Abstract: This study investigated lecturers’ and students’ experiences in using Modular Object-Oriented Dynamic Learning Environment (MOODLE) in mathematics modules during the COVID-19 pandemic at the University of Rwanda, College of Education. This is a descriptive study that used 120 participants , including 114 undergraduate students who have Mathematics among their core subjects, and six lecturers who teach mathematics. Both lecturers and students were selected purposively. The findings from semi-structured interviews with lecturers showed that lecturers at URCE view MOODLE as an effective tool that supports teaching and learning Mathematics since lecturers can teach a big number of students from wherever they are. It was found from lecturers that MOODLE is secured, and the content is stable unless one has the permission to change the content. It was also reported that MOODLE facilitate s assessment since lecturers prepare assignments and different activities, and they post them on MOODLE, and then, students start working on them. However, MOODLE was found not easy to be used, as students did not have skills of using it. Some students from rural areas did not have electricity and for those who had electricity, the network connection was not strong enough to access the MOODLE platform.

Abstract: Cervical cancer is a major global health issue and the second leading cause of cancer deaths among women. Few women have undergone screening in Malawi. Reasons for low uptake of free screening services in rural Thyolo have not been investigated thoroughly. As such, a cross-sectional study was carried out to examine barriers to cervical cancer screening. The questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to collect data. A total of 421 women of child-bearing age were recruited for the survey and 24 women participated in three focus group discussions. SPSS version 22 was used to analyze data using Chi-square statistical test and qualitative data was analyzed thematically. The study established that respondents had low level of knowledge of cervical cancer and screening. Though respondents had positive perceptions, the rate of cervical cancer screening was low (38%). From the quantitative analysis, the study established that some of the barriers to screening were ‘fear’ (emotions) (50.3%), laziness (23.4%) and perceived painful procedures (11.4%). The main themes arising from qualitative analysis were fear, painful feeling and embarrassment. Furthermore, the socio-demographic factors, level of knowledge on screening procedure and psychological factors associated with the screening, showed to hinder the uptake of cervical cancer screening. Community Health Nurses and Health Surveillance Assistants have a great task of sensitizing the rural masses on the importance of cervical cancer screening and encouraging them to get screened.

Abstract: The main purpose of this research was to investigate the effects of virtual laboratories on students’ conceptual understanding of biology with an emphasis on the foetal developmental process. Quasi-experimental design under a quantitative method was employed. A biology achievement test (BAT) via pre -posttest was used for data collection. Four secondary schools from Rwamagana district, with 162 students, were purposively selected based on the availability of smart classrooms, computers, projectors, and internet connectivity. From these schools, the experimental and control groups were selected randomly with 81 students in each group. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and independent sample t-tests using a statistical package for social science (SPSS). The results reveal that the students in the experimental group who were administered virtual laboratory instructions achieved higher mean scores than the students in the control group who taught using the traditional lecturing method (chalk-talk method) at [t (160) = -.540, p = 0.000; p<.05]. This indicates that virtual laboratories in teaching biology concepts have a greater impact on students’ conceptual understanding. The study recommends biology teachers to strive to use virtual laboratories in teaching biology as an alternative way of improving students’ conceptual understanding of abstract concepts. Further study should explore the contribution of virtual laboratories on the student’s conceptual understanding of other difficult and abstract biology topics towards students’ conceptual understanding.

Abstract: This research identified management challenges facing Secondary Education Quality Improvement Program (SEQUIP) in provision of quality education in Bariadi District. The research engaged a mixed research approach with convergent parallel research design. General system theory developed by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy in 1950s guided this study. A sample of 86 respondents, including 75 teachers, 5 Head of School (HOS), 5 Ward Education Officer (WEO) and 1 District Secondary Education officer (DSEO) was employed. Both probability and non-probability sampling were employed where Head of School, Ward Education Officer and District Secondary Education officer and obtained through purposive sampling, while teachers were derived through stratified sampling. The data was gathered through questionnaires for teachers and interview guide were for administrators who own special information. A correlation coefficient of 0.75 demonstrated that the instruments were valid and reliable for data collection. Quantitative information was coded using descriptive statistics , which involved frequencies and percentages with the support of Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 21. Qualitative information was organized and analyzed thematically and presented in narrations and quotations. The findings revealed that poor teaching and learning environment, inadequate teaching and learning materials, lack of teachers’ professional development, large class size, lack of teacher motivation, long students’ travel distance from home to school and students’ dropout program were the challenges that face SEQUIP. The study recommends that before the implementation of program such as SEQUIP begins an assessment of other factors like improvement of teaching environment, teacher professional development, large class size and motivation must be considered in order to find out the best way of handling in preparing conducive environment of the program implementation.

Abstract: Mandera County in Kenya is bordering Ethiopia and Somalia. These places have been continuously attacked by Al Shabaab radicals from Somalia and the Ethiopian pastoralists practicing cattle stealing. Safety of the instructors and learners has been a concern to every education stakeholder, both countrywide and internationally since the Al -Shabaab attacks are on the increase particularly in North Kenyan area. Going by observations and scarce investigations done, the current study answered the question; To what extent does stakeholders’ security plan preparation influence security management outcomes? The study was guided by the Stakeholders’ Theory and the Securitization Theory using mixed methodology. The study targeted a population of 17,756 subjects with a sample size of 738 respondents. Two pairs of questionnaires were used to collect data from teachers and learners while interviews were used for principals, education officers and BoM chairs. An observation checklist was also used to collect data o n security management outcomes. The research instruments were piloted in 2 schools in Wajir County. The instruments were validated by experts in educational planning and management while test-retest technique was embraced to ascertain reliability for each of the questionnaire item yielding a Cronbach’s Coefficient Alpha of at least 0.700. Numerical facts were scrutinized in descriptive and inferential statistics using tables, occurrences, percentages and Chi-square. Non-numerical facts were offered by thematic scrutiny in narrating format. The study found no significant training of safety on the part of the principals, teachers and the non-teaching members of the staff. It is seen that this a is a poor security plan preparation. Therefore, it was recommended that training must be improved and beefed up for better outcomes.

