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The Impact of Strategic Project Management on Performance of Taiwan’s Textile Industry
No full textOrganizational performance is a central and fundamental feature for the existence of an organization in the present day competing world and the organizational performance is needed to be focused in details since it is the process to increase the effectiveness of the organization. In the present day environment, there are increased complexity and uncertainty, and these have their effects on the organizational performance. Textile Industries today are very much concerned about factors that affect their performance, including the role of strategic project management within the organization as this enables the organization effectively and efficiently manage its resources. At present, Taiwan is one of the major manufacturers and exporters of textile and apparel in the world. The study established that Taiwan has invested and developed a new technology to integrate the entire value chain of the textile industry. The total production value of textiles and apparels have significantly declined by 12.31 per cent in the last five years from 12.9 billion in 2018. Self-assessment and partner assessment is critical, and needs to be built into the overall process. These have lately presented themselves in a variety of failures that range from financial failure, epidemics, and other natural calamities; violent actions among staffs and from terrorist factions as well. The study concludes that strategic project management practices can contribute to achieve the project objectives of textile industries, in total harmony and alignment with the organizational objectives, by suggesting a set of procedures and activities that can increase the likelihood of success and the customer’s satisfaction, in addition to improving performance in terms of cost and time. The study thus recommends that, to be resilient, textile industries in Taiwan will need to use intensively strategic project management practices in turbulent and changing situations in order to survive and thrive. Strategic project management is critical to make sure that the textile sector is prepared to meet future difficulties.
Keywords: Strategic project management, Performance, Textile Sector, Taiwa
Influence of Teachers’ Preparedness on Students’ Academic Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Rwanda
No full textThe standard level of preparedness among secondary school teachers plays an important role in improvement of students’ academic performance. Hence, the study sought to examine the influence of teachers’ preparedness on students’ academic performance in public secondary schools in Gatsibo district in Rwanda. Correlation research design was employed. The target population was 308 respondents including 280 teachers and 28 directors of studies. The sample size was 174 (158 teachers and 16 directors of studies). Yamane formula was utilized to get the sample size. Interview guide, question and document analysis were taken as instrument of data collection. The findings revealed that majority of respondents with the mean of 3.13 and the standard deviation of 1.28 corresponding with 45.6% of teachers’ agreed that they have effective use of instructional materials. It was also revealed that majority of the respondents with the mean of 3.19 and 1.28 of standard deviation revealed they use computer to prepare their lessons. The study also indicated that majority of respondents having the mean of 3.09 and the standard deviation of 1.35 corresponding with 40.5% of teachers agreed that there is active class participation. The findings also reveal that there is 26.2% of teacher preparedness able to affect the level of students’ academic performance and the remaining 73.8 % of students’ academic performance can be affected by other variables. The study found there is a statistically significant high correlation between teacher preparedness and students’ academic performance (P=.000 and r = .817). The study recommended the school head teachers to make regular checking of teachers’ documents for the purpose of enhancing the level of teachers’ readiness. The Ministry of education responsible to improve teaching profession is recommended to enhance to quality and quantity of professional training given to teachers. The Non-governmental organizations should make collaboration with the school administration for the purpose of improving the level of teachers’ preparedness and students’ academic performance.
Keywords: Teacher preparedness, Students’ academic performance, Public secondary school
Research Methods Cannot Be Value Free
No full textIn research, quantitative and qualitative methods are both useful and both serve their different purpose to each researcher, each operating within different assumptions. Quantitative just like qualitative research methods in educational research have brought about a number of debates. Some contending researchers seek to prove the underlying factor of whether or not research methods, be it quantitative or qualitative, can actually be value-free. In order for us to make sense of this complex world, we must as researchers have some underlining concept of some phenomena. If there isn’t, then how can I make sense of the world? The truth of the matter is we can only know facts about reality and its existence through theories which we ourselves construct. It is my belief that these theories in and of themselves constitute values which impact on our research. So then to make sense of the research, we must clearly understand that the researcher affects the research process and thus the researcher and the research process are interdependent
Learner Centred Teaching Techniques and Students’ Engagement in English Subject in Public Secondary Schools in Musha Sector, Rwamagana District, Rwanda
No full textPioneers of learner centred pedagogy believe that learner centred teaching techniques play a significant role in students’ engagement. In countries, where English is taught as a second language, this pedagogy is paramount to making English language classes engaging and impactful. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of learner-centred teaching techniques has on students’ classroom engagement in English language subject in Rwamagana district, Rwanda. The study used both descriptive and correlational research design. For data collection, questionnaires, focus group discussion and interview guide were used. In addition to simple random sampling, this study used purpose and stratified sampling techniques. The target population of this study was 318 people corresponding to the sample size of 187 respondents by using Yamane formula. To analyze quantitative data, IBM SPSS software version 26 was used and thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. The findings revealed that learner-centred teaching techniques in English language subject are able to influence the students’ classroom engagement at the level of 77.6% and the remaining 22.4% can be attributed to other variables as indicated by the R square of 0.776. Additionally, the study revealed that there is a statistically significance high degree of positive relationship between learner-centred teaching techniques and students’ classroom engagement in English language subject with P-value = .000 which is less than .01 as the level of significance and Pearson coefficient of correlation r=.861. The study concludes that the effective implementation of learners centered teaching techniques influences the level of students’ engagement in English language subject. The research recommends that school head teachers make regular supervision about teaching activities to enhance the level of students’ classroom engagement by promoting the use of learners centered teaching technique. The study suggests that the further research can establish the influence of learner centered teaching techniques on students’ academic performance in Rwanda.
