School of Education and Social sciences
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Item Influence of Political and Cultural Factors on Education in Kenya: Approaches to Build Competencies(2015-05) Kiambati, Kellen; Itunga, JuliusEducation has received considerable attention worldwide; however, its low success rate in Kenya both in terms of quality and quantity warrants further investigation. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of political and cultural factors on education. The political factor constitutes government resource support, internet and policy on quality of teachers whereas the cultural factor focuses on early marriages, polygamy and female genital mutilations. Drawing on the theory of source-position performance, source of education should be promoted through various approaches. In the paper we propose a couple of approaches to build capability.Item GENDER, LAND OWNERSHIP AND FOOD PRODUCTION NEXUS IN MBEERE DRYLANDS, KENYA: IMPLICATIONS ON HOUSEHOLD FOOD SECURITY(2018) Mwenzwa, Ezekiel; Cheserek, Grace; Kiptui, MarkLand ownership gives an individual the confidence and dignity required to be active in society. Indeed, land ownership and rights are important for effective utilization of farmland for food production to alleviate food insecurity and revitalize household welfare and national development. While the foregoing is the ideal situation, the reality is that culture and gender dictates who owns land especially when customary laws seem to override any legal and policy provisions regarding land ownership, access and control. In particular, women are largely land caretakers, with men owning most of the land, titled or otherwise. Based on the foregoing, this paper sought to identify gender and land ownership structures in the context of dryland farming and their implications on household food security in the Mbeere drylands of Embu County. It utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of social investigation and concluded that while many factors combine to determine food production and food security, inadequate access to and control of land and related resources by women in the Mbeere drylands is significant. Consequently and given the environmental and cultural milieu on which land is utilized, measures have been proposed to augment dryland farming and alleviate food insecurity in the Mbeere drylands.Item Gender, Land Ownership and Food Production Nexus in Mbeere Drylands, Kenya: Implications on Household Food Security(European Journal Of Social Sciences Studies, 2018) Mwenzwa, Ezekiel; Cheserek, Grace; Kiptui, MarkLand ownership gives an individual the confidence and dignity required to be active in society. Indeed, land ownership and rights are important for effective utilization of farmland for food production to alleviate food insecurity and revitalize household welfare and national development. While the foregoing is the ideal situation, the reality is that culture and gender dictates who owns land especially when customary laws seem to override any legal and policy provisions regarding land ownership, access and control. In particular, women are largely land caretakers, with men owning most of the land, titled or otherwise. Based on the foregoing, this paper sought to identify gender and land ownership structures in the context of dryland farming and their implications on household food security in the Mbeere drylands of Embu County. It utilized both qualitative and quantitative methods of social investigation and concluded that while many factors combine to determine food production and food security, inadequate access to and control of land and related resources by women in the Mbeere drylands is significant. Consequently, and given the environmental and cultural milieu on which land is utilized, measures have been proposed to augment dryland farming and alleviate food insecurity in the Mbeere drylands.Item RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGES FACING RE-INTEGRATION OF WOMEN EXOFFENDERS IN NYERI COUNTY, KENYA(2019-12) Muthee, John Mbai; Barasa, Francis O.; Adeli, ScholasticaThe comparative rate of women entering the formal correctional system and serving custodial sentences, both in prison and prison remand awaiting trial, is on the increase. This is accompanied by a similarly increasing number of women eventually exiting prisons annually. This study sought to investigate the Relationship challenges influencing re-integration of women exoffenders in Nyeri County, Kenya. Labeling and the social bond theories provided the theoretical framework. Case study design was used. With the site selection and sampling procedure being purposive, respondents were picked through snowballing until saturation was attained with a sample size of 41 women ex-convicts. The Key informants and Focused group discussants were also purposively selected. Data was collected by use of semi-structured interview schedule orally administered through personal face-to-face interviews and field sheets. The results showed that change in relationships between the ex-convicts, their families and significant members in the community were the major issues that the ex-convicts faced. Some indicated that they had good relationships while others had strained relationships, both before and during incarceration