Stratford Peer Reviewed Journals and Books
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Effects of health pandemic on Education Sector in Sweden: Case study of Covid-19 pandemic
No full textThe study sought to examine the effect of COVID-19 on the education sector in Sweden. The study was a literature-based review. The COVID-19 has considerably interfered with every aspect of human life, including education. The worrying spread of the virus has caused havoc in the educational system hence making educational institutions close down. Lots of children across the globe have been severely affected by the short-lived closure of educational institutions. Nations have made use of different techniques to minimize the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, different learning institutions have responded to the closure in different ways and in various contexts with a range of options for students, teachers and also guardians, relying on the resources, both materials and human, available to them. The research study found that Covid-19 has actually negatively affected the education and learning sector in lots of nations and likewise in many ways. The students, teachers as well as parents are mainly influenced considering that they are the direct individuals in this field. Students are the greatest losers since they are not going to school due to the COVID-19 and also the methods which the learning institutions are making use of to teach them are not convenient to a lot of the students. The study found that children from poor backgrounds are the most affected by the pandemic due to low exposure to modern technology. The study recommended that government should invest more in technology development to ensure that students in remote areas and also those from poor families can access the learning materials quickly and at an affordable cost. Also, both teachers and students need to be knowledgeable about new technology and its use for them to be reliable when using it. Parents should involve children in day-to-day tasks to ensure that they may not enter into bad companies and end up destroying their lives at a tender age when they are home due to the pandemic. Countries close schools from now and then depending on the COVID-19 situations in an area. Moreover, there is also a need for the government to offer free counseling to those students, especially those whose parents have lost jobs due to the pandemic.
Keywords: Pandemic, COVID-19, students, teachers, Education, Swede
Assessment of Students’ Participation in Making Decisions on their Welfare Matters towards improving Discipline in Public Secondary Schools in Meru County, Kenya
No full textThe discipline of students in secondary schools is a global concern. Research has shown that failure to involve young people in decision making affects their conduct and behaviour. The government of Kenya directed all schools to embrace democracy by applying students in making decisions. Nevertheless, despite this initiative, most public secondary schools in Meru County have continued to report many cases of indiscipline, leading to the disruption of learning and property loss. This study aimed to determine the effect of involving students in making decisions regarding their welfare matters on students' discipline in public secondary schools in Meru County. It was guided by the Bandura's social learning theory and applied a descriptive survey research design to select ten principals, 196 deputy principals, and 384 student leaders. A stratified sampling technique was applied in selecting the schools. Individual schools in each category were selected systematically. Two students' leaders and deputy principals from the sampled schools were selected to participate in the study. Data were collected using questionnaires, documentary analysis, and interviews. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means and factor analysis were computed. Ordinal logistical regression was conducted using SPSS to test the research hypothesis, while the thematic technique was used to analyze the qualitative data. The study noted many cases of indiscipline in most public secondary schools in Meru County. Only a few of schools were involving students in making decisions on their affairs. Partial involvement was noted in a sizeable number of schools. Poor involvement was attributed to the unrealistic demands from students, weak systems, lack of elaborate policy and structures for involvement. Despite the dismal participation of students in making decisions on student's affairs matters, it individually accounted for 74.6% variation in the students' discipline in public secondary schools. Clear policy framework from the Ministry of Education was critical in guiding the areas of involvement and how principals should involve students' leaders in making a decision on students' matters in the school. Principals should also devise creative methods of soliciting, vetting and moderating ideas from the students. The findings have implications on policy, structures and practices on the involvement of students in the decision making in public secondary schools in Kenya.
