research design supported by qualitative data collection approaches were used in the study. The sample comprised of 52 participants: two District Standard Education Officers, two Education Standard Officers-Special Education, two members of staff from Community Based Rehabilitation Project, eight head teachers handling inclusive classes, two members of the multidisciplinary team, four parents of learners with disabilities and thirty-two classroom teachers. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants while, data was collected through use of interview and focused group discussion guides. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. This involved grouping and categorising data in order to establish the emerging themes. Use of open, axial and selective coding process helped to clearly identify emerging themes which were presented descriptively. The findings revealed that teachers were either oriented or trained in inclusive education methodologies before they were assigned to teach and manage learners and learning process in inclusive classes; a variety of strategies were being used to manage the learners and learning process. These ranged from: use of multi-tasking approaches; leaner-preparatory approaches; attention seeking mechanism, use of user-friendly curriculum; increased talking walls to tolerance and patience building approaches among learners. The study recommended the strengthening of school-based in-service training of teachers with a focus on strategies for managing learners and learning process in inclusive classrooms in the study districts
Pupil Indiscipline in the ‘No Corporal Punishment Era’ in Zambia
Get PDFThe article highlights contemporary issues in pupil indiscipline, trends and implications on management in Zambian schools under the no-corporal punishment policy. Using a mixed methods approach, a sample of a hundred and ten respondents was purposively and randomly sampled and differentiated into school administrators, teachers, pupils and parents. Data collected through interviews and questionnaires was analysed by descriptive statistics and themes. The study revealed that pupil indiscipline had evolved into a myriad of new forms since the introduction of the ‘no corporal punishment’ policy in Zambian schools. The major pupil indiscipline issues manifested in increased aggressive behaviour amongst the pupils and within teacher-pupil relationship, emergence of pupil (thuggery) gang and vandalism to school and private property. The main drivers for the upswing in indiscipline were negative peer pressure, drug, alcohol and substance abuse, lapse in parental oversight, negative influence of technology and the media, ineffective management of school discipline, strict or undemocratic school rules, and the misuse of human rights and abuse of ‘no corporal’ punishment. There is sufficient evidence suggesting that owing to the rise in proportion, multiplicity and sometimes novelty of the forms of disciplinary issues, there are huge challenges in school based discipline managements. It is recommended that school management be trained and equipped with modern and alternative positive strategies of dealing with indiscipline which include guidance and counselling, ‘reward and punish’ strategy and strong school-community and other stakeholders-partnerships
ELECTIONS AND NATION-BUILDING IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, PROBLEMS, AND PROSPECTS
Get PDFThe conduct of elections remains one of the most tortuous and sensitive exercises
in Nigeria’s political history. Undoubtedly, it has impaired the nation’s aspiration
in building enduring peace, unity, and stability that will engender mutual coexistence
of its disparate ethnic groups. The expectation that elected public
officers would deepen democracy and provide transparent and accountable
leadership through good governance and the creation of an avenue for people
to freely participate in the decision-making process of the country have not
been met. Rather than produce leaders and followers that would bring about
national cohesion and patriotism among the citizenry, elections have tended to
expose fault-lines among ethnic/tribal, regional and religious cleavages at the
expense of national interest and nation-building. Although this is the prevailing
trend in the annals of the electoral contestation in Nigeria’s history, it is the
authors’ contention that recent events, especially the 2011 and 2015 elections,
have put the country’s unity on the slippery slope of disintegration. This view
is reinforced with the emergence of several centrifugal forces like the Boko
Haram terrorist agitations in the country’s Northeast, and separatist activities
of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South-eastern region on the
grounds that are not unconnected with electoral contest or loss by political elites
along ethno-religious and regional lines. While these incidences may not be
totally orchestrated by the conduct, contest, and outcomes of elections alone,
the consistency of coincidence of resurgence of violence after the conduct of
elections in the country is notable. Therefore, using secondary and survey data,
we explore the issues, problems, and prospects of elections and nation-building
in an emerging democracy like Nigeria. This is with the hope of providing policy
priorities on how to use elections for nation-building
RELIGION AND POLITICS IN ZAMBIA: INVESTIGATING THE RELIGIOUS DISCOURSE IN THE 2016 ELECTORAL CAMPAIGNS
Get PDFThis article qualitatively investigated the religious discourse in the 2016 electoral campaigns in Zambia using the media as a lens. The article observes that religion was increasingly used and abused in the 2016 election campaigns for political mileage by using religious songs, Bible verses, names and prayers. The campaigns also included accusations of Satanism and witchcraft. The declaration of Zambia as a Christian Nation was a major factor in the use of religious citations in the political campaigns. However, just as the declaration was a mere pronouncement, the use of religion in the campaigns by politicians was merely for political gain and a campaign brand
A Comparative Analysis of the Perceptions of Primary and Secondary School Teachers of Lesson Observation by Education Standards Officers in Zambia
