A Critical Evaluation of the Textbook Programme in Public Primary Schools and Implications for Laptop Classrooms in Kenya

Social development gravitates around the quality of learning experiences and skills acquired in the school. The utilization of effective teaching and learning strategies as well as the integration of technology are key drivers of Kenya’s Vision 2030 and social transformation. Importantly teaching and learning resources such as textbooks are essential but perhaps insufficient to facilitate learning. This paper reports the findings of an evaluation study of the textbook programme in a selected rural district in Kenya and analyses the implication for laptop classrooms within the Kenyan context. Keywords: Instructional effectiveness; textbook programme; public primary schools; learning achievement; laptop classroom

STUDENT PREFERENCES OF A HELP-GIVER IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NAIROBI COUNTY, KENYA AND IMPLICATIONS FOR THE GUIDANCE AND COUNSELLING PROGRAMME

School guidance and counselling plays a critical role in the development of learners’ wellbeing without which effective learning may not take place. This paper reports the findings of a study done in Nairobi County to ascertain students’ preferences of a help-giver. Nelson Le-Gall’s theory of help seeking was selected as the key theoretical perspective to anchor the study. The survey design was adopted for the study and a stratified random strategy used to draw a sample from form two students in public secondary schools in Nairobi County. The questionnaire comprising Likert-type items was the main research tool. Validity of the items was established by checking on the extent to which the items were aligned to the construct of interest while reliability was done using the split half technique. The study found that students in Public secondary schools in Nairobi County expressed experiencing concerns related to response to assignments and study habits for which counseling was sought. The students were least likely to share their concerns with teachers but preferred peers with whom they had much in common. Further, the study revealed that students would rather live without sharing their issues with teacher-counselors or other adults in the school. The study recommends the training of peer counselors in public secondary schools in Nairobi as a strategy to improve learner’s health and personal effectiveness.  Article visualizations

AN EXPLORATION OF THE PARATAXIC BEHAVIOUR AND IMPLICATIONS OF HOLE-IN-THE-WALLET PHENOMENON AMONG UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN KENYA

Students in Kenyan Universities receive some form of pocket money for academic and non-academic endeavours. However, there exists a knowledge gap in relation to how this money is utilized particularly for non-academic activities. This Paper reports findings of a study done among Kenyan University students to explore how they used pocket money for non-academic activities and how this impacted on their unending quest for success in betting activities The study was guided by the theory of interpersonal interaction advanced by Harry Stack Sullivan (1950). The study employed two research designs; survey and ex post facto. The survey design was deemed appropriate because it enabled the researcher to describe the parataxic experiences of male and female students in the sample and generalize them to the larger group from which the sample was drawn. The ex post facto design was appropriate because the effects of the variables had already occurred and thus not manipulable. The study targeted male and female students pursuing different areas of training on full time basis in selected private and public Universities in Kenya. The sample was drawn using stratified random sampling. The questionnaire comprising Likert type items was the main research tool. Validity was established by expert judgement while reliability was sought by use of the split-half technique. The study found that peers introduced university students to betting activities based on unrealistic expectations of making quick money. The quest for quick money pushed the students to various betting activities and more males than females gambled away college fees leading to the hole-in the wallet phenomenon. The study established that university students experienced varied internal conflicts which could be attributed to betting. The study recommends an establishment of a support system to engage university students in socially acceptable ways for enhanced individual wellbeing so that they can reap the maximum benefits of learning.  Article visualizations

Correlates of Behavior Management Strategies among Learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Primary Schools in Western Kenya

Practitioners handling learners with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) often feel ill-prepared to effectively manage this disorder.  Quite often, when faced with cases of challenging behaviour, teachers use coping strategies which may be counter-productive. This paper reports the findings of a study that sought to determine factors that influence practitioners’ choice of behaviour management strategies among learners with ASDs in primary schools in Western Kenya. An exploratory analysis set out to determine the practitioners’ perception of challenging behaviour and its influence on the choice of management strategies. The findings of the study revealed that practitioners training, work experience, collaboration and networking with other professionals, staffing levels, and support received from parents of children with ASDs played a significant role in the choice of strategies in management of behaviour presented by learners with ASDs. Keywords: Challenging behavior, Practitioners, Teachers, Autistic Spectrum Disorde

