Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Relationship between Teachers’ Competency Level in Teaching English Language and Students’ English Language Proficiency in Secondary Schools in Rwanda
No full textThe improvement of students’ English proficiency depends on the level of teaching English language and the competency of teachers in teaching career. The purpose of this study therefore, was to investigate the relationship between teachers’ competency in English language and students’ English language proficiency within secondary schools of Karongi in Rwanda. The study adopted correlation research design research design. Data collection tools were questionnaire and interview guide. The target population was 1794 people comprised of 1560 students, 14 Sector Education Officers, 20 Head Teachers, 200 teachers. A simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques were used to get a sample size of 395 respondents. The study findings revealed that majority of the students with a total of 290 (91.2%) agreed that in their school, teachers are not competent enough in English language. Moreover, almost 292 (91.8%) of the respondents agreed that in their school, students English reading, writing, listening and speaking proficiency level is low and 70 (90.9%) of key informants agreed that both in public and private secondary schools of Karongi District, students’ English language proficiency level in reading, writing, speaking and listening is low. The correlation results showed the association between between teachers’ inability to teach in English, teachers’ inability to read classroom interactions in English language, teachers’ incompetency in English language, teachers’ inability to express themselves in English language as well as teachers’ inability to develop English language educational materials) and dependent variables (students’ reading, writing, speaking and listening English language proficiency and students’ English language proficiency (reading, writing, speaking and listening English proficiency) is positive. The study recommended the Ministry of Education through Rwanda Basic Education Board to avail enough English teaching and learning materials, including charts, textbooks and dictionaries which are adequate in enhancing English language proficiency mastery among students at an early age. All stakeholders of the education sector are recommended to support English teaching and learning activities in Rwanda, as it is the only and one shortcut for making Rwandans master the English language.
Keywords: Teachers’ competency, English Language, English proficiency, Rwand
Globalization and Higher Education in Africa (A Review of Literature)
No full textThe knowledge industry is credited for accelerating the emergence of global societies where national peculiarities are growingly being replaced by a homogenized global culture. Both theory and research attest that knowledge and innovation is the seedbed of globalization, a widely entrenched concept that has become a typical model of socio-cultural and economic development of the 21st Century. The notion of globalization presents similar and dissimilar opportunities and challenges for communities in different contexts. An awareness of these challenges and opportunities has been at the heart of regional, national and institutional response to globalization. The move towards a Knowledge economy brings to the fore the place of education in any discourse on globalization. Higher education systems (HE) are particularly inextricable themes. Globalization in HE encompasses those forces that push HE systems towards common values, models and structures at regional, continental and global levels. These systems do not only drive and ride on globalization. They are also subject to globalization as evidenced in extant literature.
Keywords: Higher Education, globalization, harmonization, accreditatio
Citizen Involvement in the Formulation of Public Policy in USA
No full textThe purpose of the study was to examine the importance of involvement of the people formulation of public policy in USA. The study make conclusion and recommendations based on the literature reviewed. Based on the literature reviewed, it was found that involvement of people in policy formulation influence the performance of the projects positively. It was established that involvement incorporate having work structures that enables people/ citizen to systematically give their input into decisions that affect them. The preceding studies showed that involving people in decision-making has many advantage. There is better quality of decisions, better understanding of the strategy, better organizational learning and higher commitment to the strategy undertaken by the government. Moreover, it was found that involvement of the citizen in policy formulation minimizes the chances of resistance. The significance of the involvement in policy formulation is that it boosts morale and makes people involved psychologically. A person with high confidence are more engaged, happy and enjoy their work. The study concluded that involvement in policy formulation is positively related to performance. The study concluded that consultation enables easy supervision of work. The research also concluded that education is essential for both parties who are participating towards high quality public policy formulation as it would certainly reduce unnecessary manipulation and the problem brought on by lack of knowledge, accountability and transparency and understanding of each party’s requirements. The study recommended that culture of involvement need to be adopted by the public sector in USA. The employees need to be part and parcel of policy formulation in the company. The involvement of the employees in the policy formulation will lower their resistance and will work toward a common objective/goal. The study also recommended that culture of public involvement must be urged by both levels of government through public education and learning, also there is demand to create the infrastructure for public engagement, including information centers, public communication structures, modalities and systems for involvement, petition treatments, referenda guidelines and public problems systems.
