Browsing by Author "Wafula, Robert"

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Challenges and mitigation measures on feeding programmeof vulnerable learners in early childhood development centres: a case of Kisumu Central Sub-County, Kenya
(KIBU, 2018-06-12) Margaret Ger, Margaret; Wafula, Robert
Early childhood education is an important stage in learning since it forms the foundation in which knowledge acquisition is laid. Its success is emancipated in the completion of the approved course by the learners; however, there has been indication that there is generally low completion rate among the ECDE learners especially the vulnerable group. Feeding of the vulnerable learners while at school is envisaged to be important in promoting enrolment, retention and eventual completion of ECDE programme. The objective of this study was to investigate the challenges and mitigation measures of feeding programmes in ECDE centres, with regard vulnerable learners. The study was guided by Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs Theory. It employed a descriptive survey design. The sample consisted of 62 lead ECDE teachers and 20 head teachers; questionnaires, interview schedules and observation checklist were used to collect data. The findings of the study show that, although a significant proportion (89.1%) of the ECDE centres in Kisumu Central Sub-County had feeding programmes, most of them were poorly equipped and understaffed; both Government support and community involvement were low and inadequate. However, it was established that several measures including effective mobilization of stakeholders, development of school Income Generating Activity (IGA), proper planning and use of locally available foodstuffs were identified as possible measures to promote the programme. It is hoped that these findings, apart from enriching the existing knowledge, it may be used by the relevant policy makers to improve the programme.
Challenges teachers face when handling children with aggressive tendencies: a study in Mwingi central sub county, Kitui county, Kenya
(KIBU, 2018-09-03) Murugi, Joanna Oyamo; Wafula, Robert; Walumoli, L. Alex
Children with aggressive behaviours belong to the behaviourally disordered category of children with special needs. These children display negative behaviour tendencies that hurt others either verbally or physically. They manifest such characteristics as quarrelsomeness, vengefulness and destructiveness. It also includes spreading rumours, telling lies, giving dirty looks, insulting others and humiliating others. According to Botha (2014), such behaviour tendencies impedes negatively on learners’ social and academic development of these children. They are also font of interrupting learning activities and lack focus on tasks in class leading to failure to follow instructions from the teacher. Handing these children can be challenging unless teachers are empowered. This article examines challenges teachers face when dealing with children with aggressive tendencies. The objectives of the study were: to find out the challenges teachers face when dealing with aggressive children; to find out the appropriate strategies for helping these children. The research design used in the study was a descriptive survey. Ten schools were sample in Mwingi central sub county, Kitui County, using stratified sampling. A sample size of 20 children with aggressive behaviour tendencies were purposively sampled. Class teachers from pri-primary one to class three (4 teachers in each school) were included in the study, a total of forty teachers. Data was collected through analysis of children’s academic records by summarising them on tables. Questionnaires were used to gather data from teachers. Responses from teachers were analysed through themes with excerpts. Children with aggressive tendencies were found to show poor school attendance but rarely drop out of school. Poor school attendance is a predictor of poor academic performance and negative teacher-pupil attitude. It further established lack of sufficient training for teachers handling aggressive children. This leads to lack of necessary skills of handling these children. Most teachers expressed frustration and lack of adequate support from parents, community, education officers and school administration. It is important that all teachers for young children attends seminars and workshops on ways of handling aggressive children. There is also need to develop guidance and counselling programme in early childhood education. Parents and community should give adequate support teachers when dealing with children who show aggressive tendencies.
