Received February 13, 2020; Reviewed April 9, 2020; Accepted April19, 2020

Abstract: This study explored causal factors for academic underachievement in public primary schools in Iganga district. The study specifically pointed out school and home factors that explain persistent academic underachievement.The core intention of these investigations was to get in-depth views of stakeholders concerning the two basic environments (home and school),which control teaching/learning process.Whereas the home is a habitat of all activities and decisions which support child’s going to school, the school environment promotes all activities and decisions that enable imparting knowledge and skills into a child’s mind. Data were collected from 205 teachers from 16 public primary schools in four sub-counties, 493 primary seven pupils,and 27 school management committee members. This was done through questionnaires, focus group discussions, observations and interviews. Purposive and cluster sampling techniques were used to determine the respondents. Data was analyzed through descriptive statistics using means and standard deviations. Qualitative results were used to back-up the quantitative results.Findings revealed the following as the causative influencing factors: absenteeism, inadequate teacher preparation, parental neglect, lack of school and managerial skills.The study recommends close teacher support supervision by the district inspectorate department, head teachers and heads of department at school level to help teachers improve their daily routine and professional duties,Government to provide teachers with accommodation at school, make bye-law to keep pupils in school and set up standards for school management committees.

Received January 23, 2020; Reviewed March 26, 2020; Accepted April 17, 2020

Abstract: This online study investigated levels of plagiarism from different regions, for example, Africa, Asia, U.S.A and Europe. Specifically, the study investigated theses similarity index according to the following indicators: Sex, University, Region, Level of thesis -Doctoral or Masters and Year the thesis was written. The paper also tested if there was any significant difference between levels of plagiarism and sex of student, regional institutions, level of thesis and year of thesis writing. The results indicate that females plagiarized more than the males, doctoral theses had highest degree of plagiarism than the masters theses, there was significant difference between the sex of student and similarity index, there was no significant difference in the level of plagiarism when grouped according to sex of student, there was no significant difference in the level of plagiarism when grouped according to region, there was no significant difference in the level of plagiarism when grouped according to the level of thesis, there wasa significant difference between the plagiarism similarity index when grouped according to the year of the thesis.The following are the recommendations shared from the study: institutions of higher learning should train students and academic staff on the importance of staying plagiarism free, academic staff should remain keen on plagiarized work and once detected, legal action should be taken,including punishing the student, each institution of higher learning should have plagiarism policy in place, student supervisors should work with students showing them how to avoid plagiarism in their academic writing.

Received March 9, 2020; Reviewed April 11, 2020; Accepted April 17, 2020

Abstract: The study examined Rwanda’s innovative marketing strategies and its influence on tourism development. The study used a sample size of 123 respondents mainly from Rwanda Development Board(RDB), tour operators, tourists, park officials and transport officers who were conveniently and purposively selected in accordance to their availability and willingness to participate in the study. The major findings revealed that Rwanda has existing traditional marketing strategies. However, given their performance, they are not as effective as they are supposed to be. In a bit to attract more tourists, RDB introduced new innovative marketing designs which can capture the attention and the mind of the visitor. This is in agreement with Morgan and Pitchard (2000) who stated and argued that the battle for customers in the tourism industry will be fought not over price but over the hearts and minds, thus, RDB introduced Kwita Izina ceremony,diplomats country tour, partnerships with European football clubs, product innovation,MICE tourism, doubling gorilla price, improving service standards, and biodiversity conservation. This has increased visitor arrivals hence, tourism growth in terms of sales revenue, private sector investment, increased FDI in tourism sector among others. The study recommends more allocation of funds for the effective global marketing, particularly with a mix of both private and public efforts.

Received January 25, 2020; Reviewed March 6, 2020; Accepted April 16, 2020

Abstract: New teachers’ induction approach is taken as an important process for inspiring to join the teaching professionas it offers an introduction to the teaching working conditions and practices, increasing motivation of teachers and enhancing their problem-solving skills. In Rwanda, an induction program for new teachers with a focus on empowerment is being implemented by the Rwanda Education Board in partnership with VVOB –Education for Development and the University of Rwanda –College of Education. The main objective of this paper was to examine the awareness and knowledge of key players on new teacher induction in Rwanda: Key players to this end are: 1. the deans of studies in Teacher Training Centers (TTCs) and; 2.New teacher mentors at TTCs.The data used were collected in April 2018, through questionnaires completed by research participants. The model of new teachers’ induction program by Diane Corcoran and colleagues was used as our conceptual framework. Due to a small sample size of 22 participants, we analyzed our data using the quick impressionistic summary investigative method and opted to present our results into affirmations. The study exposed that the role of New Teacher mentors at TTCs was relatively weak. Besides, our results, revealed that deans of studies had different views about the induction concept. The induction implementation in schools was found to be confronted with both limited knowledge on induction activities for the concerned people and time constraints. However, because of a small sample used for such quantitative study, we have not opted to generalize its findings. The paper ends with recommendations to different concerned stakeholders

