Abstract: Mathematics is a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in various aspects of everyday life, education and professional pursuits. Despite the great applications of mathematics, students’ performance has been declining steadily across almost all academic levels, particularly among youth. In Tanzania, efforts have been made to improve mathematics performance, however few studies have been done to find out the contribution of mastery of multiplication table as fundamental part of mathematics subject. Therefore, this study will look at the factors influencing mastery of multiplication tables to pupils in Dodoma primary schools in Tanzania. The study employed mixed method approach. Qualitative methods were used to collect data using in-depth-interview while quantitative data was collected through questionnaire. The study employed both random sampling and purposive sampling techniques to unearth the factors influencing mastery of multiplication tables to pupils in selected Dodoma primary schools. Qualitative data was analysed thematically and quantitative data analysed using descriptive statistics. Findings indicate that the factors influencing mastery of multiplication table in primary schools are parental involvement, peer interaction and cooperation, the use of games and songs during the teaching and learning process and the use of interactive online games. The study concludes that mastery of multiplication tables is crucial for improving pupils’ performance in mathematics. Further study should include a comprehensive study in other regions of the country to have conclusive findings about factors influencing mastery of multiplication tables to pupils in primary schools.

Abstract: Science subjects’ assessment requires practical work assessment. During practical examinations, the National Examination Council of Tanzania (NECTA) provides science teachers with advance instructions on how to prepare and arrange the laboratory for practical work. Recently, NECTA has reduced the time for science practical exams preparation for Form 4 national examinations from 24 to 3 hours, which prompts the current study’s purpose. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of these changes on science teachers’ ability to effectively prepare and arrange practicals under such context. The study involved 40 science subject teachers and 10 heads of schools from 10 secondary schools in Dodoma City, Tanzania. Using a mixed-methods approach, data were collected through questionnaires, and interviews with teachers. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and qualitative data from the interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. The study findings reveal that currently, exam secrecy is highly maintained, with enhanced supervision by the chief examiner during the preparation period. However, the major challenges to science teachers in the preparation of the science practical examination include the new timeframe being insufficient, the insufficient funds associated with materials for the practical, and teachers lack room to provide feedback on the time allocated. The study recommends the increased time for preparation, that is, teachers’ feelings of competence in the teaching and supervision, and sufficient funds for practical examination material preparations.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between tax reform initiatives and employee Job Satisfaction in The County Government of Uasin Gishu. The study employed a cross-sectional research design, utilizing questionnaire and interview schedule. Data was collected from employees and human resource officers in various departments in the County Government of Uasin Gishu. The target population for the study involved 931 public sector employees. A sample size of 136 employees was obtained using Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size formulae. The respondents’ distribution was done ensuring representation from various departments in the county government of Uasin Gishu. Further, 8 human resource officers were selected from all the departments making a total of 144 respondents. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferential statistics such as correlation analysis to assess the relationships between tax policies and employee job satisfaction. Qualitative data from interviews was presented thematically in line with objective of the study. The study established a significant positive correlation between tax reform initiatives and employee job satisfaction in the Uasin Gishu County Government, with a majority of employees perceiving these reforms as beneficial in simplifying compliance and reducing their tax burdens. However, some employees expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on their disposable income, indicating a need for ongoing communication and support to address these apprehensions. The findings of this study will contribute to the understanding of how tax policies impact employee job satisfaction in the public sector in Uasin Gishu County Government, Kenya.

