Play-Way Approach and Implementation of Early-Childhood Education Curriculum in Selected Early Childhood Development Centers in Eastern Uganda

Play is children’s serious business and their avenue to learning. This study was conducted to explore the role of play-way approach in the implementation of Early-Childhood Education (ECE) Curriculum in selected Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centers in Eastern Uganda. It was informed by the work of Dewey, Froebel, Montessori and other seasoned Advocates of play in the domain of education. A mixed methods approach was adopted with a parallel exploratory design. The qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed. The specific objectives of this study were threefold to: 1. Establish the extent to which play is adopted in the implementation of the ECE curriculum. 2. Assess the role of play in the implantation of the ECE curriculum. 3. Identify challenges associated with play in the implementation of the ECE curriculum. The motivation for conducting this study was anchored on the advent of the increasing concerns of participatory approaches intended to enhance learners’ acquisition of meaningful literacy skills. A sample size of 504 respondents was used consisting 274 children of ECD, 103 Caregivers, 14 headteachers and 113 Centre Management Committee members, whose views were investigated using questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The purpose of the study was to critically examine the extent to which play-based-learning impacts on the implementation of ECE curriculum. The problem identified was that whereas efforts had been made by researchers in identifying challenges associated with ECE curriculum implementation which inhibited children’s readiness to realise a breakthrough to meaningful literacy in ECD centres, no effort had been made to establish the use of play-way approach in the same context. Findings revealed that play had been adopted to a small extent, also without proper integration content and yet, active participation, enjoyment and increase in attendance were reported as attributed to roles of play. Unfortunately, some Caregivers lacked skills and knowledge of adopting play as an approach to learning. It was concluded that whereas learning became interesting, fun and real at ECD centres where play-way approach was adopted, it was boring and stressful at ECD centres where play-way approach was not employed. It was, therefore, recommended that Care-givers required serious deliberate training on play-way approach and its alignment with content in view of and focus on the 21st century skills, proper guidelines be developed and provided to Caregivers on the use of play-way approach, instructional materials which stimulate the use of play be developed at every ECD centre and peer mentorship strategies be designed to build the capacity of Care-givers with a focus on play-way approach. Keywords:Play, Early Childhood Education and Curriculum. DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-23-01 Publication date: December 31st 202

The Influence of Federal Administrative Trends on The Budgetary Processes of Nigeria’s Federal Universities.

The proliferation of university educational demand in Nigeria occurred as a result of the oil boom and the subsequent creation of nineteen states. In 1974, Ibadan and Lagos Universities were the only federal universities; in 1976 seven more universities were created. The sudden increase, from two in 1974 to thirteen federal universities in 1976, necessitated the adoption of the formula funding model, which was perceived as being capable of allocating resources to all similar academic programs in the institutions. The thirteen federal universities were used in the study. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the applicability outcome of the model seven years after adoption. The effectiveness and the congruency of the model were tested for significant differences between the National Universities Commission\u27s recommended estimates and those of the individual institutions. The result was significant at the .01 alpha level. Another test for significant differences between the Commission\u27s estimates and the actual allocations resulted in a significant difference at the .01 alpha level. The third measure of effectiveness was the significant difference test between the institutions\u27 estimates and the actual allocations. There was a significant difference at the .01 level. The congruency measure of the formula model was computed by determining the relationships between student headcount enrollments and the three developed budgets (the Commissions\u27, the institutions\u27 and the administrations\u27). A significant positive relationship was found between the student enrollments and the Commission\u27s estimates. For the student enrollments and institutions\u27 estimates, a positive relationship was computed and was significant at the .01 alpha level. The conclusive findings, therefore, were that the formula funding model was not effective because arbitrary budget estimates were developed by the instructors, the National Universities Commissions and the Administrators within the seven years of adoption. The formula budgeting model was however found to be congruent because the direct instructional cost index formed the major portion of all the budget estimates that were developed by the three agencies and within the institutional categories. Significant differences between the level of influence exerted by the military and civilian administrations on the budgeting processes were not found

