Abstract: Cotton farming in Kenya, particularly around Lake Victoria, once flourished, producing about 100,000 bales annually and supporting numerous families. However, production has significantly declined, raising concerns about sustainability. This study assesses the effectiveness of current interventions and their impact on cotton farming sustainability in Kisumu County, Kenya. Guided by functionalism theory, the study employed a mixed-method approach with descriptive and correlational designs. A total of 293 respondents, selected from a target population of 600 farmers aged 18 to 65, participated through questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions. Key findings revealed that 68% of respondents were aware of government interventions, yet only 52% had benefited from subsidies or support programs. While research introduced better farming techniques, only 43% of farmers adopted them due to low engagement. Policy frameworks supporting cotton farming were acknowledged by 60%, though 45% cited challenges in implementation. Cotton cooperatives improved production for 55% of farmers, but financial and infrastructural constraints remained barriers. Moreover, 62% of respondents identified inadequate training, and 58% highlighted poor market prices as key obstacles to sustainability. The study concludes that while interventions exist, they are insufficiently coordinated to ensure long-term sustainability. More comprehensive efforts in policy enforcement, farmer training, and infrastructure development are critical to revitalizing cotton farming in Kisumu County, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

Abstract: Studying students’ perception toward the use of ICT tools to learn mathematics is significant for improving education, informing policy decisions, and ensuring that students are adequately prepared for the digital age. It can contribute to more effective teaching and learning strategies. Within the purpose of determining how students felt about using ICT tools to learn mathematics, the present investigation was carried out in two public secondary schools in Rwanda’s Gasabo District. A survey design was used for the investigation. The population of the study was 241 students. A simple random sampling technique was employed to select the sample of 150 students in the senior six who participated in this study. Questionnaires were used to collect the data that was displayed. The collected data was weighed using the mean. The 136 students who handed back the questionnaires for the current study had an average mean of 3.66, indicating that they had an overall positive perception of using ICT tools to learn mathematics. Nevertheless, the ability to learn mathematics using ICT tools remained below baseline. The results of this study add to the body of knowledge on the efficient use of ICT tools in mathematics teaching and learning.

Abstract: There is a universal worry about academic dishonesty especially in African nations. The key aim of this investigation was to examine the influence of students’ self-awareness on academic dishonesty in public secondary schools in Makueni County, Kenya. The investigation used theories namely: Psychosocial Dynamic Theory and the Theory of Planned Behaviour. The research used mixed methodology and the concurrent triangulation design. The sample size was 802 which consisted of 750 students sampled randomly, 25 principals and 25 teachers sampled purposively. The study utilized 1 SCDE and 1 CDE purposively sampled. The instruments employed were questionnaires for principals, teachers and students, and interviews for the education officers. Descriptive data was analyzed using frequencies and percentages and presented through tables and figures. Inferential statistics was analyzed through linear regression and presented through tables while qualitative data was analyzed thematically and presented through narration and verbatim citations. The study findings were that self-awareness meaningfully influenced academic dishonesty. The research found out that there was necessity to enhance the students’ self-awareness. It was suggested that integrating involvements like introducing capable, knowledgeable and qualified counsellors in schools was essential to eradicate academic dishonesty.

Abstract: Academic performance is key to the success of any education system in a country. The Church of Uganda has been instrumental in supporting education systems in Uganda. It is against this context that this study set out to review of church’s effort the ts in the academic performance of students in the church of Uganda-founded secondary schools. The main objective of the study was to review of church’s efforts in academic performance of students in church of Uganda founded secondary schools.The study used both qualitative and quantitative research design that involved the use of primary and secondary data. Primary data was purposively collected from 60 respondents. The findings were that much as the church tries to uplift academic performance in her founded secondary schools, it faces numerous challenges that include limited funding to mention but a few. It is recommended that Church of Uganda whose role it to conduct continuous assessment should take kin interest in improving the performance of students in its schools by availing continuous trainings to teachers, conducting continuous assessments of learners and availing adequate funding to support the school’s academic activities.

Abstract: The study examined effects of cooperative learning strategy on Students’ Academic Achievement in work, energy and power in 12YBE secondary schools of Gasabo district. This study employed quasi-experimental design, using non-equivalent quasi-experimental design. Purposive sampling technique was used to select two schools for the study. One intact class in each school was used as the control group and the other class as the experimental group. The sample size consisted of 200 students comprising 94 in the control group and 106 in the experimental group. The experimental group was taught work, energy and power using cooperative learning ( learning together) while the control group was taught using the traditional way of teaching work, energy and power. Research instrument used for the study for data collection was Physics Achievement Test (PAT). The instrument was developed by the researcher in order to measure the rate of students’ academic achievement in physics. The instrument was administered to the students before treatment to determine the level of knowledge about the subject matter (pre-test). Then, the same instrument administered again after the treatment had been given to obtain the post test scores. The scores of the students were analysed using mean and standard deviation. The hypotheses were tested at .05 level of significance using t-test. The study found that Cooperative learning method enhances active student participation and interaction. This quality led to significant learning effect in Physics. It was recommended that science teachers should be encouraged to adopt cooperative teaching/learning strategy so as to enhance active students’ participation in scientific operation.