or even after release. Research on methods to smoothen the relationships between female convicts and their families and the communities they are released into is recommended in order to ameliorate the process of reentry and re-integration. Understanding relationships’ related challenges is significant in successfully reintegrating back into the community for the women returnees in the Kenyan context.Item Effects of External Circumstances on the Implementation of the Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS in Public Secondary Schools in Kajiado County(2018-09-14) Wanjira, Lucy; Kitainge, KisiluThe effectiveness of an organization is reflected in its ability to not only formulate policy but also execute such policies. The Ministry of Education Science and Technology (MoEST) developed the Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS in 2004 and tasked school managers amongst other stakeholders with implementation. Care and support of learners made vulnerable by HIV and AIDS in academic institutions has been advanced by the government following realization that there is need to ensure that their academic journeys are not interrupted. This study investigated the effects of external circumstances on the implementation of the Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS and on provision of care and support to orphaned and vulnerable learners (OVLs). The study was carried out in Kajiado County. The study employed descriptive research design. The study targeted public secondary schools in the County. Simple random sampling was used to sample twenty four schools across the five sub counties of Kajiado County. Purposive sampling was used thereafter to select head teachers, deputy head teachers, class teachers and guidance and counselling teachers in the sampled schools and who were the respondents in this study. To collect data, questionnaires and interviews were used. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze data. The study findings indicated that external circumstances influence implementation of the Education Sector Policy on HIV and AIDS and on provision of care and support to OVLs. The study recommended that there was need to facilitate further training of respondents in counselling and on HIV and AIDS in schools. The study further recommended that school managers rally the support of local authorities in implementation of the policy and that teachers be given incentives to attract them to willingly participate in HIV and AIDS related programs and activities in schools.Item Evaluation of Involvement of Faith Based Clubs in Management of Discipline among Learners. A case of Public Secondary Schools in Kiambu, Murang’a and Kirinyaga Counties, Kenya.(2018-12-31) Njanja, Susan W.This paper evaluates the involvement of faith based clubs in management of discipline among learners in public secondary schools in Kiambu, Murang’a and Kirinyaga Counties, Kenya. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for the study. The target population comprised of 351 teachers and 351 principals. The study sampled 10% of the population which comprised 35 teachers and 35 principals using simple random sampling technique. Data was collected by means of a questionnaire administered to the sampled respondents. Piloting of the instruments was conducted in-order to determine both reliability and validity of the research instruments. Alpha coefficient of 0.703 was obtained for the tool. Data analysis revealed that most of the schools had faith based programmes that were relevant to management of student discipline. However, the overall computed mean score = 0.19, s=.34) on a scale of 0-4, for involvement of faith based clubs in management of students discipline in schools indicated that the level of involvement of faith based clubs and societies in management of student discipline were very low. The study concluded that in view of the revelation that faith based clubs and societies play a crucial role in the management of students discipline in secondary schools there is need to assert their authority fully as key stakeholders in education. Based on the findings of this paper, it is recommended that there is need to support measures that strengthen faith based clubs and societies in secondary schools for inclusive discipline management practices that take into consideration all education stakeholders.Item Risk Factors associated with Intestinal Parasitic Infections on School Children in Thika District, Central Kenya(African Journal of Health Sciences, 2015-10) Ngonjo, T.W; J, Kihara; A, Njoka; M, Gicheru; P, Wanzala; C, MwandawiroThe effective prevention and control of intestinal parasitic infections requires the identification of risk factors that contribute to their transmission, among high risk groups. Objectives: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of intestinal parasitic infections among school children in public primary schools in Thika district. Methods: A cross-sectional study, involving 377 schoolchildren, was conducted in Thika District Central Kenya. Interviews, observation, and anthropometric indices assessment were used to identify the risk factors predisposing the children to infections with parasites. Stool specimens were examined using Katz method for helminthes and formal ether concentration