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Policies and practices: Optimizing operational efficiency and performance metrics in Naga City cooperatives
Get PDFThis research, based on a mixed-methods study of 10 micro and small cooperatives in Naga City, Philippines, proposes a developmental improvement plan and a comprehensive performance measurement system to address the need for enhanced digitalization while capitalizing on existing strengths in compliance and operational practices. The study identifies high levels of compliance in areas such as regulatory adherence and financial reporting, alongside strong engagement in financial management and manpower resource development. However, it highlights a crucial need for improvement in digitalization to optimize operational effectiveness and member engagement. The proposed cyclical process for continuous improvement encompassing assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, and feedback/adjustment is designed to guide cooperatives in strengthening key operational areas, including financial management, digital transformation, operational efficiency, compliance, employee performance, and customer-centricity. A detailed set of specific metrics and target goals for each area is provided, enabling cooperatives to continuously monitor, evaluate, and enhance their performance, ultimately leading to greater value creation for their members and the community
Level of financial literacy of LGU employees in the municipality of Sipocot, Camarines Sur
Get PDFFinancial literacy is a longstanding problem in the Philippines, resulting in widespread financial insecurity among people and groups. Financial literacy is defined as the ability to understand and apply financial principles in daily life, enabling informed decision-making and effective financial management. This study aimed to examine the level of financial literacy among Local Government Unit (LGU) employees in Sipocot, Camarines Sur. A descriptive-correlational research approach was employed, utilizing surveys and face-to-face interviews to gather data from 70 respondents. Statistical analysis revealed that civil status significantly impacts financial literacy, particularly in budgeting. No significant association was found between demographic factors and spending behavior. However, educational attainment emerged as a key factor influencing financial literacy in investing. To address gaps in financial literacy and improve financial stability, the LGU WISE program was established. This program aims to encourage Local Government Units (LGUs) to enhance the financial literacy of their employees by providing essential knowledge and skills in budgeting, spending, and investing. By building these competencies, LGU WISE aims to improve employees’ financial stability and positively impact their quality of life, reduce financial stress, and cultivate a culture of financial responsibility and empowerment within the LGU
SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF LAND OWNERSHIP AND AGRICULTURAL POLICY CHANGES: AN APPRAISAL
Get PDFThis study explores the social implications of land ownership structures and agricultural policy changes, with a focus on how these factors impact economic opportunities, social equity, and community stability in rural areas. Land ownership and agricultural policies are significant determinants of socioeconomic status, often exacerbating inequalities by favoring large-scale agribusinesses over smallholder farmers. The concentration of land ownership among few large entities limits access to resources for marginalized populations, thereby increasing economic disparities. Furthermore, agricultural policies that prioritize high-yield monocultures and chemical inputs, while enhancing productivity, have led to environmental degradation, such as soil erosion and water depletion. This study highlights the shift towards sustainable agricultural policies that aim to balance productivity with ecological conservation. Gender dynamics are also addressed, as women often face barriers to land access, which inhibits broader social equity. Empowering women with secure land rights has shown to improve household well-being and community resilience. Additionally, the study underscores the importance of inclusive governance that involves local communities in decision-making processes to mitigate social injustices and promote sustainable practices. However, challenges remain, including persistent land concentration, lack of financial resources for smallholder farmers, and vulnerabilities to global market fluctuations, which impact food security and community stability. This appraisal contributes to understanding the broader social impacts of land and agricultural policies, emphasizing the need for reforms that support equitable access to land and resources, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen social cohesion in rural communities
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory functions of turmeric and cucumber juice following lead-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats
