Life science curriculums in Kenya : a study of a secondary school science project biology.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to examine the implementation of the SSP Biology in five provinces of Kenya and its relationship to the examination system. Procedure. Factors affecting the implementation of the SSP Biology course were identified through relevant literature and interviews with Kenyan educational policy makers. Only the SSP Biology course development and its implementation in Kenya since 1965-1980 was examined. The SSP Biology secondary schools were selected utilizing criteria developed by the researcher. The instruments used in collecting data in this study included the following: (1) student questionnaires, (2) teacher questionnaires, (3) interview/questionnaires for educational policy makers and program personnel and (4) personal observations. All the instruments were designed and developed by this researcher. These facets were examined and analyzed: (1) patterns of the SSP Biology course implementation: (i) the teaching method, (ii) objectives, (2) factors affecting the implementation of the course: (i) teacher training, (ii) science equipment, (iii) national examinations and curriculum, and (iv) attitudes towards the SSP Biology course. Findings. The data-collecting instruments revealed several common factors affecting the implementation of the SSP Biology course. First, the positive factors: (1) Congruity between the SSP Biology course objectives and the national exams objectives; (2) High teacher interest in the heuristic teaching method; (3) Generally positive attitudes toward the SSP Biology course. Second, the impediment factors were: (1) Inadequate teacher inservice training in the heuristic method; (2) Inadequate supervision and follow-up of teachers by the Inspectorate; (3) Exams-dominated system pressured teachers to teach to the exams; (4) Inadequate supply of science equipment and curriculum materials; (5) Excessive difficulty of some units and shallowness of other units; (6) Lack of consistent involvement of teachers in the development and revision of the course

Influence of Climate Variability on the Prevalence of Dengue Fever in Mandera County, Kenya

Climate variability affects human health by influencing processes that facilitate transmission of infectious diseases. This study aimed at investigating the influence of temperature and precipitation variability on the prevalence of Dengue fever in Mandera County from 1985 to 2014. 196 randomly selected respondents drawn from households within three health facilities’ catchments were interviewed. Meteorological data was used to describe climate variability while Dengue fever was described using data obtained from health records at El Wak Sub County Hospital, Kotulo Health centre and ADRA Hospital. Results showed that temperature significantly varied (t = 7.60, DF = 29, p = 0.0001). Precipitation equally varied (t = 5.660, DF = 29, p = 0.0001). Overall temperature increase was by 0.53°C while annual precipitation amounts increased by 77.1mm. There was an insignificant correlation in Dengue fever occurrence with climate variability (r value of 0.087). The study concluded that climate variability was not significant in Dengue fever transmission in Mandera South Sub County. Keywords: arboviral disease, climate variability, dengue fever, impact, pathogen, prevalence DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-3-06 Publication date:March 31st 201

The Trend of Climate Variability Effects on Dairy Farming in Masaba North, Nyamira County Kenya

The dairy-climate change dilemma in Kenya cannot be mistaken. However, extensive research into dairy farming and an understanding of the dynamics of climate variability effects is greatly lacking.The study investigated the effects of climate variability on dairy cattle breeds in Masaba North, Kenya. The objective for the study were to determine the trend of climate variability and its effects on dairy farming. During the study two sampling techniques were used; purposive and systematic sampling that captured key informants and household information respectively with a targeted sample size of 100 respondents. Further, the findings obtained were analyzed through Statistical Package of Social Sciences and Excel. Data was presented in tables, graphs and pie charts. The findings showed that temperature had rose by 0.80 C in the past 30 years with anomalies of rainfall across the years indicating variability effect in the area. From the study, 89% of farmers respondent on effect of climate variability to dairy cattle. The integral recommendations were; improve dairy cattle performance through adoption of modern livestock techniques and harnessing immediate farmers’ education to mitigate climate variability effects. Keywords: Dairy farming, Climate change, Climate variability; Temperature, Precipitatio

