Exploring leadership styles and their influence on academic disparities: a comparative study in high and underperforming public secondary schools Lusaka district, Zambia.

Thesis of Master of Education in Educational Administration and Management.The coexistence of underperforming and high-performing public secondary schools raises critical questions about the factors contributing to the persistent academic performance gap, particularly the role of leadership styles in shaping academic outcomes. Despite various interventions by the government of Zambia to address educational disparities, these gaps continue to persist, highlighting the need for a deeper understanding of the leadership factors at play. Moreover, a significant research gap remains in exploring the mechanisms through which leadership practices influence academic disparities, especially in terms of school climate, teacher motivation, and student engagement, which are vital for improving academic outcomes. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the relationship between leadership styles and academic disparities in Lusaka District, Zambia, with a focus on their influence on academic performance. The study was guided by three objectives: To establish the main leadership styles used by the headteachers in selected high-performing and underperforming public secondary schools, determine the contribution of leadership practices toward the academic disparities between high performing and underperforming public schools, and identify potential areas for improvement in leadership practices within underperforming public secondary schools in Lusaka District, Zambia. Employing a mixed-methods approach, quantitative data was collected through standardised semi structured questionnaires administered to 80 teachers and 200 students, sampled through systematic random sampling. While, qualitative data complemented the quantitative data, including interviews with 8 headteachers and 8 deputy headteachers obtained by purposive sampling. The data obtained by the qualitative method of data collection were coded by a thematic approach, then categorised, tabulated, and arranged under themes and subthemes whereas the quantitative data were analysed using using IBM SPSS Statistics version 27 (SPSS Inc., Chicago IL). The thematic analysis of the study data revealed key themes related to leadership styles and their influence on academic disparities, including main leadership styles attributed by the headteachers in high-performing and underperforming public secondary schools, contribution of leadership practices toward the academic disparities, and potential areas for improvements in leadership practices within underperforming public schools. The findings revealed that headteachers in these schools employed different leadership styles, including instructional, democratic, servant, situational, and authoritative leadership. However, the leadership styles used varied between high performing and underperforming public secondary schools, influencing leadership practices and academic performance. The study further revealed that leadership practices played a crucial role in either mitigating or exacerbating academic disparities. High-performing public secondary schools demonstrated strong leadership practices, including effective communication of vision and strategic plans, inclusive decision-making, delegation of tasks, instructional support and professional development, and efficient resource management. In contrast, underperforming schools struggled with weak leadership practices, limiting collaboration, teacher engagement, and student support. Additionally, handling academic disparities was a major focus, with interventions such as remedial programs, guidance and counseling, and extracurricular activities were effectively implemented in high-performing public secondary schools while, headteachers in underperforming schools struggled to implement these interventions effectively due to leadership challenges. Their efforts were often hindered by resistance to change, the nature of students, and over-enrollment, further widening academic disparities. It could be concluded that leadership practices employed by headteachers in public secondary schools contribute to academic disparities. In high-performing schools, headteachers demonstrated leadership practices that fostered teacher development, collaboration, and adaptability, resulting in improved academic outcomes. In contrast, underperforming schools were characterised by rigid, autocratic leadership, which hindered teacher engagement, innovation, and student support, ultimately contributing to ongoing academic challenges. It was recommended that leadership’s knowledge and leadership practice should be closely integrated to mitigate academic disparities in public schools effectively. Furthermore, gender roles in leadership and their impacts on academic disparities should be assessed by comparing high-performing and underperforming public schools

Enhancing modelling of land-use and land-cover change and its impact on surface water quality in the Bangweulu sub-catchment, Zambia.

