Abstract: The study was premised on the argument that leaders and their leadership styles have a significant contribution to enhancing attainment of the schools’ goals and objectives. The study sought to achieve one objective intended to explore the worthiness of the leadership style used by heads of schools in Kigamboni Municipality, Tanzania. Sampling was purposive to four (4) head of schools, twenty-eight (28) teachers, four (4) academic masters and one (1) Municipal educational officer thus forming a sample of thirty-seven (37) participants from four secondary schools in Kigamboni Municipality. Data collection methods were interviews and focus group discussions. These enabled the researcher to gather multiple sources of information on the worthiness of leadership style used by heads of schools in Kigamboni Municipality, Tanzania. Thematic analysis based on six steps used to analyse the obtained data. Findings were presented using percentages and quotations obtained from the participants. The analysis of data revealed that heads of schools used more democratic and autocratic leadership style. There are some evidence to support that some heads of schools used laissez faire leadership style which negatively or positively affected teachers’ job performance and attainment of the pre-determined goals and objectives. The study recommends heads of schools to employ a mix of leadership styles in their leadership practices. The use of mixed leadership styles has the potential to enable different styles to complement each other thus enabling teachers to be productive within the schools.

Abstract: The study examines the progress and challenges encountered in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) particularly goal five – Gender Equality, focusing on women’s representation in leadership in a university setting. The study centers on Mountains of the Moon University (MMU), investigating the current status, identifying barriers, and proposing recommendations for advancing women’s participation in leadership roles. We applied interpretivism approach anchored on a case study design. We purposively chose middle and senior women holding or had held leadership positions at MMU. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with 16 women in leadership positions at MMU. We thematically analyzed data guided by themes on representation, policy promotion and implementation and outstanding challenges faced. The study reveals a significant underrepresentation of women in top executive roles at MMU, with women holding only about 15% of the university’s executive board positions despite constituting 25% of department heads. Women are more prevalent in humanities and social sciences faculties than in STEM disciplines, reflecting broader gender disparities across academic fields. Institutional policies promoting gender equality exist, but their inconsistent enforcement poses challenges, indicating a need for more robust implementation. Lack of mentorship programs and cultural barriers hinder women’s progress, emphasizing the importance of tailored support mechanisms and inclusive policies for advancing women in leadership roles. The study recommended development and enforcement of robust gender mainstreaming policies across board, mentorship programs, active support for gender equality initiatives and leadership development programs tailored specifically for women.

Abstract: In addition to being an environmental issue, deforestation affects a variety of socioeconomic and demographic groups. Deforestation sparks an expanding array of interdisciplinary research and studies in academic fields, whether at the global, regional, national, subnational, or site level. The purpose of this theoretical paper was to discuss theories of deforestation and how these theories fit in the deforestation agenda. Three theories were used in this discussion. These theories are: Environmental Kuznets Curve, theory of forest transition and Land rent. The Environmental Kuznets Curve theory suggests that deforestation initially increases with economic development but eventually declines as societies become more environmentally conscious. The forest transition theory posits that deforestation follows a U-shaped curve, increasing during early development and then decreasing as countries reach higher income levels. In summary, the land use that generates the highest land rent or value will be the one that drives competition among land uses, if profit maximisation is the driving force. By going over deforestation theories, we can determine that their common goal is to solve the environmental degradations—namely, greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss—caused by deforestation in the forestry industry. Policy makers might concentrate more on certain strategic variables that are defined within proximal and underlying theories by identifying and categorising the direct and indirect elements that contribute to deforestation.

Abstract: The study aimed to contribute to the existing body of knowledge on self-efficacy enhancement strategies while providing practical insights. Employing a structured qualitative survey, the research explored the experiences, perceptions, and challenges encountered by female engineering students at ULK Polytechnic Institute in their academic journey, with a particular focus on self-efficacy beliefs. The sample comprised 22 first-year students chosen for their willingness to engage in interventions aimed at improving self-efficacy, ensuring a varied representation of academic performance and backgrounds. Through comprehensive data collection and analysis, the study showed a range of self-efficacy perceptions among participants, highlighting the influence of individual experiences and support networks on confidence levels. Importantly, interactions with faculty, peers, and mentors emerged as pivotal factors influencing students’ confidence in their engineering abilities. Recommendations included the implementation of mentorship programs, raising inclusive learning environments, and organizing workshops to strengthen confidence and resilience among female engineering students. The study further emphasized the significant contribution of practical learning experiences to enhancing self-efficacy levels in engineering education.

Abstract: Self-esteem occupies a key place in the structure of adolescents because it is related to both mental health and definition of life goals. One of the central developmental task that aids the formation and shaping of self-esteem during adolescence is the relationship formation with significant others. However, daily forms of human relationships are becoming negatively impacted by changes in culture, parenting styles, urbanization, globalization, new technologies and institutional changes with consequences in changing family structures, socialization and relations. This study, therefore, purposes to evaluate self-esteem on relationship formation among students in public secondary schools in Murang’a County, Kenya. The study adopted a mixed methodology paradigm. The target population was 101,926 students, 2,236 student peer counselors and 292 guidance and counseling teachers. The sample size was 431 respondents. The data collection tools included questionnaires for students, interview guides for teachers and focused group discussion guides for peer counselors. Quantitative data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics while the qualitative data was analyzed in narrative forms. The study evaluated self-esteem on relationship formation among students. The study established that the level of self- esteem was high among secondary school students in Murang’a County, Kenya and that a positive significant relationship exists between self-esteem and relationship formation. The study recommended that curriculum developers and policy makers need to provide curriculum that afford opportunities to promote and nurture talents among learners. In addition, teachers and parents should emphasize identification of talents by assigning tasks and responsibilities which eventually improve competencies and self-worth among learners.

