Kwame Nkrumah University Multi-Disciplinary Journal - Zambia

THE INFLUENCE OF WESTERN CULTURE ON FASHION DESIGNERS IN SELECTED COMMUNITIES OF KPIRI MPOSHI DISTRICT OF CENTRAL PROVINCE, ZAMBIA

Nephat Kasebusha — 2024-08-09

This study examines people’s perceptions of the influence of Western culture on fashion designers using a mixed research approach and concurrent design. The target population included fashion designers, local consumers, and fashion traders, with a sample size of 40 respondents. Data was collected through questionnaires and interviews, analyzed using SPSS for quantitative data, and thematic analysis for qualitative data. Findings indicate that Western culture significantly influences consumer behavior, shaping thoughts, affirming desirable traits, valuing diversity, and affecting norms and attitudes. Consumers often select, purchase, and consume goods, including clothing, based on familiarity and cultural values. Specifically, in Kapirimposhi, the study revealed that Western culture impacts consumer behavior in the fashion industry. The study recommends efforts to preserve and promote indigenous clothing styles, urging fashion designers and industry stakeholders to collaborate in showcasing traditional attire's cultural significance. Additionally, it highlights the importance of ethical considerations in fashion design

AN OVERVIEW OF EDUCATION PROVISION IN ZAMBIA

Madalitso K Banja — 2024-08-09

The purpose of this paper is to present a synopsis of the state of the education system in Zambia by revisiting its genesis and discussing its evolution since independence in 1964, and looking at its current state. The paper used desk research to search various documents related to the discussion. It examines the structural alternatives over the years, the major players in the education system, the challenges faced in the education system, and current trends in education. It ends with the conclusion that the education system in Zambia has made massive progress over the years especially in the areas of quality assurance at different levels. However, the progress has been affected by the consistent changes in policy direction that has made the planning lack continuation.

REVISITING PRESERVICE TEACHER EDUCATION IN THE CONTEXT OF COLLEGE/UNIVRSITY- SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP

Madalitso K Banja — 2024-08-09

Teachers’ competences impact on learners’ outcomes. This makes initial teacher preparation critical. The Ministry of Education in Zambia (1992) records that teacher education is central to effectiveness and efficiency of the education system. Teachers provide learning experiences to lead their learners from the darkness of ignorance to the light of knowledge. Since the teacher is the most important element in any educational programme, it is necessary to prepare one with adequate knowledge, skills, interest and right attitude towards the teaching career. With the many shortcomings that preservice teacher education in Zambia is beset with, such as inadequate supervision of the practicum, weak partnership with schools, and inadequate funding, it is not adequately preparing teachers with appropriate knowledge and skills (Luangala, 2001). Zambia is using the college/university-based model in which student teachers spend more time learning theory {course work} to the detriment of practice. This can have a negative impact on the quality of graduates. Because of this the authors are advocating for preparation of teachers using the school-based model. In this model, student teachers are attached to partner schools from year one of the progamme. First, they are required to observe lessons delivered by experienced teachers {mentors} before being engaged in actual teaching. It is envisaged that through the school-based model, student teachers will have more time to reflect on their experiences through, for example, the portfolio in which they will track their progress by building narratives of their work. This is not happening under the college/university-based model.

An EVALUATION OF THE FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE TO LOW TRAINEE-TEACHER ENROLMENT IN LINGUISTICS AND AFRICAN LANGUAGES AT KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY IN ZAMBIA

Pethias Siame — 2024-08-09

This paper evaluates the factors that contribute to low trainee-teacher enrolment levels in Linguistics and African languages at Kwame Nkrumah University in Zambia. The article aims to establish and analyse the challenges facing the career development of certain Zambia courses in colleges and universities and possible remedies to alleviate such problems. The study used a qualitative approach, questionnaires, elicitation and document analysis methods to collect data. The paper used descriptive, analytical and thematic principles to analyse the data. The study is guided by the marginal framing backed by the tenets of effective management. The study shows that low enrolment levels of trainee-teachers in Linguistics and African Languages at Kwame Nkrumah University are associated with several factors which include; an inferiority complex, superiority complex, lack of government scholarships, lack of confidence, lack of career guidance at grade Twelve level, negative attitude of pupils while in Grade Twelve, a misconception that there are no employment opportunities, a fallacy that linguistics of Bantu languages is complicated, criticism of pupils during secondary school days, lack of consideration for Head of Department of Literature and Languages and lack of parental support.