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to assess the extent to which extracurricular activities contribute to student retention in public secondary schools. The study employed a mixed research approach, and a convergent parallel design. Closed and open-ended questionnaires, semi-structured interview guide and non-participatory observation method were used for data collection. Stratified and simple random sampling techniques were utilized in securing a sample of 116 respondents who were involved in the study as source of data. These included 100 students, 5 Heads of school, 5 sports and games teachers, 5 discipline teachers from five public secondary schools in Bariadi district council, including one District Secondary Education Officer. Quantitative data were analyzed through the help of SPSS version 21, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings indicate that student participation in extracurricular activities like sports and games, scouts, social clubs as well as student leadership, make them get more engaged, enjoy school life and persevere in their studies. The study also established that extracurricular activities are excellent means of motivating students, which is crucial to their retention. The study recommends governmental and non -governmental leaders to invest more on constructing facilities in schools which can be used for extracurricular activities which promote students’ socialization and sense of belonging which in the long term promotes student retention. To avoid being too monotonous in extracurricular activities, school leaders and teachers should endeavor to be more innovative in introducing a variety of activities which are more attractive and engaging to students.

Abstract: The study assessed the managerial strategies in fostering students from transhumant communities to participate in a formal education. The study employed the mixed method approach with descriptive design and a sample of 46 research participants. Descriptive and Thematic analyses were used to analyze data. Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussion tools were used to gather data. The results revealed that strategies like boarding and mobile schools can be established in transhumant settlements, to motivate teachers working in harsh environment, disbursement of financial resources, establish a special database for transhumant communities, strengthen collaboration with religious sects, lawful polices formulation, establishment, management, and maintenance of schools and monitoring and evaluation of curriculum implementation. However, there are some challenges identified as follows: early marriages for males and females, gender inequality, poor education among parents from local community and harmful traditional practices like night dances and FGM. Therefore, such results imply that transhumant communities require social amenities to curb all challenges that stand as roadblocks to participation in a formal education.

Abstract: Globally, different models towards enhancing access to healthcare to all human populations have been implemented with varying degrees of success. However, studies on the effects of gender on health-seeking behavior, especially in a rural context, are limited. This paper focuses on how the human capability approach is integrated in gender and health seeking behavior among households in Marani sub-county, Kisii county Kenya. The Capability theory was adopted and the study employed a descriptive research design. The population for the study was household heads from which a sample was drawn.

Using Krejcie and Morgan sample determination, a total of 420 household heads were sampled. Random sampling was adopted to get the respondents to fill the questionnaires. The sample was drawn from a population of 26,186 households in Marani Sub-County. Quantitative data obtained from the field was analyzed using SPSS version 22. The study found that more women to a greater extent sought for healthcare than men did. However, the cost comes in to deter, delay and affect utilization of healthcare services. The study concludes that poor and disadvantaged households in regard to income, find it costly to access health facilities and are thus likely to utilize less effective healthcare sources. The study recommends that the government should embrace health-seeking programs with a gender lens in order to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all.

Abstract: This study focused on the challenges facing women education leaders in education agencies in Tanzania. The study employed a qualitative research approach with case study design as a method of inquiry. The study employed purpose sampling technique to obtain 15 participants from various education agencies. Interviews and documentary review were used to gather information from the participants. The study findings revealed that women leaders face several challenges when implementing their leadership roles in education institutions. These include negative self-image, family engagements, and fear of failure, lack of role models and mentorship and patriarchal system of leadership in the society. This study contributes to a better understanding of challenges facing women education leaders in Tanzania. The findings are consistent with the “role congruity theory” which emphasizes that perceived incongruity between the female gender role and leadership roles leads to two forms of prejudice: perceiving women less favorably than men as potential occupants of leadership roles and evaluating behavior that fulfills the prescriptions of a leader’s role less favorably when it is enacted by a woman. Similarly, the findings are in line with the “liberal feminist theory” which emphasizes that individuals should use their own abilities and the democratic process to help women and men become more equal in the eyes of the law, in society and in the workplace. This study recommends that organizations should shift from the traditional masculine outlook on leadership towards a more transformational and feminine view of leadership. Women empowerment should be done through educating the society on gender issues as well as valuing and respecting school leaders without considering gender differences.

Abstract: The aim of the study is to establish how the Communication Skills course assist s undergraduate students at Women’s University in Africa (WUA) to enhance critical thinking skills. The current study adopts a qualitative research, approach which is hinged on the interpretivist paradigm. The study uses a single case study research design with a sample of five students who were purposively chosen. The study is framed under the reconstructionist philosophy. The study found that Communication Skills as a course helps to develop students critical thinking skills. These critical thinking skills are developed through covering the four language macro-skills which are speaking, listening, reading and writing. These macro skills are taught to every student who is in their first year and doing the first semester. The study recommends that since critical thinking skills are not obtained at once but are developed over time, it would be prudent for Women’s University in Africa to instruct its students in Communication Skills as a course during their tenure at university.