PRIMARY PUPIL SCHOOL ABSENTEEISM AMONG TOBACCO AND NON-TOBACCO FARMING HOUSEHOLDS  IN NKEYEMA DISTRICT IN ZAMBIA

Sishwashwa Nyumbu; Madalitso Khulupirika Banja

Sishwashwa Nyumbu Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS)
Madalitso Khulupirika Banja University of Zambia

Keywords: Learner Absenteeism from School, Tobacco Farming Households, Non-tobacoo Farming Households, Perceptions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to ascertain the link between tobacco farming and the factors which contributed to learner absenteeism in selected primary schools of Nkeyema District. The study was qualitative with a sample of 44 participants (class teachers, learners from both tobacco and non-tobacco farming households, and tobacco and non-tobacco farming parents from the communities of the two selected schools) purposively selected from two primary schools. A case study design was employed and data were collected using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions. Data were later analysed thematically. The findings revealed that tobacco farming had a negative effect on learner attendance at school. The study suggested sensitising both parents and their children on the importance of regular school attendance, increasing parents-teachers collaboration on matters affecting learners and that the tobacco farming companies operating in Nkeyema District should work together with the school administrators to introduce mobile education programmes for learners in the tobacco farming camps.

Author Biographies

Sishwashwa Nyumbu, Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS)

Sishwashwa Nyumbu is a graduate of Environmental Education with Civic Education from the University of Zambia. He has a passion for improving access to quality education for all vulnerable and orphaned children, especially those in rural communities. He has been working with Zambia Open Community Schools (ZOCS) on a number of projects aimed at providing access to quality education for orphaned and vulnerable children since 2021. Sishwashwa has conducted a number of community sensitisation campaigns aimed at equipping rural communities with knowledge on the importance of education for their children and bringing back out of school children to school. He has also lobbied for community school infrastructure development from various stakeholders such as NGOs and political players.

Madalitso Khulupirika Banja, University of Zambia

Madalitso Khulupirika Banja (PhD) obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Education (English Single subject major) from the University of Zambia in 1996. He is a teacher educator at the University of Zambia where he teaches Sociology of Education to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. His major research areas and scholarly interests are mentorship of newly qualified teachers, professionalism in teaching and school climate (pupil discipline). Banja has authored three books; Support for Newly Qualified Teachers in Africa: Policies, Practices, Challenges and Future Trends (2022), Teachers as agents of Pupil Indiscipline (2013); and Faith of Many Colours: Reflections on Pentecostal and Charismatic Challenges in Zambia (2009). He has also edited two books, Selected Readings in Education Volume 2 (2019) and Selected Readings in Education (2017). He has also written numerous articles and book chapters on different subjects, but mostly on mentorship of newly qualified teachers.