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THE ROLE OF PRINCIPALS IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY (ICT) POLICY FORMULATION IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN KENYA
Get PDFThe appreciation of the role of Information Communications and Technology (ICT) in recent years has driven many countries and Institutions of learning in particular to adopting these developments with an aim to enhance effective instructional designs. Its usage has widely been linked to one of the key catalysts towards attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Inclusion of key stakeholders in the formulation of policies that guide its implementation is therefore vital. This paper is an examination of the role played by Principals in ICT policy formulation in public secondary schools. To achieve this objective, the study employed a descriptive design sampling 211 public secondary schools from Meru County through stratified sampling technique. The study sample comprised of 335 teachers, selected through simple random sampling method and 211 Principals purposively selected. Data was collected by triangulation, which made use of interview schedule, questionnaire, and observation guide. The data collected was analyzed using descriptive statistics using frequencies and percentages. The authors found out that most schools lacked compressive ICT policy on the use of ICT in teaching and learning.
Key words: ICT, Principals, School leadership, Curriculum, ICT Policy, Policy formulation
COUNSELORS PERCEPTIONS OF THE BENEFITS OF COUNSELING SUPERVISION: A PANACEA FOR A SECURE WORLD
Get PDFCounseling supervision has consistently been recognized by the counseling profession as an essential component in the development of competent counselors and the delivery of therapeutic services. The purpose of this study was to explore counselors’ perceptions of the benefits of counseling supervision in their work with clients, from a self-reported survey. The literature review highlights a paucity of research in this area. The study employed a survey research using a mixed method design, in a field study of 105 practicing counselors accredited by the Kenya Counseling and Psychological Association. Data collection combined Likert scale and open-ended questionnaires. Data analysis utilized descriptive statistics and factor analysis with varimax rotation, with the aid of Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) 12.0. Varimax rotation converged in three iterations resulting in two factors as also supported by the scree plot generated. Factor one was a combination of professional growth and competency, while factor two was on managing stress and burnout. The two factors explained 58.499% of the variance of perception. Qualitative findings indicate that supervision benefits include: professional growth and development, feedback and support as well as a mechanism for managing burnout. The study contributes to the knowledge of factors that can be leveraged on in promotion of counseling supervision as a panacea for a secure world psychologically. The results suggest that future research should explore linkages between demographic variables of gender, frequency of supervision, experience as a counsellor and adequacy of supervision session; with the perceived benefits of counseling supervision. More specifically an exploration of push and pull factors influencing counselors\u27 adoption of counseling supervision should be explored
The Implications of Language and Power in Gikuyu Marriage Negotiation Discursive Domain, for Kenya’s Vision 2030.
Get PDFThis study was conceived on the premise that there are connections between language use and unequal relations of power and there is widespread underestimation of the significance of language in the production, maintenance and change of social relations of power. There is therefore need to help increase consciousness of how language contribute to the domination of some people by others since consciousness is the first step towards emancipation. Some commonsense assumptions which are implicit in the conventions according to which people interact linguistically are identifiable in conventions which follow a pattern where one party seems more powerful as seen in the way they control the process of talk such as in the Gikuyu marriage negotiation discursive domain. This paper focuses on the formal discursive process of negotiating and legalising marriage in the domain of ‘Ruracio’ or bride wealth payment amongst the Agikuyu of Kenya. Data, consisting of five recorded discourses from sampled negotiation sessions and five focus group discussions from Kiambu County Kenya, was translated, transcribed and analysed with a view of investigating language use for power potentialities. Guided by principles of language and power, the study established that language use in this domain defines power differentials and this has a direct influence on how people think, act and view their society. This paper argues that such potentialities would be instrumental in building a free and fair society as envisioned in the social pillar of Kenya’s Vision 2030.This way, Linguistics as an area of study would be contributing to social development. It is hoped that the findings will be useful to all language users, leaders in general and policy makers in our country. (273 words
EFFECT OF VIDEO MEDIATED INSTRUCTION ON STUDENTS’ MOTIVATION, ATTITUDE AND ACHIEVEMENT IN LEARNING KISWAHILI PROVERBS IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN NAKURU COUNTY, KENYA. : BACKGROUND OF STUDY
