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Recent Submissions
The Influence of Media on Public Perception of Climate Change in Chongwe
(2026) NGOMA, Jacqueline
explore challenges faced by journalists in reporting climate issues. A mixed-methods approach was adopted. Quantitative data were collected through surveys administered to farmers and youth, while qualitative data were obtained through interviews with journalists and media practitioners. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests in SPSS to determine relationships between media use and awareness levels. Qualitative data were analysed thematically to identify recurring patterns in climate reporting and media framing. The findings revealed clear demographic differences in media consumption. The majority of farmers (70%) relied on radio as their primary source of climate change information, whereas most youth (71.4%) depended on social media. A statistically significant relationship was found between frequency of media use and climate change awareness. Radio emerged as the most trusted and behaviourally influential platform, particularly in rural areas. In contrast, social media was effective in raising awareness among youth but recorded lower trust levels due to concerns about misinformation. The study also identified constraints in climate reporting, including limited journalist training, editorial pressure, and inadequate access to local data, resulting in coverage that often emphasises disasters rather than practical adaptation strategies. The findings imply that climate communication strategies should be audience-specific, combining trusted traditional media with credible digital platforms. The study recommends strengthening community radio, enhancing journalists’ climate reporting capacity, and promoting locally relevant, solution-oriented content. Future research should investigate long-term behavioural impacts of media exposure and evaluate integrated communication models across different rural contexts in Zambia.
Keywords: Climate change communication; Media influence; Climate-smart agriculture; Radio; Social media; Zambia.
Investigating the Effects of Refugee Rights on the Socio- Economic Status of Rwandanese Youths: A Case Study of Makeni Transit Center, Lusaka.
(2026) ZULU, Faith
This study examined the impact of refugee rights on the socio-economic status and livelihood prospects of Rwandan youths at Makeni Transit Center in Lusaka, Zambia. Although Zambia is a signatory to key international legal instruments and enacted the Refugee Act No. 1 of 2017, the implementation of refugee rights remains inconsistent. As a result, refugee youths continue to experience poverty, unemployment, social marginalization, and limited access to education and formal livelihoods. The study sought to: (1) assess the extent to which refugee rights are upheld among Rwandan youths at Makeni Transit Center; (2) examine the socio-economic challenges affecting their livelihood opportunities; and (3) propose strategies to enhance their socio- economic well-being through improved rights implementation. Guided by Human Capital Theory and Social Capital Theory, the study employed a qualitative descriptive research design focusing on Rwandan youths aged 18–35. A purposive sample of 100 participants was selected. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions and analysed thematically to capture participants’ lived experiences. The findings revealed that the legal recognition of refugee rights does not consistently translate into effective practice. Only a small proportion of youths reported regular access to education, employment, legal documentation, and freedom of movement. High unemployment (46%), financial insecurity, limited access to affordable education, documentation challenges, and social exclusion were identified as major socio-economic barriers. Despite these constraints, participants demonstrated resilience and proposed practical solutions, including expanded formal employment opportunities, microfinance support, improved access to education, streamlined documentation processes, and strengthened community integration initiatives. The study concludes that when effectively implemented, refugee rights function as critical enablers of socio-economic empowerment rather than mere legal entitlements.
Keywords: Refugee rights, socio-economic status, livelihood opportunities, Rwandan youths, Makeni Transit Center, Zambia, social capital, human capital.
The Effects of Public Service Reforms on Service Delivery in Zambia: A Case Study of Kabwe Municiple Council
(2026) NGOSA, Esther
Public service reforms have been widely implemented in developing countries to improve governance efficiency and service delivery. In Zambia, decentralization has been promoted as a key reform aimed at strengthening local government performance. However, despite these reforms, many local authorities continue to experience service delivery challenges. This raises concerns about the effectiveness of decentralization in improving service delivery outcomes at the local level. This study therefore examined the effects of public service reforms, particularly decentralization, on service delivery at Kabwe Municipal Council. The study adopted a case study design using a mixed-methods approach. Primary data collected from council employees, civic leaders, and residents through interviews and structured questionnaires, while secondary data from policy documents and academic literature. Findings revealed that decentralization reforms have contributed to moderate improvements in service delivery, particularly in community participation and administrative efficiency, also while reforms have the potential to enhance service delivery, enhance citizen participation, accountability, and responsiveness in local governance their success is dependent on sufficient resources, skilled personnel, and effective institutional support. Therefore, this contributes to the understanding of decentralization's role in improving service delivery in local governments, providing insights for policymakers and practitioners, giving understanding on how decentralization reforms influence service delivery at the municipal level. The study recommendations for further research are on comparative analysis of multiple local authorities and the evaluation of long-term impacts of decentralization on service delivery for the strengthening of local governance and reform implementation in Zambia. In conclusion, decentralization contributed to some improvements in service delivery at Kabwe Municipal Council, but persistent challenges continue to constrain their full impact. The study recommends increasing financial and human resources, strengthening technical capacity, minimizing political interference, improving procurement processes.