Thesis of Doctor of Philosophy in Integrated Water Resources ManagementWetlands are among the most productive natural ecosystems in the world, providing essential ecosystem services such as water that benefits human health, supporting aquatic ecosystems, and facilitating economic activities. However, a 64% to 71% of wetlands have been lost globally since 1900, primarily due to changes in land use and land cover (LULC). The Bangweulu Wetland System (BWS) in Zambia faces similar challenges, combined with a lack of comprehensive literature regarding LULC changes and their impacts on surface water quality. Traditional methods of LULC classification can be complex and diverse, but non-parametric approaches, such as Machine Learning (ML), have demonstrated greater accuracy. Different ML models possess distinct strengths and weaknesses, and combining multiple models has the potential to enhance the accuracy of LULC classification. Monitoring various water quality parameters in open water bodies presents significant challenges, resulting in gaps in available data. While the Water Quality Index (WQI) integrates various water quality parameters, its spatial application has not yet been thoroughly evaluated. Although, advancements in Remote Sensing and GIS technology provide wider spatial data coverage, there is a lack of comprehensive literature regarding the impact of LULC on WQI. Additionally, most existing assessment methods have limitations, as they overlook the spatial distribution and proximity of LULC pollution sources to the water body areas of interest. Therefore, the specific objectives of this study were; (i) to ensemble a superiorly hybrid machine learning model for enhanced accuracy of modelling LULC changes, (ii) to rapidly evaluate the water quality variability, and to investigate the influence of LULC on water quality. To classify LULC, six ML models were employed: Support Vector Machine (SVM), Naive Bayes (NB), Decision Tree (DT), Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Random Forest (RF), and K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN). The study analysed Landsat 8 images from 2020 and Landsat 5 images from 1990, 2000, and 2010 using QGIS. To establish an integrated remote sensing approach for monitoring of water quality, the study utilised Sentinel 2 data alongside on-site and laboratory water quality measurements. This integration facilitated the transformation of water quality parameter maps into WQI maps, which were then combined to present an overall assessment of water quality in the BWS lakes. Additionally, a parametric Weighted Inverse Distance Function (WIDF) was applied to determine the contamination effective contribution area (Aec) for each LULC. This analysis utilised the classified Landsat 2020 image, field water quality data and a 30m Digital Elevation Model (DEM). A multiple regression analysis was employed to explore the relationship between Aec and specific water quality parameters, as well as the WQI. Results revealed that four models— SVM, NB, DT, and KNN—outperformed the other models. Consequently, a hybrid model, referred to as the Quad model, was developed by integrating the outputs of these four models. This Quad model showcased superior performance compared to individual models, achieving Kappa Index scores of 0.87, 0.72, 0.84, and 0.87 for the years 1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020, respectively. The analysis of LULC changes from 1990 to 2020 indicated a yearly decline of 1.17% in forest coverage, -1.01% in grassland, and -0.12% in water bodies. In contrast, built-up areas and cropland increased at rates of 1.70% and 2.70%, respectively. Water quality assessments showed that the mean WQI from on-site and laboratory data was 34.948, while remotely sensed data yielded a mean WQI of 40.633. Both on-site/lab and remote sensing methods indicated that the concentration of water quality parameters in the Bangweulu Wetland lakes is lower (better) than the local and international recommended limits, with a calculated WQI falling within the 'Good' category. This suggests that the water is generally fresh, clean, and suitable for various uses, including ecological preservation, agriculture, aquaculture, recreation, industrial applications, and human consumption. The study also highlighted significant correlations between LULC and water quality parameters. Turbidity, TDS, iron (Fe²⁺), and EC exhibited strong correlations with specific LULC types, particularly built-up and forested areas. Conversely, parameters such as potassium, sodium, chloride, and calcium showed weak correlations with LULC. The WQI itself demonstrated a reasonable correlation with LULC (R² = 0.649). The findings underscore the consistent growth of cropland and built-up areas from 1990 to 2020, alongside a reduction in forest cover and grassland. Although the water body experienced a gradual decrease over this period, the decline was minimal. Long-term monitoring will be essential for evaluating the success of interventions, guiding conservation efforts, and determining whether the reduction in water bodies is a sustained trend or a short-term phenomenon. This information is crucial for developing sustainable LULC policies, identifying hotspots of potential water quality degradation, and targeting areas for restoration efforts, with significant implications for future management practices

Electronic records management in selected government ministries and parastatals in Zambia.