No full textThe importance of Kiswahili in Kenya’s secondary school curriculum cannot be underestimated. Scholars agree that Kiswahili language and literature would be incomplete without proverbs because they contain wisdom and advice concerning life. Proverbs form an integral part of the language and therefore the need to integrate them in learning. Kiswahili proverbs are taught mostly by explaining the meaning of each of the words making up the proverb. As a result, the performance of students in Kiswahili in KCSE in Kenya is wanting. Technology is a catalyst of new pedagogical change and thus, teachers have a duty to use it in different learning environments. This study intends to find out the effect of video mediated instruction on students’ motivation, attitude and achievement in learning Kiswahili proverbs in secondary schools in Nakuru County, Kenya. The study will be guided by the constructivist learning theory. It will employ Quasi-Experimental research design involving Solomon Four Non-Equivalent-Group Design with a pre and post-test. Purposive sampling will be used to select four schools of equal ability, select a form, followed by a random assignment of streams to two experimental groups (A and D) and two control groups (B and C). Data will be collected using Students’Achievement Test, Students’ Motivation Questionnaire and Students’ Attitude Questionnaire. Test questions on the taught proverbs will be used to measure students’ achievement. Questions on Students’ Attitude will be used to measure students’ attitude while questions on Students’ Motivation will be used to measure students’ motivation towards learning Kiswahili proverbs. Data will be analyzed using one-way ANOVA and with SPSS version 22. To compare the mean of A and B, an inferential T-test will be used. The study findings will determine if video mediated instruction have – at 0.05α level – a statistically significant effect on students’ motivation, attitude and achievement in Kiswahili proverbs and if there is gender parity in the outcome. The study will recommend a countrywide research on the same
EFFECTS OF HIDDEN COSTS IN FREE SECONDARY EDUCATION ON TRANSITION AND COMPLETION RATES IN PUBLIC BOARDING SCHOOLS IN KISII COUNTY, KENYA
Get PDFOne of the major challenges facing secondary education sector in Kenya over the years is low transition and completion rates. The initiation of Free Primary Education (FPE) in 2003 and Free Secondary Education (FSE) in 2007 in Kenya has enhanced enrollment but still a wide gap exists between primary and secondary enrolment. Financing secondary education is a great challenge to both government and households. In Kenya, whereas households meet a negligible cost to cater for Free Primary Education, it is not clearly established how much they pay for Free Secondary Education. Thus cost is a key barrier to transition to secondary school especially for the poor. The study sought to establish the effects of hidden costs in the provision of Free Secondary Education on transition and completion rates in Kisii County. The objective of the study was to establish the effect of the hidden costs on students completion rates in public boarding schools in Kisii County. This study was based on Classical Liberal Theory of Equal opportunities advanced by Sherman and Wood (1982) cited by Njeru & Orodho (2003) which expresses the view that each child possesses inborn talents which accelerate them to social promotion hence there should be equal opportunities in all educational systems and such systems should be designed without any barriers like socio-economic factors, socio-cultural factors, geographical factors, and school-based factors which prevent learners from taking advantage of their inborn talents. The study used correlational research design which assisted to assess the effect of hidden costs of FSE on students’ transition and completion rates among boarding schools in Kisii County. The target population was 60 head teachers from 60 public boarding secondary schools in Kisii County, 641 class teachers and 240 PTA class representatives. Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) scientific statistical table, stratified and simple random sampling was used to select the required sample for the study of 52 head teachers, 234 class teachers and 148 PTA representatives. Prior to the study, a pilot study was conducted to ensure validity and reliability of the research instruments. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data. The data was then analyzed by use of regression analysis from which frequencies, averages, and percentages were generated and presented in tables, bar graphs and pie charts. Thematic analysis was used to analyze qualitative data. Pearson’s correlation was used to measure the degree of the relationship. Statistical tests were done at α=0.05. It was found that a significant positive relationship exited between hidden costs and students’ transition and completion rates. This implies that though the introduction of FSE programme has greatly reduced the financial burden of public secondary school going students, parents still incur some hidden costs which to some extent contribute to low transition and completion rates. It was recommended that since the established hidden costs negatively affect  access, the Government of Kenya should increase FSE budgetary allocation to schools to ease parents’ burden. 
Computational Modeling of 2-Monochlorophenol and 2-Monochlorothiophenol
Get PDFSubstituted phenolic compounds are well established organic contaminants in the atmosphere and natural ecosystems. They are implicated in a variety of health problems such as oxidative stress, cancer and respiratory diseases. Although the chemistry of 2-monochlorophenol is extensively studied experimentally, theoretical studies on this molecule especially on its thermal degradation is scarce in literature. The goal of this investigation is to investigate not only the thermal properties of 2-monochlorophenol and 2-monochrothiophenol but also their electronic properties from a theoretical stand point. To simulate the thermolysis of these pollutants under conditions representative of municipal waste incineration, a temperature range of 300-1000ËšC at typical increments of 100 ËšC at 1 atmosphere was chosen. Gaussian 03 computational suite of programs was employed in this study. The density functional theory (DFT) in conjunction with B3LYP correlation function and a variety of basis sets were used in this study. Two basis sets normally selected for molecular modeling of organic molecules; 6-31+G and 6-31G have been given priority in this work. Thermochemical results show that 2-mochlorothiophenol easily dissociates to 2-monochlorothiophenoxy radical in comparison to the dissociation of 2-monochlorophenol to 2-monochlorophenoxy radical in the whole range of degradation temperature. At a degradation temperature of 1000 K, the change in enthalpy for the formation of 2-monochlorothiophenoxy and 2-monochlorophenoxy radicals are respectively, 70.40 and 84.39 kcal mol-1. The toxicities of these combustion by-products have also been reported in this study
An assessment of the impacts of Gypsum mining on water quality in Kajiado County, Kenya