techniques for protozoan infections. Data was analysed using SPSS version. Results: Ten species of intestinal parasites were identified. Ascaris lumbricoides 74 (19.6%) and hookworm 50 (13.3%) while Entamoeba histolytica and Entamoeba coli were the common protozoa in the study area. A higher prevalence of Ascaris lumbricoides was reported among children in the slums. Entamoeba histolytica infection was associated with eating raw tubers and fruits (p< 0.001) in rural children. Iodamoeba bustchili infection was significantly associated with stunted children in rural children. Several factors contribute to high prevalence of intestinal parasites in school going children in Thika DistrictItem Managerial Skills and Corporate Strategic Planning(International Journal of Management Science and Business Administration, 2016) Kiambati, Kellen; Itunga, JuliusThe aim of this study is to establish the relationship between managerial skills and corporate strategic planning. The study was premised on increased call to meticulous strategic planning in all organizations across all sectors in Kenya. A close examination of existing literature showed that very little has been done in the area of evidence-based strategic planning. Public and private institutions participated in this study. The findings showed a positive and significant relationship between managerial skills and corporate strategic planning. The implication of the findings for management is to give more attention to managerial skills.Item Influence of Principals’ Collaborative Practices on Students’ Performance in Secondary Schools in Murang’a and Kirinyaga Counties, Kenya(Journal of Education, 2019-11) Irungu, Cecilia; Kagema, Josphat; Gachahi, MichaelDespite the fact that Kenyan children have more opportunities to attend school, there still remains large gaps in learning outcomes. This stagnation in learning is confirmed by results of national examinations including Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE). According to KCSE examinations results analysis, performance in secondary schools in different parts of Kenya is still below expectations and this trend is worrying. The number of students in Murang’a and Kirinyaga Counties who have continuously scored grade D+ and below every year have consistently remained high compared to those attaining university minimum admission grade of C+ and above. This low performance has persisted despite most schools having adequate and well trained teachers as well as adequate facilities. This study examined the influence of principals’ collaborative practices on students’ performance in Murang’a and Kirinyaga Counties, Kenya. The study involved a sample of 205 principals and 367 teachers selected from 436 secondary schools in the two counties. The researchers used validated questionnaires and interview schedules to collect data from teachers and principals respectively. Data was analysed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. The study established that principals’ promotion of collaborative practices was higher in Kirinyaga than in Murang’a County. It was noted that secondary schools in Kirinyaga County post better results in KCSE than those in Murang’a County and the study concluded that collaborative practices enhanced academic performance. This study recommended that principals should promote collaborative practices in their schools. This can be done through engaging stakeholders in networking and linkages that promote collaboration and can lead to better academic performance.Item The Relationship between Psychosocial Preparation for Retirement and Quality of Life of Retirees in Kenya(Research Publish Journals, 2016-09) Thuku, Pauline; Maina, Lucy; Gecaga, MargaretAs the Kenya government works towards improving the Quality of life (QoL) of all people, that of retirees requires special attention. This is because they have to undergo the retirement transition that significantly influences QoL. Research has established a significant positive relationship between retirement preparation and QoL. Hence, the relevant policies and institutional frameworks to promote QoL in retirement have been put in place. However, studies show that retirees in Kenya continue to experience many challenges. This study was therefore conducted to assess the relationship between psychosocial retirement preparation and QoL with a view to delineating the significant predictors of QoL. From a target population of 4,469 retirees, ten percent was sampled for the study. Purposive, cluster, simple random and stratified random sampling methods were used to select 447 respondents. Quantitative data was collected using interview schedules and analyzed quantitatively. FGD guides were used to collect data from participants and analyzed thematically. The study found that most respondents (82.25 percent) had not adequately prepared for retirement in the psychosocial domain. Consequently, less than half (41.5 percent) of them experienced a high QoL in retirement. QoL was found to be positively related to social support and a diversity of pre-retirement activities that translated in greater satisfaction at retirement. In view of this, the study recommends that psychosocial preparation for retirement be emphasized as a critical component of the retirement preparation process.