Abstract: Community-Led Total Sanitation is a sanitation behaviour change approach aimed at stopping open defecation. It compels communities to sustainably construct latrines, use them and wash their hands with soap after open defecation. Change of behaviour for the Sustainability of these practices is a challenge as communities return to open defecation. The study evaluated community knowledge and attitude toward Community-Led Total Sanitation in Balaka District, the first Open Defecation Free certified model District in Malawi four years after Open Defecation Free status certification. Descriptive cross-sectional study design adopting both quantitative and qualitative data collection methods was used. Data was collected from heads of household (438) and Focused Group Discussion (6) sessions. Communities have adequate knowledge on Community-Led Total Sanitation and Open defecation status and a positive attitude towards Community-Led Total Sanitation implementations and open defecation status despite having very low hand washing facility coverage (36%, n=158) and hand washing with soap after defecation (24% n = 105). Knowledge has no influence on latrine use and hand washing facility construction (p >0.05) while attitude has influence on hand washing facility constriction (p <0.05) in Balaka. Emphasis is required on health promotion on hand-washing facility construction and washing hands with soap to to ensure sustainable sanitation practices beyond ODF certification.

Abstract: Leadership is defined as a way of motivating people towards achieving a common goal. In project management, leadership plays a critical role in fostering positive communication and achieving project success. This paper focuses on the influence of servant leadership on performance of projects implemented by World Vision in Arusha Region, Tanzania. The study involved a mixed methods approach to obtain relevant data for the study, and a convergent parallel design for data analysis. Findings revealed that servant leadership had a significantly high influence on performance of project, with majority of respondents expressing positive responses with the leadership style. Overall, the research emphasized the need to consider additional factors, such as technology, team diversity, risk, and culture, in understanding the full impact of servant leadership on performance of projects. Further investigation into these performance-related factors is recommended to enhance performance of projects. In conclusion, the study highlighted the significance of servant leadership in project management and stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach that goes beyond the servant leadership style to ensure effective performance of projects.

Abstract: Marketing communication strategies hold significant influence over consumer purchasing behavior through the establishment of brand awareness, provision of information, shaping of perceptions and attitudes, brand differentiation, leveraging social proof, fostering engagement and interaction, eliciting emotional connections, and prompting action. This study explores the impact of marketing communication strategies on consumer preferences and purchasing decisions in the Huye complex market. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of advertisements on consumer preferences and purchasing decisions. It employed a quantitative research design with a target population of 3123 market sellers and a sample size of 355 respondents, determined using Yamane’s formula. Questionnaires were utilized to gather data on the influence of advertisements on consumer preferences and purchasing decisions. The collected data underwent careful editing and analysis using SPSS version 21. The findings revealed a noteworthy positive correlation between advertisements and consumer preferences and purchasing decisions (r=739**, p=0.000). Based on these results, the study suggests that advertisements should evoke feelings of desire, aspiration, happiness, or empathy among consumers. Establishing emotional connections can bolster brand loyalty and influence purchasing decisions. Furthermore, advertising messages should be clear, concise, and targeted to the relevant audience. They should emphasize the unique features, benefits, and value propositions of the products or services to capture consumers’ attention and interest.

Abstract: The development of technology, especially ICT, influences education. There was the initiation of smart classrooms and the distribution of laptops to science teachers, in 2016 in Rwanda. But for now, a few pupils do poorly on questions involving probability and statistics but do well in other areas of the math exam, when they use calculators. This study examined the attitude of teachers towards the use of Excel software to teach and learn statistics. The target population was upper public schools in the Kicukiro district having smart classrooms, teachers who have computers, and having combinations studying core mathematics. Sixteen (16) who had the required prerequisites were interviewed. Case study research design and thematic analysis were used. Results indicated a positive attitude of teachers to integrate Excel software in teaching and learning statistics. According to this study, more computer labs should be established, teachers should be trained in computer use and software like Excel, and all teachers should be given computers, to allow students to use Excel software in statistics, and to use Excel software in all secondary schools in teaching and learning statistics in other Rwandan districts, as well as in academic institutions.

Abstract: A lot of literature relating to small group practices in the Seventh-day Adventist Church (SDA) exists, but they have not done enough to address the growing need of the church members to fully participate in the ministry. This study examined how small-group practices enhance members’ participation in the Ministry. It specifically examined small group practices in the Old Testament (OT), New Testament (NT), in the SDA Church, in the North-West Rwanda Field (NWRF) of the SDA Church, and how they are adopted there. The study used a scoping review approach which included secondary data from the Bible, religious and non-religious literature, and reports from the NWRF. Data analysis was thematically performed to identify various group practices. These were presented according to the study objectives. Findings showed that small groups existed in the OT and NT and included commitment to service, faith in God, obedience to God, leadership, worship, mission care, Christ-centered, community-centered, selfless, and nurturing. In the SDA Churches, practices like community, prayer, nurturing, cell fellowship, and social were exercised. In the NWRF, they practiced training and nurturing. However, most of the established small groups in the NWRF seemed to have departmental structures. This study provided additional knowledge to the understanding of the practical functionality of small groups in the NWRF. The study concluded that small groups in OT, NT, SDA Church, and in NWRF had both similar and varying practices that can be used to enhance church members’ participation in the NWRF ministry. The study recommends the establishment of small groups whose practices are based on the OT, NT, and SDA Church models. The study further recommended the use of mixed methods in future studies to corroborate the findings of this study.