Teachers' attitude towards quality assurance and standards officers in primary schools in Evurore, Mbeere north sub-county, Embu county, Kenya

Introduction: Since the inception of school inspection in Kenya, the function of Educational Inspectors was hampered by the way inspectors executed their duties thus influencing the attitude of teachers negatively. To reduce the negative perception of teachers new practices and innovative ideas have been established through the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Standards (DQAS). Purpose: This study aimed at finding out if teachers' attitudes have changed towards Quality Assurance and Standards Officers (QASO) since of new name and mandate Methodology: The study used a descriptive survey research design as it was able to obtain persistent and precise information concerning the current phenomena. The sample consisted of 228 statistically sampled using the Yamen formula. A structured and open questionnaire measuring the attitude of teachers was used. To check validity, expert opinion was sought while reliability was ensured at 0.70 using Cronbach Alpha Coefficient. ANOVA and t-test method of analysis was the main statistical methods used to test the three hypotheses. Results: The study established that female teachers had a more positive attitude towards QASO compared to their male counter parts although the difference was not significant. Further, the results revealed that a significant difference exists between more experienced teachers and less experienced teachers with less experienced teachers having a less favourable attitude towards QASO than less experienced teachers. Finally, the study found that teachers who were visited regularly had a positive attitude towards QASO compared to teachers who are not regularly visited or visited few times. In conclusion, teachers have appreciated the role of QASOs in quality education. Recommendations/Classroom Implications: It is recommended that more frequent supervision may improve teachers’ attitude for better teacher classroom performance

Task-oriented leadership style on students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools in Nyeri county, Kenya

Introduction: The concept of school leadership has attracted the attention of many stakeholders in education sector. Students’ academic achievement is greatly determined by the decisions made by the school governance. The leadership style used by leaders influences the decision making process, communication process and implementation of decisions made. Purpose: The study sought to find out the extent to which task-oriented leadership style used by school heads in public secondary schools in Nyeri Central Sub-County affects students’ academic achievement. Methodology: The study used descriptive research design to obtain accurate information concerning the current existing phenomena. The sample consisted 590 statistically sampled using Krejcie’s and Morgan’s table of sampling. Data was collected using structured questionnaires and interview schedules. After pilot study, the researcher checked validity and reliability of the tools. The reliability value of the tool was 0.8. To enhance consistency of the tool, test-retest reliability technique was used and yielded a coefficient of 0.76. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient was used to determine the relationship between task-oriented leadership style and students’ academic achievement. Results: The study found that principals who practiced task-oriented leadership style posted high mean mark in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). The study also revealed that majority of principals practiced relationship-oriented leadership style hence, it was the most prevalent leadership style in Nyeri Central Sub-County. The study found a strong positive correlation between task-oriented leadership style and students’ achievement. Recommendations: It is recommended that principals’ should incorporate different leadership styles depending on the situation at hand to promote high students achievement

An Evaluation of Legal, Legislative And Financial Factors Affecting Performance of Women Micro Entrepreneurs In Kenya

Women owned enterprises in the Micro and Small Enterprise sector have been identified as the engine for economic growth and technological innovations in developing countries. Consequently, the Kenyan government has put in place interventions geared towards improving the business environment through appropriate policy frameworks. However, these businesses continue to be dodged with myriad of constraints which include lack of appropriate technology, access to market information, credit, business management skills and rigid legal and regulatory framework among others. This paper aimed at determining the effect of Legal, legislative and financial factors on performance of women enterprises in the micro and small enterprise sector of Kenya. The study specifically focused on two main issues; (a) Determining impact of legal and legislative factors on performance of women micro entrepreneurs and (b) Investigating how the financial sector influences performance of women micro entrepreneurs. The study was based on Embu County of Kenya. A descriptive research design was used to carry out the study. Snowballing technique was employed to select a sample of fifty interviewees. An interview schedule was the main instrument for data collection. Data was analyzed using SPSS software.   The main findings were twofold: (1). There was a very strong negative correlation between legal and legislative factors and performance of women entrepreneurs which suggested that these factors have been too harsh on women entrepreneurs and (2). Financial sector had very high positive correlation with performance of women entrepreneurs implying that the sector had been very instrumental in supporting women enterprises. Major recommendations from the paper is that local councils should reduce license fee as they also listen to women grievances, most of which are very genuine. Likewise, women entrepreneurs need be encouraged to save their earnings however little they are and finally, women entrepreneurs should be allowed to own property and make crucial decisions regarding their business operations. To boost women owned enterprises, further studies have been suggested on effect of mushrooming Business Development Services (BDS) geared towards women entrepreneurs.   Keywords: MSE, women entrepreneurs, micro finance institutions Institution: Management University of Africa Gel classification; kpp