Abstract: Street vending activity is considered as an important source of informal employment resulting from lack of limited lucrative employment, hence leading many people to move from their villages to cities searching for employment where they expect to get better pay. In Rwanda, the street vending activity is considered as illegal under the motive of keeping clean Kigali City and the secondary cities. To attend to living conditions of people involved in the street vending activities, Government of Rwanda has initiated a project of locating them in formal markets. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the contribution of this initiative of locating street traders in formal markets on their living conditions. It employed a descriptive study design on a sample of 372 street traders drawn from around 4,647 street vendors relocated in formal market in Kigali City. With the F-statistic of 27.617 and p-value of 0.000, findings confirm that locating street vendors at a well-known market and safer place has a significant effect on the improvement of their living conditions at all levels of significance. However, the amount of Frw 50,000 given to street vendors as starting up assistance is perceived as small to sustain their business. Similarly, the backward movement of some to street vending activity is to be strictly discouraged because not only hamper the initiative but also can reduce the potential multiplicative effect of the amount that government gives as support to located street vendors.

Abstract: Leadership is essential in project management because it fosters healthy communication and helps projects succeed. It is described as a method of encouraging others to achieve a common objective. This article examines how transformational leadership influences the effectiveness of World Vision projects in Arusha Region, Tanzania. The study used a mixed methods technique to collect relevant data and a convergent parallel design for data processing. The research had a sample of 103 project employees and 4 project managers as the respondents of the study. Qualitative data from interviews with project managers was reported narratively, while quantitative data from questionnaires was analysed using IBM SPSS Statistics 23. The findings demonstrated that transformational leadership has a relatively high influence on project performance, with several respondents having positive attitudes toward the leadership style. Generally, the research emphasized the importance of taking into account additional elements such as risk, team diversity, culture and technology when determining the complete impact of transformational leadership on performance of projects.

Abstract: Hospitality graduates struggle to secure employment in the hospitality sector. This study examined the relationship between socio-emotional skills and graduate employability in the hospitality sector in the southwest Uganda-Kigezi sub-region. The research design employed in this study was the cross-sectional quantitative research design with a population of 640 graduates and a sample size of 400 was established for hospitality graduates based on Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970). The data was collected using structured and unstructured questionnaires and the data analysis was done by SPSS V. 23 Smart PLS V 4 and NVivo. Socio-emotional skills like emotional intelligence, teamwork, and communication skills were found to affect graduate employability. Numerous barriers were pointed out, like lack of experience and limited chance to meet others. Based on the study findings call for focusing on practical training and internships with institutions and industries to acquire skills required for improvement in the job market. Recommendations included curriculum integration, industry collaboration, practical experience internships and apprenticeships, and creating a linkage between HEIs and the hospitality sector. Furthermore, the development of socio-emotional skills is a prerequisite for the development of employment in the hospitality sector. This study may contribute to the existing literature on the development of soft skills and employment, and the findings from this study may be helpful for analogous study environments in Southwestern Uganda—Kigezi Sub-Region.

Abstract: This study examines the role of e-mentorship technologies in basketball talent development in Nairobi County, focusing on innovations like virtual coaching, performance analytics, and real-time feedback. Grounded in social systems theory, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach, gathering data from a sample of 380 respondents, including coaches, athletes, and mentors through surveys and interviews. Quantitative data is analyzed using descriptive and regression techniques, while qualitative data is coded thematically. The analysis reveals that 78% of athletes and coaches believe e-mentorship significantly enhances access to expert guidance, particularly in cases where in-person coaching is limited. Additionally, 65% of respondents agree that tools like performance analytics and virtual coaching improve training efficiency, although 42% cite technological literacy gaps, especially among older coaches, as barriers to full adoption. Furthermore, 58% identify poor internet connectivity as a major obstacle. Despite these challenges, 70% of participants’ express optimism about the potential of e-mentorship to revolutionize basketball talent development, provided there are investments in digital infrastructure and technological training. Qualitative narratives reinforce these findings, with athletes highlighting the convenience of virtual mentorship, while coaches emphasize the need for targeted training in using digital tools. The study concludes that while e-mentorship holds transformative potential, its success hinges on addressing infrastructure and training challenges. Recommendations include policy support for digital sports development, enhanced technological training, and expanded access to e-mentorship platforms.