Keywords: Learner centred teaching techinques, Learner centred approach, students’ classroom engagement
Effect of Teacher Professional Conduct on Students’ Learning Outcomes in Public Secondary School in Rwanda
No full textThe professionalism of teachers plays a significant role in the promotion of students’ learning outcomes and quality of education. Thus, the purpose of this paper was to assess the effect of teacher professional conduct on students’ learning outcomes in public secondary school in Gakenke district, Rwanda. Correlation research design was adopted. The target population was 324. A simple random sampling and convenient sampling techniques were used to get a sample size of 179 respondents. Questionnaires and interview guide were used as data collection instruments. IBM SPSS version 21 assisted in management of quantitative data and thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative findings. The findings revealed that 30.8% of respondents indicated there is an effective communication among teachers. It was also found that punctuality is one of the factors associated with teacher’ professional conduct. The study found that 38.6% of the respondents indicated there is an improved discipline among students in selected public secondary schools. The R Square was found to be .401 which means that the variables that make teacher professional conduct are able to affect the learning outcomes of students in public secondary schools at the level of 40.1% and the remaining 59.9% can be affected by other variables. It was reported there is a statistical significance high degree of positive relationship between teacher teachers’ professional conduct and students’ learning outcomes in public secondary schools in Gakenke district. The P-value = .000 which is less than 0.01 as the level of significance and Pearson coefficient of correlation r = .634 which is high. This paper recommends that the Ministry of Education should strength the aspect of teacher professional development for the purpose of promoting their professionalism and the level of students learning outcomes.
Keywords: Students’ leaning outcome, Professional development, Teachers’ professional conduct and public secondary school
Relationship Between Secondary School Teaching Factors and Academic Performance of Students in Science Subjects in Lower Public Secondary Schools in Rwanda
No full textThe performance of students in various school activities get affected by various factors including factors associated with teaching. These can include teachers’ attitude, schools’ facilities usage, curriculum implementation and community involvement. Therefore, the purpose of the research was to assess the relationship between secondary school teaching factors and academic performance of students in science subjects in lower public secondary schools in Rwanda, particularly in Rusizi district. The target population was 185 respondents. From this population, simple random sampling and convenient sampling techniques were used to get 126 respondents. Questionnaire and interview guide were used as data collection instruments. IBM SPSS version 23 was used in the management of quantitative data. Likewise, thematic analysis was used to analyze the qualitative findings. The findings revealed there is a statistically significant low positive relationship between school installations usage and students results where r= 0.390 and p-value of 0.001, less than 0.01 was found. This shows school facilities are more important in making students more performing in different domains. The study also revealed there is a statistically significant low positive relationship between teachers’ attitudes and academic achievements where r= 0.458 and p-value is 0.000 less than 0.01. This means that teachers’ attitudes are more important in making students more performing in different domains. It was noted there is a statistically significant low positive relationship between curriculum implementation and the school achievements where r= 0.291 and p-value 0.019 is less than 0.05. This means that at certain extent curriculum implementation contribute to the academic performance. The findings also indicated there is a statistically significant low degree of positive relationship between community involvement and students’ achievements where r= 0.245 and p-value = 0.049, less than 0.05. This means that at certain extent community involvement contribute to the academic performance. This research recommends that the government should allocate enough funds to schools for improving school buildings. School authorities and parents should construct ways of controlling students’ personal issues. Besides, there should be establishment of the departments guiding and counseling students at the educational institution like schools to resolve learners’ problems like teenage challenges, panic of exams, and subject choices among others.
Keywords: Teaching factors, Academic performance, Lower Public Secondary Schools, Rwand
The Implication of Using Information Communication Technology to Present, Comment on and Discuss Student Work on the Outcome of Students Performance: Evidence from Turkey
No full textTurkish Learning institutions have embraced ICT skills in teaching and learning to ensure career readiness among learners. Information Communication Technology tools provide the opportunity for educators to address problem-solving and project-based learning in both face-to-face and blended learning. However, there have been issues of educators’ awareness and skills in utilizing the technology tools in the instructional processes. The purpose of the study was to establish the Outcomes of Technology Integration in Instruction by Higher Learning Institutions in Asia with a focus on Turkey. The paper was a literature based in which comprehensive review of existing literature on technology integration in Education was interrogated to come up with study themes. The empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and conclusion drawn based on the reviewed literatures. The study found that factors that influenced integration of ICT in the primary teacher training colleges in Turkey included: adequacy of internet connectivity, adequacy of computer hardware, adequacy of computer software, maintenance of ICT infrastructure, training of personnel in ICT, teacher workload, teacher gender, teacher age, presence of ICT policy and adequacy of fund. Additionally, lecturers were found to be aware of the relevance of Web 2.0 tools for instructional purposes. This paper concludes that integrating technology in instruction will serve as a strategy for leveraging education in Turkey if first-order barriers such as insufficient ICT infrastructure, limited ICT competency among teachers and tutors and lack of comprehensive ICT training are addressed effectively. The study recommends that, the managements of higher learning institutions in the country should provide teachers with regular trainings and seminars on how to adopt ICT in the teaching and learning process.
