UFS Publications Platform (Univ. of the Free State)
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Transforming the Marginalised via IJRCS: The need to Rejig Rural and Community Studies towards Emancipation
Get PDFLiterature and social reality confirm that rurality and its people remain underprivileged, while groups within communities, even in urbanism, still demonstrate marginalisation and social inequalities. Not only that, but research is also limited to emancipate the perpetual deficiencies and the various inequalities that emerge within the context of rurality and community livelihood. Even the little research output in this category suffers revered outlets where rural and community studies could be disseminated. This forms the gap to which the Interdisciplinary Journal of Rural and Community Studies (IJRCS) intends to fill. This, therefore, is the inaugural statement of the Journal. The statement presents the historical background of the Journal, the focus of the Journal, and subsequently defines the conceptual understanding of the rural and community to enlighten the authors and readers about the kind of acceptable articles. The editorial process and the professional profile of our editors were presented with a conclusion that whatever knowledge production is coming from the archives of IJRCS is authentic, productive and will definitely assume national and international standards without giving loopholes for contestation
The ‘Locals’ and Local Government Bureaucracy: Implication on the Attainment of Developmental Goals in Nigeria
Get PDFThis study examined the effect of the exclusion of community representatives (locals), local traditional structures and values from the local government bureaucracy and its implication on attaining developmental goals in selected States in Nigeria. The study was situated within the ambits of the Weberian and Marxian bureaucratic theories to consider the subject matter and generate analysis. The study adopted the survey research design with a mixed-method approach to generate both primary and secondary data. Using the multi-stage sampling technique, a total number of nine electoral wards across the three states of Bayelsa, Edo and Rivers were covered. One thousand one hundred ninety (1,190) copies of a self-constructed questionnaire were administered in the study areas. The figure was arrived at with the use of the Taro Yamane method of calculation. Besides, in-depth interviews were conducted with key informants in the selected states. Quantitative data were analysed using Spearman’s Rho Correlation Coefficient, while qualitative data were subjected to both thematic and descriptive methods of data analysis. It was found that community participation and the inclusion of traditional structures and values in the local government bureaucracy could enhance the attainment of developmental goals at the local government levels. It was recommended that the National and State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria amend existing local government laws to restructure the local government bureaucracy to include community representatives at the local government bureaucracies with traditional institutions given specific roles
Teacher characteristics and the Use of ICT in Rural Secondary Schools of Bwera Sub County, Kasese District, Uganda
Get PDFThis study investigated the relationship between teachers’ characteristics and their use of ICT in teaching in rural secondary schools located in Bwera Sub County, Kasese District of Uganda. Bwera Sub County is a hard-to-reach rural area in western Uganda. Specifically, the study examined whether teacher characteristics, namely, teachers perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and teacher ICT competence, influenced teachers’ use of ICT in teaching with the secondary schools. Using the correlational research design, data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire on a sample of 127 school teachers. Descriptive results revealed that teachers rated their use of ICT and perceived competence as poor, rated ICT\u27s usefulness as good, and their use of ICT as fair. Regression analysis revealed that perceived usefulness, ease of use, and ICT competence had a positive and significant influence on ICT use in teaching and learning. It was concluded that perceived usefulness is a prerequisite for teachers’ use of ICT, perceived ease of use is imperative for the use of ICT, and competence is essential for the use of ICT. Therefore, it was recommended that in rural secondary schools, the Ministry of Education and headteachers should provide awareness training to teachers about the usefulness of IC, train teachers to use ICT, and develop their ICT competence
Conceptualisation of Critical Literacy and Argumentative Writing as an Essential Tool for the Development of Dialectic Reasoning among Students
Get PDFCritical literacy is a skill needed for academic and intellectual achievement, lifelong learning, discourse, future job prospects and other endeavours. Although it is instrumental to developing social interactions and relationships, some students cannot think critically and contribute meaningfully to spoken/written discourse because they do not possess the necessary skills and strategies. One way of developing critical literacy is through argumentative writing. Often, some students perceive argumentative writing as a complex and complicated skill in spite of its importance to their academic and lifelong goals. This paper discusses the importance of critical literacy and explores how argumentative writing can help develop this skill to salvage this situation. The article concluded that students should be exposed to the rudiments of argumentation to become critical literates who can critically scrutinise, appraise, and interpret information for their academic development and social transformation