Get PDFReactive oxygen species and free radicals generated by oxidative stress and inflammation have been implicated in various clinical conditions. This study aimed to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects of turmeric and cucumber juice following lead-induced toxicity in male Wistar rats. Twenty-five male rats (170–250 g) were randomly divided into five groups (n = 5 per group). Lead toxicity was induced in all rats by a single daily oral dose of 2.25 mg/kg, except in Group 1, which served as the control. The treatment was administered for 28 days as follows: Group 1 (control) received no treatment; Group 2 (Pb only) received 2.25 mg/kg of lead; Group 3 (Pb + TURM) received 2.25 mg/kg of lead with 1 ml of turmeric juice; Group 4 (Pb + CUM) received 2.25 mg/kg of lead with 1 ml of cucumber juice; and Group 5 (Pb + TURM + CUM) received 2.25 mg/kg of lead with 1 ml of both turmeric and cucumber juice. On day 29, blood samples were collected for serum analysis of antioxidants (malondialdehyde [MDA], superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT]) and inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α]). Rats in Group 2 (Pb only) exhibited significantly higher levels of MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α, and lower levels of SOD and CAT compared to the control group (p < 0.05), indicating oxidative damage and inflammation. Treatment with turmeric and cucumber juice in Groups 3 and 4 significantly reduced MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α, and increased SOD and CAT levels (p < 0.05). Co-administration of both juices in Group 5 resulted in even more pronounced effects, suggesting a synergistic benefit. The mechanism of action remains under investigation
Effects of Group-Based Mastery Instructional Strategy on Academic Performance of Social Studies students in Delta State Upper Basic Schools
Get PDFThis study investigated the effect of group-based mastery instructional strategy on academic performance of Social Studies students in Delta State Upper Basic schools. The study adopted a quasi-experimental design. Two research questions and two hypotheses were formulated. The sample size of the study comprised 170Basic 8 students drawn from six secondary schools. Social Studies Performance Test was used as the instrument for data collection. It was tested and analyzed, using Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient. The reliability value was 0.75. Data were collected and the research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while ANCOVA was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that students taught Social Studies with group-based mastery performed academically higher than those taught with lecture method. The results also revealed that gender had no significant effect on students' academic performance. Based on the findings, it was recommended that group-based mastery instructional strategy should be employed as one of the instructional strategies; Seminars and workshops should be organized for teachers on instructional strategy like group-based mastery to enhance the teaching of Social Studies; male and female students should be given equal opportunity to learn in the classroom
STRATEGIC THINKING AND EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING OF THE TELECOMMUNICATION INDUSTRY IN RIVERS STATE, NIGERIA
Get PDFThis study examined the correlation between strategic thinking and efficient decision-making in the telecommunications sector in Rivers State, Nigeria. The capacity of managers in the Telecommunication industry to foresee dangers, recognize opportunities, consider alternative options and make effective decisions that will optimize immediate benefits and provide long-term competitive advantage is believed to have hampered their services, and this has resulted to delving into this research in order to provide possible solutions. As a consequence, two research hypotheses were formulated in their null forms. A comprehensive census survey approach was used, including 150 participants and using primary source, and a quasi- experimental research approach was adopted. The data were gathered using structured copies of the questionnaire and analysed using Spearman's Rank Order Correlation Coefficients (rho) in SPSS Version 21. The results demonstrated a statistically significant, albeit minor, positive correlation between strategic thinking and successful decision-making. More precisely, there is a positive relationship between cognitive thinking and successful decision-making, with a correlation value of 0.190. Similarly, creative thinking also has a positive association with effective decision-making, with a correlation coefficient of 0.452. The research highlighted the significance of incorporating strategic thinking into leadership development programmes in order to improve the quality of decision-making and satisfaction of stakeholders. The recommendation is for telecoms companies to include strategic thinking modules in their training programmes and cultivate an atmosphere that promotes new ideas
READING HABITS AS A PREDICTOR OF PUPILS’ TEST ANXIETY IN PRIMARY SCHOOLS IN ANAMBRA STATE
Get PDFThe study investigated reading habits as a predictor of pupils’ test anxiety in primary schools in Anambra State. Three research questions guided the study and three null hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level. Correlational research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study comprised 37,190 basic five pupils in Anambra State. A sample size of 817 pupils was draw for the study using multistage sampling procedure. Three sets of instruments: ‘‘Reading Habit Scale (RHS)” and “Test Anxiety Scale (TAS)” were used for data collection.The instruments were face validation by three experts, two from the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education and one in Measurement and Evaluation from the Department of Educational Foundations, all in the Faculty of Education, Nnamdi Azikiwe University. Cronbach alpha method was used for a test of internal consistencies of the instruments which yielded overall coefficient value of 0.78 for RHS and 0.80 TAS.Simple regression was used to answer the research questions and test the hypotheses. The findings of the study revealed among others that reading habits is a strong predictor of pupils’ test anxiety in primary schools in Anambra State. It was also found thatreading habits is a significant predictor of pupils’ test anxiety in primary schools in Anambra State. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that parents should set aside time at home for their children to read and prepare well for examination to reduce test anxiety
