Abstract: Unsafe learning environments negatively influence students’ performance and overall school functioning. Despite the existence of school safety standards in Kenya, cases of unsafe learning conditions continue to rise, signaling gaps in policy implementation. Guided by Systems Theory, the study examined the extent to which safety provision of safety physical infrastructure, and allocation of financial resources influence safety standards implementation. A descriptive research design was adopted. The target population comprised 40 principals, 412 teachers, 12,058 learners, and 1 Quality Assurance and Standards Officer. Using stratified and simple random sampling, the study sampled 12 principals, 124 teachers, 1,206 learners, and 1 Quality Assurance and Standards Officer. Data collection instruments included questionnaires, focus group discussions, interview schedules, and observation checklists. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, whereas qualitative data were thematically analyzed and presented narratively. The findings revealed moderate but uneven implementation of safety standards in secondary schools. Provision of physical safety infrastructure demonstrated a moderate influence (R² = 0.161), with structural features such as certified buildings and outward-opening doors well implemented, but safety signage and fire assembly points notably inadequate. Financial resource allocation also showed a significant but limited effect (R² = 0.125), with many schools relying heavily on external support. The study concludes that effective safety implementation requires a holistic and integrated approach. The study recommends improving safety signage and emergency infrastructure, and establishing dedicated safety budgets within school financial plans. Significantly the study will assist in enhancing the safety policy and safety standards in secondary schools.

Received October 31, 2018; Revised December 13, 2018; Accepted January 31, 2019

Abstract: The study was conducted to explore the contribution of milk collection center in improving rural household food security, Byimana sector, Rwanda. The study aim was to scrutinize the role of Milk Collection Center (MCC) for household food security and milk safety and to identify the challenges faced by farmers as well as MCC. Data were collected from 90farmers by structured questionnaires. SPSS version 21 was used in data analysis. The results showed that the farmers get various benefits from MCC, 66.7% have market of their milk and26.7% receive training. The major use of income earned by farmers:33.3% money used to buy their assets and buy medical insurance and26.7% is used to buy food needed. However, 73.3% farmers use plastics while 26.7 % employ stainless steel containers in milk handling. The study found main farmers’ challenge,37.8%lack of enough capital, 26.7%deficiency of feeds. On the other hand, MCC does not receive enough quantity of milk, some farmers sell their milk to the shops &boutiques. In conclusion, MCC outstandingly contributes in food security improvement of farmers at household level. The study recommends the use of stainless steel containers and the farmers need enough trainings.

Received March 5, 2018; Revised April 4, 2018; Accepted April 11, 2018

Abstract: There is no doubt it is all silent! HIV and AIDS are no longer the threatening health diseases that dominated the local and international daily news! Are HIV and AIDS no longer imminent health challenges, particularly among the youth in slums in the contemporary World today? The paper explores the critical implications of this silence yet no cure seems to be on the table yet! Why are funding allocations and the vibrancy that used to be there diminishing yet people are still dying in the midst of little support and international attention? A recent study on the coping mechanisms of the poor in Slum settlements in Kenya revealed that while it was a death sentence to be HIV positive or be living with full brown AIDS, apparently people are intentionally exposing themselves as a strategy to qualify for socioeconomic support safety nets! The study adopted a mixed research design with both qualitative and quantitative perspectives predominantly applied. Out of the 136 females and 89 males, structured observation and interviews, with key informants and focus group discussions were employed in data collection. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyze quantitative data, while qualitative data was analyzed and processed through key themes emerging from the respondents. The paper concludes that once the trend becomes an alarming challenge since life is back to normal with safe sex being a none material concern at the Global arena, the stakeholders are likely to revive funding sources and renew their strategy on protection projects, which would be too late to salvage the devastation the scourge will have imposed on society. Definitely the water will have spilled! Apparently there is need to restructure the HIV and AIDS policy framework and revive mutual collaborative support to save the innocent citizenry in whose view, the danger is out of hand and sex is seen as a free social good for mutual interaction and appreciation of human co-existence.