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Publication
Effects of Principals' Goal Setting Activities in Curbing Drug And Substance Abuse And its Influence on National Examinations Performance in Secondary Schools in Mwea West Sub-County, Kirinyaga County
(International Journal of Education and Social Science Research, 2024) Nyagah, Lucy Muringo; Ochieng, Pamela
The study aimed to evaluate the influence of principals' goal-setting activities in curbing drug and substance abuse and its influence on national examination performance in secondary schools in Mwea West Sub-County, Kirinyaga County. A descriptive research design was employed, and a total of 405 subjects comprising students, school principals, and guiding and counseling teachers, as well as the Quality and Standards Officers were selected using stratified sampling. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire, which was analyzed in SPSS version 25. The regression analysis revealed that principals' activities linked to the conduction of goals, information gathering and analysis, intervention methods, and appraisal methods accounted for 54.4% of the variation in the capture of drug and substance abuse as well as its effect on students' performance in national exams. The dependent variable was significantly (p = 0.016) regressed on the predictor variables, which represents at least one of the predictor variables affecting the response variable. With the coefficient, it was apparent that the principal's setting goals, accuracy in information, interventional approaches, and appraisal methods correlated with the decline in the extent of drug and substance abuse and its contribution to the poor scores in the national examination. Among these, information collection and analysis showed the highest correlation (standardized coefficient = 0.497), which was followed by the principals' goal-setting activities (0.316); thereby, intervention methods (0.181) and appraisal methods (0.200) ranked fifth and fourth, respectively. Based on these results, the following was suggested: undertake training for principals, organize workshops for seminars, implement the drug program, and improve guidance and counseling services in schools to adequately prevent drug abuse.
Publication
Inclusive Education for the Visually Challenged Students in Primary Teacher Training Institutions: A Kenyan Perspective
(European Journal of Special Education Research, 2017-04-09) Ochieng, Pamela
Globally, people with disabilities are among the poorest. Traditional development programs often fail to meet their needs for instance, by building new schools that are not accessible and in relation to resource provision, both human and material (UNESCO, 1993). The visual system can be justly considered as the dominant sensory modality in humans. Almost half the brain is devoted to sight, and about 70% of the total capacity of the brain devoted to processing sensory information is devoted to handling visual information. Studies of visual perception have revealed that there tends to be an antinational bias towards the visual modality (Shams, 2000). Less well known, perhaps, is that where there is conflict between visual inputs and other sensory inputs, either the overall perception is determined by vision, or else the nature of the perception in the other conflicting modality is modified by the visual information, rather than vice versa (Shore, et al., 2000).
Publication
The Synergy Between the Cooperative Movement and Devolved Units in the Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Kenya
(Journal of Popular Education in Africa, 2021) Masibili, Rose Namikoye; Ochieng, Tobias; Ochieng, Pamela
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) emanated from the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio. It aimed at producing universal objectives that met the environmental, political and economic challenges facing the world. This paper focuses on the role that devolved units at the county level play in achieving sustainable development goals in Kenya, through cooperatives and saving societies. For the SDGs to be effectively implemented there is need for active participation of citizens in their individual and collective capacities. Cooperatives provide a platform to achieve this as they aim at pooling together resources from individuals who participate in similar economic activities and have common goals. Considering that the cooperatives are organized structures established, as efficient channels through which SDGs can be implemented at the grass-root level. The paper focused on analyzing SDG 1. No poverty 2, decent work and economic growth and 12 on responsible consumption and production. The cooperative principles promote self-sustainability, inclusive management and good governance. The paper observes that SDGs can be achieved through devolved units (counties) in Kenya. However, the question to be addressed remains: - To what extent are the counties using Co- operatives and saving societies toward achieving SDG’s No 1, 8 and 12? The study endeavored to establish the extent to which Counties promote Cooperative financial inclusion and knowledge management in their activities, as they seek to achieve SDGs No 1, 8, and 12 in Kenya. An assessment was carried out by examining the County Integrated Development plans(CIDP)-2018-2022 in order to establish the extent to which the Counties have inculcated Cooperatives in the achievement of SDG’s 1,8, and 12 in Kenya. The study utilized a Desk Review approach with a focus on the CIDP of all the forty- seven (47) counties in Kenya to assess whether the County units strengthen the SDG’S Number 1, 8 and 12 economic pillars. The study concluded that whereas most counties mention cooperatives in their CIDP, they have not clearly aligned them with the SDGs number 1, 8 and 12. Hence the need for training county executives on SDGs on the important role of Cooperatives in the devolved units. County governments in Kenya should link cooperative societies with all 17 sustainable development goals as well as formulate policies and regulation on development of cooperative societies anchored on SDGs
