BACHELOR OF ARTS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION

Introduction

Zambia is a unitary state since its creation and jurisprudence recognizes the unitary. The unitary states where our country belongs have a central government, which determines the general policy of development of the country. In unitary systems, local governance is an institutional and legal organization that ensures that people within a given territory act collectively to manage their welfare. The local government systems play a crucial role in the transformation of living standards of people because it tends to be physically closer to the people in need of development than the central Government. In addition, the importance of the local government systems is that it helps to develop the agenda of the country in explaining the implication of Government programmes to the people. Because of its proximity to the people, the local government systems is in a better position to ensure that government policies are translated into services that will automatically meet the needs of the people. Without a strong local government, the efforts of the central government in the national development agenda will be in vain, because the local government is meant to be the link between the central government and its people. Two basic elements that can be distinguished in this government are: management of public services and representation of citizens. These elements are not only distinctive element of local government but also serve as an indicator of the effectiveness of such a government.

The Bachelor of Local Government Administration programme is a unique blend of different disciplines and a student can select one of three specialized options including; Public Administration, Project management and Human resource management. The Bachelor Local Government Administration curriculum has been designed to equip students with skills specifically required to manage the public service, ethics and values that guide the conduct of public affairs at all levels. This program is enriched to enable scholars to develop and improve the Local Government Administration system in Zambia by addressing the dynamic and constantly changing environment. The programme further lays the basis for scientific research and promotes the mission of the University to create new knowledge through teaching, research and publications.

The Bachelor of Local Government Administration focuses on the performance of local government in formulating and implementing policies and intends to prepare students to work in the various local governance systems and other non-state agencies. 

Rationale

1. The local government sector is a key component with huge potential to contribute towards efficient and effective service delivery. Graduates of Local Government have an opportunity to contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of councils around the country. The programme therefore helps produce the needed human resource to manage the local government sector.

2. This programme is important because local governments serve as a communication tool and an intermediary between the central government and the people or community. Thus, requirements of citizens are transmitted to the central government by local government bodies and on the other hand the central government policies are made known to the public through local government organs. This two-way relationship makes possible a close relationship between people and high levels of government. Students of Local Government will be exposed to learning processes that build their cognitive and practical skills through classroom interaction, internship and field work. Other stakeholders like the industry are provided with readily available source of employees.

3. The local government can create future leaders since local government is a training ground and effective enough to gain experience and knowledge on the art of government policy-making and governance transition to nationwide. This underlines that the best school of democracy and the best guarantee for success is the practice in local government.

Aims of the programme

1. The aims of the programmes are numerous. They include:

2. The extension of democracy to all spheres of government;

3. A fair division of financial resources between central, regional and local bodies;

4. Formal and effective checks and balances between central and local government; 

   Objectives of the programme

   At the end of the programme graduates are expected to:

a) Training in the principles and applications of Local Government Administration.

b) Understand the nature and status of local government

c) Understand the relevance of training in local government

d) Know and understand the different role players in local government training

e) Evaluate new developments in the field.