Factors contributing to low achievement levels in mathematics among hearing impaired learners: A case of selected Schools of Lusaka, Zambia

Performance of many learners in Mathematics has continued to decline. For learners with Special Educational Needs (SEN), their academic performance is far below their non disabled peers. Further comparison tests on performance in Mathematics among different SEN learners indicate that those with Hearing Impairments (HI) were lagging behind. This study attempted to highlight the factors that contribute to low achievement levels in mathematics among pupils with hearing loss and to suggest measures that would improve their performance. The focus was to establish methods used in teaching pupils with HI, ascertain factors that contribute to poor performance in mathematics among learners with HI as well as to determine the qualifications of teachers in teaching mathematics to learners with HI. The study also explored measures that can improve performance of learners with HI in mathematics. The research adopted a case study design and employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The population comprised of pupils and teachers from two schools, one primary and the other secondary schools in Zambia. A sample of 10 teachers and 22 pupils were purposively chosen. Questionnaires, interview guides, classroom observation checklists and group discussion guides were used to collect data. The learners were clustered into groups of 6 (Grade 5, 6 and 7), (Grade 11) and (Grade 12) before being engaged in group discussions. The inquiry showed that hearing loss significantly affected their ability to learn mathematics due to their failure to comprehend the mathematics language. Teachers were not enough and not all of those available were well qualified, supportive and with positive attitudes towards learners with HI. Teaching and learning materials were also inadequate. The study recommended the need to ensure that only trained and specialized teachers are deployed in classrooms for the HI. While schools offer literacy programmes such as Primary Reading Programme, New Break Through to Literacy and Step InTo English, there is need to ensure that they have numeracy components so as to aid in the mastery of mathematics especially for the HI. One option is to introduce simultaneous communication which comprises the spoken and signed parts of a language. The rationale of adoption is that deaf children who are exposed to speech and signs at the same time would develop their speech and lip-reading naturally, so extra speech training can be avoided. Furthermore, Examination Council of Zambia needs to consider modifying the examinations for the HI by removing certain components such as those that are sound-based and may be difficult for the Deaf to understand

Evolution of methods and techniques in foreign language teaching.

Written evidence points to the Middle East in Iraq at sumer (Baghdad) as the place of origin regarding the teaching of second / foreign languages. This was around 3,000 BC when a group of invaders conquered the area. Surprisingly, instead of imposing their language, they opted to learn the language of the conquered (the Sumerians). The method used to teach the language involved rewriting or analysing old texts (Philology). This then marked the beginning of the first methods in second / foreign language teaching. So, the communicative/task-based methods currently in use widely in the world, in the teaching of second/foreign languages, did not emerge like manner from Heaven. To the contrary, they are part of a long methodological evolution. We have in this book, attempted to critically discuss the evolution in question. For each method, we have highlighted its origin, main features (characteristics) and its application in the classroom setting. That is, a sample lesson as it was taught at that tim

Reforming school experience in pre-service teacher preparation for quality teacher graduates.

ArticleIt is well a known fact that quality teaching is key to learning. This means that the quality of schools depends largely on teachers. In the same way, the quality of teachers depends on the institutions that prepared them. Therefore, school experience in pre-service teacher preparation is central because, it is during the practicum that trainees are given an opportunity to apply theories that they learnt and also observe experienced teachers’ lessons. It is also during practicum that trainee teachers are availed an occasion to work with real learners (pupils). In this vein, then, there is need to have a school experience which is effective. This can only occur if it is properly structured, well financed and adequately staffed. This paper will provide a situational analysis of the common practices of school experience at the University of Zambia. The problematisation of the situation will be followed by arguing for elements which make school experience in pre-service teacher preparation effective and responsive to the demands of 21st century didactics. Some of the elements will include the restructuring of the practicum, adequate financing and relooking at practicum implementation needs. The paper will conclude by reiterating the fact that the quality of teachers in schools (and lack of it) is largely a result of the nature of the school experience they underwent. Finally, the paper will submit a suggestion for a rethink and reformation of school experience in Zambia if the goal of producing quality teacher graduates is to be realised

Problematising monolingual practices in multilingual classrooms of Lusaka: towards more inclusive teaching and learning.

