“Empowering Students through Indigenous Knowledge: Benefits of Indigenizing Mathematics Education in Southern Province, Zambiaâ€

This study explores the benefits of indigenizing mathematics education in Southern Province, Zambia, by integrating indigenous knowledge into the mathematics curriculum. The research aims to assess the impact of this approach on student empowerment, engagement, and academic performance. Employing a sequential exploratory mixed-methods design, the study combines quantitative data from structured questionnaires administered to 55 mathematics teachers and 271 students with qualitative data from in-depth interviews and focus group discussions involving 15 teachers, 10 parents, 6 school administrators, and 1 educational official. Findings indicate that indigenized mathematics education significantly enhances student engagement, comprehension, and academic performance. It also fosters a sense of pride and cultural identity among students, strengthens school-community relationships, and promotes community involvement in education. Despite these positive outcomes, challenges such as the need for professional development, adequate resources, and institutional support were identified. This research underscores the importance of culturally relevant pedagogy and provides practical recommendations for policymakers, educators, and curriculum developers to make mathematics education more inclusive and effective. The study contributes to the academic discourse on culturally responsive teaching and highlights the potential of indigenized education to promote educational equity and excellence in Southern Province, Zambia.