Keywords: Involvement, formulation of Public Policy, US
Effect of Traditional Knowledge System in Sustainable Development and Management of Natural Resources in Meru Community
No full textThis paper aimed at studying the effect of traditional knowledge system in sustainable development and management of natural resources in Meru community. The study was guided by the following questions: What is the role of indigenous system in the protection and conservation of natural resources in Meru community? What is the role of integrated environmental management frame work in the sustainable development and management of natural resources in Meru community? What is the relationship between participatory decision making, policy maker’s implementation and natural resources users in Meru community? The research was conducted in Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties and through purposeful sampling had two case studies from each county in Meru community. Data was collected using guided interviews and semi structured questions. The data was collected through a focus group discussion, documents and audio-visual materials. The study reviewed the literature to understand the effect of traditional knowledge system in sustainable development and management of natural resources in Meru community. Theoretical insights and empirical findings from the studies suggest that despite the generalized worldwide trend of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) erosion, substantial pockets of TEK persist in both developing and developed countries. The findings also reinforce previous hypotheses pointing at the importance of TEK systems as reservoirs of experiential knowledge that can provide important insights for the design of adaptation and mitigation strategies to cope with global environmental change in the management of natural resources. Recognition of endogenous management of Indigenous knowledge becomes an enhancing solution to the seemingly mega challenges of community development. Indigenous knowledge is a more secure foundation for sustainable solutions to challenges in developmental issues in communities and in Africa. Advanced technology in Indigenous knowledge (IK) usage and preservation empowers users to improve on pre-existing solutions to a problem, achieve a goal, and most of all improve on the standards of living.
Keywords: Traditional knowledge System, development and management, Natural Resources, Meru communit
Caregivers level of information and Access to Rehabilitation Therapy among Children with Disability, in West Bengal, India
No full textPoverty is a social condition characterized by the lack of resources necessary for basic survival or necessary to meet a certain minimum level of living standards. Thus, poverty affects ones’ general social functioning but to a great extent health care. The effects of poverty in families of children with disabilities are very grave. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of caregivers’ level of information and caregivers’ education levels, have on access to rehabilitation therapy for their children with disabilities in West Bengal, India. The study adopted a cross-sectional methodology targeting 108 caregivers which indicated that traditional cultural beliefs influenced access to rehabilitation therapy for children with disabilities. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics. The specific descriptive statistics included means and standard deviations. Witchcraft topped among traditional beliefs that were perceived to cause disability among the children. Many were aware of the nature of their child’s disability and thus could seek rehabilitation therapy. The most common forms of disabilities according to the study was Cerebral Palsy and others like Autism, Paraplegia, Down Syndrome, Epilepsy, Club Feet, Mental Disability and Hydrocephalus also being recorded. Most caregivers had attained secondary level of education and primary education. With the level of education possibly implying level of awareness and understanding about the nature of disabilities, which further influence access to rehabilitation therapy. The study concludes that caregivers’ level of information influences access to rehabilitation therapy for children with disabilities. Awareness training may be through seminars, church announcements and media communication through radio, televisions and newspapers. Government through Ministry of Health of India could also embark in sensitizing residents of West Bengal on disabilities and available rehabilitation therapies for children.
Key words: Poverty, Rehabilitation Therapy, Children, Disabilities, West Benga
Lean Supply Chain Strategy and Performance of Dairy Industry in Iringa Region, Southern Highlands of Tanzania
No full textThe dairy industry in Tanzania has been experiencing a decline in performance characterized by reduced efficiency, low quality, and quantity as well as increased wastage. This study sought to investigate the influence of lean supply chain strategy on the performance of the dairy industry in the Southern Highlands in Tanzania. The study adopted the descriptive research design. The target population was employees working at the milk processing plant in Iringa Municipality. A total of 60 employees were targeted. A census of all the employees was conducted since the target population was small. Primary data was collected using structured questionnaires. Descriptive statistics including percentages and means were used to describe the data. Regression analysis was used to establish the relationship between the study variables. The results indicated that customer relationship strategy had a positive and significant effect on the performance of the dairy industry. Demand management strategy had a positive and significant effect on the performance of the dairy industry. Supplier relationship strategy had a positive and significant effect on the performance of the dairy industry. The study concluded that lean supply chain strategy significantly influences the performance of the dairy industry in the Iringa Region, Southern Highlands of Tanzania. The recommendations were that stakeholders in the dairy industry including the farmers, distributors, milk processing companies, and the government of Tanzania should collaborate to strengthen lean supply chain aspects. The government of Tanzania should also streamline policy touching on dairy production. In particular, the government should strengthen legislation relating to customer relationships, demand management, and supplier relationship.
Keywords: Lean supply chain strategy, Performance, Dairy industry, Customer relationship strategy, Demand management strategy, Supplier relationship strategy
 
Warehouse Management and Operational Performance of Clearing and Forwarding Companies in Rwanda: A Case of Gorrila Logistics Ltd
No full textHigh operational costs and poor customer service that faces most companies can be explained by among other factors poor logistics management. The modern business world coupled with mass competition demands that firms take keen interest on logistics management as it’s one of the emerging key determinants of firms’ profitability and sustainable growth. This study sought to investigate the effects of warehouse management on operational performance of Clearing and forwarding companies in Rwanda taking Gorrilla logistics ltd as a case study. Specifically, the study focused on the effects of logistics management on operational performance of Clearing and forwarding companies in Rwanda taking Gorrilla Logistics ltd as the case study. The study was based on supply chain theory. The study adopted in this research descriptive research designs. The targeted population was all 240 staff of Gorrilla logistics ltd which where sample size of 150 respondents was calculated using Yamane’s formula. Data collected constituted primary data which was collected with the aid of questionnaire and secondary data collected from company documentaries. Analysis of the data utilized both descriptive and inferential statistic was conducted using SPSS Version and findings presented in graphs and tables. The respondents widely agreed that logistics management affect operational performance. The study found that warehouse management affects operational performance of Gorrilla logistics ltd in Rwanda. R squared value of 0.684 implied that the three logistic management practices discussed in this study accounts for 68.4% variations in operational performance. Correlation analysis findings indicated a strong positive association between warehouse management and operational performance. From the findings the researcher concluded that there is a strong positive significant effect of warehouse management on operational performance of clearing and forwarding companies. The researcher recommended that companies should improve their warehouse management practices in order to achieve operational performance.
