Abolishment of Students’ Meal Allowances at the University of Zambia: Exploring the Alternative Sources of Income, Challenges and Opportunities for First-Year Students — Oak Academic Publishing
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Abolishment of Students’ Meal Allowances at the University of Zambia: Exploring the Alternative Sources of Income, Challenges and Opportunities for First-Year Students
Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
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Department of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
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Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia
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Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
1 Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
2 Graduate School of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
3 Department of Educational Administration and Policy Studies, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
4 Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
5 Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
6 Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
7 Department of Pharmacy, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Mulungushi University, Kabwe, Zambia
8 Department of Pharmacy, School of Health Sciences, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia
Background: Access to higher education is among the national development goals for every country. However, many factors may hinder equitable access to higher education, especially among vulnerable groups. Aim: This study sought to investigate the abolishment of students’ meal allowances at the University of Zambia by exploring the alternative sources of income, challenges and opportunities for first-year students. Objectives: To ascertain the alternative sources of income for first year students at the University of Zambia; to establish the challenges faced by first - year students in raising income for meals at the University of Zambia; to unpack the perceived opportunities in scrapping off meal allowances for first - year students at the University of Zambia. Materials and methods: The study employed a qualitative approach using a descriptive case-study design among 18 first-year students. The main data collection techniques were focus group and semi-structured interviews, supplemented by documentary review.
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