PERCEPTION OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS ON THEIR SATISFACTION OF LEVELS 1 – 3 OF MASLOW’S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS IN KOGI EAST SENATORIAL DISTRICT OF KOGI STATE, NIGERIA

The study was on the perception of secondary school teachers on their satisfaction of Levels 1 – 3 of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in Kogi East Senatorial District of Kogi State, Nigeria. The sample for the study consisted of 302 secondary school teachers from three randomly selected council areas in the district. A survey research design was adopted for the study. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The research instrument was “Teachers Perception of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Questionnaire” (TPMHNQ). TPMHNQ was constructed by the researchers and validated by three experts in the Department of Curriculum & Teaching, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria. The reliability of the instrument was calculated using Cronbach Alpha and the internal consistency was found to be 0.73. The instrument was administered on the sample with the aid of two research assistants. Data collected were analyzed using Mean to answer the research questions and Chi-Square to test the hypotheses. Among other findings were; (i) level 1 and 2 of Maslow’s hierarchy are not completely satisfied,  (ii) level 3 of Maslow’s hierarchy is not satisfied at all,  (iii) the satisfaction of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is depended on teachers qualification (p<0.05), (iv) satisfaction of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is dependent on gender (p<0.05).  Based on the findings, some recommendations were put forward among which are, (i) effort should be made by government in the areas of prompt payment of teachers’ salaries and allowances, (ii) government should provide good working conditions, (iii) teachers should be sponsored by government to workshops / conferences on regular basis to up-date their knowledge.  Article visualizations

Towards a functional democracy with African values

Democracy in Africa has been threatened by a lot of problems such as terrorism, violence, ethnicity, corruption, misappropriation, embezzlement and disrespect for local value systems. Indeed, disrespect for local value systems such as family, cultural, moral, political, economic, human, religious and social values are some of the central factors affecting democratic institution in Africa. While it is important to emphasize the urgent need for mutual respect among Africans; for the necessity of love and an appreciation of native value systems, it is also pertinent to undertake a philosophical re-evaluation of the aforementioned for a better democratic system in Africa. The need for an integration of traditional systems into the postmodernist rationality that underpin contemporary life in the African continent remains necessary for improved democratic system in Africa. The major concern of this paper is to see how these can improve African democratic system

The analysis of cell fate post-ejection through parenteral devices and the development of systems that aid the transportation of cell therapy products

Herein, two translational issues related to the development of cell therapy discoveries into therapeutic products, are addressed. Firstly, analysis of whether the manipulations required to transfer cells from cell culture conditions to a target tissue affect cellular characteristics was performed. It was shown that processing primary murine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into a concentrated cell suspension, drawing them up into a syringe and immediately ejecting them, caused a significant viability decrease. Leaving the cells within the syringe chamber at room temperature for prolonged time periods caused to a further decrease in viability. However, cells that were viable post-ejection were found to be functional with regard to their ability to attach and proliferate. Reducing the ejection rate or using the antioxidant n-acetyl cysteine did not significantly improve viability, although using a wider bore 22g needle did improve viability. Secondly, the feasibility of a cell transportation device that could store viable cells under room conditions was assessed. The development of such a transportation device would remove the need to cyropreserve cells during transit, which has many flaws. Human MSCs were found to enter a reversible proliferative arrest phase whilst under room conditions, allowing them to be stored for up to 11 days, before rapidly decreasing in viability. The accumulation of ammonia was identified within the cultures, and the introduction of a zeolite material was found to partially remove this ammonia and improve viability over 7 days. A means of developing a concentrated cell culture media, using a freeze-drying technique, was found not to comprise cell viability, whilst allowing the nutrient volume to be reduced, thus potentially making the transportation device more compact. However, the introduction of a modified release nutrient gel, consisting of alginate, did not provide any significant effect on viability

Investigation of Mathematics Teachers Conceptualisation of the Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural Role of Mathematics

