Received January 9, 2020; Revised March 1, 2020; Accepted March 28, 2020

Abstract: The demand for fertilizer increases with the demand for food as more fertilizer is needed to increase production. This paper assesses the effects, procedures, uses and challenges of human urine as a fertilizer to vegetables growing in Kitemu Zone, Kyengera Town Council (KTC). A case-study design and qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches were used for this paper. Forty five vegetable growers were targeted, of whom 40 were determined using Krejcie and Morgan. Results reveal that human urine is readily available and inexpensive, improves soil and fertility and plant quality, controls and repels pests, increases farmers’ incomes and livelihoods and reduces food contamination and chemical fertilizer use. However, the acceptance of using human urine as fertilizer has many limitations, including low consumption rate of water and soft foods, cultural beliefs, inadequate knowledge about the use of human urine, odour, shame, suspicion and environmental conditions. The paper recommends that KTC should sensitize households on the values of human urine, promote gender sensitivity in human urine collection, storage and application, and demonstration centres should offer short-term courses to households on how to use human urine fertilizer.

Received December 31, 2020; Revised March 29, Accepted March 31, 2020

Abstract: Pre-school education is fundamental in providing foundation for learning. In the recent years, there has been noted decline trend nationally in the transition of learners from Early Years of Education (EYE) to primary schools in Belgut Sub-County as per 2018 published Sub-County Education Office report. This study investigated school-based factors influencing learner retention in public pre-schools. The study specifically sort out to; find out the learning activities influencing learner retention and explore the school environment influence on learner retention in public pre-schools in Belgut Sub- County. The study was anchored on Maslow theory. Descriptive research design was adopted. The study targeted 326 respondents comprising of head teachers and pre-school teachers. Sample size for the study was 95 head teachers and 127 pre-school teachers. Questionnaires were utilized for pre-school teachers and interview schedules for Head-teachers .Observation checklists were also utilized. The study yielded both Quantitative and qualitative data which was analyzed thematically and by use of SPSS version 22. Data was presented by use of figures and tables. The study established that there is need for pre-school learners to enjoy free movement rather than having them confined to one place. Further, the study revealed that the school environment is crucial for learner retention thus need for sufficient pre-schools amenities. The study is significant to stakeholders in positioning themselves to ensure that they maintain retention of learners in pre-school, managers and proprietors of pre-schools in devising better approaches that enable retention of learners and Ministry of Education in crafting better policy framework that clearly stipulate the roles of all the stake holders in Early Years of Education

Received January 29, 2020; Reviewed March 9, 2020; Accepted March 24, 2020

Abstract: Recent development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)has brought remarkable changes in teaching-learning process. However, studies show that effective integration of ICT in teaching Environmental Education (EE) is still a challenge to teachers and learners,especially in developing countries like Tanzania. This paper investigated the available opportunities but also the challenges that prevent primary school teachers from integrating ICTs in teaching EE. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches that are in line with case study research design to acquire knowledge from participants through interviews, classroom observations and questionnaires. The participants of this study were 36 teachers and 240 learners from 12 selected primary schools in Musoma district. The findings revealed that there are limited opportunities to teachers that included availability of ICT facilities in few schools and availability of limited pre-service and in-service training programmes. The findings revealed a number of challenges such as inadequate ICT training programmes, insufficient ICT facilities in primary schools, scarcity of ICT support services to teachers in schools and limited allocated classroom schedule. The paper suggested that there is a need for well-planned ICT teachers’ pre-service and in-service training programmes to enhance teaching of EE. In addition,ICT facilities should be sufficient in schools as well as the improvement of ICT support services to teachers.

Received March 19, 2020; Reviewed March 21, 2020; Accepted March 22, 2020

Abstract: This research was aimed at finding out the effect of use of computer simulations on academic achievement of form two learners in physics in Ainamoi Sub-County in Kericho County. The overall students’ performance in physics nationally and in Ainamoi Sub-county at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination level remained low over the past years. The research objectives were to determine: the effect of using computer simulation on attitude of the experimental groups towards computer simulated Physics lessons, and the difference between academic achievement of the control group and the experimental group in Physics after treatment. The study applied Quasi-Experimental Design involving Solomon-(Four) Non-Equivalent Control Group approach. Study sample consisted of 200 Form two students and 4 Physics teachers from 4 mixed day Schools sampled purposively. Data was collected using a Standardized Physics Achievement Test (SPAT)and Student Questionnaire on Attitudes towards Computer Simulated Physics Lesson Scale (ATCSPLS). The experimental groups were taught Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current using computer simulations. The two control groups on the other hand were taught the same content using conventional methods of instruction. Findings indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship between use of computer simulations and attitude towards Physics lessons (r=0.560, p=0.000). The study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in academic achievement between the control and experimental groups (t= -7.531, df=193.338, p=0.000). It was recommended that learning should integrate computer simulations in Physics subject since they enhance positive attitude in learners and also high academic achievement.

