Rose Mavisi, Dr. Gwachi Mayaka and Prof. Wendo Nabea – Laikipia University, Kenya
Email: rosemasai@gmail.com

Abstract: In this paper, bullying was taken as a case study in which the efficacy of literature bibliotheraphy and the perceptions of the teachers about it was assessed. Bibliotherapy is one instructional tool teachers can use to help children and adolescents cope with their diverse needs and life’s challenges like bullying in their respective schools. It is a systematic process of utilizing books to transform traditional reading into an instructional strategy to assist teachers in meeting the needs of all students in schools. For bibliotherapy to be effective, teachers need knowledge of the recommended procedures and understanding of how to guide students through the bibliotherapeutic process like the use of literature books in intervening on the problems affecting secondary school students like bullying. Additionally, teachers need to feel confident in the interventions they are implementing with students. Many teachers do not possess the knowledge of intervention methods to assist their students with non-academic issues in a manner that is sensitive to the emotional and social developmental needs of children and adolescents. This is a significant concern, especially considering that there are millions of secondary teachers in Kenya. Bibliotherapy through the use of literature books like fasihi and other books is one approach for teachers to guide secondary school students in coping with life’s problems and challenges like bullying in schools through developing a better understanding of their experiences, and feelings through the structured utilization of literature. The main objective addressed in this paper was to assess the teacher’s perception on the use of bibliotherapeutic care in public secondary in Kenya to address bullying as one of the problems facing students. A survey research design was employed to assess the perceptions of bibliotherapy quantitatively. According to Creswell (2008), survey design research examines the attitudes, opinions, behaviours, or characteristics of a population by collecting numerical data and statistically analysing the results. Teachers have and continue to use bibliotherapy, either unknowingly or in a simplistic manner without following established guidelines and procedures. However, current usage of literature in the classroom is typically described as story time, read aloud, guided reading, and other methods of using books with the intent of teaching or entertaining students. Students spend approximately 14,000 hours at school from kindergarten through high school graduation. Given the vast amount of time spent in the school setting and the growing non-academic needs of children and adolescents, bibliotherapy represents a valuable tool for educators to meet the needs of their students.

Received September 5, 2019; Reviewed September 15, 2019; Accepted September 16, 2019

Abstract: This study was to analyze whether there were significant differences in perception of stakeholders on quality of the products of Bachelor of education programmes offered in private universities in Tanzania within the framework of the inter-university council of East Africa. Two organisational theories and approaches-open systems and total quality management theory –provided a theoretical lens to explain how various quality variables affect quality of Bachelor of Education programmes offered in private universities in Tanzania. Concurrent embedded mixed-methods design was used in the study, including questionnaires, interview guide, document analysis schedule and observation schedule for triangulation. The sample size comprised of 453 participants including students, lectures, and head of departments, faculty deans, and directors of quality assurance from three private universities offering Bachelor of Education programmes in Tanzania. Quantitative data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics while qualitative data was thematically presented and discussed. The t-test was used to establish whether there was any significant difference in perceptions among stakeholders,while a one-way ANOVA was employed in order to examine the difference in perception across the three universities. The findings revealed that there was a significant difference among stakeholders in the quality of products of the Bachelor of Education programmes offered in private universities in Tanzania. The study concluded that aspects of assessing the quality of products of the Bachelor of education programmes offered in private universities in Tanzania were highly rated and/or perceived positively by stakeholders. This is because stakeholders greatly recognize and consider the influence that quality has on the products of the Bachelor of education programmes. It is therefore recommended that private universities should bring stakeholders onboard for they are key players in determining and ensuring that the quality of Bachelor of education programmes meet and satisfy the requirements, standards and framework of the inter-university council of east Africa-IUCEA.

Received September 4, 2019; Revised September 10, 2019; Accepted September 11, 2019

Abstract:This study set out to assess the contribution of Village Saving and Loan Association to economic empowerment of women in Terekeka County, South Sudan. The key objectives were to examine VSLA empowerment of women towards increase in business income; decision-making process at household and community level, asset ownership at household level and gap identification. Total population of Terekeka is 140,390 people, 1,500 people in the VSLAs but only 300 sampled for research. Questionnaires focus group discussion and key informant interviews were used. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences was used for data analysis. The results indicated that 93.9 percent of the women were able to increase their business income , 97.6 percent experience improved decision making at household and community level while 99.3 percent own assets, either alone ortogether with husband. Identified gapsinclude lack of training opportunities, limited supervision from the projectstaff, insecurity, high taxation and high commodity prices. Women were able to increase theirincome, participate actively in decision making and confer ability to own assets. Purchase and ownership of productive assets such as machinery is still minimal . Stromme Foundation should introduce a wide range of financial services to increase women’s ability to generate and control income and government to invest in time-saving infrastructure.