Educational influence of the 5-8 year olds children aggression
(KIBU, 2018-06-14) Walumoli, Alex Lusweti; Wafula, Robert
The study was to investigate educational influence of 5-8 year olds children’s aggression. Aggressive behaviours include the behaviours that are directed in harming others and tend to be a nuisance to many people. The study was guided the Social Cognitive Learning Theory by Albert Bandura-learning by observation and modelling and Social Constructivism Learning by Lev Vygotsky-learning through interaction. The objectives of the study were to: determine the factors that contribute to aggression among children in Mwingi Central Sub County and determine the effect of children’s aggression on their educational progress. It was a descriptive survey in Mwingi Central Sub County in Kitui County. Through stratified sampling, the researcher picked 10 schools (5 private and 5 public) out of 104 total schools. In each school purposive sampling was used to pick aggressive children from nursery to class three. Thereafter with the help of the class teachers, two most aggressive children identified for observation. All the teachers in preschool and lower primary (4 teachers per school = 40 in total) were issued with questionnaires while 40 parents of the aggressive children were randomly selected for interviews. The District Centre for Early Childhood Education (DICECE) officer and the district special education officer were purposively picked and issued with questionnaires. Checklists were used to collect information on children’s behaviour. In order to understand children’s academic performance, children’s progress records were scrutinized. The instruments validity was ensured through review by the early childhood experts and the reliability was ensured through test retest method with a consistency of 0.80 established. Permission from NACOSTI was sought before data collection. Data collection took 32 days; 3 days per school where observations were conducted first followed by interviews then analysis of the children’s academic progress records and finally administration of the questionnaires. Thematic content analysis with excerpts was used to analyse qualitative data. Descriptive statistics was used to summarise data while quantitative data was analysed through and linear regression. The study established that there is no significant relationship between aggressive behaviours and academic performance. However children with aggressive behaviours have low class participation and task completion. They show poor school attendance but rarely drop out of school. Children with aggressive behaviours face challenges in their academic progress. There is need for increased funding and research to help these children. Child guidance and counselling programme in schools is highly recommended.
Factors influencing participation of children in early childhood development and education programme in Bungoma South Sub-County, Bungoma County – Kenya
(KIBU, 2017-06-14) Oyamo, Joanna Murugi; Wafula, Robert
The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing participation of children in the ECDE programme in Bungoma South Sub-county of Bungoma County. Early childhood care and education programmes yield greater investment returns than any other level of education yet it is the age at which children are most vulnerable to life threats like disease, abuse and neglect. This study was guided by the objectives: To examine the influence of common ailments, teachers’ motivation and School Feeding Programme on participation of children in the ECDE programme. Systematic Random Sampling was used to identify 21 ECDE centers to be included in the study and 2 teachers from each centre involved directly as respondents. Data collection was done using questionnaires; collected data was further organized into themes then frequencies and percentages obtained. The information was presented on tables to make its interpretation clearer. Results obtained showed that absenteeism rate of 3% - 5% daily in the ECDE centres was due to common ailments; the highest satisfier for ECDE teachers was their good social relationship with other ECDE stakeholders while their highest dissatisfiers were their social status and remuneration; and, the feeding programme was very effective(88%) in enhancing enrolment and daily attendance of children. Based on the findings, the study concluded that childhood diseases affected children to the extent of them missing important school hours; the ECDE teachers’ motivation was generally low due to poor remuneration and the status accorded to them and finally, School Feeding Programmes enabled smooth transition from home to pre-school since it acted as a bridge between home and school. The study recommends that local communities be empowered economically to afford nutritious food and medical services for their children; a clear Scheme of Service for ECDE teachers be put in place stipulating their remuneration and School Feeding Programme be availed in every ECDE centre without fail.
