Social Studies

The rapid rate of uncontrolled urban development is becoming a major challenge facing policy makers in the urban areas. Increase in population demands has led to high demand for housing hence scramble for space. This paper gives an overview of the global and local situation in regard to the adverse effects of uncontrolled urban development on the basic amenities in sub-saharan Africa. The paper was based on Mann’s Urban Model which emphasizes the need for a systematic growth of urban centers in a more concentric and planned manner. It was based on a study undertaken in Eldoret town; Kenya strives to discuss uncontrolled urban development and its mitigations. It was a case study, focusing on two informal settlements: Langas and Munyaka selected purposely. The two settlements were selected for study due to; the high density and consolidation and they are settlements outlying on the urban periphery with lack of appropriate infrastructure, poor maintenance regimes, overcrowding, uncontrolled and conflicting land uses. Arising from the study is that lack of adequate professional planners private land owners are not exposed to proper professional advice resulting in land use plans which reflect the wishes of land owners. People find immediate, although substandard, solutions to their occupation problem which carries a negative impact for the overall urban structure. It limits the expansion of infrastructure, Illegal connection, Vandalism of water transmission lines, poses a serious health hazard of the town and pressures on service and utility systems, hence system overload. This study recommends that, the current cadastral system in the different counties should provide useful information for formulating development plans, which will form a basis of managing the expansion of medium sized towns.

The present paper addresses the differential effect on students’ general comprehension taught through modular and traditional teaching approaches at secondary school level. The study was conducted in one male and one female secondary school. Sample for conducting experiment was selected randomly from population of grade 9 students. Data was obtained through administration of general comprehension based teacher-made test. The data was analyzed by applying statistical package for social science through independent sample t test. Conclusions showed that there were significant differences between modular and traditional in general comprehension of students’. Findings depicted that students taught through modular approach gained higher mean score in teacher made general comprehension-based test than students taught through traditional approach. Findings reported significant gender difference in general comprehension of male and female students where male students performed significantly better than female students on general comprehension based test.

This study used descriptive survey design using both qualitative and quantitative approaches because it intended to avail useful detailed information on impacts of natural resource conflicts on agricultural activities of the Arror community in Baringo North Sub-County. The study was carried out in Baringo North Sub County, Baringo County. The sub-county has been a setting of numerous resources use conflicts. Baringo North Sub-County has a total population of 93,789 but only 19,734 household heads were targeted, 14 local administrations (chiefs), 1 National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA) representative. The research instruments that were employed in collection of data in this study were structured questionnaires and interview schedules. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics; frequencies and percentages. The results revealed that conflict on resources have affected agricultural activities. Some of these conflicts include cattle rustling, water related conflicts, and land based conflicts and human wildlife conflict. These conflicts have resulted to burning of plants, closure of Agro vet shops and eventually reduced agricultural production. In the case of cattle rustling, there is restricted movement of animals hence only a few of the cows can be reared. Animals are therefore sold at a loss due to cattle rustling. Further, conflict on water resources has made the respondents to buy water as well as dig boreholes that are costly. As evidenced in the findings, natural resource conflicts have a negative effect on agricultural activities. It leads to reduced agricultural production and restricted movement of animals.

This study analyses peer tutoring sessions of two groups of advanced diploma financial accounting students with mixed proficiency. Many studies in peer tutoring have highlighted the positive results of the approach due to the scaffolding process which promotes effective learning. Hence, in this study, much emphasis is placed on the scaffolding element. The students’ peer-tutoring sessions in analysing case studies were video-taped and they were followed by the production of individual student diary entries and interviews in order to increase understanding of the experience gained during the sessions. In addition, the researcher’s observation notes were analysed to increase understanding of the group process. The findings reveal that the scaffolding process was evident during the peer tutoring. It resulted in the tutors assisting the tutees in increasing understanding, clarifying ideas, gaining new information, organising their answers, and improving their command of English. Therefore, peer tutoring is advocated in helping less capable students to learn effectively from their more capable peers.

The Right to information Act, 2005 which came fully into effect on 12 October, 2005 and this is one of the most significant legislation enacted by the Parliament of India. This Act enables the establishment of an unprecedented regime of right to information for the citizens of the country. It overrides the ‘Official Secrets Act’ and similar laws/rules. It strikes at the heart of the paradigm long practiced by Government officials and public functionaries that ‘confidentiality is the rule and disclosure is an exception’. The Act seeks to establish that “transparency is the norm and secrecy is an exception” in the working of every public authority. It aims to ensure maximum openness and transparency in the machinery and functioning of Government at all levels: Central, State and Local. This article is to study on the awareness of RTI Act through media