Received August 25, 2019; Reviewed September 2, 2019; Accepted September 3, 2019

Abstract: Play strengthens all areas of child development socially, emotionally, physically, cognitively, linguistically and literacy. Statistics in Kericho county show that 90% of ECDE teachers do not fully utilize play in ECDE centers. The aim of this study was to examine Teachers’ attitude towards utilization of play in ECDE centres in Kericho Sub-county. The study adopted Piaget’s Intellectual Development Theory (1896-1980). The study adopted mixed methods based on both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The study was conducted in Kericho Sub-County. The target population was 161 head teachers and 347 pre-school teachers, of whom a sample of 48 school heads and 104 pre-school teachers was selected using simple random and stratified sampling techniques from each educational zone in the sub-region. Data was collected using questionnaires, interviews and observations and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results were presented using frequency distribution tables. Qualitative data from interviews and observations were analyzed in topics and categories identifying similarities and differences that appeared. The study established that teachers in Kericho County have a positive attitude towards the utilization of play in ECDE curriculum. The teachers further indicated they believe in various aspects related to play and the ECDE curriculum. Majority strongly believe that children learn through songs, music and drama, need to make connections between concepts through play rather than learning isolated ideas, children should be involved in all-round play activities rather than work activities.

Received September 23, 2018; Revised August 9, 2019; Accepted August 20, 2019

Abstract: Issues of HIV and AIDS which have been very vocal hitherto are gradually disappearing from media forums, yet prevalence rates are not reducing significantly particularly in Kenya. Since teachers are in this milieu of HIV and AIDS, this study was essential to act as surveillance for quality service delivery in the education sector. The research assessed the extent to which the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) HIV and AIDS sub–sector policy has been effective in providing support systems to teachers infected by HIV and AIDS in public secondary schools in Nairobi County, Kenya. Contextual interaction theory guided the study which adopted convergent parallel design. The target population were teachers and TSC officials. Both probability and non–probability sampling techniques were used to arrive at a sample of 233 participants. Data was analyzed using frequencies, categories and hypothesis tested by use of Pearson Product Moment. Findings indicated that TSC HIV and AIDS sub–sector policy implementation has been minimal, nevertheless, teachers’ care and support was dependent of whether the policy had been implemented in schools r=0.258, p < 0.01. HIV positive teachers are perceived to be quite productive by their colleagues although qualitative data showed that they were struggling to keep up. The TSC HIV and AIDS sub–sector policy is key in enhancing the productivity of infected teachers. TSC should therefore increase policy awareness campaigns, provide more funds and institutionalize HIV programs in schools.

Received January 31, 2019; Revised August 4, 2019; Accepted August 18, 2019

Abstract: This study assessed the implications of climate change in northern areas of Lake Victoria Basin around Jinja. It was conducted following unsteady temperature and rainfall patterns with unexplained effects and thus no appropriate responses. Issues of concern wee; to identify factors behind the changes in temperature and patterns of rainfall, to establish implications of the changes in temperature and rainfall patterns on communities, to establish land use patterns that can help to harmonize observed changes in temperature and rainfall patterns and to suggest measures that can be adopted to respond to the effect of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns. A cross sectional survey design was adopted for this study with the aim of collecting data from a sample of 346 respondents using questionnaires in three months. Data was entered into Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) and results generated automatically. It was established that changes in temperature and patterns of rainfall was largely natural and man’s activity mainly burning of fossil fuels in agricultural areas. Changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are associated with drought and floods which result in loss of life and influence growth of crops. The communities around Lake Victoria basin who are victims of changes in temperature and rainfall patterns are advised to plant more trees, desist from depositing industrial waste in water and to seek more information about climate change and the associated impacts. It was therefore recommended that communication be made on a wide scale to inform communities about the effect of climate change to minimize the effects, there is need for investing in new infrastructure, or radically upgrading existing highways and transmission lines, would help cut greenhouse gas emissions and drive economic growth in developing countries. Finally but not the least, community should be sensitized against cutting down trees and balancing the amount of wood taken out with the amount of new trees grown.