Exploring the effects of Digital Nomadism on Virtual Work Practices: A Case of UNICEF and World Bicycle Relief in Lusaka, Zambia
(2026) MUTEBA, Starfford
This study examined the effects of digital nomadism on virtual work practices, focusing on UNICEF and World Bicycle Relief in Lusaka, Zambia. The research specifically sought to assess the effect of digital nomadism on virtual communication, examine its influence on employee performance monitoring in virtual work environments, and analyse how digital infrastructure supports or constrains digital nomadism. The study adopted a mixed-methods research approach, employing questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and observation checklists to collect data from a target population of 141 staff members, with a sample size of 71 respondents. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, revealing that 79% of respondents reported improvements in virtual communication, while 74% indicated that digital tools effectively supported performance monitoring. Qualitative data were analysed thematically to capture in-depth experiences and perceptions of respondents. Findings revealed that digital nomadism positively influenced virtual communication by enhancing coordination, information sharing, and collaboration among staff. Digital tools and platforms enabled effective performance monitoring and promoted accountability through results-based work practices. However, challenges such as unreliable internet connectivity, frequent power outages, and limitations in digital infrastructure occasionally disrupted virtual work activities. The study implies that organizations can achieve more efficient virtual collaboration and employee performance when digital infrastructure is reliable, ICT support is strengthened, and remote work policies are clearly defined. The study concludes that digital nomadism is a viable and beneficial work arrangement for organizations such as UNICEF and World Bicycle Relief in Zambia. It recommends increased investment in digital infrastructure, enhanced ICT support services, and the development of clear remote work policies. For future research, it is recommended to examine the long-term effects of digital nomadism on employee well-being, organizational culture, and productivity across diverse sectors and geographic contexts.
Keywords: Digital Nomadism, Virtual Work Practices, Remote Work, Digital Infrastructure, Performance Monitoring, Zambia.
An Investigation into Poor Quality Access to Education amongst Community Schools: A Case of Matero Township
(2026) MWICHE, Chongo
Access to quality education remains a serious issue in Zambia's urban low-income neighborhoods, particularly in community schools that serve vulnerable people. This study investigated the poor-quality access to education amongst community schools in Matero Township, Lusaka. Generally, the research aimed to understand the levels of quality access to education amongst community schools. Specifically, it assessed three objectives; the impacts of inadequate teaching and learning materials, the outcomes of the shortage of qualified teachers, and the effects of insufficient school infrastructure on quality access to education. As a result of the nature the research the exploratory research design was used, and data was collected using a questionnaire and focus group discussion (FGD) was distributed to a sample size of 40 respondents, including teachers, members of staff, parents or guardians, and learners, using a purposive sampling approach. The findings suggests that a lack of appropriate teaching and learning materials, such as textbooks, desks, and instructional aides, has a detrimental impact on lesson delivery, learner participation, and academic success. Furthermore, a lack of qualified and trained teachers leads to ineffective teaching methodologies, minimal learner assistance, and poor learning outcomes. In addition, inadequate school facilities such as the overcrowded class room condition and unclean sanitation facility as well as unsafe learning environment among other characteristics seriously limit effective teaching and learning respectively. In conclusion, the study investigated poor quality access to education amongst community schools. According to the study's findings, Matero Township community schools face numerous obstacles that prevent learners from receiving a high-quality education. The results clearly demonstrate that the main factors adversely influencing
the teaching-learning process are inadequate teaching and learning resources, a teacher shortage, and subpar school infrastructure. Absence of learning materials significantly hinders academic performance, and constant sharing of textbooks because of shortages limits learners' concentration and participation. The report also calls for higher government and stakeholders' support to provision of teaching/learning materials, teachers training/recruiting and school infrastructural development for promoting quality access to education in community schools.
Key words: education, quality access, community schools, learners, infrastructure, learning and teaching materials.