EANSO East African Nature and Science Organization Journals
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Multimodal Interaction in Media Discourse: Spatial, Verbal and Visual Acts in JK Live Talk Show
Get PDFTechnology has significantly transformed how texts are imagined and produced, leading to the emergence of multimodal texts such as films, TV talk shows, TV advertisements, social media platforms, books, among others. The communicative purposes of these texts highly depend on the integration of social semiotic modes. TV talk shows, as one form of such texts, showcase a complex interplay of these resources. This paper presents an analysis of the actions and interactions of semiotic modes in the Jeff Koinange’s talk show—JK Live, a prime-time televised program hosted by Jeff Koinange on Citizen TV, Kenya. Four episodes of the show were purposively selected and downloaded from Citizen TV’s YouTube channel for content analysis. Observation and focus group discussions were used as data collection instruments. Guided by Kress and van Leeuwen’s Multimodal Discourse Analysis, the study investigated how the host, the guests and the production team, as the participants in the show, collaboratively orchestrate space, speech and visual modes to fulfil communicative functions within the show’s discourse. The findings of this study demonstrate how communication in the JK Live show is not merely verbal but depends on the interaction of other semiotic modes utilised by participants to shape the different interactions and meanings in the show. The findings contribute to the understanding of TV talk shows as highly interactive multimodal texts
Gender Role Reversals in Bongo Flava: An Assessment of the Reactions of Women and Men
Get PDFThis paper reports findings of a study that explored gender role reversals in Bongo Flava with particular attention to assessing the reactions of women and men who perform reversed roles. Using twenty-two purposively selected Bongo Flava songs, the study adopted a qualitative approach grounded in Queer Theory. Through a close reading of the songs’ lyrics retrieved through the Shazam app, the analysis uncovers subtexts and hidden meanings related to gender role reversals and the reactions of women and men who perform the reversed roles. The findings reveal how the songs reflect complex gender dynamics and offer insights into how they challenge traditional roles. For women performing men’s traditional roles, the negative reactions, like insulting men and rejecting patriarchal authority, indicate a form of resistance and empowerment, challenging male dominance and subverting rigid gender expectations. These performances critique the status quo and highlight female agency. For men performing women’s traditional roles, their mixed reactions, which include complaints, sorrow, frustration, and joy, show the tension between societal expectations and personal emotions. While some express discomfort with performing women’s roles, others embrace the care they receive from women, signalling a critique of gender norms and a broader exploration of male vulnerability. Overall, these findings suggest that Bongo Flava acts as a platform for questioning and disrupting traditional gender roles, reflecting shifting perspectives in Tanzanian and East African societ
The Role of Strategic Communication in Girls and Women's Empowerment in Kenya's Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs)
Get PDFBackground and Problem Statement: In many African contexts, women and girls face systematic marginalisation through the denial of fundamental rights and exposure to various forms of violence. At critical developmental stages, girls encounter barriers including forced early marriages, female genital mutilation, and exclusion from educational opportunities, particularly in rural and culturally conservative settings. These challenges manifest as systemic discrimination that perpetuates gender inequality across socio-economic development spheres. Relevance and Objectives: Strategic communication has emerged as a crucial tool to break down barriers that hinder progress toward gender equality and women's empowerment. This study investigates how strategic communication can transform the position of women and girls in Kenya's ASAL regions, focusing on communication's role in advocating for gender equality and examining lessons learned from various programs and initiatives. Methodology and Key Findings: Through qualitative document analysis of policy frameworks, organisational reports, and academic literature, this study identifies that community engagement platforms such as barazas, women's group meetings, advocacy campaigns, media initiatives, and digital platforms effectively raise awareness and promote behavioural change. Strategic communication methods work effectively in ASALs by leveraging culturally appropriate channels, utilising local languages, and incorporating traditional communication structures to overcome barriers posed by illiteracy, limited connectivity, and patriarchal resistance. Conclusions and Recommendations: The study reveals that while strategic communication offers immense opportunities for reshaping gender dynamics through various media channels and community dialogues, significant challenges remain, including cultural resistance, limited digital literacy, and weak policy implementation. Effective strategic communication requires coordinated efforts among stakeholders, gender-sensitive programming, and integration of traditional and modern communication approaches to achieve sustainable women's empowerment in ASAL contexts
Organisation of Playgrounds by School Leaders and Its Relationship with Quality of Education in Secondary Schools in Informal Settlements in Nairobi City County, Kenya