Publication
Influence of Early Marriages on Students’ Progression in Public Secondary Schools in Ndhiwa Sub-County, Homabay County, Kenya
(African Journal of Emerging Issue, 2023-07) Owuor, Emmanuel Ojwang; Ochieng, Pamela; Kirimi, Josephine
Statement of the Problem: Students’ progression in secondary schools is key to the realization of educational objectives. However, in Ndhiwa Sub-county, the situation is different due to low students’ progression rates. Many students drop out of secondary schools just a few years after enrollment due to a number of socio-economic dynamics such as early marriages. Purpose of the Study: Thus, the purpose of this was to study to assess the influence of early marriages on students’ progression in public secondary schools in Ndhiwa Sub-county, Homabay County, Kenya. Methodology: This research adopted mixed methodology and applied concurrent triangulation research design. Target population was 1263 respondents which comprised 65 principals, 678 secondary school teachers and 520 parents’ representatives from which 305 respondents were sampled using Yamane’s Formula. Stratified sampling was applied to create five strata based on the number of zones in Ndhiwa Sub-county. From each zone, five principals and five parents’ representatives were sampled purposively. However, from each zone, simple random sampling was applied to select 51 teachers. This procedure realized a sample size of 25 principals, 25 parents’ representatives and 255 teachers. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the objectives and presented in narrative forms. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferentially using multiple linear regression model in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23) and presented using tables. Findings: The study established that students’ progression has been low with many students who get enrolled in Form I not able to complete their secondary education. This is attributed to cases of early marriages as a socio-economic dynamic. Recommendations: The study recommends that the Ministry of Education, Chiefs and Public Benefits Organizations (PBOs) should continue with their sensitization efforts to eradicate incidences of early marriages among school-going children.
Publication
Influence of Sale of Handicrafts on Students’ Retention Rates in Public Secondary Schools in Masinga Sub-County, Machakos County, Kenya
(African Journal of Emerging Issues, 2023-07) Muthoka, Jairus Muhammed; Ochieng, Pamela
Purpose of the Study: Income-generating activities, such as the sale of handicrafts, play a key role in bridging the financial gaps experienced by public secondary schools. These activities generate revenue for the school to supplement the fees paid by students and financial subsidies from the government, as a strategy for providing quality education and increasing retention rates among students in public secondary schools. However, in Masinga Sub-county, the situation is quite different, with many public secondary schools registering low retention rates among students. The purpose of this study was to assess the influence of the sale of handicrafts on students' retention rates in public secondary schools in Masinga Sub-county, Machakos County, Kenya. Research Methodology: This study adopted a mixed methodology and applied concurrent triangulation research design. The target population was 812 respondents, comprising 54 principals, 542 teachers, and 216 support staff. A sample of 268 respondents was determined using Yamane's Formula. Stratified sampling was used to create four different strata based on the number of zones in Masinga Sub-county. From each zone, three principals and six support staff were selected using purposive sampling. However, from each zone, 58 teachers were selected using simple random sampling to avoid bias. This sampling procedure resulted in a sample of 12 principals, 24 support staff, and 232 teachers. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically based on the study objectives and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages, and inferentially using linear regression analysis in the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 23) and presented using Tables. Findings: The study revealed that the number of students who complete their secondary education is low, with dropout rates standing at 40.7% compared to the national dropout rates, which have decreased to 23.7%. This is attributed to the inadequacy of financial resources, and as a result, schools have embraced the sale of handicrafts as an alternative income-generating activity. Recommendations: The study recommends that school principals should ensure that the funds raised from the sale of handicrafts and trophies are used for good purposes and to support needy students. Donors should continue funding school programs as a strategy for reducing students' dropout rates from public secondary schools.