Influence of Guidance and Counselling Programmes on Secondary Students School Connectedness. A Case Study of Nyamira County, Kenya

Secondary school students are still within the age bracket of rapid physical, social and psychological changes. These changes pose a number of challenges which result to cases of maladaptive behaviour as evidenced by strikes, riots, boycotts, indulgence in premarital sexual activities,  truancy, drug and substance abuse, disinterest in school and poor academic performance. Diverse behaviour modification strategies have been employed to mitigate against these negative tendencies but these maladaptive behaviours are still rampant among secondary school students. The current study sought  to investigate the influence of guidance and counselling programmes in improving secondary students school connectedness in Nyamira Count,y Kenya. The study  objective was to investigate the influence of guidance and counselling programmes on secondary  students school connectedness. The study was guided by two theories namely: Ludwig Bertalanffy’s Systems  Theory and Erik Erickson’s psychosocial development Theory. The study utilized descriptive survey design as well as ex-post facto design. The sample size of the study were 52 head teachers, 52 deputy head teachers, 52 guidance and counselling teachers and 311 students drawn from a population of 7740 form three students, 174 head teachers, 174 deputy head teachers and 174 guidance and counselling teachers. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select public secondary schools, head teachers, deputy head teachers, guidance and counselling teachers and form three students. Stratified sampling  procedure was used to group the target population into four strata based on school type and gender. Proportionate sampling procedure was used to select equal representation of respondents from each stratum of public secondary school. Random sampling procedure was used to obtain the final sample from each of the stratum. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. Prior to data collection, a pilot study was conducted to ensure validity and reliability of the research instruments and using Cronbach reliability test, reliability coefficient of =  0.727 was reported. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze the data. The data analysis  was done  with the aid of computer software- statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. The study found that there is a strong positive relationship (r = .622) between guidance and counselling programme and students school connectedness which was statistically significant ( <.005). The study recommends that all teachers in the school need to understand in depth the concept of guidance and counselling in the school setting and how it can be used to improve students school connectedness. The education  ministry should organize regular seminars based on personal, social and moral practices for the schools. This will ensure that the policy on professional ethics is adhered to for improved performance. The government through the  Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission should employ more teacher counselors in secondary schools to effectively tackle social and academic challenges facing the students. Keywords: Guidance and counselling, public secondary schools, students school connectedness, Nyamira County. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-22-06 Publication date: August 31st 201

The Place of Music and Dance in the Reconstruction of African Cultural History: a Case of the Abagusii of South-Western Kenya

This paper presents an overview exposition and critical reflection on the evolution and functionality of the pre-colonial African Music and dance among the Gusii of south-western Kenya. It seeks to address fundamental issues that are on the verge of being forgotten especially by the youth of this generation. It argues that music and dance among the Gusii have traditional roots as serves as a source of understanding the cultural history of the community. Indeed, without knowledge of a community’s cultural history, the historical destiny cannot be easily comprehended. This history makes it one of the most essential genres that the Gusii community’s ethnographic studies. It employs historical approach to explore the past musical and dance generic forms. This paper proceeds from the premise that, in the pre-colonial times, the Gusii had evolved elaborate music and dance forms conditioned by their social and natural environments. It was also established in this discussion that African music and dance, as practiced by the Gusii nurtured, enhanced, preserved and brought up emotionally, psychologically, ethically, socially stable and  a unitary indigenous community. The theories employed to explain the phenomenon of the pre-colonial music and dance were, Evolution, Diffusion, functionalism and theories of dance. The Study methodology into historical enquiry of the place of pre-colonial music and dance was carried out in three major phases as follows; employing data collection techniques on a systematic basis beginning with secondary sources in libraries, the marshalling of primary source materials in the Kenya National Archives, and   the gathering of data through oral interviews and observations in the research field. In this study, respondents were selected through snowball and purposive sampling techniques in order to obtain key custodians of the Gusii cultural history, who at the end of the study proved to be handy by providing up to date valuable information. Oral interviews were conducted between 1996 and 1998.Respondents included sixty elderly men and women from drawn form various parts of Gusii land, both professional and non-professional thought to be knowledgeable on the community’s cultural history. The data collected from both primary and secondary sources was sorted and analyzed qualitatively. From the study findings, it was established that music and dance practices among the Gusii reflected the community’s identity, since they are all, a vital artistic medium, through which people embody the self. This study will contribute to the understanding of African cultural history. Planners in the ministry of culture and social services may use these findings in the planning of socio-cultural activities in perpetuating cultural identity and African history in General. Key words: Abagusii, Reconstruction, Gusii, South-Western Keny

