Abstract

Title: Participation in statistical literacy programs improved statistical capacity among Young Statisticians in Zambia
Authors: Chikoloma Nakazwe, Reuben Chimfembe, Tito Manseli, Bonaventure Chinombwe, Idris Banda1, Jones Bowa, Salaza Kunda, Carlos Muleya
Institution Affiliation: Young African Statistician Association
Word Count: 434/500
Background
Statistical capacity in Zambia is promoted in schools, colleges, universities, and statistical associations including Young African Statisticians Association (YASA). Zambia’s school curriculum incorporates math from early education to high school, however statistics at this level of education is never taught as a separate subject. This therefore calls for the need to emphasize the importance of building statistical literacy in Zambia starting at an early age in life beginning with pupils at primary school level being able to read and write a short simple statement on their everyday life including the ability to make simple arithmetic calculations.
In advocating for improved use of statistics, YASA Zambia works with various government departments such as the National Registration Office (NRO) and the National Statistical Office (NSO) that offer Young Statisticians an opportunity to learn. Through such ventures members of YASA tend to participate in activities that create a learning platform.
Methods
In 2017, YASA Zambia participated in the 2016/17 International Statistical Literacy Poster (ISLP) Competition. We coordinated young statisticians in the poster competition as part of YASA Zambia’s goal of promoting continuous learning through statistical literacy. We approached five schools, out of which one school was purposively selected to participate in the poster competition. The school learners aged between thirteen and fifteen were categorized into four groups with two to three pupils in each. Each group was trained by the YASA Zambia team on how to develop a poster and assigned with a mentor to develop a competitive poster. The groups competed by developing a poster on a common topic of “describing the history of Zambia statistically using a poster”.
Results
Four posters were developed by the learners aged between thirteen and fifteen. The best poster was then submitted to the ISLP website for international competition. This process enhanced the learners’ hands on statistical experience. The leaners were also issued with certificate of participation as part of the motivation to young learners to continue participating in statistical literacy programs. The school recorded improvement in statistical subjects among learners who participated in the poster competition.
Conclusion
Participation in statistical literacy programs enhances young learners’ statistical capacity. The statistical capacity does not only improve young learners’ statistical performance in class, but also enhances their evidence-based life decision making. YASA Zambia is in the process of following up with the learners who participated in the poster competition to determine their career choices and will continue promoting statistical literacy in younger learning years to promote data driven decision making in every aspect of life’s decision making. Additionally, YASA is coordinating the 2024/2025 ISLP poster competition to ensure that Zambia participates.