ASSESSING THE TEACHING OF COMMUNICATION AND WRITING SKILLS IN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS

Elliot Machinyise — 2024-08-09

Written and oral communication is considered one of the most critical competencies for academic and future career success for every student in higher education institutions. One of the numerous skills a student should be able to develop before they leave university or college is the ability to communicate effectively through writing. This paper aimed to establish whether higher education institutions in Zambia offer compulsory communication and writing skills to students. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data from students on whether or not they learnt communication skills was elicited through a questionnaire while data on views and opinions from language lecturers was collected through semi-structured interviews. The findings of the study revealed that out of the ten public universities and colleges that participated in the study, only four offer Communication and writing skills to all first-year students. It was revealed that in some institutions, Communication and writing or study skills are taught only to students who study languages. The study further recommended that all higher education institutions should consider offering compulsory Communication and writing skills to all first years regardless of their study areas to equip them with useful communicative skills for their adult life

DE-MARGINALISATION OF THE NON-REGIONAL OFFICIAL LOCAL ZAMBIAN LANGUAGES:

Pethias Siame — 2024-08-09

The paper endeavours to address the main theme ‘Re-imagining Education and Schooling Grounded in Local Indigenous Knowledge’ by combining three sub-themes, namely; re-envisioning ways education can be transformed to address current challenges, self-reflexivity and decolonising the mind as well as decolonising the education system with regard to local languages education. the marginalisation of the non-regional official languages (ROL) in Zambia is due to the colonial mindset which was planted just after independence in 1964. Lungu, Mambwe and Namwanga (LuMaNa) languages have been used to mirror the current challenges all non-ROL in Zambia are facing. Lungu is classified as M14, Mambwe as M15 and Namwanga as M22. The paper addresses the following objectives: to identify major causes of marginalisation of the non-ROL; to describe the effects of marginalisation of non-ROL; and to suggest ways of de-marginalising the non-ROL in Zambia. The study employs marginal framing which deals with the potential restrictions to participation in education which eventually emerge as challenges. Document analysis, descriptive and qualitative approaches were adopted in a bid to justify the arguments in the study. The findings of the study reveal that potential restrictions to the use of the indigenous local languages have far-reaching consequences such as high illiteracy levels in the country. Among the most valid options to de-marginalise the non-ROL are; the establishment of the national official local language (NOLL), implementation of the 2013 curriculum framework policy or formulation of the unified Zambian languages orthography.

PATTERNS OF VOWEL EPENTHESIS IN ICIBEMBA LOANWORDS FROM THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE

Kennedy Njenje Kangwa — 2024-08-09

This paper discusses vowel epenthesis as a phonological process employed to avoid consonant clusters and codas in iciBemba loanwords from the English language. Bemba language is classified as M42 and is spoken in Northern, Muchinga, Luapula, Copperbelt and part of Central Province of Zambia. The aim of this paper was to identify the nature of vowels that are inserted in iciBemba during borrowing and subsequently develop an explanation of the system behind the various phonetic realizations of these vowels. The study used a qualitative research design. Data were collected through elicitation and document analysis methods. The article was underpinned by feature geometry (FG) as an analytical theoretical footing. The findings of the study reveal that consonant clusters and codas in iciBemba loanwords from the English language motivate vowel epenthesis. The study also shows that the number of epenthetic vowels depends on the number of consonant clusters in the word in the coda position. Therefore, the choice of the epenthetic vowel in iciBemba is determined by the process of assimilation. The article concludes that, in iciBemba, an epenthetic vowel assimilates to the preceding consonant

RELIGIOUS EDUCATION A MORAL SAVER AMIDST CLIMATE CHANGE:

Audrey Muyuni — 2024-08-09

The article focuses on the contribution the Marianist Brothers made to moral and integral boys’ education in their education philosophy at Matero Boys Secondary School popularly known as MaBoys. Cox’s theory of phenomenology of religion was used to generate empirical data from the religious and lived experiences of the Marianist Brothers as well as the narrated stories from both former teachers and pupils of the first twenty-five years at MaBoys. The study was purely qualitative and specifically used a follow-up case study design to capture and understand the Marianist applied pedagogical practices in enhancing former pupils’ lives after leaving the school. The findings indicated that Religious Education was the core of morality in the face of climate change. This can be seen as evidence that the Marianist imprint remained in the boys’ lives long after school. The study recommends for a further study to be done after the pioneers have relocated to their land of origin to sensor the current moral values.