Feedback and Reward strategy: The Predictor of Teachers Performance Appraisal Development (TPAD) in Public Primary Schools in Kieni East Sub-County, Kenya

Reward and feedback are generally understood as the most crucial aspects of human management in performance appraisal. However, managers are faced with the challenge of choosing the measure to adopt on rewards system and communicating feedback in real time on employee performance appraisal. The study sought to examine the influence of feedback delivery and reward strategy on the implementation of TPAD. The study comprised of a population of 619 respondents comprising of 52 head teachers, 566 teachers and 1 Sub-county Director of Education in Kieni-East Sub-County. Systematic stratified random sampling technique was used to select a sample size of 170 teachers, 30 head teachers and 1 Sub-county Director of Education. Data were analyzed using SPSS software programme. Test-retest was checked on instrument reliability. Pearson correlation and regression analysis was used. The study established a relationship between feedback, reward system and performance appraisal P (0.002) <0.05: reward strategy r (180) = 0.176, P (0.018) <0.05 and a weak negative relationship between evaluation feedback and appraisal r (180) = -257, P (0.000) <0.05. The study concluded that respondents had negative attitude on the effect of evaluation feedback on performance but reward strategy was effective in enhancing performance outcomes in secondary schools in Kieni East Sub County. The study suggests future research to focus on motivation to improve teacher performance appraisal and development leading to better understanding of reactions regarding Teacher performance appraisal and Development and intentions. Teachers promotions and pay structures should be based on job evaluation and market analysis

Adoption of Community Security Initiatives against Protracted Insecurity in Laikipia North, Kenya

This article interrogates the underlying factors that cause communities residing in areas affected by communal conflicts in Laikipia North, Kenya, to embrace community security initiatives as a way of addressing protracted insecurity. In the context of peripheral territories such as Laikipia North, security as a right is contested due to factors such as protraction of insecurity, civilian militarization, and overall absence of the state as a security provider. Critical to the study is the understanding that the state as a political entity is impacted by a myriad of geo-political, security and socio-economic forces. These geo-political, security and socio-economic forces may compromise the functionality of the state as far as fulfilling its mandate to the citizens is concerned. In this regard, the adoption of community security initiatives raises fundamental questions as to whether the state has failed to deliver on its mandate of providing security, given that Kenya is a functioning state. This phenomenological study aimed at examining the underlying forces that inform internal security experiences among communities in communal conflict regions. Specifically, the study explored the post-2010 factors in relation to state of (in)security in Laikipia County. The study used qualitative approach in which data was collected using FGDs, interviews and observation checklist. Data was analyzed thematically in line with the objectives of the study. Key Words: Community Protection Initiatives, Insecurity, Protracted, Violence DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-18-07 Publication date:September 30th 202

Acute Leukemias Immunophenotypes at Agakhan University Hospital, Nairobi

Objective: The aim was to determine relative frequencies of acute  leukemia immunophenotypes using commonly expressed markers and to describe the clinicopathological characteristics.Design: This was a prospective cross-sectional study.Setting: The study was based at Aga khan clinical laboratory department.Subjects: One hundred and thirty two (132) consecutive blood and bone marrow specimens from patients suspected to have acute leukemia were analysed for cytomorphological characteristics and immunophenotyping. The clinical-pathological characteristics were also recorded. Immunological category was assigned using the EGIL criteria.Results: There were 88 AML and 42 ALL patients analysed for  immunophenotypes. Only tw cases of biphenotypic leukemia were found. The commonest overall AML morphological sub-type was AML-M2, 26 (29.5%). Majority of ALL cases were B-cell immunological sub-type (96.6%). Early pre-B phenotype constituted 62.07% and Common B-cell ALL 37.93%. There were only 4 cases of T-cell ALL. Majority of patientspresented with anaemia with a median hemoglobin of 7.5g/dl (range 2-15g/dl). The median platelet count was 55 (range 4-462 × 109/L).Conclusion: Immunophenotyping of acute leukemia is beneficial in accurate diagnosis of patients with these malignancies in this setup. T-cell ALL, AML-M6 and M7 are less frequent than what has been reported in most studies in Africa.Key words: acute leukemia, immunophenotype, WHO, EGIL, CD marker