The Impact of Covid-19 Pandemic ‘Lockdown’ on Reading Engagement of Selected Secondary School Students in Nigeria
Get PDFSeveral studies have decried the non-existence of functional school libraries in many primary and secondary schools in Nigeria. This inadequacy in school libraries made it extremely difficult for school librarians to foster the culture of reading in students through school library use and reading promotional activities. Moreover, library hours are not included in the school timetable in many secondary schools in Nigeria. Thus, reading engagement has been on the decline among secondary school students in the country. Despite these challenges, some studies suggested that students will spend more time reading if they have more spare time. Therefore, this study investigated selected secondary school students’ reading engagement during the COVID-19 pandemic school lockdown. It was assumed that the availability of time during the period would motivate students to read since schools were closed and movement was restricted. The study adopted an online survey instrument (Questionnaire) administered to the students over 3-month period (April - June 2020). This instrument was adopted because there was total closure of schools throughout the country, thus the only means students could be reached at the time was through online. The questionnaire was sent to individual students and school online groups. Thus, the study was limited to students with information technology gadgets and online presence. The result revealed that there was no significant difference in the duration of time students spent reading during the lockdown and when school was in session. It also revealed that students read textbooks to prepare for examinations and to keep sound academically
Teachers’ Awareness and Competence in the Switch from Classroom-Based to Online Teaching During COVID-19 Pandemic in Lagos, Nigeria
Get PDFIn the COVID-19 era, success in online curriculum delivery requires expertise, skills and competence. The study appraised the teachers’ awareness and competence in the switch from classroom-based to online teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos Mainland secondary schools, Nigeria. The study examined teachers’ awareness and competence level in the switch from classroom-based to online teaching using a descriptive survey research design. Random sampling was used to determine the sample size, which comprises 378 public secondary school teachers. A self-developed questionnaire was used to generate data. Cronbach Alpha method was used to determine the reliability of the instrument, and the pilot study yielded a coefficient of 0.83, which was deemed high enough to make the instrument reliable for the study. Frequency counts, mean, and standard deviation were used to analyse the data obtained, while chi-square (?2) was used to analysed the null hypotheses at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that teachers are reasonably aware of the switch from classroom-based to online teaching. However, the results demonstrated that teachers have low competence due to a lack of technological resources and technical know-how. Recommendations were made, among others, that teachers should keep up with the latest developments in the teaching field via development programmes. More importantly, teachers should be well-versed in the use of digital to accomplish instructional objectives efficiently, confidently, particularly during COVID-19 when classroom-based instruction was suspended
Latrine Utilisation and Associated Factors in Southern Ethiopia: Evidence from Selected Households in Holte Town, Ethiopia
Get PDFGlobally, over 2.5 billion people are still without access to improved sanitation. Almost a third of the world’s population suffers on a daily basis from a lack of access to a clean and functioning toilet. People are obliged to defecate in the open due to a lack of toilet facilities. Poor usage of latrines and excreta disposal are contributing factors to a high number of morbidity and mortality, especially among under-five children. Health improvement comes from proper sanitation facilities, not simply because of their mere physical presence. Therefore, this study assessed latrine utilisation and associated factors among households in Holte town of Derashe, especial Woreda, southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 356 households using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and checklist. An SPSS software Version.23 was used for analysis, and descriptive statistics and association among factors were finally calculated. From total respondents, 316 (88.76%) were using Latrine for 24 hours (good utilisation), 29 (8.1%) daily and the remaining 11 (3.0%) rarely (poor utilisation). Family members in each household were identified as using Latrine together. From the study respondents who have under-five children, 189 (53.1%) of the households do not allow their children to use Latrine. In conclusion, there is somewhat good latrine utilisation but poor hand washing practice after visiting Latrine in the study area. So, strengthening health information dissemination, appropriate technical support, and multi-sectorial collaboration should be key factors to improve the proper utilisation of latrines and handwashing practices