Get PDFPhysical resources are crucial in providing quality education to students in all educational settings. However, public secondary schools in urban informal settlements in Nairobi City County, Kenya, operate under critical resource shortages, which could be undermining the quality of education in these institutions. With such shortages, school leaders in these schools must employ effective physical resource management practices to maximise the utility of the few resources available. To this end, the current study investigated the organisation of playgrounds by heads of games departments and its relationship with the quality of education in secondary schools in Kibra Sub-County, Nairobi City County. The study was grounded on the Systems Theory developed by Ludwig von Bertalanffy. It adopted a correlational design using quantitative and qualitative techniques. The sample included 11 principals and 22 heads of the games department from 18 public and private secondary schools in the sub-county. Data was collected using interviews, questionnaires, and an examination of school records. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively and inferentially using SPSS (IBM, v. 30). To establish the availability of playgrounds and various organization practices, frequencies, percentages, and means were used to identify trends in the collected data. Correlation analyses were then used to establish the relationships between the organisation of playgrounds and education quality. Tests of significance were at the 95% confidence level, and results were presented through tables and graphs. Qualitative data were analysed thematically, and results were presented through narration. On average, the availability of playgrounds was high. There was no significant relationship (r(18) = 0.136, p = 0.591) between the availability of each playground and education quality. Nevertheless, school leaders in secondary schools in Kibra Sub-County are advised to invest in strategies to ensure all students have equal access to playgrounds and playground facilities
Effect of Tourists' Perceptions on Destination Loyalty, an Indicator of Destination Competitiveness in the Lake Victoria Region Tourism Circuit, Kenya
Get PDFTo enhance competitiveness, destination managers need to understand the link between tourists’ perceptions and destination loyalty. This study sought to evaluate the effect of tourists’ perceptions on destination loyalty, an indicator of destination competitiveness. The study employed a cross-sectional survey design using a self-administered questionnaire to collect quantitative data from 299 tourists in 26 classified hotels. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 3.2.7 was used in data analysis and hypotheses testing. The majority of the hypotheses tested are accepted at P < .001, with exogenous variables adequately predicting their corresponding endogenous variables. Destination awareness [DA] (β = .49), destination image [DI] (β = .32), and destination perceived value [DPV] (β = .19), significantly predict Destination loyalty in Lake Victoria region tourism circuit [DCL] (R2 = .76) while destination perceived quality [DPQ] (β = .10, P=.0.08) does not. The findings of this study provide insights for destination managers in the Lake Victoria region tourism circuit, Kenya, on monitoring and enhancing the destination’s competitiveness
Board Diversity as a Driver of Governance Functionality in Catholic Institutions: Evidence from Uganda's Education and Health Sectors
Get PDFThis study examines how board diversity functions as a critical driver of governance functionality in Catholic education and health institutions in Uganda, addressing significant gaps in understanding diversity's role in mission-driven organisations operating in developing contexts. A qualitative phenomenological study involving 135 participants across multiple stakeholder groups was conducted in Catholic institutions within two ecclesiastical provinces in Uganda. Data collection employed semi-structured individual interviews with senior governance figures and focus group discussions with board members, managers, and staff. The research reveals a fundamental diversity paradox: while professional expertise serves as a strategic governance asset, enhancing institutional capacity, educational disparities, relational appointments, and gender imbalances create significant barriers to effective oversight. Professional diversity demonstrates clear benefits when boards include complementary expertise; however, educational gaps among members undermine participation and create information asymmetries. Political appointments consistently show engagement deficits, while relational appointments compromise independence and accountability. Gender representation remains severely limited, with women comprising the minority of board members. The findings establish foundations for "contextual diversity theory," recognising that diversity benefits depend on cultural, structural, and capacity conditions rather than composition alone. The research provides actionable guidance for Catholic institutional leaders on optimising board composition through structured appointment processes, capacity development programs addressing educational disparities, and cultural transformation initiatives that balance representation with functionality while maintaining religious identity and community accountability
Challenges and Implications of Mental Health on Educational Outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa
