Social Sciences

The purpose of the study was to examine the influence of monitoring and evaluation of stakeholder participation on implementation of infrastructure projects in public secondary school in Kakamega County, Kenya. The target population was principals, Board of Management chairpersons, Parents Association chairpersons and Sub County Education officers. Stratified sampling and purposive sampling technique were used to select respondents. A sample size of 316 respondents was selected comprising of 101 principals, 101 Board of Management chairpersons, 101 Parents Association chairpersons and 13 Sub County Education officers. Primary data was collected from the respondents using questionnaires and interview schedule. Qualitative data was analyzed qualitatively using content analysis based on meanings and implications emanating from respondent’s information. Data from questionnaires was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Descriptive statistics consisted of frequencies, percentages, mean, and standard deviation. Inferential statistics consisted linear and multiple regression analysis. Based on the multiple regression model, the coefficient of determination (R squared) of .392, showing that 39.2% of the variation in monitoring and evaluation was explained by implementation of infrastructure projects. The study concludes that monitoring and evaluation of stakeholder participation, monitoring and evaluation of financial resource, monitoring and evaluation of human capacity, monitoring and evaluation of time allocation and monitoring and evaluation of public accountability had a significant influence on implementation of infrastructure projects in public secondary school in Kakamega County. The study recommended that schools should ensure that all the stakeholders are involved in the M&E of school projects. The study also recommends that there should be clear allocation of finances for M&E, staff hiring, staff training, equipment, environment setting, project supervision and the budgeting of financial resources by stakeholders.

This study aims to examine the relationship of school environment with the participation of students in extra-curricular activities in schools in the State of Johor. This quantitative research using survey method through a questionnaire. A total of 225 teachers Advisor co-curricular activities were randomly selected from 21 schools. Survey instruments used in this study may be modified based on the "School-Level Environment Questionnaire" to assess the school environment and the "National Survey of Student Engagement 2011" to measure student involvement in extra-curricular activities. Correlation analysis shows there is a significant relationship (r = 0.294, p = 0.00) between the school environment with the participation of students in extra-curricular activities. The findings indicate that the school environment is a significant factor in improving student involvement in extra-curricular activities.

The use of pesticides on the farm is largely governed by voluntary behavior. It is important to understand what drives farmer’s behavior of pesticide use. Health belief models in public health and social psychology argue that persons who have had adverse health experiences are likely to undertake greater preventive behavior which is tested here. A survey of 163 farmers was drawn in Vehari and Lodhran district of southern Punjab. Almost all the farmers were found using pesticides extensively and covering their body partially. Resultantly more than 77% farmers experienced at least one health symptom. The analysis appeared to confirm the hypothesis that farmers who have experienced health problems from pesticide use are having heightened concern about health effects of pesticides than farmers who have not experienced such problems. Farmers who report experiencing such problems are also more likely to report using protective clothing than farmers who do not report having such problems. The study however, does not support the hypothesis that farmers who have had experienced health problems from pesticides are likely to use alternative pest management practices. Finally study concludes that to improve practices of pesticide use, specific and relevant information through training programs should be provided to farmers, focusing health and environmental risks of pesticide use.

One of the major concerns that Christian churches in Africa face today is the issue of church music and worship styles. The general purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Contemporary Christian Music on the faith of the adherents of SDA Church members in Kisumu East Sub-county. The objectives of this study were: Establish the standard of the SDA criteria of good Church music, Identify the difference between music of the SDA church and CCM that are incorporated in the SDA churches in Kisumu East Sub-county, Examine the effects of CCM on the faith of the adherents of SDA Church members in Kisumu East Sub-county and Determine the response given by church members on the use of CCM in SDA churches in Kisumu East Sub-county. The theoretical framework was anchored on secularization theory which tries to explain postmodernism. This theory puts emphasis on a con-junction of cultural conditions, structural changes, and specific historical events. Descriptive research design was adopted for this study. The study population was 2132 adherents comprising of both adults and the young people in Kisumu East in Kisumu County. Proportional sampling was used. A sample of 322 is recommended by Morgan and Krejcie for the total population of 2132.This study utilized purposive sampling to select 8 Choir Leaders and 1 Pastor due to their roles. The sample therefore comprised a total of 78 key informants. Interviews, group discussion and questionnaires were used to collect data from the sampled respondents. The test-retest approach was used to determine the reliability of the research instruments and validity of the instruments was ascertained by presenting the questionnaires and interview guide to experts who are authorities in the study area for scrutiny and advice on the instruments. Qualitative thematic analysis was the main method adopted in analyzing data. The researcher found out that despite the original music that congregations sing with use of hymnal books the current practice in worship is contrary. The lives of those who accept this responsibility must be as distinctive as their message. This study concluded that there is need for total commitment by each church member to the ideals and objectives of the Church. Such commitment will affect every department of church life and will certainly influence the music used by the Church in fulfillment of its God-given commission. Therefore the study recommended that Efforts should be made by the local church leaders and conference leaders to train more choir leaders taking them to church seminars to learn more and in turn teach their members. To this end the trained music personnel should be used in musical training and activities so that the lofty ideals of worship be effectively promoted.

The concept of independence, central to self-regulated learning (SRL), differs from interdependence, the focus of learning communities. However, a hybridization of the two conceptualizations is not inimical. In fact, careful consideration of the thrust towards constructivist learning environments and the development of effective learning communities makes self-regulated learning an imperative in education at all levels. This is because self-regulated learning enhances learning outcomes and engagement in the learning process for both teachers and students. Learning communities have also been noted for their ability to enhance engagement, improve achievement, and facilitate authentic learning. Teachers are aware of the value of self-regulated learning (SRL), however, the extent to which it is perceived as critical to the success of effective learning communities is taken for granted. This position paper argues for the incorporation of SRL into the learning community pedagogic framework. In this context, the value and operationalization of SRL will be explored through explication of SRL studies implemented in real classrooms. Particular emphasis will be placed on the ways in which the aims of SRL and learning community pedagogies meet and diverge and the manner in which essential features the two might be integrated to enhancing the latter.