Effectiveness of Guidance and Counselling Programme in Enhancing Students Academic, Career and Personal Competencies. A Case of Secondary Schools in Nyamira District, Kenya

Guidance and counselling programme was first implemented in Nyamira District secondary schools after the banning of the cane in 2001. However, students in the district still lack academic, career and personal competencies as indicated by persistent poor academic performance, school disturbances and high drop-out rates. This may be attributed to ineffective school guidance and counselling programme among other factors. Thus this study purposed to determine the secondary school students, head teachers and teacher counsellors’ perceptions on the effectiveness of the guidance and counselling programme in enhancing students’ academic, career and personal competencies. The study utilized ex-post facto causal comparative design. The respondents of the study were 18 head teachers, 18 teacher counsellors and 302 students drawn from a population of 3752 form three students, 47 head teachers and 47 teacher counsellors. Random sampling method was used to select student respondents. Purposive sampling method was used to select the head teachers and teacher counsellors who participated in the study. Data for the study were collected using open and close ended questionnaires and interview schedules. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Means, frequencies and percentages were the descriptive statistics while one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was the inferential statistic used. The statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 115 was used to estimate the reliability. Reliability co-efficient of 0.87, 0.92 and 0.60 for students’ questionnaire (SQ), Teacher counsellors Questionnaire (TCQ) and Head Teachers Questionnaire (HTQ) were obtained respectively and were considered acceptable for the study. All the respondents who participated  in the study perceived school guidance and counselling programme as effective in enhancing students academic, career and personal competencies. Education stake-holders and policy makers in education who include teacher counsellors, school managers, TSC personnel, Ministry of education officials and NGOs interested in education matters may use the results of this study to strengthen, improve and maintain the programme services. It was recommended that guidance and counselling programme be implemented and fully supported as a matter of priority in all secondary schools to equip all students with necessary academic, career and personal competencies. Keywords: Perception, effectiveness, guidance and counselling, competencies, Nyamira District

Assessment of Challenges facing Secondary School Guidance and Counselling Teachers in Nyamira District, Kenya

Guidance and counselling services are part of a broader delivery system designed to enhance the    success of all learners.This study assessed different challenges that guidance and counselling teachers in secondary schools in Nyamira County encounter in providing this vital service. The study employed an ex-post facto descriptive survey design.  It was limited to 21 secondary schools: Fourteen day and seven boarding secondary schools in Nyamira County with Practicing Guidance and Counselling teachers.  Sex was not a factor in the study.  In all, there were 147 respondents (21 Head teachers, 21 teacher counsellors and 5 students from each of the selected schools). Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the sample for the study.  Three four-point likert type scale questionnaires were used to obtain data for the study;  Secondary school students’ Questionnaire (SSSQ), Secondary school teacher counsellors’ Questionnaire (SSTCQ); and Secondary school Head Teachers’ Questionnaire (SSHTQ).  The reliability coefficient on SSSQ and SSTCQ of 0.65 and 0.67 respectively were obtained while an alpha coefficient of 0.80 was established for SSHTQ.  The data was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and the chi-square test, using the SPSS package.  The findings indicate that there are a number of challenges facing the provision of guidance and counselling services.  These include: lack of adequate guidance and counselling training for teacher counsellors; inadequate resources; and lack of requisite support to guidance and counselling programmes among other challenges.  Recommendations made on ways of overcoming the challenges in order to improve the quality of counselling services include; a need for schools to provide basic counseling materials, a counselling office equipped with career resources and school administration endeavouring to reduce teacher counselor workload so as to have enough time to offer the guidance and counseling service. Key words: Assessment, Guidance and Counselling, Resources, Attitude, Nyamira county