ATTITUDES OF TEACHERS TO ICT USAGE IN SECONDARY SCHOOL MANAGEMENT IN AWKA SOUTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ANAMBRA STATE
Get PDFThe study examined attitudes of teachers to ICT usage in secondary school management in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. Two research questions guided the study. Descriptive survey research design was adopted for this study. The population of the study comprised 604 teachers (60 males and 544 females) from the 19 public secondary schools in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. All the 604 teachers were used for the study due to relatively manageable size of the population. A researcher-developed instrument titled “Attitudes of Teachers to Information and Communication Technology Usage in School Management Questionnaire (ATICTUSMQ)” was used for data collection. The instrument was subjected to face validation by three experts from Department of Educational Foundations, Faculty of Education, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Igbariam Campus. The internal consistency of the instruments was determined using Cronbach Alpha which yielded reliability value of 0.79. The instruments were administered by the researcher with the help of three research assistants who are secondary school teachers in Anambra State. A total of 604 copies of the questionnaires were distributed and 593 were properly filled and successfully retrieved indicating 98% return rate. Mean and standard deviation were used to answer the research questions. The findings of the study revealed that teachers have high self-efficacy and willingness to ICT usage in secondary school management in Awka South LGA of Anambra State. Based on the findings, it was recommended among others that Ministry of Education should develop policy that is geared towards improving self-efficacy of teachers to ICT usage in school management
The Current State of AI Utilization in Learning: A Case Study at the University of Information Technology and Communications - Thai Nguyen University
Get PDFIn the era of rapid technological advancement, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative tool in education, offering personalized learning experiences, improving efficiency, and fostering student autonomy. This study investigates the utilization of AI tools, particularly ChatGPT, in learning activities at the University of Information Technology and Communications - Thai Nguyen University. A mixed-methods quantitative approach was employed, involving surveys of 240 students across different academic levels. The results highlight a high adoption rate of AI tools, with significant benefits such as enhanced efficiency and accessibility to diverse learning resources. However, challenges such as accuracy concerns, ethical issues, and over-reliance on AI were identified. The study underscores the need for targeted interventions, including digital literacy training, ethical guidelines, and infrastructure development, to optimize AI integration in higher education. These findings provide valuable insights for policymakers and educators aiming to enhance the effectiveness of AI in learning
Perception des apprenants de l'usage et de l'apport des TIC dans les apprentissages de l'orthographe des mots
Get PDFThis article explores learners' perceptions of the use and contribution of in learning to spell words. Faced with the cognitive learners' cognitive impoverishment, word processing seems to constitute a tool formediation of spelling learning. This research was carried out on a sample of 30 learners from several primary schools in Douala. The study population is made up of pupils with experience of digital technology, more specifically the Word word processor. In an inductive-hypothetico-deductive approach, we have the Spearman test to analyse the data collected in the field. The results indicate a significant learners' perception of the use and contribution of ICT to their learning in theof ICT in learning to spell words. Thus, through reflective questioning, the students became aware that their success depends on their involvement in interactions with the computerised word processing functions.
Résumé
Cet article explore la perception que les apprenants ont de l'usage et de l'apport des TIC dans les apprentissages de l'orthographe des mots. Face à l’appauvrissement cognitif des apprenants, le traitement de texte semble constituer un outil de médiation des apprentissages de l’orthographe. Cette recherche est faite sur un échantillonde 30 apprenants issus de plusieurs écoles primaires de Douala. La population de l’étude est constituée des élèves ayant une expérience avec le numérique plus précisément le traitement de texte Word. Dans une démarche inductivo-hypothético-déductive, nous avons privilégié le test de Spearman pour analyser les données recueillies sur le terrain. Les résultats, indiquentune perception significative, positive et d'intensité moyenne des apprenants de l'usage et de l'apport des TIC dans les apprentissages de l'orthographe des mots. Ainsi, par le biais des questionnements réflexifs, les élèvesont pris conscience que leur réussite dépend de leur implication dans les interactions avec les fonctions du traitement informatisé de texte