The study sought to investigate mathematics teachers’ conceptualization of the spiritual, moral social and cultural (SMSC) role of mathematics in Ankpa Education Zone of Kogi State. It used a purposive sample of all the 82 mathematics teachers in the zone comprising of 64 male and 18 female. The instrument used for the study was SMSC Role of Mathematics Questionnaire (SMSCRMQ) constructed by the researchers on a 4-point Likert scale. SMSCRMQ was face-validated by two experienced mathematics teachers at Kogi State College of Education, Ankpa. The instrument was subjected to reliability test using the split-half method and Spearman Brown Prophecy formula and the internal consistency was found to be 0.86. Using two research assistants, the instrument was administered on the 82 mathematics teachers in the zone and 100% return was achieved. Data collected was analysed using the mean for the research questions and chi-square for the hypotheses tested at 5% level of significance. Among other findings are: (i) majority of the mathematics teachers do not have full grasp of the SMSC role of mathematics, (ii) the poor rating of the teachers in SMSC role of mathematics has nothing to do with their qualifications. Based on the findings, some recommendations were made to popularize the SMSC role of mathematics in schools, among which is that agencies responsible for teacher production should include the roles of mathematics, especially the SMSC roles in the curriculum. Keywords: Mathematics, spiritual, moral, social cultura

Effects of Advance Organiser and Concept Attainment Models on the Achievement of Pre-Nce Students in Geometry in North – Central Nigeria

The study investigated the effectiveness of two instructional models – the Concept Attainment Model (CAM) and Advance Organiser Model (AOM) on the achievement of Pre-NCE students in geometry. Two research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The design of the study was Pre-test Post-test equivalent control group design or quasi-experimental design. The study was carried out in Kogi and Benue States in the present North Central Nigeria. The population of the study was 1100 pre-NCE students in public colleges of education in the two states. Three out of the four public colleges of Education in the two states were randomly selected for the study. The total number of students in their intact classes who offered Pre-NCE geometry in these colleges was 830. This formed the sample for the study. 402 (48.4%) of the students were male and 428 (51.6%) were female. The instrument used for data collection was Pre-NCE Geometry Achievement Test (PNGAT). PNGAT had two versions – Pre-PNGAT and Post-PNGAT which were the same except for the swapping of some of the items. PNGAT was subjected to both face and content validation and item analysis. Using Kuder-Richardson (K-R) 20 formula, the internal consistency was found to be 0.74. Pre-PNGAT was administered on the groups before treatment started while Post-PNGAT was administered at the end of the 5-week treatment period. Scores from the Pre-PNGAT and Post-PNGAT were analysed using means and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). Some of the major findings were (i) AOM and CAM were more effective than the conventional method (ii) CAM was more effective than AOM. Based on the findings, the implications were highlighted and recommendations were made towards better achievement of pre-NCE students in geometry. Keywords: Avance organiser, concept attainment, achievement, Pre-NCE geometr

The analysis of cell fate post-ejection through parenteral devices and the development of systems that aid the transportation of cell therapy products

Herein, two translational issues related to the development of cell therapy discoveries into therapeutic products, are addressed. Firstly, analysis of whether the manipulations required to transfer cells from cell culture conditions to a target tissue affect cellular characteristics was performed. It was shown that processing primary murine mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into a concentrated cell suspension, drawing them up into a syringe and immediately ejecting them, caused a significant viability decrease. Leaving the cells within the syringe chamber at room temperature for prolonged time periods caused to a further decrease in viability. However, cells that were viable post-ejection were found to be functional with regard to their ability to attach and proliferate. Reducing the ejection rate or using the antioxidant n-acetyl cysteine did not significantly improve viability, although using a wider bore 22g needle did improve viability. Secondly, the feasibility of a cell transportation device that could store viable cells under room conditions was assessed. The development of such a transportation device would remove the need to cyropreserve cells during transit, which has many flaws. Human MSCs were found to enter a reversible proliferative arrest phase whilst under room conditions, allowing them to be stored for up to 11 days, before rapidly decreasing in viability. The accumulation of ammonia was identified within the cultures, and the introduction of a zeolite material was found to partially remove this ammonia and improve viability over 7 days. A means of developing a concentrated cell culture media, using a freeze-drying technique, was found not to comprise cell viability, whilst allowing the nutrient volume to be reduced, thus potentially making the transportation device more compact. However, the introduction of a modified release nutrient gel, consisting of alginate, did not provide any significant effect on viability