Keywords: Warehouse Management, Operational Performance, Clearing and Forwarding Companie
Portfolio Diversification and Capital Accumulation of Rwanda Stock Exchange of Listed Financial Companies: A Case of Selected Financial Companies Listed on Rwanda Stock Exchange
No full textThe fluctuation in stock markets disturbs the genuine investors and they build the mind of that it is not there for the new investors to be more creative due to price fluctuation. Despite the encouragement of investors in Rwanda, the problem existing is that the capital market is no longer growing at the pace expected and there are still few listed financial institutions in stock exchange and this slow the capital accumulation of stock exchange among listed financial institutions. The purpose of this study was to assess effects of Portfolio diversification on capital accumulation of Rwanda stock exchange of listed financial companies and to assess the role of market efficiency on capital accumulation of Rwanda stock exchange of listed companies. The study used three theories such as Model portfolio theory, risk aversion theory and Markowtz portfolio theory. The study used a descriptive research design with two mixed methods such as qualitative and quantitative. A descriptive statistic such as mean, standard deviation was determined while inferential statistics such as regression analysis and correlation analysis established. Therefore, data were analyzed through SPSS version 21 and the presentation was done using frequency tables, pie charts and bar charts. Research findings showed that the relationship between the study variables is significant with p-value 0.000 < 0.05). Therefore, the p-value for portfolio diversification is 0. 025. All these components are statistical significant since p=values <0.05. Based on the problems arising at capital market in that the capital invested in stock exchange market is raised on market situation and in fact that an increase in capital in almost firms do not stimulate enough capital accumulation for listed financial companies, researcher advice the management of I&M Bank Rwanda and Bank of Kigali to apply capital price model to achieve capital accumulation in Rwanda stock exchange operations. There is need to implement strategies regulating and encouraging investment decision in stock exchange operations
Keywords: Portfolio Diversification, Capital Accumulation, Stock Exchange Listed Financial Companie
Sustaining Credible Leadership in Organizations
No full textThe mainstream media in Kenya, Africa, and the world is full of scandalous information that questions the credibility of leaders who were thought to be effective. This is observable across all organization sectors from the religious, public sector, political and even the private sector and includes such practices as corruption, manipulation of data and financial information, leadership wrangles, sexual harassment, among other such accusations of sexual misconduct which touches on prominent and perceived effective leaders. This has brought about severe gaps in leadership credibility. This literature review study examines the construct leader’s credibility in the context of credible leadership. Discussions focus on the development of credible leadership and the practices that are critical for leaders to build and sustain credibility and authenticity based on literature from the last two decades. The two perspectives of practices described are trustworthiness and competence which provide significant applications for leaders in the current dynamic organization context.
Keywords: Leadership, Credibility, Authenticity, Credible leadership, Authentic leadership, Organizational Contex
Virtual Teaching and Learning of English As A Second Language in Selected Secondary Schools Isu-Ikwuato, L. G. A. Abia State, Nigeria
No full textThe adoption of virtual teaching and learning of a second language in the Nigerian educational system has received little attention. COVID-19 lock-down, imposed by the governments of the nations, forced educational institutions globally and locally to adapt virtual teachingand learning of English language. The purposive sampling technique was used to select secondary schools that adopted virtual teaching and learning. The targeted population was 2000 English students and teachers with a sample size of 333. The results revealed that the schools made use of synchronous, asynchronous and blended types of online teaching and learning, and the students had a positive attitude. Both students and teachers experienced challenges of poor network, lack of ICT training, unstable electricity, and financial constraint. This study recommends the following: Language Policy Makers in Nigerian Educational System to map out the strategies that will incorporate online second language teaching and learning skills in the curriculum. That Marist Educational Board in partnership with the Ministry of Education in Nigeria, provide virtual supplementary materials for English language education. Adequate virtual training to be provided for English teachers and students. That the challenges of internet fluctuation, power shortage, insufficient virtual materials, inadequate funds, technical issues, virtual skills be addressed by all the stakeholders in education.
Keywords: Virtual teaching, Virtual learning, Language acquisition, Adoption