Abstract: There is a worldwide concern about academic dishonesty and more so in African countries. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of students’ personality traits on academic dishonesty in public secondary schools in Makueni County, Kenya. This study was informed by Psychosocial Dynamic Theory and Theory of Planned Behaviour . The investigation used mixed methodology and the concurrent triangulation design. The sample size was 802 which consisted of 750 students sampled randomly, 25 principals and 25 teachers sampled purposively. There was 1 SCDE and 1 CDE purposively sampled. The research tools utilized were questionnaires for principals, teachers and students, and interviews for SCDEs and the County Director of Education. The study findings were that, personality traits significantly influence academic dishonesty. The study established that there was need to improve on the students’ personality traits . It was recommended that integrating interventions like introduction of competent, experienced and professional counsellors in schools was necessary to eliminate academic dishonesty.

Abstract: The need to visibly engender women’s participation in decision-making became a growing global concern through the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). Despite the Kenyan 2010 constitutional provisions for gender mainstreaming, little has changed. This study sought to examine the level of women involvement in gender mainstreaming policy implementation on decision making in Baringo County. The study was guided by Equity Feministic Theory by Sommers (1994). The study used cross-sectional survey design and mixed method approach. The target population was 2446 respondents comprising of employees, members of the County Assembly and Members of the Public Service Board. The sample size was based on Krejcie and Morgan (1970) sample size determination to arrive at sample size of 329 respondents. Questionnaires, Interview guides and FGDs were used to collect data. Reliability was determined through test-retest approach. The quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean and Standard deviation. Pearson Correlation and linear regression analysis were employed to determine relationship that exists between the independent and dependent variables. Qualitative data were thematically classified and arranged before they were reported in narrations and quotations as per the research objectives. The study found out that there was a significant positive correlation between gender mainstreaming policy implementation on women political representation and women governance (r = .581; p = .000). The study recommends that there is need for streamlining of women appointment to senior positions in the county to allow for efficiency and inclusivity in governance.

Abstract: Global advances have been made towards the recognition of the principle of women’s political, socio-economic and equity in governance. However, some counties, including Baringo have not fully implemented the gender rule as provided for in the Kenyan 2010 constitution, hence little has changed. This study sought to analyze the influence of gender mainstreaming policy implementation on women political representation in Baringo County Assembly. The study was guided by Equity Feministic Theory by Sommers (1994). The study used cross-sectional survey design and mixed method approach where both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis approaches were utilized. The target population was 2446 respondents comprising of employees, members of the County Assembly and Members of the Public Service Board. The sample size was based on Krejcie and Morgan (1970) where a sample size of 329 respondents was attained. Questionnaires, Interview guides and FGDs were used to collect data. The quantitative data were analysed using frequencies, percentages, mean and Standard deviation. Qualitative data were thematically classified and arranged before they were reported in narrations and quotations as per the research objectives. The study found out that there was a significant positive correlation between gender mainstreaming policy implementation on women political representation and women governance (r = .581; p = .000). The study recommends that there is need for streamlining of women appointment to senior positions in the county to allow for efficiency and inclusivity in governance.

Abstract: The teaching of critical thinking is paramount in physics instruction, it is achieved through acquisition of critical thinking skills by learners. Consequently, teachers of physics ought to employ instructional strategies that foster the acquisition of the skills. This article explores an array of these strategies in detail, it also presents the history and nature of critical thinking, the role of critical thinking in science instruction and the challenges teachers of physics face in teaching critical thinking skills.

Abstract: This study aimed to assess the application of electronic governance systems and their influence on the governance of public secondary schools in Meru district. The following were the objectives: determine the extent of applicability of electronic governance systems in school management and their influence on the management of public secondary schools, and to investigate the challenges faced by heads of schools in executing electronic governance systems. Theory of acceptance and use of technology developed by Venkatesh guided the study. Convergent mixed design was adopted, targeting 72 participants, including 44 school heads, 26 WEOs, DSEO and DITO. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants. Questionnaires, observation checklists, and interview guides used to collect data were validated through the use of experts. Cronbach alpha was used to estimate the reliability of instruments yielding satisfactory results of HoSQ =0.78 and WEOsQ = 0.82. Qualitative data underwent thematic analysis coding to identify patterns and themesData were analyzed using tables, frequencies, percentages, mean scores, and thematic coding. The findings indicated a positive trend in the application of electronic governance systems in public secondary schools’ management. In conclusion, despite the challenges, electronic governance systems are still applied in the management of public secondary schools in Meru district. Recommendations were made for heads of schools to address the identified challenges, for ward education officers to provide support and guidance, and for policy makers and the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to formulate policies and allocate resources to promote the application of electronic governance systems in schools.