Influence of Guidance and Counselling Programmes on Secondary School Students Academic Engagement in Nyamira County, Kenya

Secondary school students  are still in the age of rapid physical, social and psychological developments. These developmental changes pose a number of challenges which result to cases of maladaptive behaviour as evidenced by strikes, riots, boycotts, truancy, low self-esteem and a general lack of enthusiasm in academic activities in school, leading to poor academic performance. The current study sought to establish the influence of guidance and counselling programmes on secondary school students academic engagement. The study was guided by two theories namely; Ludwig Bertalanffy’s Systems  Theory and Erickson’s Psychological Development Theory. The study utilized descriptive survey design as well as ex-post facto design. The sample size of the study were 52 head teachers, 52 Deputy head teachers, 52 guidance and counselling teachers and 311 students drawn from a population of 174 head teachers, 174  Deputy  head teachers, 174 Guidance and Counselling Teachers and 7740 form three students. Purposive sampling procedure was used to select public secondary schools, head teachers, Deputy head teachers, Guidance and Counselling Teachers and form three students. Stratified sampling procedure was used to group the target population into four strata based on school type and gender. Proportionate sampling procedure was used to select equal representation of respondents from each stratum of public secondary school. Random sampling procedure was used to obtain the  final  sample from each of the stratum. Questionnaires and interview schedules were utilized to collect data. Prior to data collection, a pilot study was conducted to ensure validity and reliability of the research instruments and using Cronbach reliability test, reliability co-efficient of = 0.727 was reported, which was considered adequate for the study. Descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze data. The data analysis was done with the help of computer software-statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22.0. The study found out that there is a strong positive relationship (R = .575) between guidance and counselling services and students, academic engagement which was statistically significant (P<0.05). All the respondents in the study perceived school guidance and counseling programmes as effective in enhancing students academic engagement.  Education stake-holders and policy makers in education who include guidance and counselling teachers, school managers, TSC personnel, Ministry of Education officials and NGOs interested in education matters may use the results of this study to strengthen, improve and maintain the guidance and  counselling programme. It was recommended that guidance and counselling programme be fully supported as a matter of priority in all secondary schools to enhance students academic engagement and hence  improvement in academic performance. Keywords: Guidance and counselling programme, academic engagement Nyamira County. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/10-29-13 Publication date:October 31st 201

A Comparative Study of the Influence of Infused HIV and AIDS Education on Students' HIV and AIDS Awareness in Ainamoi and Sigowet Divisions, Kericho County, Kenya

HIV and AIDS pandemic is a global health concern which has been given a multi-sectoral approach to combat it. In Kenya, the Ministry of Education has adopted HIV and AIDS policy in which one of the strategies of achieving HIV and AIDS awareness among school-going youth is to have the infused HIV and AIDS education in the formal curriculum subjects. However it has not been established through empirical investigation whether or not the HIV and AIDS education has had an influence on the awareness of in-school youth in rural and urban areas differently. Therefore, this study comparatively investigated the influence of the infused HIV and AIDS education on students' awareness in public secondary schools of urban Ainamoi and rural Sigowet divisions in Kericho County. The objectives were to compare the influence of the infused HIV and AIDS education on students' mastery of HIV and AIDS facts, behaviour change among students and attitudes towards infected people. The study was informed by Holmes' problem-solving approach, Becker's health belief model, Bandura's self-efficacy and social learning theory and Green's Precede-Proceed model of health behavior. The study adopted a comparative research design whereby a rural sample and an urban sample of form four students selected from a target population of 2840 students in public secondary schools in Kericho county were compared. Stratified random sampling was used to select respondents from purposively sampled schools. Data was collected using questionnaires and an interview schedule whose validity was enhanced through a pilot study. The split-half reliability test was done to determine the reliability level of the data collection instruments. Data was presented as tabulated frequencies and percentages. The chi-square statistic was used to analyze data at a 0.05 level of confidence. Interview responses were obtained as qualitative data and were reported verbatim. The results of the study showed that there were significant differences between students in rural and urban schools with regard to knowledge of HIV and AIDS facts, level of behavior change and attitudes towards HIV and AIDS infected people. Students in urban secondary schools were found to be better informed about HIV and AIDS facts; they had a more positive attitude towards infected people and exhibited a higher level of behavior change compared to students in rural secondary schools.' The study recommends a revision of the curriculum to give HIV and AIDS education a multi-faceted approach including co-curricular activities and seminars for parents