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Transcriptomic Profiling of Hypothalamic Kiss1 Neurons

Kisspeptins, peptide products of the Kiss1 gene, are critical players in the reproductive function, particularly as major upstream neuroendocrine regulators of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Gonadal (HPG) axis. Kisspeptins are crucial for gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) secretion, and subsequently for puberty onset and reproductive function. In mice, two distinct populations of Kiss1 expressing neurons are predominant in areas of the hypothalamus implicated in the neuroendocrine regulation of gonadotropin secretion: the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and the anteroventral periventricular nucleus (AVPV). The two populations play distinct physiological roles in the HPG axis. Arcuate Kiss1 neurons have been implicated in the integration of various endogenous and environmental cues including endocrine and metabolic cues in the HPG axis. This study sought to profile candidate receptor gene expression in ARC Kiss1 (Kiss1ARC) neurons, based on previous neuronal tracing data suggesting innervations emanating from the paraventricular and ventral tuberomammillary nuclei. Reverse Transcriptase – Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) from cytoplasm of single cells or pools of cells of adult transgenic heterozygous Kiss1/Cre female mice was performed. Results revealed Kiss1ARC neurons express serotonin and histamine receptors, but not corticotropin releasing hormone, thyrotropin releasing hormone, oxytocin, or vasopressin receptors. To further understand the molecular and physiological uniqueness of Kiss1ARC and AVPV Kiss1 (Kiss1AVPV) neurons, unbiased transcriptomic profiling was done using RNA-sequencing on pools of Kiss1 neurons obtained by enzymatic dissociation of brain tissue. Principal component analysis revealed a clear clustering of Kiss1AVPV neurons from the Kiss1ARC neurons, while caudal Kiss1ARC neurons did not separate from rostral Kiss1ARC neurons. There were 332 differentially expressed genes between the Kiss1ARC and Kiss1AVPV neurons. A transcriptomic profile of genes highly and differentially expressed in both populations was generated. Pathway analysis and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis revealed pathways that are differentially enriched in the two populations, including the catecholaminergic biosynthesis pathway highly enriched in Kiss1AVPV neurons. To study the reproductive effect of the catecholamine biosynthesis disruption in Kiss1 neurons, the common enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin and all catecholamines, dopa decarboxylase (Ddc), was selectively ablated in Kiss1 neurons using CRE-Lox technique. There was no observable difference in fertility and fecundity parameters between wild-type and knockout mice. Thus, the role of serotonin and catecholamine biosynthesis pathway in Kiss1AVPV neurons remains unknown. In summary, the data in this thesis shows that serotonin and histamine may modulate the central reproductive axis via Kiss1ARC neurons while stress related peptides, corticotropin releasing hormone, thyrotropin releasing hormone, oxytocin and vasopressin may modulate the reproductive axis indirectly, not through Kiss1ARC neurons. While Kiss1ARC neurons and Kiss1AVPV neuronal populations have many transcriptional similarities, they also have several differentially expressed genes which may help explain their distinct physiological roles as integration centres in the reproductive axis. This knowledge may be exploited further to better understand and delineate the physiological, molecular, and embryonic origins of the two populations and serve as basis for further investigations into potential therapeutic targets for disorders of the HPG axis as well as development of novel contraceptive therapy.Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC), Cambridge Trust (CT), British Society of Neuroendocrinology (BSN

The University of Zambia School Teaching Experience: Is It Effective?

Teaching practice exercises serve the purpose of orienting the teacher into real classroom situations where the novice puts his or her skills into practice. Education students at the University of Zambia (UNZA) go through the school teaching experience after their third year of study. This comes after they have arguably completed enough content and methodology courses to teach. The purpose of this study was to establish the effectiveness of the UNZA school teaching experience. The research instruments used were interview guides, observation checklists, and focus group discussions. The respondents included 80 serving teachers, 80 student teachers, and 10 head teachers drawn from 10 high schools in the Lusaka District. In addition, 10 lecturers from UNZA were also sampled. The findings revealed that the design and delivery of the UNZA student teaching experience was not effective

Transcriptional profiling of Kiss1 neurons from arcuate and rostral periventricular hypothalamic regions in female mice

