EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
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Leveraging Problem-Based Learning (PBL) to Cultivate Critical Thinking Skills in Graduate Education: A Framework for Advancing the Higher Education Ecosystem
Get PDFThe increasing complexity of global challenges demands that graduate education prioritise the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Problem-based learning (PBL) offers a promising pedagogical approach that facilitates deeper learning by engaging students in real-world problems that require analytical thinking and collaborative solutions. This paper explores the potential of PBL to foster critical thinking skills in graduate education, outlining its effectiveness in enhancing students' ability to apply theoretical knowledge to practical contexts. The study examines the integration of PBL into higher education curricula as a means to not only improve cognitive abilities but also contribute to the advancement of the academic ecosystem. The paper presents a comprehensive framework for implementing PBL, addressing key strategies, benefits, and challenges associated with its adoption. It concludes with recommendations for educators and administrators to effectively incorporate PBL into graduate programs, ensuring that students are equipped with the critical skills necessary for navigating contemporary societal and professional challenge
Effect of Stressors and Coping Strategies on Preservice Teacher-Trainees’ Academic Performance in Ugandan Universities
Get PDFUniversity students generally face numerous stressors that impede their academic performance. The study aimed at exploring how stressors and coping strategies affected the academic performance of preservice teacher-trainees in universities in the Central region, Uganda. A sample of 554 teacher-trainees enrolled on the BA(ED) and BSc (Ed) programmes from three universities participated in the study to ascertain the effect of stressors and coping strategies used. The study further sought views from 346 respondents enrolled in years two and three to establish the effect of stressors and coping strategies on their academic performance. The first years were excluded since they had not received their results at the time of data collection. The results revealed that teacher-trainees used myriad coping strategies to avert the effects of stressors. Results further revealed a significant negative relationship between stressors and academic performance (r= -0.239**, p=0.000< 0.05). This negative correlation implied that as stress increased, the academic performance of teacher-trainees reduced. Results further revealed a negative relationship between coping strategies and academic performance measured by their current CGPA (r= -0.089, p= 0.099>0.05). Thus, the way teacher-trainees coped with stress had a very minimal impact on their academic performance. Problem-focused coping had a positive relationship with academic performance, unlike emotion-focused and avoidant coping strategies. The study concluded that problem-focused coping could improve academic performance compared to maladaptive strategies such as emotion-focused and avoidance coping strategies. The study recommended strengthening the orientation of new students into university life and continued mentorship throughout their stay at university. The university managers should strengthen counselling programmes and encourage peer counselling for the students. Lastly, students should be guided in setting realistic academic goals and managing their time appropriatel
Narrative Techniques Used to Portray Torments in Coetzee’s Disgrace, Slow Man, and Waiting for Barbarians
Get PDFThis study aimed to demonstrate how selected literary texts by John Maxwell Coetzee dramatise the idea of torments surrounding the narration of social life and cultural order to embody and evoke characters’ cultural intricacies and anxieties. The study sought to explore the hidden tensions of the characters fighting within the self because there is a detachment between the individual and the sociocultural context, resulting to torments. The texts, namely, Disgrace (1999), Slow Man (2005), and Waiting for Barbarians (1980), were purposefully chosen because of their suitability in data that exposes the characters' torments. The most appropriate theoretical framework that allowed the selected texts to be read, interrogated, analysed, and interpreted is located within the lenses of Psychoanalytic Literary Theory and Concepts related to trauma by Sigmund Freud and Pallavi Sugoy. The theories aided in foregrounding the concepts in the three selected texts, the exploration of the unconscious conflict and its complexities on individuals. The qualitative research method was employed to explore how the characters negotiate torments in Coetzee’s selected texts. The study employed purposive sampling to select primary texts that vividly depict the specific torments of interest. Consequently, Coetzee’s works - Disgrace, Waiting for the Barbarians, and Slow Man - were chosen for their depth in illustrating these themes. An analytical research design was utilised to examine these literary texts, along with any supplementary secondary data that would facilitate a qualitative analysis of the material. The data identified from close reading was coded and decoded appropriately for literary analysis. These works explored profound themes such as the effects of empire and colonialism, the human condition in the face of societal and personal upheaval, and the quest for personal redemption. The study aimed to offer insights that would enrich the discourse in the literary realm, particularly concerning the interplay of power dynamics, cultural conflict and personal conflict. It is hoped that the study’s conclusion will make a significant contribution to the ongoing dialectics surrounding motivations behind human behaviour and relationships
Financial Adequacy and Performance of Education Projects Implemented by Non-Profit Organisations in Dadaab Refugee Complex, Kenya