A Comparative Study of Completion Challenges Facing Regular and Parallel Degree Students of Egerton University Constituent Colleges, Kenya.

This study purposed to identify the completion challenges faced by parallel in comparison to regular degree students in their studies in constituent university colleges of Egerton university. The study was conducted in Kisii and Laikipia university colleges which until recently were university colleges of Egerton university. The study involved 607 and 332 parallel and regular degree students in Laikipia University, 191 and 177 parallel and Regular students in Laikipia university college respectively. Also included in the study were 15 and 25 regular lecturers in Kisii University College and the Deans of students’ and Academic registrars in Kisii and Laikipia university colleges. The study adopted a comparative design as it was appropriate in the investigation of different independent groups of university students. The samples were selected by use of both purposive and snowball sampling techniques and the data was obtained by use of questionnaires. The data collected was presented by use of tables and bar graphs and it was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics. The study found that fewer students in the parallel degree programme were provided with loans by HELB while the general public was not willing to fund their education. The study also established that students’ welfare with regard to access to morning and evening lectures, participation in co-curricular activities and selection of courses was not catered for. The students had challenges in accessing their lecture halls, Dean of students, lecturers and libraries. This had an impact on the completion rates of parallel degree students compared to the regular students. From the findings of the study recommendations were made to HELB, university management, local administration, parents and other stakeholders on how the situation could be improved. Key words: Completion, Parallel Degree Programme, Regular Degree Programme, Laikipia University College, Kisii University College

Evaluation of factors influencing the performance of Kenyan Secondary School Students in English Grammar: A Case of Nyamaiya Division, Nyamira County, Kenya.

This study assessed the factors influencing the performance of secondary school students in English Grammar in Nyamaiya Division, Nyamira County. The study employed 31 public Secondary schools of which seventeen are day and fourteen are boarding schools. Sex was not a factor in the study. There were 150 respondents (31 head teachers, 31 deputies, 30 students and 58 teachers of English). Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used in selecting the sample for the study. Five point likert type scale questionnaires were used to obtain data for the study. 150 questionnaires were administered to 150 respondents which covered the following areas: influence of mother tongue, problem areas in English grammar, academic and professional qualifications and experience of these teachers. The objectives were: to investigate the attitude secondary school students have towards English grammar, to find out how mother tongue impacts on learning English grammar in secondary schools, to establish the areas in English grammar that are problematic to students in secondary schools and to find out the academic and professional qualifications of teachers teaching English grammar to students in secondary schools. Teacher’s responses on attitude indicated that most of the students did not like English grammar. Regarding influence of mother tongue on performance in English grammar, the study showed that most of the students were influenced by mother tongue while others were not. On problem areas in English majority of the students experienced problems in the use of phrasal verbs and the use of auxiliaries. Other problems experienced are the use of punctuation marks, poor handwriting of the students and lack of practice in English. Majority of these teachers had degrees and some had KCSE certificates and very few had a master’s degree. Most of the sampled schools had not taught the subject for more than five years and some had taught the subject for more than 20 years. The data collected was analyzed by use of descriptive statistics and the chi – square test using the SPSS package. Recommendations based on the findings were made to guide policy makers to find appropriate ways to improve on performance in English grammar. Key words: evaluation, English Grammar, Nyamaiya Division, Nyamira Count