Exploration of strategies used and challenges encountered by administrators in the maintenance of conditions of infrastructure and equipment in public primary schools in Lusaka district, Zambia.
The main purpose of the study was an exploration of strategies used and challenges encountered by School Administrators in the maintenance of the condition of infrastructure and equipment in Public Primary Schools in Lusaka District, Zambia. The study was guided by three objectives, which include to; establish the condition of school infrastructure and equipment, to determine the challenges encountered in the choice and implementation of strategies used in the maintenance of school infrastructure and equipment and to identify the strategies used by School Administrators in the maintenance of school infrastructure and equipment in selected Public Primary Schools of Mumuni Zone in Lusaka District. The study employed the interpretvist paradigm and a qualitative method. A purposive sampling method was used to select respondents who included, Deputy Head of Infrastructure at the Ministry of Education, Headquarters in Lusaka, 5 Headteachers, 5 parents, 5 teachers and 9 pupils from 5 different schools. Data was obtained using the semi-structured interviews and observation. The schools were purposively sampled due to their nature of being in existence for twenty or more years since their establishment. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis, a method used in identifying analyzing and reporting information according to emerging themes. The study revealed that School Administrators had embarked on some fundraising ventures in order to ensure that maintenance of infrastructure is not left unattended to. These included poultry keeping, car wash and careers’ day for children, among others. The study also revealed that there was a serious communication breakdown between of the Ministry of Education and School Administrators in as far as maintenance of school infrastructure and equipment is concerned. The study ended with recommendations which include; creating a post at District level of Standards Officer whose work would involve working closely with Administrators in school maintenance programmes as well as supplying of teaching materials. Secondly, Government to re-introduce workshops on maintenance to be held once every term at zone level, for the purposes of sharing ideas, experiences and knowledge.
School buildings--Repair and maintenance.
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