Received January 28, 2020; Revised March 17, 2020; Accepted March 19, 2020

Abstract: This paper explores the linguistic transformation of written format of language, a global transformation. Interest is in both the novel linguistic expressions and the diversity of the use of symbols replacing linguistic word expressions. The emergence of Emoji commonly used in social media system of communication has completely replaced the ‘normal’ way of communicating, the use of words. Thus, symbols have been recontextualised and ‘repurposed’ (Bolter and Grusin, 2000; Prior and Hengst, 2010) the word forms for communication. The study used 36 participants of which 20 were students: 8 boys, 12 and 16 community people to interpret the proverbs. The intension is to show how
Emoji has been localized and adopted as a mode of communication. For instance, Emoji has been used to express proverbs in CiCewa as (i) Kandimverele anakanena za mmaluwa a proverb which means ‘a gossiper does not say the truth’, now ; (ii) nkhonya yobwezera kuwawa/mutu ukakula sulewa nkhonya ‘a repeat bad act is painful/ when you are old you cannot run away from problems’ = . This innovative technique of transmitting messages
has come because of technology. The implication of the usage of emoji is the commodification of language as semiotic resources and symbolic discourse practice in communication skills. This mode of communication has, concurrently, brought excitement and confusion (see ii) above. The paper thus concludes with a thesis on blurring boundary between different interpretations of emoji, which has become a culture on social media leading translocal mobility of quick messaging system resulting in hybridized discursive communicative practices. The paper recommends that every company that creates emojis should provide intended meaning so that interpretation is uniform.

Received February 12, 2020; Revised February 28, 2020; Accepted March 3, 2020

Abstract: This study assessed the views of stakeholders on the effectiveness of capacity building provided on Big Results Now Education initiative in Ruangwa district in Lindi region, Tanzania. Goal Setting Theory by Locke and Latham (1990) was applied in this study since it puts more emphasis on setting goals for good achievement. Concurrent triangulation research design was applied in this study and included semi structured interview guide, questionnaires and documentary analysis. The sample comprised of 125 participants including teachers, heads of schools, District Secondary Education Officer (DSEO) and Regional Administrative Education Officer (RAEO) from eleven government secondary schools in Ruangwa district in Lindi region, Tanzania. Head of schools, DSEO and RAEO were sampled purposively while systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain teachers’ sample. The findings of the study indicated that stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the overall objective of Big Results Now education initiative (BRNED) in Tanzania secondary schools was limited; stakeholders were not well informed and educated about the goals of BRNED of increasing pass rates to 60%, 70% and 80% in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively. The findings further indicated that teachers as the major implementers of the BRNED were less involved in pre capacity building and planning seminars and workshops. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that the introduction of any education initiative and/or programme ought to include key stakeholders in a planning process; educational officials should prepare and provide adequate capacity building to programme implementers.

Received January 2, 2020; Revised March 29, 2020; Accepted March 30, 2020

Abstract: Various studies a cross the world have shown that majority of public primary school learners do not perform well in reading skills. Despite this observation, no systematic studies have been undertaken to establish the cause. The current study sought to explore selected factors influencing basic reading skills achievement, among grade two learners in public primary schools in Nyamira South Sub-County, Kenya. The study objectives were; to investigate the extent to which learners’ parental economic status influence basic reading skills and to examine how utilization of teaching and learning resources influenced basic reading skills. The target population for the current study comprised of 45 grade two teachers from 45 public primary schools, 2,025 grade two parents and 1 Quality Assurance Officer. Descriptive survey design was utilized. The sample size of parents was 203 and 14 grade two teachers from 14 public primary schools and 1 quality Assurance Officer. The research instruments were; interview guides and questionnaires. Data was gathered and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively by use of a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 21.0. Descriptive statistics was used to analyze quantitative data. Data presentation was by use of tables and figures. The study established that parents’ economic status and utilization of teaching and learning materials greatly influenced the achievement of basic reading skills for grade two learners. The study recommends full financing of primary education by the government . Additionally , the government and stakeholders should ensure availability and proper utilization of recommended teaching and learning resources in public primary schools. Significantly, the findings of thisstudy will guide policy on basic reading skills and aid to improve basic reading skills among grade two learners