MISE-EN-PLACE AS A FOOD PREPARATION STRATEGY FOR WORKING CLASS HOMEMAKERS IN ABUJA FCT, NIGERIA

The main purpose of this study was to examine “mise-en-place” as a food preparation strategy among working class homemakers in Abuja (FCT). To guide the study, three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 5% probability level. The design of the study was descriptive survey. The study was carried out in Abuja (FCT) of Nigeria. The population for the study was 8,128 homemakers working in banks and lecturers of tertiary institutions. The sample size for the study was 426. Simple random sampling technique was used to select Eleven (11) types of banks and Eight (8) tertiary institutions located across the Six Local Government Councils that constitute the population of the study. Proportionate Stratified Random Sampling Technique was used to select 300 Bankers present in selected sampled Banks and 126 Lecturers of tertiary institutions located across the Six Local Government Councils that constitute the population of the study. A structured questionnaire titled =“questionnaire on mise-en-place as a food preparation strategy among working class homemakers” (QMWCH) was used for data collection. The questionnaire has two parts and five sections. Part I, sought information on the personal data of the respondents. Part 2: Section A, B, C, and D sought information on the four objectives of the study. Section A – B was structured on a four (4) point rating Scale of Very Great Extent (VGE), Great Extent (GE), Low Extent (LE) and Very Low Extent (VLE). VGE – 4 points, GE – 3, LE – 2, and VLE – 1. While, Section C – D was structured on a four (4) point rating Scale of Strongly Agree (SA), Agree (A), Disagree (D) and Strongly Disagree (SD). SA – 4 points, A – 3, D – 2, and SD – 1. Reliability of QMWCH was obtained using Cronbach alpha formula. The internal consistency was 0.85. The instrument was face validated by 2 experts from the Department of Home Economics and Hospitality Management Education, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, University of Nigeria, Nsukka and one expert from the Department of Measurement and Evaluation, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while, t– test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The findings of the study revealed that 300 Bankers selected for the study utilize “mise-en-place” in food preparation on the Low Extent (LE), but for the 126 Lecturers, selected for the study, it was on a Great Extent (GE). Bankers and Lecturers adopt “mise-en-place” in the Serving of Food to Family Members to a Great Extent (GE). Meanwhile, Bankers and Lecturers Agreed on the twelve challenges involved in using “mise-en-place” as a food preparation strategy among working class homemakers. Working class homemakers working in Banks and those Lecturing differ significantly in their responses on the utilization of “mise-en-place” in food preparation. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended among others that: (i) Working class Homemakers working in banks and lecturers of tertiary institutions should adopt the utilization of “mise-en-place” in food preparation. (ii) Lecturers should put more effort to the teaching and learning of “mise-en-place” as a strategy in food preparation

DEARTH OF FACILITIES: A HINDRANCE TO WOMEN PARTICIPATION IN TECHNICAL AND VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION IN NIGERIA

The bedrock of technological development in any country lies in the effective implementation of technical and vocational education programme. The desire to produce competent graduates of technical and vocational education can be achieved when the facilities in the workshops are relevant and adequate for the programmes as demanded by the curriculum. This study has shown that inadequate facilities have grave consequences on women participation in technical and vocational education. Nigerian cannot afford to be left out of the great benefits in technical and vocational education. It then becomes pertinent to provide the necessary equipment and facilities in the different institutions to attract women into the programme.  Article visualizations

Integrative Approach for a Transformative Freshman-Level STEM Curriculum

In 2014 Wesley College adopted a unified undergraduate program of evidence-based high-impact teaching practices. Through foundation and federal and state grant support, the college completely revised its academic core curriculum and strengthened its academic support structures by including a comprehensive early alert system for at-risk students. In this core, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) faculty developed fresh manifestations of integrated concept-based introductory courses and revised upper-division STEM courses around student-centered learning. STEM majors can participate in specifically designed paid undergraduate research experiences in directed research elective courses. Such a college-wide multi-tiered approach results in institutional cultural change