Efficient energy management in ultra-dense wireless networks

The increase in demand for more network capacity has led to the evolution of wireless networks from being largely Heterogeneous (Het-Nets) to the now existing Ultra-dense (UDNs). In UDNs, small cells are densely deployed with the goal of shortening the physical distance between the base stations (BSs) and the UEs, so as to support more user equipment (UEs) at peak times while ensuring high data rates. Compared to Het-Nets, Ultra-dense networks (UDNs) have many advantages. These include, more network capacity, higher flexibility to routine configurations, and more suitability to achieve load-balancing, hence, fewer blind spots as well as lower call blocking probability. It should be noted that, in practice, due to the high density of deployed small cells in Ultra-Dense Networks, a number of issues, or rather concerns, come with this evolution from Het-Nets. Among these issues include problems with efficient radio resource management, user cell association, inter- and intra-cell interference management and, last but not least, efficient energy consumption. Some of these issues which impact the overall network efficiency are largely due to the use of obsolete algorithms, especially those whose resource allocation is based solely on received signal power (RSSP). In this paper, the focus is solely on the efficient energy management dilemma and how to optimally reduce the overall network energy consumption. Through an extensive literature review, a detailed report into the growing concern of efficient energy management in UDNs is provided in Chapter 2. The literature review report highlights the classification as well as the evolution of some of the Mobile Wireless Technologies and Mobile Wireless Networks in general. The literature review report provides reasons as to why the energy consumption issue has become a very serious concern in UltraDense networks as well as the various techniques and measures taken to mitigate this. It is shown that, due to the increasing Mobile Wireless Systems’ carbon footprint which carries serious negative environmental impact, and the general need to lower operating costs by the network operators, the management of energy consumption increases in priority. By using the architecture of a Fourth Generation Long Term Evolution (4G-LTE) UltraDense Network, the report further shows that more than 65% of the overall energy consumption is by the access network and base stations in particular. This phenomenon explains why most attention in energy efficiency management in UDNs is largely centred on reducing the energy consumption of the deployed base stations more than any other network components like the data servers or backhauling features used. Furthermore, the report also provides detailed information on the methods/techniques, their classification, implementation, as well as a critical analysis of the said implementations in literature. This study proposes a sub-optimal algorithm and Distributed Cell Resource Allocation with a Base Station On/Off scheme that aims at reducing the overall base station power consumption in UDNs, while ensuring that the overall Quality of Service (QoS) for each User Equipment (UE) as specified in its service class is met. The modeling of the system model used and hence formulation of the Network Energy Efficiency (NEE) optimization problem is done viii using stochastic geometry. The network model comprises both evolved Node B (eNB) type macro and small cells operating on different frequency bands as well as taking into account factors that impact NEE such as UE mobility, UE spatial distribution and small cells spatial distribution. The channel model takes into account signal interference from all base stations, path loss, fading, log normal shadowing, modulation and coding schemes used on each UE’s communication channels when computing throughout. The power consumption model used takes into account both static (site cooling, circuit power) and active (transmission or load based) base station power consumption. The formulation of the NEE optimization problem takes into consideration the user’s Quality-of-service (QoS), inter-cell interference, as well as each user’s spectral efficiency and coverage/success probability. The formulated NEE optimization problem is of type Nondeterministic Polynomial time (NP)-hard, due to the user-cell association. The proposed solution to the formulated optimization problem makes use of constraint relaxation to transform the NP-hard problem into a more solvable, convex and linear optimization one. This, combined with Lagrangian dual decomposition, is used to create a distributed solution. After cellassociation and resource allocation phases, the proposed solution in order to further reduce power consumption performs Cell On/Off. Then, by using the computer simulation tools/environments, the “Distributed Resource Allocation with Cell On/Off” scheme’s performance, in comparison to four other resource allocation schemes, is analysed and evaluated given a number of different network scenarios. Finally, the statistical and mathematical results generated through the simulations indicate that the proposed scheme is the closest in NEE performance to the Exhaustive Search algorithm, and hence superior to the other sub-optimal algorithms it is compared to

