Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Effects of Child Abuse on School Dropout Among Students in USA
No full textSchool dropouts include leaving education before acquiring the minimum credential. The dropout is prompted by something that happens to the student outside of school, such as teen pregnancy, foster care placement and high school mobility. Hence, the study sought to examine the effects of child abuse on the school dropout rate among students in the USA. The study was literature-based, and the study's conclusions were based on the findings from the previous studies. The study found that child abuse affects the school dropout rate among students. Children who have been victims of physical violence are more likely to drop out of school before graduation than their counterparts. Students who drop out of school encounter more significant risks for problems associated with using nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, and other illegal substances. The study found that abused and neglected children are at greater risk for low educational attainment. For sexually abused children, cognitive ability and memory levels and academic achievement are less than their peers. The study concluded that dropping out of school drastically restricts the opportunities for future success for many children. Dropping out of school seriously hinders most learners' future success opportunities. It strengthens and passes on the chain of poverty to future generations. Getting a better education is the baseline through which several young people can get themselves out of poverty. The study recommended that child abuse is the most common concern in the USA and needs to be addressed. A multidisciplinary strategy is recommended to review and treat child abuse victims appropriately. The government should conduct awareness campaigns to ensure that parents and students appreciate the significance of primary education.
Keywords: Child Abuse, School Dropout, Students, US
Analyzing the VARK Model of Pre - Service Teachers PCK of Learning
No full textThe style of learning refers to the way an individual gains and applies creativity to acquire skills or knowledge. Teachers are accountable for delivering high-quality instruction. As a result, teachers must be able to create an engaging learning environment that draws students' attention to the material being taught. This study will explore the advantages of the VARK (Visual, Aural, Reading or Writing, and Kinesthetic) paradigm as a very effective learning approach. The study's purpose was to investigate whether there is a significant correlation between learning preferences of first-year undergraduate pre-service teachers using the VARK model and their age and programme of study. The population of the participants is 219 students in the B. Ed programme in St. Teresa’s College of Education in Ghana. The purposive sampling was used to select participants for the study however, only 176 of them conveniently responded to the questionnaire. Of these 39 were Early Childhood Education (ECE) students, 116 Primary Education (PE) students and 21 Home Economics (HE) students. The VARK Questionnaire (Version 8.01) was adopted and used for data collection. Descriptively, it was noted that 22(12.5%) of the participants prefer Visual learning only, and 37(21.0%), 19(10.8%) prefer Aural, Reading/Writing and Kinesthetic learning only respectively. Meanwhile, some participants indicated that they prefer learning in more than one of the models, thus 30(25.6%) 13(7.4) and 10(5.7) prefer learning in Bimodal, Trimodal Quadrimodal respectively. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) with varimax rotation was conducted to assess the underlying structure for the 16 items of the VARK learning model. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) of the main effect of age and programme of study on the VARK learning model of the pre – service teachers were assed. It was found that there is statistically significance difference between the mean scores of the pre – service teachers in the age brackets of 18-23 and 24-29 years of the study (F1, 174 =.001, p < .05). There was a statistically significant difference between programmes of study as determined by one-way ANOVA (F (2,173) = 8.457, p = .001). A Tukey post hoc test revealed that using the VARK learning model there was statistically significantly difference between PE (3.09 ± 1.5, p = .001) and ECE pre – service teachers (4.15 ± 1.7, p = .001) but not PE and HE pre – service teachers (3.75 ± 1.05, p = .301) programmes of study. Again, there was no statistically significant difference between the ECE and HE programme of study (p = .646). It is therefore, recommended teachers should vary their lessons to meet the needs and learning styles of all learnings by the VARK instructional tools or resources.
Keywords: VARK, Model, Pre-service teachers, Professional Content Knowledge, St. Teresa’s College of Educatio
Regulatory Reforms Affecting the Performance of Banking Industry in Kenya
No full textRegulations and guidelines issued by the Central Bank of Kenya subject banks to certain requirements, restrictions and guidelines. This regulatory structure creates transparency between banking institutions and the individuals and corporations with whom they conduct business, among other things. The special role that banks play in the economic system implies that banks should be regulated and supervised not only to protect investors and consumers but also to ensure systemic stability. More specifically, bank regulations exist for safeguarding the industry against systemic risk, protecting consumers from excessive prices or opportunistic behaviour and finally to achieve some social objectives, including stability. The research gap was based on the observation that there exists conflicting evidence of the effect of regulations on the bank financial performance. For many years, the banks have defied all efforts to lower the prohibitive interest rates and destroyed many businesses while they earned staggering profits, even in the worst of our economic times. After the 2008 global financial crises, many countries moved to limit the self-regulation and market liberalisation of the financial sector to protect consumers. The study was based on the four objectives: to investigate the effect of capital requirement /liquidity on banks profitability; to establish effect of credit and interest rate on the banks profitability; to examine the effect of reserve requirement on the banks performance and lastly to determine the effect of financial reporting on banks profitability. The theories that informed the study included agency theory, economic theory and liquidity theory. The paper used a qualitative research design where journals, books and publications related to the research area were reviewed. The paper used content analysis as its analytical framework. The study found capital requirement may not explain the financial performance due to the fact that the total asset increases more than the equity of the commercial banks and this can lead to the to the low rate of profitability of the commercial banks. It was established that liquidity ratio does not at all explain financial performance of commercial Banks in Kenya. The studies revealed an increase of net loans compared to the short-term borrowing. Higher figures denote lower liquidity. The negative relationship between financial reporting and disclosures and financial performance is most likely to have been resulted from the increase of banks put under receivership. The most important minimum requirement in banking regulation is maintaining minimum capital ratios. There is an association between regulatory reforms and bank performance or profitability.