Assistive Technology and Learning Outcome of Students with Visual Impairment in Social Studies among Inclusive Schools in Nigeria
Get PDFStudents with visual impairment make use of audio and non-optical devices while learning social studies concepts without which outcomes in this seemingly important subject area may be impeded thereby negating the objectives in which the subject area was introduced into the school system. This study examined audio and non-optical devices and learning outcomes of students with visual impairment among some inclusive schools in Lagos State, Nigeria. Survey research design of the correlational type was employed. Three hundred students with visual impairment were randomly selected from 3 Inclusive Secondary Schools from each of the 16 Local Educational Districts in Lagos State. The instrument includes the use of Audio and Non-optical Devices for the Students with Visual Impairment Questionnaire (r.0.8.4). Data were analysed using Descriptive Statistics, Mean, parametric Statistics of Correlation and multiple regression models at 0.05 level of significance. It was revealed that there was a positive correlation (r=0.363) among the two independent variables (use of audio and non-optical devices) on the dependent variables (Social Studies Learning outcome) of the students with visual impairment. Also, it revealed that audio devices strongly determined the social studies learning outcomes of the students with visual impairment (.:200). It was found that non-optical devices also had a strong link with the social studies learning outcomes of students with visual impairment. Audio and non-optical devices are very potent in the determination of social studies learning outcomes of students with visual impairment in Lagos State, Nigeria
Influence of Knowledge and Skills Empowerment on Sustainability of Forest Conservation Projects in Kenya
Get PDFThis research examined the influence of knowledge and skills empowerment activities on the sustainability of forest conservation projects in Kenya. In this study, the sustainability of forest conservation projects was viewed as its ability to attract more stakeholders and continuously provide benefits to the community and the ecosystem after donor funding. Community empowerment was considered to entail the ability of an individual or group of individuals to proactively take control of their daily activities as well as solve associated daily challenges with little or no external intervention. Knowledge and skills empowerment in forestry projects involves gaining competencies in varied forestry activities including tree nurseries establishment, fire-fighting, agroforestry and pest and diseases management in individual tree strands and closed-canopy forests. The study was undertaken in Mbololo and Mwambirwa forests located in Taita-Taveta County of Kenya. The study used a cross-sectional survey research design and relied on mixed methods in data collection and analysis. The study sample comprised 365 respondents for quantitative data and six respondents for qualitative data. Observation and secondary data was also used in the study. Data were analysed using frequencies, mean and standard deviation as well as correlation and regression analysis. The results (r = 0.565, n = 365, p = 0.000) revealed a moderate positive significant relationship between knowledge and skills empowerment and sustainability of forest conservation projects. The null hypothesis that there was no significant relationship between knowledge and skills empowerment and sustainability of forest conservation projects was rejected. It was concluded that knowledge and skills
COVID-19, Governments’ Response and the Feminisation of Poverty: Ekiti State, Nigeria in Perspective
Get PDFThis article examined the effects of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19), and governments’ response action on female poverty in Ekiti State, Nigeria. Discourse on female poverty abounds, but there is the need to revisit the topic, particularly in the light of a global pandemic. Qualitative research approach was adopted. The method combined the use of primary data through the conduct of Key informants Interview, and the review of secondary materials to generate data. Ekiti State was purposively selected, while Ekiti Central Senatorial District was conveniently selected from the three Senatorial Districts being the seat of commerce of the State. Three towns from three Local Government Areas under Ekiti Central: Adebayo, (Ado Ekiti); Aramoko (Ekiti West); and Ipoti (Ijero) were randomly selected. A total of seven women, including traders/artisans who are breadwinners of their respective families, were interviewed. Responses were analysed thematically and with the use of the descriptive method. It was found-out that governments’ lockdown measure had a negative effect on commercial activities, as those activities were restricted; an action which had a multiplier effect on female/household poverty. Despite the punitive measures attached to the disobedience of the lockdown order, many women still engaged in ‘illicit’ commercial activities, as a desperate move to feed their respective families. Besides, the palliative provided by the government to cushion the effect of the lockdown was limited to grossly inadequate food items. The paper recommends that government should put in place a social security scheme such as an emergency fund