An Investigation into the Challenges Encountered by the University of Zambia in the Implementation of Extension Education: A Case of North Western Province

Abstract

The Extra Mural Studies Department (now known as Extension Studies Section) was established in order to maintain the university links with the community as well as serve as a conduit through which university knowledge and university ways of thought can be transmitted to people in their locality. This research therefore, was an undertaking to identify challenges encountered in the implementation of University Extension Education. It was guided by the following objectives; identify the challenges encountered in the implementation of Extension Education, find out whether or not the University of Zambia Extension Education programs are in tandem with the educational needs of the local society in North Western Province, and assess whether or not the University of Zambia Extension Studies in North Western Province conducted other outreach programs apart from evening classes. In terms the research design, the study employed a case study design as it allowed the researcher to bring out a case and study it in its natural setting. Questionnaire and interview guide were the instruments used to collect data from the respondents comprising 97 students and 1 officer administering the office of the Resident Lecturer. It emerged from the findings that there were many challenges that the University of Zambia encountered in the implementation of extension education, central of all was the lack of qualified part time tutors in addressing the educational needs of the community in which it operated. The study also established that most of the courses offered by the University Extension Studies in North Western Province did not answer to the educational needs of the people in the Province. In view of the findings the study recommended that the University of Zambia should ensure that the provincial office is adequately and appropriately staffed with qualified personnel and also make a deliberate effort to create a policy to involve the local community.