Thesis of Master in Library and Information ScienceThis study aimed at investigating electronic records management in government ministries and parastatals in Zambia. The study’s specific objectives were to: establish the extent to which government ministries and parastatals in Zambia keep e-records, establish if there is a legal framework, policies and standards governing e-records management, assess the level of knowledge and training of staff in e-records management, determine the ICT infrastructure available for keeping e-records, and establish the possible challenges for e-records management. Employing the Technology-Organisation-Environment (TOE) framework as a guiding theoretical lens, this quantitative study adopted a survey research design to collect data from 50 purposively selected government ministries and parastatals in Zambia. Hand-delivered questionnaires were used to gather data from records officers, registry clerks, or officers responsible for records management within these institutions. The data collected was subsequently analysed quantitatively using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 23. The findings of the study established that 76% of government ministries and parastatals in Zambia keep e-records which include emails, policy documents, minutes of meetings, court proceedings, memos, reports, official speeches, contracts, press statements, tax invoices, workshops/conferences, and business plans. However, a significant portion of these e-records were found to be stored on personal computers as evidenced by 50% of government ministries and parastatals in Zambia. The findings further show that the adoption and use of electronic records management systems in government ministries and parastatals in Zambia is not widespread. Only 9.5% of government ministries and parastatals in Zambia have deployed Electronic Document and Records Management Systems (EDRMS) commercial software such as the Total Records and Information Management (TRIM) and HP Records Manager. The findings also revealed that Zambia has relevant legislative frameworks to support e-records management which include the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act of 2021, and the Electronic Government Act of 2021. However, the majority 86% of government ministries and parastatals in Zambia were ignorant about the existence of these laws. Further, it has also been established that Zambia has a Public Service Records Management Policy and the Registry Service Manual to guide the management of records within the entire public service. However,the majority 76.2% of government ministries and parastatals in Zambia were not familiar with these records management tools. Additionally, it has also been revealed that considerably hig

An assessment of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES)’s risk management preparedness: a case of MSMES in Lusaka’s central business district.

Thesis of Master of Business Administration-Finance.This study sought to investigate the risk management preparedness of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Lusaka’s Central Business District (LCBD), focusing on the strategies used and their effectiveness. Employing a cross-sectional, quantitative approach, data was collected from 385 MSMEs using structured questionnaires and a convenient sampling method. Cochran’s formula was used to determine the sample size. Descriptive statistics and regression analysis were applied to evaluate the relationship between risk management strategies and preparedness levels. Findings reveal that only 24 percent of MSMEs are adequately prepared for risks, indicating high vulnerability to operational and financial shocks, particularly from environmental, economic, or market disruptions. Among the four risk management strategies examined, risk avoidance was the most commonly used, followed by risk spreading. However, risk retention and risk transferring were less frequently adopted, raising concerns about overall preparedness. Regression results showed that all four strategies significantly influenced preparedness. Risk transferring had the strongest positive impact (β = 0.206, p = 0.000), indicating that MSMEs using insurance and risk-sharing mechanisms were 20.6 percent more likely to be prepared for disruptions. Risk avoidance (β = 0.152, p = 0.000) and risk spreading (β = 0.128, p = 0.005) also had significant positive associations, suggesting that minimizing exposure and diversifying operations contribute to resilience. Conversely, risk retention was negatively associated with preparedness (β = -0.091, p = 0.031), indicating that relying solely on internal resources reduces readiness for crises. The model demonstrated strong explanatory power, with an R-squared of 0.744 and an adjusted R-squared of 0.735, meaning 74.4 percent of the variation in preparedness could be explained by the four strategies. The model was statistically significant (F = 18.59, p = 0.000). These results have practical implications. MSME owners are encouraged to adopt diversified risk management approaches. Policymakers should develop programs promoting the adoption of various strategies and increase awareness of financial tools. Financial institutions are urged to design accessible insurance products tailored to MSME needs. Development partners should offer technical assistance, training, and capacity building to enhance MSME resilience. The study concludes that improving MSME preparedness in Lusaka’s CBD requires a holistic strategy combining risk avoidance, spreading, and transferring, while reducing reliance on risk retention. This integrated approach will enhance the ability of MSMEs to withstand external shocks and ensure their long-term sustainability. Keywords: MSMEs; Risk Management Strategies; Risk Preparedness, Lusaka’s Central Business Distric

Lower bound estimates of the eigenvalue of the smallest modulus associated with a general weighted regular Sturm-Liouville problem with mixed boundary conditions.