Keywords: Technology integration, higher learning institutions, ICT, Turke
Effect of Direct Costs of Education on Students’ Transition Rate in Public Boarding Secondary Schools in Kenya
No full textEducational resources and facilities cost money. The government and families mostly cover these expenditures. Kenya has spent considerably in education to improve access and participation. Despite these attempts, many students enroll in secondary school in form one, but the numbers drop as they advance to form four. Some are unsuccessful in the four-year course. The study's main goal was to determine the effect of direct educational costs on the transition rates of students in public boarding secondary schools in Uasin Gishu County. This research employed a Convergent Parallel Mixed Methods Design. 34 principals and 3,917 parents were targeted. The sample includes all the 34 principals and 362 parents purposively and Yamane's Simplified formula-selected respectively. Proportional random sampling aided in the choice of parents. Interviews, questionnaires, and archive content analysis collected data. Thematic analysis helped interpret qualitative data while inferential and descriptive statistics interpreted quantitative data. The findings indicated that, in public boarding secondary schools, student transition is highly connected with direct educational expenses. Direct educational expenditures predict public boarding secondary school students’ grade to grade transition rate. They explain 81.8% of the variation with repairs, maintenance and improvement cost accounting for the highest (34.7%) and school meals was responsible for 0.1% of the variance. The study concluded that, direct costs of education affect students’ grade to grade transition. It recommends the government to: review and increase student capitation so as to cover boarding expenses, diversify funding sources to fully cushion the needy students and fully fund school projects and programmes in order to relieve parents/guardians of the cost burden and thus increase student participation in Public Boarding Secondary schools.
Keywords: Direct costs of education, Boarding Expenses, Board of Management Salaries and Motivation Fees, Public Boarding secondary Schools, Student Capitation, Students’ Transition Rate
Effect of Social- Cultural Values on Women Leadership in Murang’a County Government
No full textWomen globally persist to encounter obstacles related to leadership. The challenges arise from societies and traditions where the family unit of socialization is the central organization of patriarchy which is a vital notion in displaying gender disparity. This research study is based on the thinking that appropriate and structured women empowerment in a genuine manner can alter the way the county government is run especially in Kenya. The main objective of the study was to determine how social-cultural values affect women leadership in Murang’a County Government. The study is well-versed by social conflict analysis by Karl Marx. The study also adopted descriptive research design. The population under study comprises of 159 senior government officers as well as political elite in Murang’a County Government and the legislative assemble of Murang’a. The study used purposive sampling in identifying persons with requisite knowledge of the concept of the study. The primary data was collected using the questionnaire and the secondary data was obtained from the government policy documents, gender policies annual reports, strategic plans as well as periodic reports both published and unpublished. The study findings were analyzed by use of Microsoft Excel Software and presented by use of tables and percentage for ease of data interpretation and consumption by the readers. The study established that there is a historical conviction that, women are accountable to take care of kids and do household chores than involving themselves in outside home activities like career advancement or furthering in higher education. Women are over tasked with diverse domestic roles which include but not limited to cooking, take care of kids, washing among other endless roles which have neither pay nor compensation. All these actions make women fully engaged in the family unit tasks and hamper their participation in the politics and leadership of the nation. Owing to the findings, the County governments should adopt the best practices in the field of recruitment of any government vacancy which is based on fairness and gender equity.
Keywords: Social-cultural values, Social conflict, Women leadership Structured women empowerment, Murang’a County Governmen
Self-Management Competencies and Employee Effectiveness: A Conceptual Review
No full textSelf-management practices are useful in enhancing the behavior that is desirable for the employees at workplace, and controlling the behavior that is undesirable and which may arise from impulses, innate habits and behavior learned due to upbringing. Self-management differentiates from management relying on strong supervisor involvement because it is conducted without the immediate presence of external control. Successful self-management can be very beneficial for organizations, as it can enhance job satisfaction, attendance, self-efficacy, job performance, learning and career success, as well as improve work behaviors such as learning, attendance and task performance. For employees, self-management at workplace means that they are responsible for determining approaches to task execution as well as monitoring and managing their own behaviors. This paper examines the impact of self-management competencies on employee effectiveness. It is conceptual in nature and thus adopts a desk research approach by reviewing extant literature.
Keywords: Self-Management, Employee Effectiveness, Self-Regulation, Self-Leadership, Self-Awarenes