VOICE OF FEMALE RELIGIOUS STUDIES POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS ON ACCESS TO E-RESOURCES FOR RESEARCH AT KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY IN ZAMBIA

Joseph K. Hachintu — 2024-08-09

This research article presents a comprehensive exploration of the perspectives held by female Religious Studies postgraduate students regarding their access to e-resources for research at Kwame Nkrumah University (KNU). The primary aim of the study was to examine the gender-related challenges within the institutional framework that hinder the effective utilisation of available e-resources, thereby affecting the quality of research among female students at KNU. Employing a qualitative approach, a purposively selected sample of 20 participants comprising 16 students and 4 faculty members, a combination of interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) served as the foundation for data collection, with thematic analysis applied to the results. The study unearthed a pressing need, especially in the context of today's information era and growing feminism advocacy, to bridge the gender gap in perceiving Information Communication Technologies (ICTs) concerning accessing and leveraging e-resources, thereby harnessing the full spectrum of global information resources. Moreover, the research identified that some female students still perceive the technology realm as predominantly male-oriented. This perception perpetuates the tendency for several female individuals to depend on male counterparts for support and, in some instances, to enlist their assistance in data searches and accessing e-resources during the research process. The study recommended that female postgraduate RS students at Kwame Nkrumah University and indeed other universities globally, need to develop positive attitudes towards the use of e-resources to maximise the usefulness of the resources which can enhance their academic career

AN EXAMINATION OF THE DISCRIMINATION OF PATIENTS IN THE URBAN HEALTH CENTRES OF KAPIRI MPOSHI DISTRICT OF CENTRAL PROVINCE OF ZAMBIA

Nephat Kasebusha — 2024-08-09

The aim of the study was to examine the discrimination of patients in the health facilities of Kapiri Mposhi district. The study employed both the qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect, integrate and analyze data. The study utilized concurrent research design. The sample size for the study was 50 respondents. Data was collected through the administration of questionnaires and interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed by excel software version 2013 to generate descriptive statistics in the form of frequency tables, bar graph and pie charts in order to give clear presentation, explanation and interpretation of the research results. Qualitative data was analyzed by using thematic method in order to generate themes. The study shows that nurses discriminate patients based on various aspects such as personal characteristics of patients and socio economic status.

ROLE OF TRADITIONAL HEALERS IN THE PRESERVATION OF INDIGENOUS MEDICAL KNOWLEDGE:

Dalitso Mvula — 2024-08-09

Culture signifies the customs, language, ceremonies, Indigenous Medical Knowledge (IMK) and other material objects of a tribe. These and many other features are a representation of identity for many Zambian communities. IMK practices are skills inherent by certain individuals in a tribal grouping who are chosen by the spirits (gods) or trained by those who practice. This intrinsic skill is in danger of diminishing as a result of modern medication. This article attempts to understand the role of traditional healers (also known as asing’anga in local language) in the preservation of IMK in Chibombo District of Zambia. In so doing, the paper examined methods of preservation used by asing’anga and the challenges faced. Using hermeneutic phenomenology and linear snowball sampling, findings revealed that preservation was done through training. The study found unwillingness, expiration and spirituality as challenges in the process of preserving IMK. The study recommended that the Lenje Cultural Association consider documenting and disseminating information to the local people through showcasing what is available in the Mukuni Culture Village Museum and Library. This was seen as a way through which many youths would be encouraged to appreciate the Indigenous values in their culture

ZERO-TOLERANCE VERSUS PERSONALISED POLICING

O'Shea Akal — 2024-08-09

This literature review will compare New York, Copenhagen, and Seattle in terms of their policing of the homeless and homeless programs. The comparison will explore the zero-tolerance and broken-windows policing method in New York that criminalizes the homeless through spatial exclusion and gentrification. It will also explore the personalized/community policing methods in Copenhagen and how the city attempts to help their homeless population through Housing First principles. Seattle will also be explored in the comparison as the state has used both methods of policing through banishment and civility codes, but now has more programs that are aligned with the principles of harm reduction. The paper also outlines the implications for future research in terms of treating the complex problems of the homeless community, not criminalizing them, and focusing on a personalized policing approach. The importance of this comparison is to highlight different policing and government strategies that can benefit all and not perpetuate an individualized approach to the cause of homelessness.