Get PDFIn the recent past, Kenya has witnessed increased activity in the extractive industry targeting minerals such as titanium, gypsum and gold to name a few. Mining activities are a potentially important contributor to water contamination. Discussions in the literature on impacts of gypsum mining on water quality are not conclusive because they tend to be site specific and lacking in details. This study sought to establish the impacts of gypsum extraction activities on water quality in Kajiado. The study adopted the descriptive/diagnostic design. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data from a sample of 95 respondents and key informants selected through Simple Random Sampling, Stratified Random Sampling and Purposeful Sampling. The APHA (1999) protocol was followed in the collection, storage and analysis of samples. Results indicated significant indirect influence of mining activities on water quality parameters. Even though chemical contamination was insignificant, the bacteriological concentration indirectly arising from gypsum mining was higher than WHO (2006) guide values and therefore exposed the public to waterborne diseases. The mean total coliform concentration in the surface water samples was 555/100 ml, with a minimum of 75 and maximum of 2400. There was no significant difference in the disease burden for children aged below 5 years and the rest of the population (p ≤ 0.206). The study recommends awareness creation on safe use of mine pond water
Exploring the Use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTS) For Peacebuilding in Mount Elgon Region
Get PDFConflicts have brought great distress and loss of lives across the globe. Unfortunately, the African continent has witnessed the greatest impact of these conflicts. However, from 2011, other the predominantly Muslim countries especially in the Middle East, Arabia and Africa also witnessed similar conflicts that led to loss of lives and overthrow of dictatorial regimes. The intra-ethnic conflict witnessed in Mount Elgon region between the Soy and Ndorobo clans of the Sabaot in 2006-2008 had great socio-economic implications in the region. While most literature has focused on the causes of intra-ethnic conflicts in Africa and Kenya in particular, there has been less focus on peacebuilding. More so on the role of ICTs to the peacebuilding process for societies emerging from conflicts. This study was designed to assess the ICTs used in the peacebuilding process in Mount Elgon region. The study was based on the conflict transformation theory which argues that conflict transformation is a long process requiring different interventions by different actors employing various approaches towards attainment of peace. The theory also posits that ICTs have the potential of transforming conflicts into peaceful co-existence characterized by new structures and new relationships. The study used questionnaires, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions to collect data. The target sample was the residents and the state and not-state actors involved in the peace building process in Mt Elgon region. The study showed that ICTs such as mobile telephones, the Internet and radio, social media platforms and ICTs greatly contributed to the peacebuilding process in the region. The paper contributes to the on-going dialogue on peace building efforts in Mt. Elgon and other regions experiencing similar conflicts and recommends. The study recommends more investment in ICTs by both state and non-state actors involved in the peace building process in the region
Integrating Learner Disabilities in Inclusive Schools in Njoro Sub-County
Get PDFThe complexities and daily challenges experienced by learners with special needs in inclusive primary schools make them feel frustrated and unable to perform optimally in their studies. Sometimes they are unable to cope effectively with inclusive learning, and this makes them withdrawn. In order to avert such situations, counselling services are required in mainstream programmes to aid the learners develop academic, social and personal competencies that assist in their adjustment for life-long development. Â
The purpose of this study was to explore ways of integrating disabilities into the school for international, national and personal development among learners with disabilities in Njoro Sub-County. Data was collected using two questionnaires which were administered to 100 learners and 20 teachers. Interviews were conducted among 5 education officers in the sub-county. The data was analysed using the stastical package for social sciences (SPSS) to obtain descriptive statistics(percentages and frequencies).  The findings showed that learners with special in inclusive schools in Njoro sub county faced diverse psycho-social challenges including self-pity and self-devaluation among others. These challenges require well programmed guidance and counselling services. The findings of the study are expected to provide a basis upon which the ministry of Educations and the school administrators can operate to fully integrate learners with disabilities into all educational institutions for development. They can also help the ministry to formulate guidelines to address the challenges facing this special group of learners. The study recommended that the admission of learners into all schools should be so structured to include learners with disabilities irrespective of their gender and nature of impairment. 
Prevalence of Sexual Activities Among Secondary School students in Nairobi and Busia Counties Kenya
Get PDFAdolescent sexuality is an important public health issue, as it affects them in many ways; they risk contracting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections; may become pregnant leading to school dropout and early marriage.  The assessment of prevalence of sexual activities among students, may guide policies and programmes aimed at reducing the risks of engaging in early sex. The study used ex posto facto and descriptive research design. Target population was 20227 form three students in Nairobi and Busia Counties. Accessible population was 3568 form three students in seven districts. Multi-stage, probability proportionate to size, stratified and simple random sampling was used to select the participants. Findings of the study shows adolescents engage in sexual activities at a very young age. They engage in sex activities with multiple partners and majorities do not use contraceptives. Overall prevalence of sexual activities was 28.8% male and 14.6% female. Variables positively associated with sexual activities include age, gender, school type and location. Any intervention aimed to promote students’ sexual health should be designed with appreciation of factors associated with sexual activity in due consideration