Democracy needs to be clearly understood before we can appreciate the roles of the judiciary in its sustenance. It is a form of government that is responsive, responsible and guarantees to the citizens, the inalienable rights of freedom of choice, freedom of association, right to shelter, freedom from discrimination, right to clothing and unqualified respect for the rule of law. This is a form of government that connotes collective participation and despotism, tyranny and totalitarianism. On the whole, democracy according to Abraham Lincoln is the government of the people, by the people, and for the people. For effective administration of justice in a democracy, courts have definite and decisive roles to play. Courts are Government institutions that settle legal disputes and administer justice. The judiciary arm of government, resolves conflicts involving individuals, organizations, government and political parties. It also has the power to review the actions of both the executives and the legislature. Although, lack of judicial independence affects the performance of the judges in Nigeria, when it comes to judicial review and delivering justice. Nevertheless, with numerous constraints facing the institution, it manages to provide fair justice to poor people and powerless individuals. The judiciary arm of government now remains the faith of Nigerians in bringing justice to reign in Nigeria, due to its numerous landmark achievements recorded so far. This paper seeks to examine the role of judiciary in entrenching democratic values in the present day Nigeria. Our focus, however, shall be on the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan.

The topic “Fuel subsidy removal and Nigeria economy” was selected from the verities of topic due to the inspiration the research felt forms the topic. Petroleum is the major source of income of Nigeria and it determines most of other aspect of lifes and sectors of the economy. He researcher examines how Nigerians reacted towards the fuel subsidy removal, the strikes, violent demonstrations, high cost of fuel and transportation, high cost of food items and so on. This motivated the research to carry out this research. The research tries to find out how the subsidy removal on fuel has affected the economy and the lifes of the people, he developed so theories (3) which he used to explain the topic and from the research he discovered that majority of Nigerian did not benefit from the fuel subsidy removal as it was mainly enjoyed by rich fuel importers. Also it was discovered that the removal of fuel subsidy lead to an imbalance in the economic sector as prices of goods and services rise drastically leading to protest, strikes, low standard of living in inflation. Finally, the researcher discovered that the fuel subsidy regime is very corrupt, this is because good sum of money were missing and misused and cannot be accounted for. The money gotten from the subsidy removal was supposed to be channeled into other aspect of the economy but this was not the case because there was low impact in Agricultural sector, infrastructures and provision of basic social amenities. Therefore, he discovered that if the other sectors of the economy are in a very good shape, it will go a long way in sustaining and reviving the economy and promote growth and development in Nigeria.

Cultural resources are pivoted to the development of heritage industry, tourism and economic fortune of a nation. Nigeria has a diverse and rich heritage consisting of natural and cultural sites of universal importance. Economy and cultural imperatives are recognized as the most powerful forces shaping human development. This paper looks at how preserving and promoting cultural heritage is fundamental to the eradication of poverty and usher in peace and harmony and the importance of community participation in implementing such measures. The paper examines federal government policy and the practical challenges of empowering people to harness the economic potentials of their cultural heritage for their material benefits. And there fore recommend the need for the federal , State and Local Government to put in place measures by which youths amongst others are empowered thereby reduction of poverty through the exploitation of our cultural heritage.

This article examines the historical development of ethnicity in the Nigerian political terrain. It posits that the distinguishing feature of Nigerian politics is the role played by ethnicity in staunting the task of national development. It argues that federalism in Nigeria is a farce, as the major ethnic nationalities monopolize political power for self interest. This ethnic consciousness heightened political competition at the centre resulting in the social, political, administrative and cultural maladies that bedevil Nigeria. it concludes that elites crude accumulation for personal wealth field crisis, instability and violence which affected national development efforts.

The aim of the study was to assess the anxiety, social skills and coping skills of underprivileged children. The objective was to undergo transformation for better adaptability with self and environment by integrating thoughts, feelings and behavior through art. These children were in the age of M- 10.6 years, SD-0.5 and education M-15.06 years, SD- 0.45, from a village in Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. Intellectual functioning of these children was below average in vernacular system of education in their area. Gestalt therapy was applied through art and creative activities to reduce anxiety of children and increase their social and coping skills. In the Experimental group 15 boys and girls were exposed to Gestalt therapy for three months thrice a week. The control group was seen once in a week for the same period which also consisted of 15 boys and girls. Pre and post measures were assessed on Paediatric Anxiety Rating Scale, Social Skills Form and Children’s Coping Behaviour Questionnaire for the assessment of their, anxiety, social and coping skills respectively. Parents and teachers were also involved in the process of assessment and evaluation. Intellectual functioning was assessed through Standard Progressive Matrices. Outcome variables of Paediatric Anxiety Rating Scale suggested reduction in their anxiety and increase in verbal pragmatics and social behaviour following diminution of fear and avoidance as per findings on Social Skills Form. Children’s ameliorative coping augmented than destructive coping in their day to day life. The results showed an improvement in the level of severity of anxiety symptoms and coping strategies – problem solving. The severity of anxiety symptoms showed a decrease by 35%.The coping skills – problem solving improved by 25%.