Effect of Remuneration on Employee Job Satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya

Over the years, job satisfaction is considered to be one such factor that has attracted the attention of not only government agencies, organizations, businesses, banks, and independent institutions but it has also proven to be an important aspect in academic institutions. In light of the above scenario the Kenya public service is not an exception. Although the mandate of the commission is to provide competent human resource in the public service, low morale and lack of staff motivation has remained a major challenge that Public Service Commission has to endure over the years. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of remuneration on job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The population for this study was 200 Public Service Commission employees. A stratified random sampling technique was employed to select a sample of 132 respondents. A five likert scale questionnaire was used to collect data which was analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. The study found out that that Remuneration has a statistical significantly effect on employee job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya at 95% confidence level.  The study concluded that remuneration is an important factor affecting employee job satisfaction at the Public Service Commission in Kenya. The study recommended that the Public Service Commission in Kenya should improve on financial and non-financial compensation and increase employee wages in order to boost employee e satisfaction and enhance performance of public servants. Key Words: Remuneration, Job Satisfaction, Public Service Commission DOI: 10.7176/DCS/10-10-07 Publication date:October 31st 202

Principals’ leadership styles: Critical components to the security management in selected secondary schools in Mandera county, Kenya.

Introduction: Leadership styles of school principals plays a significant role in making the school a safe haven for students. This is because principals interact with the school community more often, and hence understand the school environment better. Purpose: Determine the critical leadership style in the security management in Mandera County, Kenya Methodology: The correlational study design was used as the framework that anchored the study. The survey targeted a population of 424 teachers, 46 principals, 460 BOM members and 13,387 students in Mandera County which makes a total population of 14,317. The sample size was 201 teachers, 40 principals, 210 BOM members and 373 students and thus narrowing the sample size to 824 respondents. The respondents were stratified, proportionately and randomly sampled. Questionnaires for teachers, semi- structured interview guides for principals and BOM members, and focus groups were adopted as instruments of collecting information. Before the main study, the researcher conducted a pilot study in schools that had characteristics similar to those of the sampled schools. Content validity was determined using expert judgment from specialist in the education management. Instrument reliability was established using the Cronbach alpha technique. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data, while quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics in terms of frequencies, means, and inferential statistics in terms of regression analysis. Results: The results of this research show a prediction that for each increase in the leadership styles of secondary school principals, there was a 29.7% increase in security management. Recommendation: Major recommendation is that school leadership need to adopt the correct management strategies to ensure security. Furthermore, the community where the school is located should be involved in matters of student security and safety

Anatomical branching patterns of the aortic arch in Ethiopia: An imaging-based study

Background: The aortic arch (AA) is a key anatomical vascular structure through which blood is distributed to the body’s organs. Knowledge of its branching patterns is important for surgical procedures. This study aimed to describe anatomical variations in the branching patterns of human AAs in patients who underwent chest contrastenhanced computed tomography. Methods: A retrospective study involving 630 chest contrastenhanced computed tomography scans from July 2018 to July 2019 was carried out at Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Mekelle, Ethiopia. These images were reviewed for AA branching patterns and classified accordingly. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: Of the 630 patients (364 males and 266 females), AA branching pattern variations were found in 35.2%: type II, 26%; type III, 6.5%; type V, 2.7%; the rest, 64.8%, had a normal (type I) AA branching pattern. The left vertebral artery and the aberrant right subclavian artery were also observed to originate directly from the AA. Conclusions: AA branching pattern variation types II, III, and V were found in our study. These findings could be vital during aortic instrumentation and surgical procedures of the head and neck in Ethiopia and globally