Play-Way Approach and Implementation of Early-Childhood Education Curriculum in Selected Early Childhood Development Centers in Eastern Uganda

Play is children’s serious business and their avenue to learning. This study was conducted to explore the role of play-way approach in the implementation of Early-Childhood Education (ECE) Curriculum in selected Early Childhood Development (ECD) Centers in Eastern Uganda. It was informed by the work of Dewey, Froebel, Montessori and other seasoned Advocates of play in the domain of education. A mixed methods approach was adopted with a parallel exploratory design. The qualitative and quantitative data collection methods were employed. The specific objectives of this study were threefold to: 1. Establish the extent to which play is adopted in the implementation of the ECE curriculum. 2. Assess the role of play in the implantation of the ECE curriculum. 3. Identify challenges associated with play in the implementation of the ECE curriculum. The motivation for conducting this study was anchored on the advent of the increasing concerns of participatory approaches intended to enhance learners’ acquisition of meaningful literacy skills. A sample size of 504 respondents was used consisting 274 children of ECD, 103 Caregivers, 14 headteachers and 113 Centre Management Committee members, whose views were investigated using questionnaires, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The purpose of the study was to critically examine the extent to which play-based-learning impacts on the implementation of ECE curriculum. The problem identified was that whereas efforts had been made by researchers in identifying challenges associated with ECE curriculum implementation which inhibited children’s readiness to realise a breakthrough to meaningful literacy in ECD centres, no effort had been made to establish the use of play-way approach in the same context. Findings revealed that play had been adopted to a small extent, also without proper integration content and yet, active participation, enjoyment and increase in attendance were reported as attributed to roles of play. Unfortunately, some Caregivers lacked skills and knowledge of adopting play as an approach to learning. It was concluded that whereas learning became interesting, fun and real at ECD centres where play-way approach was adopted, it was boring and stressful at ECD centres where play-way approach was not employed. It was, therefore, recommended that Care-givers required serious deliberate training on play-way approach and its alignment with content in view of and focus on the 21st century skills, proper guidelines be developed and provided to Caregivers on the use of play-way approach, instructional materials which stimulate the use of play be developed at every ECD centre and peer mentorship strategies be designed to build the capacity of Care-givers with a focus on play-way approach. Keywords: Play, Early Childhood Education and Curriculum. DOI: 10.7176/JEP/13-33-08 Publication date: November 30th 202

Omukulembeze owe Ebinhonhi

This is a children's story book.This is a children's story narrating how birds of different species are organised and they have a leadership trail to follow

Internationalization of Higher Education for Sustainable Development

Riddling forms the basis for consensus building on agriculture and food security practices in Busoga. This style of discourse on agriculture and food contains symbols that build a collective knowledge base for the community to discuss, appreciate and deliberate on foodsRiddling forms the basis for consensus building on agriculture and food security practices in Busoga. This style of discourse on agriculture and food contains symbols that build a collective knowledge base for the community to discuss, appreciate and deliberate on food security. For example, the precedent by Nanyange Agnes, K.36: “Wansi mmere, wakati nku, waigulu iva – Below is food, the middle is firewood, above vegetable” (Edhikolyoka: Nsinze, 24.08.2009) opens discussion on food, firewood and vegetal source. Allusion to the cassava plant increases the farmers’ awareness of the value of cassava as a food secure crop. It also draws attention to other crops with similar characteristics thereby increasing knowledge on food security. Using contextual linguistic enquiry, the study interprets 10 selected riddle acts from Nsinze Seed School and Edhikolyoka riddling sessions performed at Nsinze on August 21 and 24, 2009. The study concludes that, riddling refreshes the performers’ power of observation of the society’s agricultural practices. Such insight influences teamwork and value to the crop. This interaction raises the quality of farming and quantity of production as it critically evaluates the utility, developments and challenges facing the farmer. The social interaction in riddling sharpens the mind of the audience participants to (re)think broadly and act specially. The study shows how riddling serves the purpose of crafting deeper knowledge of agriculture and farming practices through agricultural entertainment (agri-tainment). The prevalence of Kisoga riddle acts on food, food production and agricultural science shows that the Basoga are keen on mimicking food in art, to enliven livelihoods and instil individual shared benefits. This therefore confirm that riddles are critical forms of literature that teach and delight people beyond the literary