Factors Influencing participation of children in early childhood development and education programme In Bungoma south sub-county, Bungoma county – Kenya
(KIBU, 2018-09-03) Murugi, Oyamo Joanna; Wafula, Robert; Walumoli, L. Alex
The purpose of the study was to investigate factors influencing participation of children in the ECDE programme in Bungoma South Sub-county of Bungoma County. Early childhood care and education programmes yield greater investment returns than any other level of education yet it is the age at which children are most vulnerable to life threats like disease, abuse and neglect. This study was guided by the following objectives: To examine the influence of common ailments, teachers’ motivation and School Feeding Programme on participation of children in the ECDE programme. Systematic Random Sampling was used to identify 21 ECDE centers to be included in the study and 2 teachers from each centre involved directly as respondents. Data collection was done using questionnaires; collected data was further organized into themes then frequencies and percentages obtained. The results were presented on tables to make the interpretation easier. Results obtained showed that absenteeism rate of 3% - 5% daily in the ECDE centres was due to common ailments; the highest satisfier for ECDE teachers was their good social relationship with other ECDE stakeholders while their highest dissatisfiers were their social status and remuneration; and, the feeding programme was very effective (88%) in enhancing enrolment and daily attendance of children. Based on the findings, the study concluded that childhood diseases affected children to the extent of them missing important school hours; the ECDE teachers’ motivation was generally low due to poor remuneration and the status accorded to them and finally, School Feeding Programmes enabled smooth transition from home to pre-school since it acted as a bridge between home and school. The study recommends that local communities be empowered economically to afford nutritious food and medical services for their children; a clear Scheme of Service for ECDE teachers be put in place stipulating their remuneration and School Feeding Programme be availed in every ECDE centre.
Work- life balance practices and employee performance in telecommunication firms in Eldoret town, Kenya
(KIBU, 2018-06-12) Ndombi, Alice Nangila; Wanyama, Kadian Wanyonyi; Wafula, Robert
Many employees usually experience difficulties in balancing between employment, family life and social life. This causes stress and consequently results to employee burnouts and poor performance at work. Some reviewed literature on work-life balance practices and employee performance conducted on banks and other organizations show that work-life balance practices lead to increased employee productivity, improved employee performance, and that there is significant correlation between work-life balance practices and employee performance. However, there seems to be few studies done in Kenya especially in Telecommunication firms and that is why the researcher intended to carry out a study on work-life balance practices and employee performance in Telecommunication Firms in Eldoret Town, Kenya namely Safaricom, Airtel and Orange Limited Companies. The main objective of the study was to determine the effect of work-life balance practices on employee performance in Telecommunication firms in Eldoret Town, Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were to: determine the effect of flex time schedule on employee performance in Telecommunication firms in Eldoret Town, Kenya, examine the effect of telecommuting on employee performance in Telecommunication firms in Eldoret Town, Kenya, determine the effect of employee assistance programs on employee performance in Telecommunication firms in Eldoret Town, Kenya and to determine the effect of leave policy on employee performance in Telecommunication firms in Eldoret Town, Kenya. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The target population consisted of 151 employees. Stratified random sampling technique was used to sample out to ensure that employees with different responsibilities like managers, technicians, sales representatives and customer care representatives were catered for. A sample size of 45 employees was used. Data was collected by use of questionnaires personally administered which contained two sections: section one, demographic and section two, objectives. Analysis of data was done using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics. Section one was analysed using frequencies and percentages. Section two was analysed using Pearson correlation technique and regression analysis. Data was presented in form of frequency tables. The first hypothesis indicated a correlation score of r = .612, P <0.05) with 95.0 % confidence. The findings showed that relationship between flex time schedule and employee performance is positive and statistically significant. The second hypothesis indicated a correlation score of r = .335, p <0.05) with 95.0% confidence level. The findings showed that relationship between telecommuting and employee performance is positive and statistically significant. The third hypothesis indicated a correlation score of r = .898, p <0.05) with 95.0% confidence level. The findings showed that relationship between Employee assistance program and employee performance is positive and statistically significant. The fourth hypothesis indicated a correlation score of r = .970, p <0.05) with 95.0% confidence level. The findings showed that relationship between leave policy and employee performance is positive and statistically significant. From the findings, the researcher concluded that all work-life balance practices had significant effect on the employee performance in Telecommunication firms in Eldoret town in Kenya. The researcher recommended that work-life balance practices would be useful to telecommunication firms and other business organizations in Kenya. Human resource managers should design human resource programs that may improve employee performance. The government should consider making appropriate work-life balance legislation too. The researcher also recommended that researchers in the field of human resource management should carry out similar study in addition to the existing literature on work-life balance practices and employee performance.