The factors associated with low levels of education among women: A case of Mikango Barracks

The main objective of the study was to find out the factors that contribute to low levels of education among women focusing deliberately on those married to soldiers. The population consisted of all the women in Mikango barracks who are married to soldiers. A total sample of one hundred women married to soldiers of different ranks was selected for the study. The selected sample comprised wives to Warrant Officers, Staff Sergeants, Sergeants, Corporals and Lance Corporals. Apart from that there were one hundred married soldiers chosen and one hundred pupils who served as informants. In addition, the Regimental Commander was interviewed and two (2) focus group discussions were held with eight women in each group to get more in-depth data. The investigations and findings revealed that the majority of the women in the study did not advance to higher levels of education except attaining basic education. The main reason advanced was largely lack of support in accessing education that forced them into early marriages. A few found themselves pregnant and hence curtailed their progression to higher levels, whilst a few others failed to make it after doing badly in the examinations. Generally lack of support, early marriages, pregnancies, failing examinations, lack of interest and husbands themselves were found to be the factors associated with low levels of education among Mikango women married to soldiers. Despite all this, it was found that women wanted their children to go further in their education as they fully supported them and gave them encouragement. Based on the findings on the inhibiting factors on why women exhibited low levels of education in the barracks, the researcher presented some recommendations to counter the above factors, which include that the barracks administration should put in place programmes that should effectively promote the advancement of women to higher levels of education and ensure that they are implemented through a workable mechanism. In addition, to achieve societal change, the administration at Mikango Barracks should sensitise husbands to ensure that they encourage and support their wives to advance to higher levels of education. They should adjust to social change realising that the 21st century is a knowledge-driven economy and education is an essential element for survival. The report concludes with a view that access to higher levels of education for women in the barracks could promote development and widen their acceptability and social status in the communities they are found.

Author dc:creator

• Mukuba, Mweene Mable

• Education among Women
• Education-Mikango Barracks
• Low Levels of Education

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://dspace.unza.zm/handle/123456789/435

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.unza.zm:123456789/435