Kenya is vulnerable to natural disasters like floods, which are expected to become more common as a result of climate change. Flooding is one of the natural hazards that is catastrophic in nature and affects human settlements, infrastructure, and livelihoods. The objective of the study was to investigate the factors influencing the integration of GIS, community coping strategies, and local knowledge in flood management in Narok Town, Kenya. This study adopted an analytic cross-sectional study design and an exploratory approach. The study population comprised of households within Narok Town. The sampling unit was a single household while the household head was the unit of analysis. A stratified random sampling technique was used to select 385 households from the different zones in the town. A structured flood coping mechanism questionnaire was used to collect data from the household head while Key informant interview guide and focus group discussion was used to gather qualitative information. Descriptive statistics included the mean, standard deviation, percentages, chi-square test were used to analyze data. Analysis was done using SPSS version 24.0 and Quantum Geographic information System to generate data and information on community coping mechanisms, geospatial patterns of floods, and perception about floods in Narok town. Qualitative analysis was analyzed through the use of secondary literature while quantitative data was analyzed through the inferential statistics Fisher’s exact test, Analysis of variance, correlation, and logistic regression. The study findings showed that there is low integration of household knowledge, coping strategies, and Geographic Information systems in flood management among residents of Narok Town. The study finding established that education, Income, and government policies influenced the integration of local knowledge, coping strategies, and GIS integration in flood management. The finding implied that households’ heads' education, income, and awareness of existing government policy on flood disaster management significantly strengthened integration of local knowledge, coping mechanism, GIS integration in flood management.

The implementation of instructional materials for foreign language teaching forms the basis of language use providing linguistic input and explicit language practice for learners. In this sense, materials development and design is of paramount importance regarding the needs of the learners in order to keep up with innovations together with the requirements formalized by the rapidly changing needs of an information society. Herein, Turkey, as a developing country, is to redefine its national educational objectives and the curriculum to integrate instructional technologies into teaching. Within the scope of this article, the background information (aims, reasons, influences, institutional structuring) underlying the process of materials development and design within the scope of Ministry of National Education (henceforth MONE) in Turkey along with cross-over educational trends, policy directives and responses to technology has been probed into including the years from 1923 to 2015. Additionally, recent changes in Turkish education system have been scrutinized.

Students’ satisfaction has become an essence of success in today’s highly competitive world. In service industry specifically the education industry, communication is vital to determine students’ satisfaction. Past researches indicated that, most meaning of conversational messages comes from non-verbal communication. Therefore, this study intended to examine the relationship of non-verbal communication cues to students’ satisfaction. A total of 300 respondents were sampled from all around UiTM Kedah. They were evaluated on their perception on lecturers’ non-verbal communication behavior that would lead to their satisfaction to the services provided. The results of the study illustrate that three of the non-verbal communication cues were significant and positively related to students’ satisfaction. Kinesics and paralanguage was rated as among the non-verbal communication cues that provided the most impact on students’ satisfaction. However the result also indicated that there was no significant relationship between physical appearances of the lecturers to the students’ satisfaction. Overall, students’ in UiTM Kedah are fairly satisfied with the non-verbal communication cues of the lecturers. The present study caters for a wide spectrum of students and development professionals, especially those who are interested in non-verbal communication related issues. It is highly hoped that the information gleaned from the present study may assist all service employees specifically in understanding better, the importance of non-verbal communication and its effects on students’ satisfaction.

This paper discusses the emergence of Sungusungu vigilante group among Abagusii of western Kenya. In doing so the paper appreciates the ineffectiveness of state security agencies in crime prevention and control to its emergence. However, the paper goes further to demonstrate that the social, economic and political changes which the community has experienced since colonial period is equally important in understanding the emergence of this vigilante group.

This study attempts to reinterpret language learning motivation through applying the new theory of the L2 Motivational Self System by Dörnyei (2005, 2009), which has not received due attention and consideration in the context of foreign language. The overriding aim guiding this research was to empirically examine how three main components of the mentioned theory, namely, the ideal L2 self, the ought-to L2 self and the L2 learning experiences, were related to the motivated learning behavior among elementary and advanced EFL learners. The study was designed using a mixed methods approach, with a primary quantitative research instrument being supported by secondary qualitative data. The main quantitative instrument was an attitudinal questionnaire conducted among 142 elementary and advanced EFL learners in both sexes, in two English language institutions in Isfahan, Iran. The qualitative data was collected from a set of interviews with a total of 8 female learners of English in the same places. Analysis of the achieved data provided convincing support for four claims. Firstly, the findings confirmed that the Dörnyei’s (2005, 2009) L2 Motivational Self System can be validated in the Iranian context. Second, the ideal L2 self and L2 learning experiences represented a significant relationship with motivated learning behavior in both groups, while the relation between ought-to L2 self and motivated learning behavior was significant but weak in case of elementary, and non-significant in case of advanced students. Third, the research found that among the three dependent variables, the L2 learning experiences had the most significant relationship with L2 motivation than the other two. Finally, it was shown by the achieved data that the L2 learning experiences and the ought-to L2 self were considerably higher for elementary students, whereas the ideal L2 self was fairly the same for both groups.