Received November 13, 2019; Revised January 25, 2020; Accepted March 2, 2020

Abstract: The objective of this study was to determine the influence of medical insurance affiliation on health care equity in Makueni County, Kenya. The study was based on system theory. It applied cross-sectional survey and phenomenological research designs. Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used. Yamane (1967) formula was used to get the sample size of 400 health care consumers. Purposive sampling technique was used to get the health care managers, officials, health care workers and administrators. To recruit the 400 universal health care consumers, proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to get the respondents from the three selected sub-counties (Kaiti, Kilome and Makueni). Structured and unstructured Questionnaires were used to collect data using face to face method. Interviews were conducted with the county health department officials and health care workers in public health care facilities. Study results revealed that majority of health care consumers had medical insurance. It was revealed that UHC was depleted before the end of the financial year consequently affecting delivery of medical goods and services. UHC has reduced out of pocket medical payments at the house-hold level. It was recommended that there was a need to utilize medical insurance schemes in a more equitable manner.

Received January 4, 2020; Revised March 28, 2020; Accepted March 31, 2020

Abstract: The government of Kenya has been pushing for digital instruction content delivery in primary schools through implementation of the Digital Literacy Programme. However this programme has not been fully implemented in public primary schools in Kenya due to inadequate ICT infrastructure and personnel. The study sought to investigate schools’ preparedness towards implementation of the Digital Literacy programme in Waitaluk division, Trans-Nzoia County, Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: to establish the availability of ICT infrastructure in public primary schools in Waitaluk division for implementation of Digital Literacy Programme and to examine whether public primary schools in Waitaluk division have adequate ICT technical personnel for implementation of Digital Literacy Programme. Descriptive survey research design approach was utilized. The target population was 329 teachers and pupils’ representatives drawn from 17 public primary schools within Waitaluk division. The sample size was based on 30% of the 17 schools in Waitaluk division sampled through simple random sampling. This resulted to 5 schools. 5 Head teachers out of 17 head teachers were sampled using purposive sampling and 35 regular teachers out of 278 teachers. 30% (10) of pupils out of 34 pupils’ representatives were sampled using purposive sampling. Information was collected using questionnaires and observation checklists. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics through the help of SPSS version 22.0. The results were presented in tables supported by discussions. The findings revealed that public primary schools in Waitaluk division were not fully prepared in both infrastructure and personnel for implementation of Digital Literacy Programme. The study recommends for adequate training of all teachers in primary schools in ICT literacy, training of ICT technical personnel and provision of adequate ICT infrastructure. The study findings significantly set pace for adequate planning and proper policy formulation on ICT programmes in schools by the concerned stake holders.

Received December 22, 2019; Revised March 26, 2020; Accepted March 28, 2020

Abstract: Research has linked the use of play to equipping learners with mathematics skills; yet early grade performance in mathematics remains low. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of play materials on acquisition of mathematics skills by preschool learners in Baringo Central Sub County. The specific objectives were: to establish the type of play materials for acquisition of mathematics skills by pre-school learners and to determine the availability and adequacy of play materials used for the acquisition of mathematics skills by preschool learners. The target population comprised of 136 head teachers and 272 teachers of the 136 pre-schools. The study adopted descriptive survey design and the sample size was through simple random sampling for class teachers and pupils and purposive sampling technique for Head teachers. A sample size of 41 head teachers and 82 teachers was used representing 30% of the target population. Data collected was analyzed descriptively with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21. The study findings showed that the main types of play materials used were factory made / assembled and purchased from shops and stationers. The study established that most play materials were not available and those that were available were inadequate in most schools. The study recommended that the schools’ management committees should involve all stakeholders to support pre-school centers in acquisition of relevant play materials; mobilize resources to provide pre-service and in-service teachers with knowledge how to use play materials in teaching mathematical skills and how to use available play materials appropriately in teaching mathematical skills to preschoolers.