Influence of Competence on Performance of Teachers in Public Secondary Schools in Kisii County-Kenya

Competence is a critical aspect of employee performance; however, there is a dearth of literature on the influence of competence on teacher performance especially in public secondary schools in Kisii County. The purpose of this study was to assess influence of competence on teacher performance. Three null hypotheses were tested guided by Vroom’s expectancy theory. The study adopted sequential explanatory mixed methods research design. The population constituted of 3,426 teachers from whom a sample of 345 teachers was determined using Slovene’s formula. Questionnaires for teachers were used in phase one whose validity was ascertained by two experts in research while reliability as per the Cronbach Alpha method was .779. Descriptive and inferential statistics generated in phase one were analyzed according to the research objectives. In the second phase, 11 teachers were purposively selected and interviewed. Qualitative information obtained was analyzed thematically and presented by direct narration. Findings of phase one were analyzed using the Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient method and yielded r (30) = -.178, p>.05 (teacher qualifications), r (30) = .200, p>.05 (professional development), and r (30) = .188, p>.05 (teacher experience) respectively. The regression model constructed to measure influence of competence on performance yielded Persons’ R=.335 while adjusted R-square was R² =.034 suggesting that competence explained 3.4% of teacher performance. Consequently, qualitative findings showed that the existing performance appraisal system was mute on other teacher competence variables except for professional development. In view of these findings, the three null hypotheses were upheld leading to the conclusion that teacher competence had minimal influence on performance because of gaps in the appraisal and professional development processes. The study recommends that Teachers Service Commission should reengineer the appraisal process to focus on all teacher competence variables including qualifications, professional development and experience. Similarly, there is need to develop a professional development programme for teachers. Finally, it is recommended that further research needs to be undertaken to develop new models for performance management and professional development for teachers. Key Words: teacher competence, development, experience, performance, qualifications DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-3-19 Publication date: January 31st 2020

A phase I trial to evaluate the safety and pharmacokinetics of low-dose methotrexate as an anti-malarial drug in Kenyan adult healthy volunteers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Previous investigations indicate that methotrexate, an old anticancer drug, could be used at low doses to treat malaria. A phase I evaluation was conducted to assess the safety and pharmacokinetic profile of this drug in healthy adult male Kenyan volunteers.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Twenty five healthy adult volunteers were recruited and admitted to receive a 5 mg dose of methotrexate/day/5 days. Pharmacokinetics blood sampling was carried out at 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24 hours following each dose. Nausea, vomiting, oral ulcers and other adverse events were solicited during follow up of 42 days.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The mean age of participants was 23.9 ± 3.3 years. Adherence to protocol was 100%. No grade 3 solicited adverse events were observed. However, one case of transiently elevated liver enzymes, and one serious adverse event (not related to the product) were reported. The maximum concentration (C_max) was 160-200 nM and after 6 hours, the effective concentration (C_eff) was <150 nM.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Low-dose methotraxate had an acceptable safety profile. However, methotrexate blood levels did not reach the desirable C_effof 250-400-nM required to clear malaria infection <it>in vivo</it>. Further dose finding and safety studies are necessary to confirm suitability of this drug as an anti-malarial agent.</p

The status of flora and fauna in the Nzoia River drainage basin in western Kenya

The species richness of flora and fauna in the Nzoia River drainage basin is documented through a study of museum specimens,&nbsp; catalogues and databases. The catchment area and basin covers 2.2% (12900/580367 km2) of Kenya’s total land area with an altitudinal range of 1140 to 4300 m and varied ecosystem and land uses. We recorded approximately 9.3% (3239/34677) of Kenya’s current known species of vascular plants, invertebrates (insects and spiders), fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals. Bird species made up the highest proportion 58.3% (650/1114) of the national total followed by amphibians 37.3% (41/110), reptiles 45.0% (86/191), mammals 31.3% (122/390), vascular plants 17.9% (1251/7000), fish 6.7% (58/872) (32.2% (58/180) for freshwater fish only) and invertebrates (insects and spiders) 4.1% (1031/25000). Ninety-five species recorded in this area are endemic to Kenya and 42 globally threatened. The species recorded contribute to several ecosystem services including pest control, pollination, bio-indicators, medicine and cosmetics, building materials, ecotourism, research and education. Data available differed substantially across counties and taxon groups with gaps apparent in five counties (Bungoma, Busia, Elgeyo Marakwet, Siaya and Usain Gishu) and four taxa plants, invertebrates, fungi and bacteria where a dearth of information exists. To fill these gaps we recommend prioritisng future survey effort on taxa and counties with fewer than 10% of the total numbers of records