Keywords: Student affairs, students and decision making, students’ leadership, the democratization of education, students’ disciplin
Influence of Principal Class Visitations Practices on Students’ Academic Performance in KCSE in Public Secondary schools in Mashuru Sub-County
No full textThe purpose of this study was to determine the influence of principals’ class visitations practices on students’ academic performance in KCSE in public secondary schools in Mashuru Sub-County. According to the records from the office of the Kajiado County Director of Education, the performance of students in KCSE in Mashuru Sub-County has not only been poor but also spiralling downwards. The region has only produced 23 students attaining a grade of C+ in a period of four years. The poor performance calls for a scrutiny of what could be the cause to this status quo. There was therefore need to establish whether despite all efforts put in place, the students’ academic performance in KCSE was still declining. The study utilized a descriptive research design. The target population consisted of 45 principals, 540 teachers and 585 student leaders. Purposive sampling was employed to select 13 principals while simple random sampling was used to 54 teachers and 56 student leaders. Data was collected by use of interview schedule for principals and questionnaires for teachers and student leaders. The collected data was analysed using descriptive statistics which consisted of frequencies and percentages with the help of SPSS version 27. The study established that principal management practice on teacher professional records had some influence on student academic performance in KCSE in public secondary schools. The study established that the full impact of the principals’ class visitation practices on students’ academic performance was not achieved as the frequency of conducting this practice was below par. The principals had no definite time of visiting classes due to other administrative duties which played a negative role in influencing students’ academic performance in KCSE in public secondary schools in Mashuru sub-county. Leading to missing of lessons, late reporting of students to school, and chronic absenteeism among students. The study recommends that the Boards of Management of schools in Mashuru Sub-County should conduct awareness programmes among parents so that they can have an understanding of the importance of education. This way they will be motivated to take their children to school on time and to encourage the learners to pursue academic excellence. The Teachers Service Commission should also appoint, promote and deploy principals, deputy principals and senior teachers trained in instructional supervision. This will enlighten the principals on the importance of class visitation as it would aid in boosting class attendance for both teachers and students and thereby improving performance in the long run.
Keywords: Principals’ Management Practice, Class Visitation, Students’ Academic Performance in KCSE, Public Secondary School
The relationship between instructional materials usage in teaching and learning outcome in history subject within secondary schools in Rwanda
No full textThe effective usage of instructional materials plays a significant role in promotion of teaching and learning outcomes. The usage of relevant material stimulates students to become more attentive and motivated in classroom setting. The purpose of this study was therefore to find out the relationship between instructional materials and learning outcomes. The study employed correlation research design. The target population was 621 respondents out of which 244 were used as the sample size. Simple random and purposive sampling techniques were used in the study to obtain the sample size. Questionnaire, interview guide and desk review was used data collection instruments. SPSS was used in data management. The findings revealed that visual aids are used at moderate level at which 49.9% strongly agreed that instructional materials used are pre-determined 47.2% strongly agreed that teaching methods are well prescribed in the lesson planning. The study indicated that a big number of students got the grades lying in division IV and Division U (Unclassified). The study found that 81% of the respondents agreed that students participated in history lesson and 70.0% agreed that students understood history. Results also revealed that holding instructional material usage constant to a constant zero, attendance from Monday to Friday would be at .116 for lesson plan. An increase in instructional material usage stimulates adequate ratio by a factor of 0.11 standardized significance at learning process. The study recommended that the government should allocate sufficient budget that would be given to ameliorate libraries in secondary schools and laboratories. The government should find resource centers to facilitate teaching staff borrow instructional materials which cannot not available in secondary schools. Further, the government should conduct workshops, conferences and meeting to stimulate their skills on using instructional materials. School principals should follow up their teaching staff to be sure with the availability of instructional materials are effectively applied. The community should encourage parental involvement in providing instructional material usage in secondary schools in order to enhance learning outcomes.