Get PDFThis study was a comparative analysis of the perceptions of primary and secondary school teachers of lesson observation by education standards officers in Zambia. In Zambia, like elsewhere in the world, teachers are monitored and evaluated in teaching by Education Standards Officers or Quality Assurance Officers. Although the understanding of quality education is varied and sometimes obscure in its definition, indicators have been outlined in some cases, one of them being effective teaching which stem from the teachers understanding of pedagogy. A survey design was employed and eighty one (81) primary and secondary school teachers recruited from Central Province of Zambia to provide information on the study. There were thirty two (32) primary school teachers and forty nine (49) secondary school teachers of which 39, (48.1%) were male and 42, (51.9%) female. Data were analysed with the help the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0 to obtain frequencies, percentages and differences between the two groups of respondents in their responses. Results indicated that there were no significant differences between primary and secondary school teachers in their perceptions of lesson observations by education standards officers. Most importantly, both groups of teachers were positive in their perceptions, although a few of them were not comfortable being observed by education standards officers. Since standard officers are ideally the experts in teaching and possess a wealth of experience in pedagogy, we recommend that they provide demonstration lessons targeting teachers in schools through various platforms such as workshops, seminars and other professional forums
Affrication of Voiced Labials (/B, V/) in Changana
Get PDFThis article describes and analyses the frication of the voiced labial
consonants (/b/ and /v/) in Changana, a Bantu language (S53, in Guthrie’s
1967-1971 classification). In the light of the autosegmental phonology (Leben
1973, 1978, 2006; 1973, Goldsmith 1976, 2004; Odden 1986) combined with
the Feature Geometry theory, the article discusses phonological processes
that turn voiced labials into labial-alveolar affricate [bz]. In this study, we
assume that the process of hiatus resolution by gliding is the trigger of the
alteration under analysis. That is, when derivative suffixes with low vowel
(/a/) and the high front vowel (/i/) in the initial position are attached to
words with rounded vowels (/o, u/) in final position in some morphological
processes such as diminutivisation and locativisation, the results are
undesirable sequences (hiatus). In order to resolve such hiatus, a series
of phonological processes such as the turning of the rounded vowel in the
word final position into labial-velar glide allowing the adjacency of voiced
labials with labial glide which violates the Obligatory Contour Principle
(OCP) takes place. The present study analyses the OCP using empirical
Changana data collected both in the fieldwork supplemented by data from
other sources including bibliographical and introspective data. The article
is organised as follows. Firstly, it discusses the theoretical framework;
secondly it analyses the Hiatus Resolution in Changana; thirdly, it analyses
the data and lastly, it presents the main conclusions of the study
An Exploratory Study of Language Use and Preferences among Nursing Lecturers and Students at Mzuzu University in Malawi
Get PDFThis article reports on the insights gained from multilingual nursing
lecturers and students at Mzuzu University in Malawi on the languages
they use and prefer in a classroom setting. Research (Setati, Chitera and
Essien, 2009; Chowdhury 2012) has found that both lecturers and students
in multilingual and multicultural settings favour code-switching practices
in the classroom setting. Code-switching is, therefore, an important
phenomenon, which researchers should continue exploring because of
the several distinctive attributes associated with it. The study adheres to
qualitative and quantitative designs through the use of a questionnaire
and follow-up interviews as methods of data collection. The results reveal
that both lecturers and students favour code-switching from English to
Chichewa during lectures. From both lecturers’ and students’ perspectives,
code-switching helps to translate and clarify difficult concepts. It also
helps to prepare students for the nursing profession. The study has some
practical and pedagogical implications. On the one hand, it contributes
some meaningful insights for language planners and policy-makers; on
the other hand, the study sheds important light on the need to include the
workplace dimension during language in education and language planning
conversations. This study is also important because it addresses the issue of
how code-switching might effectively be exploited as a communicative and
pedagogical resource in instruction
Modelling the Impact of Royalty Tax on the Mining Industry: A Case Study of Zambia
Get PDFMineral taxation is an important exercise that every government must undertake to raise revenue. The implemented tax system must strike a balance in meeting revenue needs for both the government and mining firms. Thus, before any tax system is implemented it must be modeled for its merits and demerits both on the side of the government and mining houses. This is to instigate a win-win situation between the two parties. This paper models the impact of introducing or increasing the royalty based tax on the Zambian mining industry using Lumwana and Kansanshi Mines as case studies. The impact has been modeled using the methodological framework of the breakeven analysis which is based on linear equations of total revenue and total cost. This paper addresses the modeling of two traditional royalties namely, ad valorem and unit based. It is concluded that introducing or increasing these royalties on the mining industry increases the cutoff grade which stimulates the use of high grading mining technique. This technique generates economic and technical devastating effects on the mining industry and government. It was concluded that mineral royalty is not an equitable tax system due to the different mineralization of orebodies. The result of this research suggests that governments should diverge from regressive tax schemes to ones which are mildly progressive by implementing either a hybridized or variable rate royalty system