Get PDFMental health is vital to overall well-being and educational outcomes. However, it is often under-addressed in Sub-Saharan Africa. The purpose of this review was to explore the mental health challenges faced by educational systems in Sub-Saharan Africa and to examine their implications for educational outcomes. Therefore, this article examines the challenges of mental health in the region’s education systems and their implications regarding education outcomes and proposes recommendations for addressing these issues. This study employed a qualitative approach combining literature review, case studies, and secondary data analysis. The findings reveal that mental health problems, including stress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, are prevalent among students and teachers in the Sub-Saharan region. This has worsened due to socio-economic disparities and insufficient mental health care, resource constraints, underdeveloped mental health policies, lack of psychosocial support systems, inadequate access to mental health care, shortage of trained workers, and insufficient policy frameworks. The review concludes that addressing mental health in education is essential for improving educational outcomes. The strategies for enhancing mental health include policy reforms, integrating mental health education into curricula, training educators, community-based interventions, and collaborations between governments and non-governmental organisation
Assessment of the Implementation of Adult Education in Tanzania: A Critical Review of Challenges
No full textThe government of Tanzania has made various efforts to ensure the effective implementation of adult education; however, the status of adult education provision remains low. This is due to the different challenges the program encounters, as well as the challenges adult learners face. Thus, this study reviews the challenges facing the implementation of adult education, specifically in Tanzania. The study adopted systematic literature review procedures that allowed the researcher to review different kinds of literature related to the challenges facing adult learners in their learning process. The study was guided by lifelong learning theories. From the critical review of the literature, the study found that there are different challenges facing the implementation of adult education; these challenges are grouped into internal and external challenges. Internal challenges include different aspects recognised, including language barrier, contextual misinterpretation of the term adult education, time balancing between learning and doing other activities, lack of computer skills for the adult learner, the lack of enough knowledge and skills on how to pursue their learning, negative attitude towards adult education and the domestic workload. In the external challenges, different aspects were identified including; shortage of time for studies, family problems, time, family problems, balancing of the family responsibilities and the learning process among the adult learner, inadequate funds, economic, social, and political factors, absence of the effective and good internet service, delayed feedback, and insufficient of study materials, inadequate infrastructures, and facilities, absence of enough and competent adult education facilitators. The study recommended that the government should make clear the aim of adult education and its mandate to society in order to alleviate the misconception about the provision of adult educatio
The Influence of Gender Disparity on Girls’ Dropout Rates in Public Secondary Schools in Rwanda
Get PDFThis study determined the influence of gender disparity on girls’ dropout rates in public secondary schools in Kicukiro and Gicumbi Districts in Rwanda. Grounded on Social Justice Theory, the study learned gender disparity in girls ‘dropout rates from 260 respondents using questionnaires. It adopted a pragmatist research paradigm, a quantitative research approach, and a descriptive research design. The findings revealed a positive correlation between gender disparity and girls' dropout rates in secondary schools. The study concludes that there are positive perceptions of gender disparity in public secondary schools, highlighting issues like harassment by teachers and the underrepresentation of female teachers highlight the need for improved policies and support systems to create a safe and encouraging environment for female students. The study recommends enforcing anti-harassment policies, expanding education access for low-income girls, increasing female teacher presence, and promoting gender parity to boost girls' academic success
Impact of Anthropogenic Activities and Urban Proximity on the Conservation of Trees Outside Forests on Agricultural Lands in the Mongala Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Get PDFThis study analysed the influence of charcoal production, artisanal logging, and urban proximity on the conservation of Trees Outside Forests on Agricultural Lands (TOF-AL) in the Mongala Province (Democratic Republic of Congo). A stratified random sampling methodology was applied to 45 villages distributed across the three territories of the province (Bongandanga, Bumba, and Lisala). Within each village, an inventory of TOF-AL was conducted using linear transects and systematic sampling, allowing for the evaluation of the conservation index, species richness, density, and diversity of TOF-AL. The practice of extractive activities, including charcoal production and artisanal logging, was documented in each village, and the distance to major cities was determined. The results indicate that charcoal production and artisanal logging have a significant negative impact on all measured conservation parameters of TOF-AL. The conservation index, species richness, density, and diversity of TOF significantly decrease in villages where these activities are associated with slash-and-burn agriculture. The Bumba territory showed the lowest values for the conservation index, species richness, and density. The lowest values observed in Bumba suggest an increased anthropogenic pressure on forest resources in this area. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between the distance to major cities and the conservation of TOF-AL. In remote villages, the conservation index, species richness, density, and diversity of TOF-AL were significantly higher than in peri-urban areas. These results suggest that differentiated conservation strategies should be prioritised to ensure the effective conservation of TOF-AL in this region and beyond. These differentiated conservation strategies should consider territorial specificities, socio-economic activities, and spatial dynamics of rural landscapes