Toidha Kundeka

This is a children story book.It is a children's story about an elephant which was stubborn and made people suffer as it blocked them to cross the river

Teachers’ Perception on Implementing the Revised Lower Secondary Curriculum in Selected Schools in Uganda: A Focus on Emerging Issues and Coping Strategies

This study explored teachers’ perception on the implementation of Comptency-based Curriculum (CBC) in lower secondary schools in Uganda that was rolled out in 2020. The shift from the Knowledge-Based Curriculum (KBC) to CBC caused a cultural shock to those who had been nurtured in a purely teacher-centred curriculum! Teachers got challenged over their authority and autonomy in the delivery of instruction. Discussion was centred on teachers’ readiness to implement; pedagogical competences to plan, facilitate and assess CBC. In this phenomenological study, data was collected from 12 randomly selected secondary schools in urban, semi-urban and rural areas of Uganda. The population comprised teachers of Lower Secondary, Directors of Studies and Headteachers. Data was analyzed qualitatively through codes and themes and reported thematically, backed with verbatim quotations and statements from participants. Majority of the teachers were struggling with gaps in planning and content delivery, CBC stimulated hands-on-learning, teachers’ preparedness was considerably low due to lack of prior training, ICT integration was still an uphill task, majority of teachers were still stuck to traditional methodologies. CBC is too demanding and ambitious! NCDC should, therefore, design retooling packages for continuous capacity building, schools should promote peer mentorship, collaboration and Network initiatives

AWARENESS, PERCEPTIONS AND ACCEPTABILITY OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE IN BUGIRI DISTRICT: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY.

Background: Globally, COVID-19 vaccine uptake has been hampered by misperceptions and conspiracy theories. We investigated people’s awareness, perceptions, and acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine in Bugiri district.   Methods: This was a cross-sectional study among COVID-19 unvaccinated adults aged 18 and above. Data were collected in October and November 2021. Data were collected on people’s awareness, perceptions, and willingness to accept the vaccine if availed freely. ‘Acceptability of the COVID-19 vaccine’ denoted people’s willingness to accept to take the vaccine if offered to them free of charge. We used an interviewer-administered, pilot-tested, structured questionnaire loaded on a mobile phone to collect data from 465 respondents. Data were analyzed using STATA version 15.0.   Results: Of 465 respondents, 59.05% (n=274) were aged 18-35 years; 52.80% (n=245) were male; 68.97% (n=320) were married; while 68.75% (n=319) attained primary education. Overall, awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine was nearly universal (95.04%, n=441), with no marked difference between males and females. We found favorable perceptions towards the COVID-19 vaccine, with slightly more than three-quarters (76.72%, n=356) agreeing with the statement that people should be willingly vaccinated against COVID-19. When asked about their willingness to accept the COVID-19 vaccine, 60.78% (n=282) reported that they would be willing to accept the vaccine if it was to be given to them free of charge, with a higher of males (75.80%, n=166) indicating that they would be willing to accept the vaccine than their female counterparts (60%, n=147). Conclusion: Awareness was nearly universal and respondents had favorable perceptions towards the COVID-19 vaccine. Only six in ten participants would accept the COVID-19 vaccine if availed to them free of charge. Findings suggest increased access to improve uptake. Recommendation: Our study findings suggest efforts should be geared towards increasing access to vaccines while reducing associated costs in order to improve acceptance