Keywords: Instructional materials, Teaching and learning outcomes and usage of instructional materials
Impact of Poverty on Quality of Education in Haiti
No full textEducation is among the critical needs besides the food, shelter and clothing in modern life. Quality education is an effective tool for minimizing poverty and joblessness, enhancing health and dietary standards, and attaining lasting growth. Hence, the study sought to determine the impact of poverty on the quality of education in Haiti. The study was a literature review based. The conclusions were based on reviewing previous studies. The study findings indicated that poverty influences the quality of education. The study noted the significance of education in developing countries could not be overstated. Quality education can be the catalyst needed to pull families and communities out of the cycle of poverty. Knowledge gives children the power to dream of a better future and the confidence required to pursue a complete education, which will help generations to come. The study further ascertained that education makes a significant difference for adults, particularly in day-to-day life, including nutrition, healthcare and gender equity. The poverty levels are potent in influencing the quality of education that the students will receive in the long run. The study recommended adequate mechanisms to ensure the government support children from a poor background. Addressing the academic difficulties children from deprived families will undoubtedly need a broader and bolder method to education policy than the current initiatives to reform schools. The government should make sure that school-age children are enrolled right into compulsory and free primary education. Given that education is a powerful device for minimizing poverty and joblessness, enhancing health and dietary requirements, and attaining sustainable advancement, the Haitian government must inject much more revenue in the education sector, mainly for the poor children to obtain a quality education. The government is required to make sure all learners within its nation have access to education both in rural and in metropolitan places.
Keywords: Poverty, Quality of Education, Children, Hait
Relationship between Early Pregnancy and School Dropout among Adolescent Girls in Arkansas, USA
No full textPregnancy related school dropout is an issue of public concern worldwide nowadays. The study sought to determine the effects of early pregnancies on school dropout among adolescent girls in Arkansas, USA. The study utilized the descriptive research design. The target population included school girls’ students in secondary schools based in Arkansas. Notably, the target population was 419 respondents. The data collection instruments included questionnaires. The study found that early pregnancy and school dropout among adolescent girls in Arkansas is related. Teen pregnancy compromises young girls’ development opportunities. Drop out of school hinders their formal education, resulting in employment and productive disadvantages while making them vulnerable to poverty, violence, crime and social exclusion. Teen pregnancy and early motherhood represent a cost of opportunity for women, given the lack of adequate conditions, poor understanding and inadequate approach to the problem, resulting in the interruption of formal education or definite dropout by adolescent girls. The study recommended that strategies to prevent adolescent pregnancy be developed, such as community programs to improve social development, responsible sexual behavior education, and enhanced contraceptive counseling and delivery. The study also recommended that programs be tailored differently for girls who have dropped out of school, those in school and at risk for pregnancy, and those who are in school and become pregnant. The research suggests that there is a need to continue improving programmes to decrease teenage pregnancy and a need to try and increase the number of teenage mothers who go back to school to finish their education.
Keywords: Early Pregnancy, School Dropout, Adolescent Girls, Arkansas, US
Parents’ Involvement in Education Activities and Learners’ Academic Performance in 12YBE Schools in Rwanda
No full textThe participation of parents in the performance of their children’ schooling activities play a significant role in the promotion of their school status and performance. The purpose of this paper therefore, was to establish the relationship between parents’ involvement in education activities and learners academic performance in 12Year Basic Education (YBE) schools in Nyarugenge district in Rwanda. The study adopted correlation research design while questionnaire, interview guide and document analysis review were used as data collection instruments. The target population was 1343. The study used simple random and stratified sampling techniques to get the sample size of 308 respondents. The study findings revealed there is a high significant positive relationship between parents’ participation in education activities at school and high score grades with 0.852. The correlation between parents’ participation in education activities was 0.873 and the correlation between parent’s participation in education activities at school and marks in discipline was .949 thus P = 0.000< 0.05. The study recommended that government should consider developing and implementing policies that support parents’ involvement in education activities. Parents should assist their children in doing their homework and set within their families an adequate environment by stimulating instructional activities and also time related to their students to revise their lessons as they also need to be cared for regarding their special needs. School principals have to cooperate with teaching staff and parents to enhance academic performance in their schools.