Thesis of Master of Science in Mathematics.This study aims to obtain a lower bound on the eigenvalue of the smallest modulus in a general weighted regular Sturm-Liouville problem with mixed boundary conditions. The problem is expressed as -u′′(x) + q(x)u(x) = λr(x)u(x) over the interval [a,b] with u′(a) = u(b) = 0. In 1988 Mingarelli [31] and in 2016 Kikonko &Mingarelli [23] focused on finding lower bounds under Dirichlet boundary conditions with assumptions that q ∈ L∞(a,b) and q ∈ L1(a,b), respectively. However, to the best of our knowledge the case of mixed boundary conditions has not been covered. In this study we obtain the lower bound on the eigenvalue of the smallest modulus in the case of mixed boundary conditions. We consider two different assumptions on q, and obtain a bound in each case. To obtain the bounds we use the Fredholm integral operators alongside solutions of related Cauchy problem to compute the bounds. We then give examples to verify the results and compare them to those obtained under Dirichlet boundary conditions to show insights into the eigenvalue behavior. This study uses the ”Root Finding Analytic” package in Maple software for eigenvalue calculations and contributes to the broader understanding of Sturm-Liouville problems with mixed boundary conditions, highlighting key differences from Dirichlet cases. Finally, we raise some open questions for the future studies on general weighted regular Sturm-Liouville problems

Politics of corporate social responsibility in the education sector: a study of selected secondary schools supported by Kamoto mine in Central, Zambia.

This study explored politics of corporate social responsibility in the education sector. While the provision of education is the primary responsibility of the Zambian government, it was of the considered view that, the mining companies needed to take part in the provision of secondary education as a way of enhancing their Corporate Social Responsibility. After independence, Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines (ZCCM) supported schools and hospitals on the Copperbelt from independence to the early 1990s through its Medical and Education Trust (MET) as its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). However, with the privatization of the mines, it has been observed that CSR in the education sector seems to have declined over the years. Therefore, this study sought to fill the knowledge gap by investigating the contributions made by Kamoto Mine to secondary education in selected schools of Sandwe District of Central Zambia. Kamoto and Sandwe are used as pseudonyms for the mine and the district. The study employed a descriptive design with a sample size of 50 participants. Interviews, focus group discussions and questionnaires were used in the collection of data. The findings showed that, the mining companies had made considerable strides in enhancing their Corporate Social Responsibility in secondary education in Sandwe District. They have spear-headed sports activities, giving presents to higher performing learners, donated teaching and learning materials such as computers, books, pens, and flip-charts. In terms of infrastructure, the mining companies had fenced secondary schools and built 1x3 and 1x6 class room blocks. They had also built computer rooms, science laboratory and toilets. The mining company had no clear sponsorship policies. Nevertheless, they had trained teachers in First-Aid and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). The study recommended that the mining firms should develop a CSR strategy to be integrated into the business strategy. The mining entity should create a communications plan in their CSR execution with various stakeholders particularly the local community. Partnerships between Ministry of Education and business community is key to encourage dialogue between the mining company and education sector in order to understand and promote CSR principles and practices. In this context, integrating CSR into education, training and research should be prioritized. Government should put in place legislation that would encourage business corporations to have Corporate Social Responsibility policies especially in areas such as education so that business corporations give back to the communities where they are operating from. Since the mining sector is the major contributor to the development of the Zambia’s economy in general and the Zambia’s Treasury in particular, there is need for more studies to be conducted in order to ascertain how much the mining industry is contributing to education as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility

Assessment of factors influencing nurses and the casualty department's preparedness for incidents of mass casualty at Nyangabwe referal hospital in Francistown, Botswana.