International Perspectives on Nonformal Education

The New England Regional Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society was held on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, on 3 May, 1979. The conference was co-sponsored by the Division of Community Education, Springfield College, and the Center for International Education, School of Education, University of Massachusetts. The theme of the conference was International Perspectives on Nonformal Education. The papers delivered ranged in topics from the use of traditional art forms and poetry as a medium of nonformal education to the discussion of the philosophical foundations underlying the field. Case studies of specific nonformal education projects helped to highlight the conference. A total fifteen papers were delivered, all of which are included in their original form in this document. The papers represent the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the organizers

Combined effects of biochar and fertilizer applications on yield: A review and meta-analysis

The use of biochar is changing, and the combined application of biochar with fertilizer is increasingly gaining acceptance. However, the yield gains results reported in the existing literature through the co-application of fertilizer with biochar are conflicting. To resolve this, we utilized a meta-analysis of 627 paired data points extracted from 57 published articles to assess the performance of the co-application of biochar and fertilizers on crop yield compared with the corresponding controls. We also studied the impact of biochar characteristics, experimental conditions, and soil properties on crop yield. Our analysis showed that individually, biochar and inorganic fertilizer increased crop yield by 25.3% ± 3.2 (Bootstrap CI 95%) and 21.9% ± 4.4, respectively. The co-application of biochar with both inorganic and organic fertilizers increased crop yield by 179.6% ± 18.7, however, this data needs to be treated with caution due to the limited dataset. The highest yield increase was observed with amendments to very acidic soils (pH ≤5), but the benefits of biochar were not affected by the rate and the time after the application. In addition, the effects of biochar are enhanced when it is produced at 401–500 °C with a C:N ratio of 31–100. Our results suggest that the co-application of biochar with either inorganic and/or organic fertilizers in acidic soils increase crop productivity compared to amendment with either fertilizer or biochar. Our meta-analysis supports the utilization of biochar to enhance the efficiency and profitability of fertilizers

Combined effects of biochar and fertilizer applications on yield: A review and meta-analysis

The use of biochar is changing, and the combined application of biochar with fertilizer is increasingly gaining acceptance. However, the yield gains results reported in the existing literature through the co-application of fertilizer with biochar are conflicting. To resolve this, we utilized a meta-analysis of 627 paired data points extracted from 57 published articles to assess the performance of the co-application of biochar and fertilizers on crop yield compared with the corresponding controls. We also studied the impact of biochar characteristics, experimental conditions, and soil properties on crop yield. Our analysis showed that individually, biochar and inorganic fertilizer increased crop yield by 25.3% ± 3.2 (Bootstrap CI 95%) and 21.9% ± 4.4, respectively. The co-application of biochar with both inorganic and organic fertilizers increased crop yield by 179.6% ± 18.7, however, this data needs to be treated with caution due to the limited dataset. The highest yield increase was observed with amendments to very acidic soils (pH ≤5), but the benefits of biochar were not affected by the rate and the time after the application. In addition, the effects of biochar are enhanced when it is produced at 401–500 °C with a C:N ratio of 31–100. Our results suggest that the co-application of biochar with either inorganic and/or organic fertilizers in acidic soils increase crop productivity compared to amendment with either fertilizer or biochar. Our meta-analysis supports the utilization of biochar to enhance the efficiency and profitability of fertilizers

International Perspectives on Nonformal Education

Conference Proceedings New England Regional Conference Comparative and International Education Society The New England Regional Meeting of the Comparative and International Education Society was held on the campus of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, on 3 May, 1979. The conference was co-sponsored by the Division of Community Education, Springfield College, and the Center for International Education, School of Education, University of Massachusetts. The theme of the conference was "International Perspectives on Nonformal Education." The papers delivered ranged in topics from the use of traditional art forms and poetry as a medium of nonformal education to the discussion of the philosophical foundations underlying the field. Case studies of specific nonformal education projects helped to highlight the conference. A total fifteen papers were delivered, all of which are included in their original form in this document. The papers represent the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the organizers.20