Received May 15, 2019; Revised August 8, 2019; Accepted August 15, 2019

Abstract: This paper presents the pillars of effective performance of Health Unit Management Committees (HUMCs) in Eastern Uganda. It checks out for the current system through which HUMCs perform their duties, and the kind of support they need to be reinforced. The study population comprised 144 HUMCs in 12 facilities. Data was collected using interview guide with unstructured questions and predominantly structured questionnaire. Were obtained and presented largely using descriptive approach. According to results, the pillars for effective performance of HUMCs include training of HUMCs; meetings with district health leaders to get current information on status of health in the district, having meetings with the District Health Teams especially for purposes of making accountabilities, and sanctioning of rewards especially where products of effective performance are not viewed. The investigation also maintained that quite often, monitoring enhances performance of HUMCs given the fact that they are always at health facilities scarcely expecting their work to be monitored. Recommendations were indicated a need to initiate and maintain a high level of financial inputs to ease facilitation and register good performance of HUMCs, and that the ministry of health is not in direct contact with HUMCs, thus there is no transparency and accountability for all services from HUMCs to MoH or from district to HUMCs as directed by the MoH. It would therefore be recommendable to have an approach that enables HUMCs to deliver information that would otherwise not be handled at the district level.

Received May 14, 2019; Revised August 5, 2019; Accepted August 14, 2019

Abstract: This study is about community based maternal/newborn care through included formation of “Local Motorcycle (Boda-boda) Transport System” (LBTS) with the local boda-boda riders, Box saving, and the “Mama – Boda-boda Transport Connect” targeting a set of mothers, community health workers and boda-boda riders with the aim of increasing access to health facility care. Stakeholder analysis was undertaken to assess and map stakeholders’ interests, influence/power and position in relation to the interventions; their views regarding the success and sustainability; and how this research can influence policy formulation in the country. The study used an open 2 arm cluster non-randomized control trial study design; with an intervention and control groups from communities with the selected health facilities as the units of non-randomization. Community engagement was done in eight sub counties. Four sub counties were for intervention arm and other four sub counties for the control arm. Community engagements were in form of dialogue/community meetings and focus group discussions (FGDs). The analysis revealed that most of the stakeholders at the community highly supported the proposed integrated maternal newborn care package. At least 83.4% of the mothers in the intervention arm used boda-boda riders compared to 50.9% in the control arm in the post intervention. The community concluded that the proposed interventions should ensure active involvement of local stakeholders in the implementation of the projects so that they can move from being passive supporters to active drivers of the work in Uganda. Research to policy translation, therefore, is required with mutual trust, continued dialogue and engagement of the researchers, implementers and policy makers to enable scale up.

Department of Health Management and Informatics, Kenyatta University, Kenya.

Corresponding author: davidmuwanguzi@yahoo.com
Received May 14, 2019; Revised July 28, 2019; Accepted August 14, 2019

Abstract: Community participation has been emphasized internationally as a way of enhancing accountability, as well as a means to enhance health goals in terms of coverage, access and effective utilization. As a result, countries have embraced and supported introduction of Health Unit Management Committees in rural health facilities (Goodman and
Apwora, 2011). This study was conducted to establish the relationship between training of Health Unit Management Committees (HUMCs) and performance of health centers in Eastern Uganda. This study employed a mixed methods approach within a pre-post randomized community trial study design to explain how training of HUMCs triggers improved performance of health centres. The unit of analysis in the study was the response of the performance of Health Centres to training of the members of HUMC. Clinical outputs like Out-Patient Department (OPD attendances, deliveries
in health facilities, immunization coverage). Twelve health centres were selected for in-depth intervention study in the experimental arm and twelve health centres were selected in the control arm for this study on training of HUMCs to stimulate productivity of the health centres. This study, established that training increases level of trust between HUMCs and health workers thereby leading to a highly motivated workforce. Their motivation was shown in the significantly high level of dedication to their duty; positive correlation values despite the myriad challenges facing their facilities such as drug stock-outs, high demand for services against a thin workforce, and limited facility resources. The study recommends
that for effective performance of Health Unit Management Committees, the central government, through Ministry of Health should organize training sessions at District levels so that each year, there are new skills they receive.

Received June 30, 2019; Revised September 18; Accepted September 29, 2019

Abstract: The impact of globalization has been felt in Kenya, especially in education, just like the other parts of the world. Education, especially teacher education and development, is tasked to address itself to the rising individual, economic, social, and technical concerns. It is on this premise that the Kenyan Government has given priority to curriculum reforms as manifested in competency based curriculum. Teachers, trainers and lecturers are significant resources in the learning and teaching environment and their preparation and constant professional progression, though confronted with many challenges, it is crucial to the realization of the vision and aspirations of the country. Measures to advance teaching and learning practices so as to realize suitably skilled human personnel for the nation are necessary. A teacher or trainer in this context refers to anybody who divulges skills, competencies, knowledge and attitudes to trainees through accepted pedagogical preparation program and has achieved credited documentation. Reflections on essential teacher education curriculum reforms to realign teacher education to be in tandem with new constitution, vision 2030 and competency based approach in Kenya will be discussed in this theoretical paper, which will be valuable to stakeholders keen to execute the ongoing competency-based curriculum in Kenya.