Get PDFAccess to quality education is a fundamental component of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 4), especially for refugees experiencing long-term displacement, such as those in the Dadaab Refugee Complex in Kenya. While education projects are vital in promoting inclusive and equitable learning opportunities in emergency settings, many face persistent challenges, often attributed to management issues. However, limited research has explored the impact of financial adequacy on the success and sustainability of such initiatives. This study addresses this gap by examining the influence of financial adequacy on the performance of non-profit-led education projects in Dadaab, contributing to the evidence base for achieving SDG 4 in refugee contexts. Myers’ tradeoff theory anchors this study as it guides the analysis of funding choices. The tradeoff theory argues that organisations balance the costs and benefits of various funding sources. Recognising persistent gaps in the existing literature regarding financial resources in emergency education contexts, this research employs a descriptive survey design, encompassing all 20 education projects in Dadaab. Data were gathered through questionnaires completed by key stakeholders, including school principals (6), head teachers (22), learning centre heads (20), boards of management (36), education officers/coordinators (20), program managers (15), and education directors (2). Analytical methods included descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis to assess the association between financial sufficiency and project outcomes. Results reveal a strong, statistically significant positive relationship between financial adequacy and project performance (r = 0.978; β = 0.265, p < 0.05). The findings underscore the necessity for robust financial planning, transparent governance, and active stakeholder participation to ensure sustainable and high-quality educational services for refugee populations
A Review of ICT Integration in Agricultural Extension Services. A Global Perspective
Get PDFThe integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in agricultural extension services is transforming knowledge dissemination, addressing challenges of accessibility, efficiency, and inclusiveness. Traditional extension systems, constrained by resource limitations and outdated methods, struggle to meet modern agricultural demands. ICT tools such as mobile phones, internet-based platforms, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), drones, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and blockchain provide real-time, localised, and cost-effective solutions. This review examines the impact of ICT in enhancing agricultural extension services, highlighting initiatives like India’s mKisan, Africa’s e-Agriculture programs, and the global Digital Green initiative. These platforms have improved access to timely information on weather, pest management, and market trends, boosting productivity and resilience. However, several barriers hinder ICT adoption, including the digital divide, limited smartphone and internet access, unreliable electricity, and socioeconomic inequalities, particularly affecting women and marginalised groups. Low digital literacy, inadequate infrastructure, and weak policy support further constrain scalability. Addressing these challenges requires investments in rural connectivity, affordable technology, and capacity-building initiatives. Public-private partnerships, ICT funding, and participatory, farmer-centred approaches are crucial for long-term success. Future prospects include AI-driven predictive analytics, blockchain for transparent supply chains, and augmented/virtual reality for training
Impact of Exogenous Enzyme Supplementation on Broiler Growth, Carcass Quality, and Economic Efficiency
Get PDFNon-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) affect poultry performance by lowering the nutritive value of feedstuffs in poultry diets. Poultry naturally produce a wide range of enzymes to aid in digestion, but the range is not comprehensive and most of the NSPs are not digested. High levels of NSPs can result in increased viscosity in the small intestine of chickens, and depress nutrient utilization and performance. The development of exogenous enzymes to target specific substrates and ameliorate anti-nutritive effects has received increased attention. Therefore, a study was conducted to evaluate the effect of exogenous enzymes (No enzyme - control treatment; Avizyme; Probizyme; Natuzyme) on feed intake, growth performance, carcass characteristics, and economic evaluation of enzyme supplementation in broilers fed maize and soya bean-based diets. The enzyme levels added to the diets were 350g/tonne for all enzyme treatments except for the control treatment. A total of 240 one-day-old broiler chicks (Cobb 500) were randomly allocated to one of the four dietary treatments, each replicated three times (20 chicks per pen) in a completely randomised design (CRD). Data obtained were analysed using the GLM procedure of Minitab version 17 for a CRD design, with differences considered significant at P<0.05. Preliminary results showed significant improvement (P<0.05) on broilers that were fed diets supplemented with exogenous enzymes on feed intake, weekly live weights (WLW), average daily gains (ADG), feed conversion ratios (FCRs), performance efficiency factors (PEFs), carcass characteristics and viscera organ weights of broilers. Economic evaluation showed monetary benefits from including the enzymes in poultry diets as birds that were fed diets supplemented with exogenous enzymes yielded more profits due to high organ and viscera weights. It was concluded and recommended that feeding broilers with diets supplemented with exogenous enzymes improved feed intake, growth performance, carcass characteristics as well as economic returns
A Comparative Analysis of the Effects of the Agricultural Extension Services among Small-Scale Farmers in Mpulungu District, Zambia
Get PDFIn agriculture-oriented economies worldwide, agricultural extension services are influential in the crop productivity of small-scale farmers. In Zambia, despite the provision of extension services to small-scale farmers, some small-scale farmers have not felt their effects. Therefore, this study conducted a comparative analysis of the effects of the agricultural extension services on maize crop productivity of the 147 food security pack beneficiary households and 152 non-beneficiary households using a mixed methods design in the Mpulungu district of Zambia. The results revealed that the food security pack beneficiary and non-beneficiary households knew the extension services provided in the Mpulungu district. However, the extension workers concentrated more on the food security pack beneficiary households than the non-beneficiary households in the provision of extension services because they wanted the programme to succeed. The majority of the non-beneficiary households did not fully benefit from the agricultural extension services provided in Mpulungu district. The programme beneficiary households recorded higher maize crop productivity than the non-beneficiaries suggesting that the extension services had a positive effect. Challenges such as inadequate extension workers, lack of refresher training for extension workers and loss of trust in the extension system affected both groups. However, these challenges affected the non-beneficiary households more than the food security pack beneficiary households. The study concludes that extension services contribute to agricultural crop productivity. Therefore, the study recommends improvement in extension staffing levels, administrative support, in-service refresher training and capacity building of the extension workers. Also, the implementation of a universal extension service targeting strategy for small-scale farmers is recommended