The neuropeptide kisspeptin is produced by Kiss1 neurons and is required for normal mammalian fertility. The two main populations of Kiss1 neurons are located in the arcuate (ARC) and the rostral periventricular area of the third ventricle (RP3V) of the hypothalamus. To define the molecular signature of these Kiss1 populations, transcriptomics profiling was performed using purified Kiss1 neurons from diestrous stage female mice. From a data set of 7026 genes, 332 differentially expressed transcripts were identified between the Kiss1ARC and Kiss1RP3V neurons. This data has uncovered novel transcripts and expanded the receptor expression, co-transmitter and transcription factor profiles of Kiss1 neurons. Validation by quantitative RT-PCR confirmed differential expression of Cartpt, Ddc, Gal, Gda, Npy2r, Penk, Rasp18, Rxfp3, Slc18a2, and Th in Kiss1RP3V neurons and Gpr83, Hctr2, Nhlh2, Nmn, Npr3, Nr4a2, Nr5a2, Olfm2, Tac2, and Tacr3 in Kiss1ARC neurons. Enriched pathways common to both Kiss1 populations included the NF-kB, mTor, endocannabinoid, GPCR, Wnt and estrogen signalling while some pathways (eg cytomegalovirus infection, dopaminergic and serotonergic biosynthesis) were specific to Kiss1RP3V neurons. Our gene expression dataset augments the existing data sets describing the transcriptional profiles of Kiss1 neuronal populations.</jats:p

Community-based Interventions, National Impact: Enhancing Zambia's Indigenous Chicken Sector

The datasets are based on outcomes of the Qualtrics surveys, data from Poultry Association of Zambia (PAZ) and fieldwork conducted during my PhD at the University of New England. The background is that most rural communities in Zambia depend on agriculture and production of small livestock such as indigenous chickens (Gallus Domesticus) for their livelihoods. Innovations targeting such communities require an understanding of the prevailing environmental, social-cultural, and agricultural production systems and conditions. To contextualise these communities, we collected demographic, social economic and other essential data through a Qualtrics survey. The survey was a more appropriate and feasible data collection method during the COVID-19 period. The Human Research Ethics approval (HE21-052} was granted on 19/05/2021. Appropriate training of enumerators, field tests, data collection, and data verification were done accordingly. The study complied with the requirements of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC). Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock also authorised the survey.&#13; &#13; We surveyed 368 households in 15 districts and 18 veterinary camps through a random cluster sampling of which 358 data were valid: Eastern livelihood zone (N=158), Central (N=100), and Southern (N=100). Further, the PAZ granted express permit to enable us analyse market data for the first quarters of 2016 through to 2023.&#13; &#13; Therefore, the data sets include the verified original survey data and associated syntaxes for processing the Qualtrics survey data in SPSS.&#13; &#13; The main and specific objectives are:&#13; &#13; 1. To investigate the socioeconomic status of small-scale farmers producing indigenous chickens in Zambia.&#13; &#13; 2. To determine the main challenges faced by small-scale producers of indigenous chickens.&#13; &#13; 3. To facilitate researcher-community-stakeholders’ linkages and establish community-based interventions in selected communities in Zambia.&#13; &#13; 4. To enhance rural livelihoods through improved production and marketing of indigenous chickens.&#13; &#13; The following were the specific objectives for the project:&#13; &#13; i. To implement the most economical and safest methods of data collection involving humans during the COVID-19 pandemic era.&#13; &#13; ii. To identify the motivations for raising indigenous chickens in Zambia&#13; &#13; iii. To determine the main hindrances in the production and marketing of indigenous chickens by small-scale farmers.&#13; &#13; iv. To evaluate the sustainable livelihoods for small-scale farmers in the study sites.&#13; &#13; v. To enhance social-economic gains for small-scale households producing indigenous chickens.&#13; &#13; vi. To assess the impact of the increased cost of producing commercial broilers and layer on the indigenous chicken sector in Zambia.&#13; &#13; vii. To evaluate the status of indigenous chicken breeds in Zambia.&#13; &#13; viii. To promote sustainable use and conservation of indigenous chicken breeds in Zambia.&#13; &#13; ix. To evaluate farmers' perspectives on the short-term impacts of COVID-19 on rural poultry farming in selected districts.&#13; &#13; x. To report and reflect on the findings of the short-term market intervention implemented in Zambia