Thesis of Master of Science in Emergency and Trauma Nursing.The increasing incidence of mass casualties globally has resulted in higher fatalities, financial losses, and disruptions in health institutions' service delivery. Health facilities are often overwhelmed by a surge of critically injured or ill patients, compromising their ability to provide timely and effective medical care. Emergency preparedness strategies enhance institutional capacity to ensure high-qualitycare and improved patient outcomes. The study assessed emergency preparedness for mass casualty incidents among nurses and the casualty department at Nyangabwe Referral Hospital in Francistown. A quantitative descriptive cross-sectional study adapted the World Health Organization(WHO) hospital emergency response checklist and the tool used by Amaitari et al (2020) in a study inNigeria. Through a survey of nurses, the study examined protocols, medical equipment, staff training, andtrauma support services. These factors shaped the preparedness strategy for major crises, enabling the institution to respond effectively during mass casualty incidents. The results were presented in frequency tables and summarized in percentage form. Chi-square and binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to assess factors influencing emergency preparedness and those associated with good practices in emergency preparedness, respectively. The study results revealed that multiple factors influenced the emergency preparedness of nurses and the casualty department. Overall emergency preparedness awareness (n=184) distribution among respondents was categorized into low, moderate, and high awareness. The majority, 71 respondents, were categorized under moderate awareness while the low awareness category had 68 respondents. The high preparedness awareness category had 45 respondents who fell under high emergency preparedness awareness. Similarly, the overall attitude towards emergency preparedness showed that 55% exhibited a poor attitude, while 45% demonstrated a good attitude. Furthermore, nearly half of the participants (50.5%) exhibited poor knowledge, while 49.5% had good knowledge of the primary survey. The chi-square analysis revealed significant associations between emergency preparedness and job title (p = 0.015), gender (p=0.025), work experience (p = 0.029), knowledge level (p = 0.001), and knowledge of the primary survey(p=0.043). However, the binary logistic regression found no significant association between gender and emergency preparedness. Lastly, the results indicate that while NRH has the basic structure and processes required for handling mass casualty incidents, certain deficiencies hinder optimal response. These include a lack of a dedicated trauma team, structured activation protocols, and sufficient ICU and emergency surgical capacity, compromising its ability to manage patient influx during disasters. Additionally, limited access to advanced diagnostic tools and a shortage of specialists delay life-saving interventions. Keywords: Hospital emergency preparedness, mass casualty incidents, and Nurses

Exploring parental involvement in supporting play based learning in selected early childhood education centres in Kitwe, Zambia.

Parental involvement is positively associated with greater wellbeing of children in their earlier ages for the sake of educational success. The aim of this study was to explore the nature of parental involvement in supporting Play Based Learning (PBL) in Early Childhood Education. The study was guided by the following objectives, to establish the nature of parental involvement in supporting PBL, examine the perceptions of parents regarding their involvement in PBL and to establish strategies used to strengthen PI in supporting PBL in ECE settings. The study implored a qualitative approach and used case study design to have an insight on PI in supporting PBL. Data for the study was collected through semi-structured interviews with 12 parents whose children are in ECE and 3 focus group discussions with teachers teaching at ECE in Kitwe District. Particularly Zonal schools were purposefully selected for the study. Parents were selected from the same schools whose children attended ECE in the Zonal schools. The data collected was analysed thematically. Findings revealed that parents predominantly engaged with their children in PBL activities at home rather than at school. Parental activities at home include providing resources such as building blocks, toys, and engaging in games. While many parents actively support their children’s play and learning, challenges were observed, including limited knowledge of play-based learning (PBL) practices, such as how to effectively engage children and selecting activities that align with school-based learning as well as cultural dynamics, such as discomfort with a male parent engaging in play with a daughter. In contrast, school engagement by parents was minimal, often limited to obligatory activities such as attending meetings and open days. The study emphasises on the transformative impact of parental involvement in PBL, fostering holistic child development, strengthening family bonds, and creating a nurturing learning environment that bridges the home and school. It highlights the importance of strengthening communication, providing educational resources, and addressing systemic challenges to foster effective parental involvement in PBL. Recommendations included capacity-building workshops, home-school activity alignment, and increased investments in PBL resources

Effectiveness of strategies utilised by financial institutions in addressing the financing needs of women entrepreneurs: case study of in Lusaka district of Zambia.