Keywords: Regulatory Reforms, Capital Base, Return on Assets, Interest Rates, Capital Flows, Banks’ Profitabilit
Effects of Retirement Benefits on Organisational Performance in Kenya: A Case of Makueni County
No full textEmployees form the human capital factor in all organizations and symbolizes all human abilities irrespective of the inherent or learnt qualities, whose worth could be improved by suitable development investments. Organizations therefore need to ensure that they offer compensation and welfare packages that increase employee motivation. The motivation of employees increases when their needs which leads to increased productivity and efficiency in delivery of service. Achieving optimal performance in public service remain a challenge in Kenya. The study sought to evaluate the effect of retirement benefits on the performance of Makueni County Public Service. The social exchange theory guided the study. Out of the 3679 employees, proportionate stratified random sampling was used to identify 376 respondents and a semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the primary data. Descriptive research design was used while descriptive statistics, specifically the mean and the standard deviation was used to analyse the data while inferential statistics was done by use of a regression model. The regression analysis showed that 45.3% of the organizational performance is was explained by availability of retirement benefits. The study concludes that retirement benefits have a positive significance correlation on organizational performance and the availability of these benefits boosts employees’ satisfaction and consequently their performance and that of the organization in general. The study recommends that County Government of Makueni should ensure an equitable provision of retirement benefits; train staff on the available retirement benefits and provide staff with options to choose from. The study recommends that the human resource directorate should conduct sessions with employees to identify the gaps in the staff retirement benefits and action on the recommendations.
Keywords: Retirement Benefits, Organizational Performance, County Government of Makuen
Effects of the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons on Women Security in Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon
No full textThe purpose of this study was to look into the effects of small arms and light weapons proliferation on women's security in Cameroon's Adamawa region. The study used a mixed-method approach and a descriptive research design. The total population of target population was 290,000 people. The sample size was 400 people. Because Ngaoundere is densely populated, simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used. A questionnaire and key informant interviews were used to collect data, which included both qualitative and quantitative information. The collected data was keyed and analyzed with the most recent version of SPSS. According to the findings, the population of Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon is diverse, with nationals primarily from the country's far north, but also from the country's North West and South West regions. Several expatriates, mostly humanitarian workers and refugees, live in the area of study. Aggression with SALW has increased in Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon, over the last decade. The majority of victims of aggression caused by the use of SALW are women, making them more vulnerable to threats using small arms and light weapons. The study recommends that a national commission on small arms and light weapons be established. The study also recommends that more women be encouraged to participate in discussions about security and disarmament.
Keywords: Small Arms, Light Weapons, Women Security, Adamawa region, Cameroo
Board of Management Strategic Capacity and School Performance of Public Primary Schools in Juja Constituency, Kiambu County, Kenya
No full textThis study sought to examine the effect of board of management strategic capacity on the performance of public primary schools in Juja Constituency, Kiambu County, Kenya. The specific objective of the study was to evaluate the capacity of the BOM to make structural changes for the school performance of public primary schools in Juja Constituency Kiambu County. The study was anchored on team theory. In this study, the descriptive survey design was adopted. The study adopted the descriptive survey design where the target population comprised of 264 board members in the 22 public primary schools in Juja Constituency. The Nassiuma (2000) scientific formula was used to derive a sample of 122 respondents from each board of management in Juja Constituency. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. The study revealed that the BOM members had the capacity to make good structural changes to enhance public primary school performance through the division of tasks. Another finding was that the BOM members had the capacity to delegate authority to relevant officers to promote efficiency of operations. The study concluded that there was a positive and significant relationship between organization structure and school performance. The study recommends that the Ministry of Education should organize more capacity development trainings to ensure that BOM members are fully equipped with strategic planning skills. Another recommendation is that the Ministry of Education should organize benchmarking sessions for the BOMs so that they can learn from each other of the best practices.
