Research Journal of Education, Teaching and Curriculum Studies

The Moral and Normative Foundation of Idumi Circumcision Ritual among the Tiriki of Hamisi Sub-County

2024-08-06T19:16:18+00:00

This paper relates to the moral and normative foundation of Idumi circumcision ritual to explain the reasons for its persistence in many African communities. The main objective of the study was to explore the moral and normative foundation of Idumi circumcision ritual among the Tirikis. The study was guided by Stuarts Hall’s Cultural Identity Theory to explain its persistence and continuity. A qualitative exploratory design which was phenomenological was adopted for the study. Purposeful sampling was utilized to select twenty – six (26) respondents for the study including; four (4) Tiriki elders, four (4) initiates, four (4) ritual leaders, four (4) counselors, four (4) women, four (4) initiation chiefs and two (2) sub-chiefs. Twelve (12) key respondents were interviewed and fourteen (14) respondents participated in two focus group discussions of seven (7) members each. Data was analyzed qualitatively using the thematic method and presented by reporting key findings using appropriate verbatim quotes. The study revealed that there is a moral and normative foundation of Idumi circumcision ritual which contributes to the persistence and continuity of this cultural ritual.

Implication of Language Use in Higher Education Curricula Development and Implementation: A Case of Moi University, Kenya

2024-08-13T08:39:24+00:00

Knowledge creation, dissemination, and consumption require the use of an appropriate language. Kenyan Higher education relies more on non-native languages, which brings about communication disconnect at all levels, including, the utilisation stage/ in practice, a stage that determines how much of the acquired knowledge is consumed for societal development. The study investigates communication challenges that professionals in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (henceforth, STEM) and Law encounter in their careers, and argues for the inclusion of the Kiswahili component in the Kenyan Higher education curricula, for effective knowledge and skills application. Consequently, we identify and critically discuss the place of language in the development and implementation of curricula in Moi University (henceforth, MU); examine the dis/harmony in knowledge and skills application and utilisation, and finally, conceptualise a holistic Higher education future that embraces the peoples’ shared linguistic code- for productivity. Using the Communication Accommodation Theory, data from 15 university students, 10 lecturers, and 15 practitioners in the above fields, 6 Kiswahili, French, and German (2 for each) lecturers, and 20 consumers of related knowledge and skills are analysed. Findings inform the Kenyan education policymakers and implementers on the need to re-evaluate the place of language in Higher education curricula for STEM (and by extension, the Arts, Social sciences, and Humanities, (henceforth, AHSS)) for effective knowledge and skills utilisation and eventual societal well-being.

Influence of employee’s intellectual wellness programmes on service delivery in faith-based hospitals in Nairobi metropolitan area

2024-08-14T15:21:14+00:00

This study sought to investigate the intellectual wellness programmes on service delivery in faith-based hospitals in the Nairobi metropolitan area. In the modern competitive business environment, organisations and their management have realised that their survival and competitiveness lie in the quality of the services and by extension the service providers. The study adopted descriptive survey and correlational research designs. The study targeted the employees in faith-based hospitals in the Nairobi metropolitan area. A stratified random sampling approach was used in selecting the respondents. The study sample size was 297 respondents. Of the 297 questionnaires distributed to the target respondents, 244 of the questionnaires were filled and returned. Thus, there was a response rate of 82 per cent. The study obtained primary data using a questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyse data. Descriptive statistics included frequencies, mean, standard deviation and percentage. Correlational analysis was used to determine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. The study also carried out a regression analysis to determine the level of association of the study variables. Results were presented in tables. The study established that there were employees' intellectual wellness programmes in the faith-based hospitals in the Nairobi metropolitan area. Correlation analysis results showed that a significant moderate positive correlation existed between service delivery and intellectual wellness programmes. The study also determined that intellectual wellness had a significant influence on service delivery in faith-based hospitals in the Nairobi metropolitan area. The study thus concluded that intellectual employee wellness programmes had a significant influence on service delivery in faith-based hospitals in the Nairobi metropolitan area.

Effectiveness of eLearning for educational advancement in selected universities in Nairobi City County, Kenya: The role of gender-based factors

2024-08-19T09:28:19+00:00

eLearning has provided a favourable education platform for access to timely, quality, and cost-effective education advancement in Kenyan universities. It has not, however, achieved its expected potential and suffers numerous challenges that affect its full implementation. A notable challenge is its effectiveness in catalysing educational advancement by enhancing transition and completion rates in various academic programs. This study aimed to assess the gender disparities that influence the effectiveness of eLearning in select universities. The indicators for effectiveness were defined as the functionality of the eLearning Management Systems (ELMS), benefits accrued from eLearning, and progression and completion rates in the programs offered under eLearning. This was a descriptive study using multistage sampling with a sample size of 395 students and 32 KII. The questionnaire, key informant interview guide, and content analysis were used as the data collection tools. Data was quantitatively and qualitatively analysed. Analysis of the ELMS found that the instructor’s availability and guidance on inline interaction was the most effective functionality of ELMSs with means of 4.10 and 4.31 for males and females, respectively. The least concern was the provision of technological devices for eLearning, 3.49 and 3.42, for males and females respectively. There was notable gender disparity in information received during course registration, protection of student data, academic progress data, and support by technical staff. The composite means were 3.81 and 4.01 for males and females respectively. Most females (3.92) found that simplification of e-materials was the most important enabler for eLearning whereas males (3.68) stated that eLearning had improved their accessibility to educational advancement. The highest gender disparities influencing eLearning were the cost-effectiveness and availability of e-materials. These factors influenced completion rates which were slightly higher for males than females as previously reported. This study provides data that can be used to formulate gender-responsive policies that promote, enhance, and sustain the effectiveness of eLearning by minimizing gender-based disparities that would otherwise negatively impact educational advancement.

Factors Leading Young Christian Adults to Elope in the Anglican Church of Kenya, Taveta East Archdeaconry

2024-09-07T15:55:33+00:00

This study sought to establish factors leading young Christian adults to the practice of eloping among youth in the Anglican Church, Taveta East Archdeaconry. It was guided by the Human Psychosocial Development Theory, Ecological Model Theory, and Moral Development Theory. It adopted a descriptive research design. The target population was eloping aged 20 - 40 years, 5 clergies, and 61 parents. The study used a purposive sampling method. The study’s sample size was 176. Face-to-face interviews were used for the clergy. Focus group discussions were used for the parents. The questionnaires' accuracy and reliability were verified by the inter-rater method. The analyses made use of the statistical package for social sciences version 28. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, such as frequencies, mean, and percentages. Qualitative data was organized into themes for analysis. The study findings include; factors such as; peer influence, financial difficulties in a family, little guidance and counseling in church; parents’ support for eloping practice; phone; youth failing to embrace the Christian faith, which contribute to the practice of eloping among the Christian youth in Taveta East Archdeaconry. Language barrier posed a challenge to some respondents. Some were more conversant with Kiswahili than English prompting the translation of questionnaires from English to Kiswahili. Questionnaires require more time to reach the respondents, filling and returning them. This was solved by early communication to clergy and timely distribution. The number of respondents per focus group in some parishes was less than expected. This was solved by increasing the number of respondents in another station.