Nexus between Socioeconomic Factors, Indigenous Chicken Productivity, and Community-defined Livelihood Outcomes among Rural Communities in Kericho County, Kenya
Get PDFRural poultry rearing is common worldwide, particularly in developing countries, where indigenous chicken (IC) dominates and serves as a vital asset for resource-poor households. Despite their importance, backyard chickens face productivity challenges such as inconsistent nutrition, poor health management, and fluctuating environmental conditions. While numerous studies address these technical challenges, socioeconomic contexts are often overlooked. This study investigated the nexus between socioeconomic factors, IC productivity, and community-defined livelihood outcomes among rural communities in Kericho County, Kenya. Grounded in contextualism, the study pursued three objectives: (1) examine socioeconomic determinants of IC productivity, (2) analyze the relationship between IC productivity and community-defined livelihood outcomes, using a participatory approach, and (3) explore the nexus between socioeconomic factors, IC productivity, and livelihood outcomes. A community-based participatory action research framework was employed, combining qualitative data from focus group discussions and quantitative data from a cross-sectional survey. Sample size was determined by Yamane’s formula and purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used to select participants. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential methods; SPSS version 27 aided quantitative analysis. Findings indicated that IC productivity is influenced by farmers’ socioeconomic factors; access to information, knowledge-seeking behaviour, social networking, enterprise diversity, household size, flock size, and age. Productivity measures; egg production and chick survival rates, varied significantly across livelihood outcome categories based on Welch ANOVA; F (3, 38.31) = 15.68, p < .001, ƞ2 = .124 and F (3, 36.545) = 34.875, p < .001, ƞ2 = .197 respectively, but self-reported profitability did not (p > .05). Challenges revolved around economic powerlessness and weak information-seeking behaviour. The study concludes that socioeconomic attributes, including information-seeking and social networking, are integral to the productivity of Indigenous chickens and community-defined livelihood outcomes. It recommends that stakeholders and policy-makers support integrating farmer groups into broader networks to foster collaboration and improve productivity
Effectiveness of Government Intervention in Resolving Conflict Between Pastoralists and Farmers in Handeni District, Tanzania
Get PDFThe conflicts between farmers and pastoralists have prevailed in several parts of the world in history, posing effects such as deaths, injuries, economic hardship and loss of properties. This study focused on exploring the effectiveness of government intervention in resolving conflicts between pastoralists and farmers in Handeni District, Tanzania. Data were collected from 60 respondents selected through a simple random technique. The study was guided by three objectives, which are to examine the causes of the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists, to assess the effects of the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists and to suggest measures that could improve the effectiveness of the government in managing the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. The study was conducted through a cross-sectional survey design, where data for this study were collected using both primary and secondary sources. Primary data sources included questionnaires, while secondary data was collected through document review. The sampling techniques included both probability and non-probability sampling. Quantitative data were analysed through SPSS version 25, while qualitative data were subjected to content analysis. The results revealed that conflicts between farmers and pastoralists were caused by competition over resources and climate change. The impacts of the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists included deaths and economic hardship. It was also found that the government was moderately effective in managing the conflicts between farmers and pastoralists. The study recommends that the government should put much effort into addressing the root causes of the conflicts, such as droughts and ensure that land use planning and management are effectively implemented
An Analysis of Grammatical Errors in English Academic Writing: A Case of Tanzanian Undergraduate Students
Get PDFThe general objective of this study is to analyse the grammatical errors that undergraduates face in Tanzania. Despite the fact that the undergraduate students underwent different studies in different levels of education from standard one to form six, they cannot produce a well-written piece of academic work in English. Such academic works include writing correct sentences and logical ideas and observing punctuation marks. This study will employ the Cognitive Process Theory of writing as its theoretical framework. The Cognitive Process Theory of writing assumes that writing is a process involving three basic elements for an individual to be competent, namely (a) the task environment, (b) the writer’s long-term memory and (c) the writing process and repetitions. If the teachers were aware of the writing process this would help in teaching appropriate strategies and that would also improve the writing skills of the students. The study used mixed research techniques. The data was obtained using convenience sampling and stratified random sampling. The study used document analysis/documentary review and interviews as methods of data collection. The findings indicate that undergraduate students face challenges in utilizing English for academic writing, which encompass issues such as syntax errors, lack of coherence, poor organization of ideas, difficulties in selecting appropriate content, formulation of topic sentences, restricted vocabulary, misuse of vocabulary, and failure to comply with rhetorical conventions