Benefits and Challenges of the Rural Upgraded Secondary Schools in the Provision of Quality Education in Luano District of Central Province, Zambia

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the benefits and challenges of the rural upgraded secondary schools in Luano district. The study was conducted in Luano district of Central Province of Zambia. The study theorized the study by using Spencer's Structural Functionalist Theory. The study used qualitative and quantitative research methods to collect, integrate and analyze data. The study utilized a descriptive research design. The study's target population were all head teachers, heads of departments, and subject teachers in the selected upgraded secondary schools. The research instruments used in the study were questionnaires and an interview guide. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic method. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SSP) was used to generate descriptive statistics in frequency table and bar graph. The study shows that the upgraded secondary schools in Luano district face significant challenges, which include the sharing of classrooms with the primary section, lack of enough furniture, lack of libraries in, schools poses a substantial challenge in the upgraded secondary schools, lack of laboratories in the upgraded secondary schools is a challenge to upgraded secondary schools lack enough specialized trained teachers in other subjects hinders effective functioning of the schools, lack of enough financial resources poses challenges among the upgraded secondary lack of enough teaching and learning resources as challenges faced by the upgraded secondary schools. The government should establish more classrooms to cater to the increasing enrolment. The government should construct laboratories in upgraded rural secondary schools; the government should build libraries in upgraded rural secondary schools, and the government should increase funding for upgraded rural secondary schools; the government should deploy more secondary school teachers in the upgraded rural secondary schools, the government should procure furniture for the upgraded rural secondary schools through the Ministry of Education.