Key words: Strategic Capacity, Structural Changes, School Performanc
Microfinance Banks and Entrepreneurial Growth Among the Youth in Daegu City, South Korea
No full textEntrepreneurial growth is one of the critical determinants of the economic development of a country. Entrepreneurial growth includes the process of improving entrepreneurial skills and knowledge among individuals with the help of providing well-organized training and developing supporting institutions. Raising entrepreneurial growth among the youth can be the foundation of increasing employment opportunities. Microfinance banks have been mainly designed to improve the living conditions of the less fortunate or underprivileged. Hence, the study sought to examine the effect of microfinance banks on entrepreneurial growth among the youth in South Korea. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The collection of the data was done among the youth in Daegu City. The study used purposive sampling to collect the data. Hence, the study sampled 892 youth purposively. The collection of the data was done using questionnaires. The analysis of the information was done using descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistics entailed describing the study data, while the inferential statistics incorporated the computation of the correlation and regression analyses. The study findings showed that microfinance banks have a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial growth among the youth in South Korea. The study concluded that microfinance institutions are evident tools for entrepreneurship growth because of the numerous services they provide and their role in developing young entrepreneurs. Young entrepreneurs need to be more receptive to new methods and prepared to make financial decisions to ensure growth. The study recommended that microfinance banks in South Korea should continue supporting the youth. It is recommended that microfinance banks fund youth entrepreneurs without many conditions. Microfinance banks should organize good training programmes for youth business owners. The government should also continue with the entrepreneurial growth among the youth in South Korea.
Keywords: Microfinance Banks, Entrepreneurial Growth, Youth, Daegu City, South Kore
Influence of Project Management Practices on Performance of Public Construction Projects in Kamonyi District, Rwanda
No full textThe government of Rwanda through the Ministry of Education has targeted to improve education based on science and technology as well as innovation in order to enhance the quality of education. The purpose of this paper therefore, was to establish the influence of project management practices on performance of public construction projects in Kamonyi district of Rwanda. The study employed descriptive and correlation research designs. The study used 133 people as target population. The study conducted a census. Questionnaire and guided interview were used as data collection instruments. The study found that majority, 38.8% of the respondents participates in construction project for the purpose of sustaining their living standard. It was also found that majority, 78.8% of respondents do not make a written project plan. The study also found that majority agreed that there is the provision of the required resources to be used before starting the project. The variables like resource acquisition, resource organization and risk mitigation that make project implementation were found to influence the construction project performance at 35.2% and the remaining 64.8% can be affected by other variables. The study found that the project monitoring and evaluation is ready to affect the construction project performance at 26.7% and the remaining 73.3% can be affected by other variables. The study recommended that managers of different organizations which sponsor projects should continually modify management aspects to improve performance of construction projects.
Keywords: Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Implementation, Project management practices, Project Performance and Project planning, Kamonyi Districti, Rwand
Parenting as an Antecedent to Ethical Leadership: A Review of Literature
No full textThe need for ethics and ethical leadership cannot be overemphasized in modern-day society. Individuals, organizations, communities, and nations at large have come to the realization that their long-term sustainability and progress are secure only when founded on ethical practices. In spite of the consensus regarding the need for ethical leadership, past studies have mainly focused on approaches to developing ethical leaders while these leaders are already in the positions of influence, disregarding that many factors could have come into play before a leader starts wielding influence that may result in their being ethical or unethical. This paper constitutes a review of the extant conceptual, theoretical and empirical literature and raises a number of issues that are a case for a new conceptual model related to the connection between parenting and ethical leadership. The new model advances that parenting is a major antecedent to ethical leadership. Further, the paper highlights that the effect of parenting on ethical leadership is through the mediating effects of morality development. In addition, environmental factors such as hereditary considerations, culture, peer influence, and education moderate the relationship between parenting and ethical leadership. Further, a number of the dimensions within environmental factors could also trace their origin to parenting as a construct in a self-repeating and cyclical fashion.
Keywords: Parenting, Morality, Moral development, Ethics, Ethical Leadershi
Effect of Team Building on Employee Productivity; A Case Study of Eastpharma Company in Turkey
No full textTeam building is crucial in the current business environment as companies seek team-based frameworks to improve their productivity. Team building is the process of forming teamwork in a firm. Team building events allow for interactions and encourage workers to work as a team and know each other well. Thus, the study sought to examine the effect of team building on employee productivity at Eastpharma Company. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The target population was 289 employees from EastPharma Company. The collection of the data was done using questionnaires. It was discovered that team building is positively and significantly related to employee productivity (β=0.357, p=0.014). The study concluded that when the efficiency in team building improves by one unit, the employees' productivity in firms in Turkey will increase by 0.357 units while other factors that influence the employees' productivity are held unchanged. Employees who work as teams have more productivity than those who work individually. Team building improves compatibility between team members and creates harmony that increases the productivity and success of the firm. Team building is often considered an ideal approach for developing high-performing teams with preferable interpersonal skills, team resilience and a better understanding of firms' goals. It enables employees to relieve stress from ongoing work and refresh their minds. The study recommended more emphasis should be on promoting the employees' team building to increase their production. The goals of an organization cannot be achieved by not working in unity. Team building is often considered an ideal approach for developing high-performing teams.
Keywords: Team building, employees’ productivity, Eastpharma Company, Turke