Analysis of Parental Involvement And Self-Esteem On Secondary School Students In Kieni West Sub-County, Nyeri County, Kenya

This study investigated the relationship between parental involvement and the self-esteem among adolescents in secondary school students in Kieni West District in Nyeri County. It was guided by Self Determination Theory (SDT) by James William and Baumrind Theory of Parenting Styles by Diana Blumberg Baumrind. Some of the gaps identified in the literature review were addressed. Emphasis was put on establishing the relationship between parental involvement in the perspective of autonomy, competence, and relatedness and development of self-esteem among adolescents. The study followed mixed methods research design where qualitative and quantitative methodology was combined. The study was based on investigation of form three students in secondary schools in Kieni West district, Nyeri County, Kenya. The instruments consisted of questionnaires and unstructured interviews. Two experts were given the research instruments to evaluate the validity and all the items were rated as relevant. Reliability of research instruments was established using test retest method and a reliability coefficient of 0.5 was obtained. Quantitative data was collected from 200 participants selected from 8 schools using probability sampling method. Qualitative data was collected from 8 participants selected from 8 schools using purpose sampling method. Data collected was computerized using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS version 21). It was analyzed and interpreted using inferential statistics with the aim of investigating the relationship between parental involvement and self esteem among adolescents. Both quantitative and qualitative data were analyzed. Quantitative data was descriptive in nature. Qualitative data analysis involved coding and categorizing of interview data and thereafter data were thematically organized.   This formed the basis of detailed analysis, conclusions and recommendations. The study found that parents in Kieni West District in Nyeri County were involved in the lives of adolescents. Adolescents in this research were found to have high self esteem. This research found a relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Self esteem among adolescents was found to be related to parental involvement. The study recommended that stakeholders in education needed to identify and understand the psychological needs of adolescents. Study, recommends future research on how parental involvement fluctuates and test if parental involvement can be taught by implementing parenting workshop. Key Words: Parental Involvement and Self-Esteem, Secondary School Students in Kieni West Sub-County, Nyeri County, Keny

Application of Discrete Event Simulation in Industrial Sectors: A Case Study

Discrete Event Simulation (DES) has become a useful tool in the evaluation of changes that may bring positivity to manufacturing and process organizations for both goods and services provision. The main focus of any business entails the reduction of cost and lead time while increasing profits and this is why refining of production processes is essential. This paper reports the application of DES in two case studies. The case studies selected for the implementation of Discrete Event Simulation are a packaging company and a local mobile phone service provider using the software FlexSim. The implementation aims at showcasing the versatility and its ability to provide the relevant data to make more informed decision while optimizing the entire processes involved in production

Understanding Consumers` Attitudes: The Key to Increased Intake of Traditional African Vegetable in Tanzania

The contribution of Traditional African Vegetables (TAVs) to reduction of malnutrition, stunting and poor health among consumers in Sub-Saharan Africa cannot be overemphasized. This is due to high contents of vitamins, essential minerals and a source of dietary fiber. Although TAVs forms a significant component of many families` diets in Tanzania, consumption is still below the recommend by WHO and FAO in most regions. This paper aims at assessing attitudes towards TAVs and how they influence the intake of these nutrient-dense vegetables in Arumeru District, Tanzania. Cross-sectional design was used during the study. Pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire was used in the survey for face-to-face interview with consumers (n=262). Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis and Principal Components Analysis to show the interrelation among a set of attitudinal statements in order to identify the underlying structure of those attitudinal statements. From factor analyses scores, increasing intake of nutrient-dense vegetables (TAVs) was found to depend on Taste, Health, Freshness and Perception. The results showed that, the likelihood of consuming TAVs tend to be highly dependent on their taste among consumers. Next, Health benefits of TAVs was of high importance to consumers. Also, fresh TAVs were preferred than dried ones. Perception was least important attribute to consumers of TAVs. Consumers with a high awareness on the health benefits from TAVs attached more importance to consumption of these vegetables. In order to increase consumption of traditional African vegetables, promoting positive attitudes of consumers towards these vegetables as well as targeting to change the negative attitudes could play a significant role in encouraging consumers to increase the amounts and varieties of TAVs in their diets. Keywords: Consumer attitude, traditional African vegetables, principal component analysis, Arumeru Distric