Thesis of Masters of Business Administration in Finance.By supporting women with access to finance, would create a transformative social and economic impact on women with their families and society at large. The empowering of women creates opportunities for the families because, they place a higher priority on spending on food, health, education of children and their family’s wellbeing. In Zambian women entrepreneurs own more than one-third of the country’s small businesses and more than 40% of its microenterprises. However, despite their pivotal role in the Zambian economy the lack of (or inadequate) access to tailor-made financial products and non-financial services offered by financial services providers is an important factor constraining women, particularly from low-income countries, from investing and earning more and ultimately having more resources at their disposal. This study investigates the financial strategic measures implemented by financial institutions in Lusaka Zambia to support the financial needs of women entrepreneurs. The study’s objectives specifically explored the availability of financial products, assess the level of literacy and comprehension of financial products available for women entrepreneurs. It also focuses on examining the factors associated with access to finance among women entrepreneurs. Therefore a mixed-methods approach was employed, with a quantitative survey conducted among 202 women entrepreneurs and qualitative insights gathered through thematic analysis of institutional strategies from 15 key informants that were done at ABSA Bank, Stanbic Bank and Unify financial institution. However the findings reveal significant gaps in the financial products offered to women entrepreneurs, with most respondents reporting limited access to tailored financial products. Furthermore, a large proportion of participants indicated that, they had limited awareness of targeted outreach programs designed for women entrepreneurs. However, the study also highlights systemic barriers, despite the growth of women-led enterprises in Zambia, access to tailored financial services remains a critical barrier including high collateral requirements and lack of financial literacy, which hinder access to financial services for women. The chi-square (χ2) test results established the following factors to be associated with access to finance among women education (p> 0.05), sensitization on financial education (p> 0.05), time period of loan debasement (p> 0.001), application for the loan (p> 0.001). Furthermore, recommendation among the participants in the study, 69.80% indicated that they would want to be provided with financial education to improve their business. About 11.39% indicated that they need access to finances with low interest rates to help boost their businesses. Among the participants 18.32% indicated that they would need value addition funds to improve their quality of the products. The study concludes that there is an urgent need for financial institutions to innovate products tailored to women entrepreneurs, increase the accessibility of financial services, and enhance awareness of available programs. Policy reforms that are inclusive in targeted interventions are recommended to address the systemic barriers and improve the financial access for women entrepreneurs in Lusaka. Furthermore, providing financial education services would help women entrepreneurs to improve their business and understand the market dynamics. Keywords: Women Entrepreneurs, Financial Literacy, Access to Finance, Financial Products, Business Growt

Exploring the low levels of women’s political participation in kabwe central constituency of Zambia from 1964 to 2021.

Thesis of Master of Education in Civic EducationThe study explored the reasons for low levels of women political participation in Kabwe Central Constituency of Zambia. The objectives of this study were as follows: to explore reasons affecting low women political participation, the effects of low participation of women in politics and measures to promote women participation in politics. The study is qualitative and used a descriptive research designn because its flexible, offered in-depth and detailed information, allowed the use of multiple data collection methods and minimized the chance of having missing data. Moreover, the approach was found to integrate human touch, was costeffective and was indeed the only option in some cases of research problems. The data was collected using Focus Group Discussion and structured interviews. The target population of the study comprised of Provincial Secretary General of political parties, ECZ officials, members of Kabwe central constituency and Non-Government Organisation. The study sample consisted of 30 participants. Purposive sampling also known as a judgmental, selective, or subjective sampling was used in the study. The interviews and FGDs conducted in this study established that women face numerous challenges in political participation which includes; lack of support from fellow women and family, inadequate financial resources to fund political activities, unsafe or fear of political violence, low confidence due to intimidation and lack of political motivation in key positions. On the effects of low political participation, the study revealed that; policies formulated do not reflect the interest of girls and women, women’s voices may not be head in politics, demotivating young girls as well as proliferation of gender gap representation. It was clear that the negative effects of low women participation in political participation increased the already existing gender gap representation in governance. The findings of the study reveal some measure that can put in place to address low women political participation were to; training and leadership programmes for women, promoting community talks or sensitization, reducing charges of adoption by political parties as well as reducing political violence against women in politics. Based on the study findings, the following future political were suggested to stakeholders; stakeholders such NGOs, CSO, Political parties among others should be on lookout in communities and identify those women interested in politics and fund them, ECZ, police, political parties and other stakeholders should ensure to create a political friendly atmosphere to accommodate women in political landscape and to use various platforms such as the media, market places, churches, traditional leaders to be used as conduits or channels to disseminate information on the importance of women participation in political participation. There is need for further studies to investigate the impact of low women participation in politics on the development of Kabwe Central Constituency