Abstract: The study investigated the influence of cognitive abilities among secondary school students towards their academic achievement. Specifically, the study focused on factors influencing various cognitive abilities among students in public secondary schools and measures for improving cognitive ability to students’ academic achievement in public secondary schools. The study was guided by Social Intelligence Theory. The study employed convergent mixed methods approach. The study sample was99respondentsthat consisted of 9 school heads, 36 teachers and54 students from a population of 945. Stratified random sampling technique was used to select teachers and students while purposive sampling was used for school heads. Data were collected by using questionnaires and interview guide. The validity of the study was attained through the guidance and advice of the researcher supervisor. Reliability index, TQr>0.989 and SQr = 0.989, was obtained using Cronbach Alpha Method. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study established that personal interest in the subject matter, level of distractions in the learning environment, teachers’ guidance and modeling and cultural background are factors influencing various cognitive abilities among students. In conclusion, creating conducive learning environments, fostering effective teacher-student interactions and promoting mental well-being are strategic measures to enhance cognitive abilities for improving students’ academic achievement. The study recommends that stakeholders and teachers need to devise ways of motivating students through identifying each student’s ability and employ enough teachers so as to create more student-teacher interaction.

Abstract: The study aimed at establishing the relationship between study habits and mathematics proficiency of teacher trainees’ in primary teachers’ training colleges in southwestern Uganda. The specific objectives included establishing study habits of Teacher Trainees in PTCs in South Western Uganda, assessed the level of Mathematics proficiency in general arithmetic skills among teacher trainees in PTCs in South Western Uganda and determined the relationship between study habits and Mathematics proficiency of PTC Trainees in South Western Uganda. The study adopted a correlational design, using quantitative approach. The population was 254 teacher trainees in PTCs in South Western. All the teacher trainees in PTCs in South Western from the 6 PTCs were considered by proportionate sampling. The findings revealed that the study habits of Teacher Trainees in PTCs in South Western Uganda were low mean=2.562, std deviation= .3837), level of Mathematics proficiency low (mean=5.6969, std deviation=1.4926). There is a statistically significant high and positive correlation between study habits and mathematics proficiency (R = .686**, p = .000). The study concludes that study habits of Teacher Trainees in PTCs in South Western Uganda is low, the level of Mathematics proficiency low and study habits are important towards improving mathematics proficiency of PTC Trainees in South Western Uganda. The study recommends those PTC administrators, policy makers, and other stakeholders in education: should ensure study habits of Teacher Trainees in PTCs for improvement through training, mentoring and continuous assessment, they should improve mathematics proficiency of PTC Trainees in South Western Uganda.

Abstract: Despite the introduction of the CBC aimed at enhancing educational outcomes, many schools in Kenya struggle with inadequate classrooms, limited teaching materials, and insufficient outdoor play spaces, which undermine the curriculum’s objectives. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of infrastructure and resource preparedness in the implementation of competency-based curriculum in public primary schools in Baringo County. The study adopted descriptive research design using the mixed method approach. The target population included all the 748 head teachers and 6039 teachers in the 748 primary schools in Baringo County. The schools were selected through stratified and random sampling methods. A total of 306 teachers, 7 head teachers and 7 sub county directors of education were selected to participate in the study. Questionnaires, interview schedules and an observation schedule were used to collect data. The findings from the study reveal significant gaps in the infrastructure and resource preparedness for implementing the Competency-Based Curriculum (CB C) in public primary schools in Baringo County. An overwhelming majority of respondents indicated dissatisfaction with the adequacy of infrastructure, including classrooms and laboratories, necessary for effective CBC implementation. A substantial number of teachers reported shortages in essential teaching materials across various subjects, including mathematics, literacy, and creative arts. Additionally, concerns were raised about the insufficient availability of outdoor play spaces and environmental materials. These findings will be useful in addressing the need for improved infrastructure and resource allocation to support the successful adoption and execution of the CBC in the region.