An Evaluation of leadership and structural support for eLearning in Zambia

Abstract

The study sought to establish the place, significance, influence and importance of strong leadership in the process of eLearning growth. It also highlighted some auxiliary elements essential to eLearning growth in Zambia. The thematic qualitative enquiry elicited thoughts, perceptions, opinions and inner motivations of participants using open ended questions via interviews. The institutional sample of 28 HEA accredited entities was drawn from a national population of 63 HEIs in Zambia. The enquiry found that 98% of respondents felt that strong leadership was essential for eLearning growth in Zambia while 2% did not know if there was any correlation at all. The study concludes that strong leadership is essential to eLearning growth. It also concludes that leadership and enabling structures are important to integrate in eLearning growth and development processes. The enquiry recommends that strong positive leadership opinion be sought and exploited in the quest to driving the eLearning agenda. The research also recommends that the right leaders supported by relevant scaffolding structures installed to accelerate the growth of eLearning in Zambia.

Keywords: ELearning, Leadership, government, stakeholders, Higher Education Institution (HEI), Coordination, Quality standards, ODeL

DOI: 10.7176/JEP/17-8-06

Publication date: August 30th 2026