Women Literacy and Household Food Security in Igambang’ombe Division, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya

Many counties in Kenya are generally faced with food insecurity. Women play an active role in food production. However, the women’s potential is limited by inadequate levels of literacy which affects the way they access and utilize resources for sustainable agricultural production and household food security. This study examined the impact of women literacy on household food security in Igambang’ombe Division, Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya.  The study established that the division is faced with food insecurity in spite of the fact that women play an active role in food production.  Women’s potential in Igambang’ombe Division is limited by inadequate level of literacy.  The study recommended that all agricultural stakeholders should be sensitized on literacy competencies and its relationship with sustained food security. Keywords: Household Food Security, Literacy Competencie

Antidiabetic properties of Solanum villosum and Solanum nigrum var sarrachoides in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) poses immense challenge to the health of people worldwide. Current therapies are limited by cost and adverse effects. Solanum nigrum, a complex of many species in the family Solanaceae has been recorded to be used by many communities in the management of DM. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical, antidiabetic efficacy and safety of two species, namely; Solanum villosum and S. nigrum var sarrachoides using streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice model.Methods: Qualitative assessment for phytochemical constituents was carried out. Acute toxicity was conducted based on ‘Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’ 2001 guidelines. Diabetes was induced by injection of streptozotocin at a dose of 200 mg/kg body weight intraperitoneal after the mice fasted for 8 hours. Aqueous extracts were administered orally using an oral gavage at doses of 150, and 300 mg/kg body weight for each plant daily and monitored weekly for 28 days.Results: Both plants contain vital phytochemicals. Flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, saponins, phenols, and glycosides were present in both plants. However, phytosterols and coumarins were absent in S. villosum. Additionally, both plants did not show toxicity. Both plants showed efficacy with S. nigrum var sarrachoides being more potent at both doses.Conclusions: The study validates the use of these plants by herbalists and recommends further studies on them with the aim of elucidating the active compounds that can be used as novel therapies for diabetes. Additionally, the study recommends the evaluation of other species in this complex for antidiabetic properties

Religious, socio-cultural norms and gender stereotypes influence uptake and utilization of maternal health services among the Digo community in Kwale, Kenya: a qualitative study

Background: Maternal health outcomes in resource-limited settings are typically influenced by supply-side factors affecting the provision of quality health services. The extent to which demand-side factors contribute to this influence is unclear. We aimed to explore how individual and community-wide factors influenced uptake and utilization of maternal health services among the Digo community residing in Kwale County of coastal Kenya. Methods: Between March and December 2015, we conducted 5 focus group discussions (FGDs) and 15 in-depth interviews (IDIs) with members of the Digo community predominant in Kwale county, Kenya. Respondents were sampled purposively and included female (pregnant and postpartum) as well as male adult community members. A thematic content analytic approach was used. Results: There were a total of 47 FGD respondents, including 15 (32%) females with a median (interquartile, IQR) age of 38 (27-55) years and 6 (3-8) children. Majority (40%) reported attaining secondary-level education. All IDI respondents were female with a median (IQR) age of 27 (24-35) years and 4 (2-5) children. Majority (80%) had attained primary-level education. We found that religious and socio-cultural norms as well as gender stereotypes were important influences on the uptake and utilization of maternal health services, including facility-based delivery and contraception. Key amongst this was the unspoken deference to the counsel of a prominent matriarchal figure in the decision-making process. Conclusions: Among the Digo community of coastal Kenya, a unique social-cultural context comprising of a religious and gendered value belief system influences women\u27s reproductive health and rights. These findings highlight the important role of demand-side factors in influencing maternal health outcomes. In addition to addressing supply-side factors, programs in such settings should aim to address factors that leverage inherent social capital to drive demand for maternal health services ensuring that they are not only effective, but also responsive to the local context