Keywords: Parental involvement to education, learners’ academic performance and 12 years basic educatio
Impact of Ethical Leadership on Performance of Government Parastatals in Afghanistan: A Literature Based Review
No full textThe study sought to examine the impact of ethical Leadership on the performance of government parastatals in Afghanistan. The study was a literature-based review. The study found that ethical Leadership is key in improving governance. Effective governance is achieved when there is a high practice of Ethical Leadership. Ethical Leadership includes being honest, accountable and transparent. The benefit of accountability is that leaders admit mistakes they make instead of blaming others. Integrity in leaders describes being straightforward, reliable, and also trusted. Leaders with honesty act according to their words and own up to their errors instead of concealing them, condemning their group, or making reasons more successful. The study concluded that leading with transparency helps ensure that both workers, as well as company expectations, are appropriately established and satisfied. The association between transparency, financial, non-financial information board of directors and corporate financial performance is positive. It is concluded that understanding how to improve accountability in the public sector is essential to ensure good governance. Moreover, the study concluded that unethical decisions and immoral management hurt the performance. The study recommended government parastatals in Afghanistan need to work toward ethical Leadership. Those given the mandate to look after the resources of the public need to be accountable. It is also recommended that policymakers need to take the required steps to enhance the employees' accountability and integrity with the parastatals. Ethical Leadership is fundamental in improving performance. The performance is achievable with ethical leaders. Unethical behaviors of the leaders make other employees not be hardworking and be dishonest as well. Corruption is one of the hurdles affecting most government institutions globally, notably to those with porous policies. Ethical Leadership is very crucial for good governance and thus needs to be intensified.
Keywords: Ethical leadership, integrity, transparency, accountably, Afghanista
Relationship between Social Media Usage and the Performance of Selected Microfinance Institutions in Meru County
No full textIn the world today social media platforms have snowballed and sparked both opportunity and concern on how its use affects the financial performance of microfinance institutions. The study aimed to determine the relationship between social media usage and the performance of selected microfinance institutions in Meru County. The study used descriptive design. The study established that social media is practically applicable because of how easy it is in usage and how many customers prefer it to the traditional way banks and financial institutions have been operating. This study thus recommends that there should be a paradigm shift that will enable microfinance institutions operate competitively and perform better financially. This cannot be realized if the leadership is stack in the old ways of doing things.
Keywords: Social Media Usage, Performance, Microfinance Institutions, Meru Count
Competitive Strategies and Market Share of Five-Star Hotels Operating in Nairobi County, Kenya
No full textFive star hotels in Kenya are competing with other hotels service providers limiting their aggregate market share. As a result, five star hotels are experiencing constrained market share that limits their profitability margin. It is thus against this argument that five star hotels develop competitive strategies that will allow them to expand and or maintain a sustainable market share. The general objective of the study was to establish the relationship between competitive strategies and market share of five-star hotels in Nairobi County, Kenya. The study employed both descriptive research design and explanatory research design. The target population of study was 10 five-star hotels in Nairobi City County. Data was collected using questionnaire. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation, and regression analysis. According to a correlation analysis, cost leadership, differentiation initiatives, and cost focus all have a positive and significant link with market share. According to basic regression studies, cost leadership and five-star hotel market share are positively and strongly related. Differentiation approaches were also discovered to have a positive and significant relationship with the market share of five-star hotels. Furthermore, cost-consciousness and market share of five-star hotels are positively and significantly linked. Five-star hotels should investigate costing models that best suit their operations, such as activity-based costing or performance-based costing, in order to determine the most optimal cost strategy to implement in the long run in order to achieve the desired market share growth. According to the report, five-star hotels should provide unique products and services. Both the local and foreign markets should be served by the products and services. The study recommends that five star other than focusing on particular specific market niche, the five star hotels should be willing to expand to other market places including tourist destination places and other upcoming cities and towns in Kenya. In order to gain from focus strategy, the five star hotels should pay attention to the market segment which is sustainable so as to avoid the dangers encountered when pursuing focus strategy such as focusing on a segment that is too small or pursuing a segment that is declining.
Keywords: Competitive Strategies, Market Share, Five-Star Hotels, Nairobi Count