Received January 9, 2020; Revised March 1, 2020; Accepted March 28, 2020

Abstract: The demand for fertilizer increases with the demand for food as more fertilizer is needed to increase production. This paper assesses the effects, procedures, uses and challenges of human urine as a fertilizer to vegetables growing in Kitemu Zone, Kyengera Town Council (KTC). A case-study design and qualitative and quantitative data collection approaches were used for this paper. Forty five vegetable growers were targeted, of whom 40 were determined using Krejcie and Morgan. Results reveal that human urine is readily available and inexpensive, improves soil and fertility and plant quality, controls and repels pests, increases farmers’ incomes and livelihoods and reduces food contamination and chemical fertilizer use. However, the acceptance of using human urine as fertilizer has many limitations, including low consumption rate of water and soft foods, cultural beliefs, inadequate knowledge about the use of human urine, odour, shame, suspicion and environmental conditions. The paper recommends that KTC should sensitize households on the values of human urine, promote gender sensitivity in human urine collection, storage and application, and demonstration centres should offer short-term courses to households on how to use human urine fertilizer.

Received December 31, 2020; Revised March 29, Accepted March 31, 2020

Abstract: Pre-school education is fundamental in providing foundation for learning. In the recent years, there has been noted decline trend nationally in the transition of learners from Early Years of Education (EYE) to primary schools in Belgut Sub-County as per 2018 published Sub-County Education Office report. This study investigated school-based factors influencing learner retention in public pre-schools. The study specifically sort out to; find out the learning activities influencing learner retention and explore the school environment influence on learner retention in public pre-schools in Belgut Sub- County. The study was anchored on Maslow theory. Descriptive research design was adopted. The study targeted 326 respondents comprising of head teachers and pre-school teachers. Sample size for the study was 95 head teachers and 127 pre-school teachers. Questionnaires were utilized for pre-school teachers and interview schedules for Head-teachers .Observation checklists were also utilized. The study yielded both Quantitative and qualitative data which was analyzed thematically and by use of SPSS version 22. Data was presented by use of figures and tables. The study established that there is need for pre-school learners to enjoy free movement rather than having them confined to one place. Further, the study revealed that the school environment is crucial for learner retention thus need for sufficient pre-schools amenities. The study is significant to stakeholders in positioning themselves to ensure that they maintain retention of learners in pre-school, managers and proprietors of pre-schools in devising better approaches that enable retention of learners and Ministry of Education in crafting better policy framework that clearly stipulate the roles of all the stake holders in Early Years of Education

Received January 29, 2020; Reviewed March 9, 2020; Accepted March 24, 2020

Abstract: Recent development in Information and Communication Technology (ICT)has brought remarkable changes in teaching-learning process. However, studies show that effective integration of ICT in teaching Environmental Education (EE) is still a challenge to teachers and learners,especially in developing countries like Tanzania. This paper investigated the available opportunities but also the challenges that prevent primary school teachers from integrating ICTs in teaching EE. The study adopted both qualitative and quantitative research approaches that are in line with case study research design to acquire knowledge from participants through interviews, classroom observations and questionnaires. The participants of this study were 36 teachers and 240 learners from 12 selected primary schools in Musoma district. The findings revealed that there are limited opportunities to teachers that included availability of ICT facilities in few schools and availability of limited pre-service and in-service training programmes. The findings revealed a number of challenges such as inadequate ICT training programmes, insufficient ICT facilities in primary schools, scarcity of ICT support services to teachers in schools and limited allocated classroom schedule. The paper suggested that there is a need for well-planned ICT teachers’ pre-service and in-service training programmes to enhance teaching of EE. In addition,ICT facilities should be sufficient in schools as well as the improvement of ICT support services to teachers.

Received March 19, 2020; Reviewed March 21, 2020; Accepted March 22, 2020

Abstract: This research was aimed at finding out the effect of use of computer simulations on academic achievement of form two learners in physics in Ainamoi Sub-County in Kericho County. The overall students’ performance in physics nationally and in Ainamoi Sub-county at Kenya Certificate of Secondary Examination level remained low over the past years. The research objectives were to determine: the effect of using computer simulation on attitude of the experimental groups towards computer simulated Physics lessons, and the difference between academic achievement of the control group and the experimental group in Physics after treatment. The study applied Quasi-Experimental Design involving Solomon-(Four) Non-Equivalent Control Group approach. Study sample consisted of 200 Form two students and 4 Physics teachers from 4 mixed day Schools sampled purposively. Data was collected using a Standardized Physics Achievement Test (SPAT)and Student Questionnaire on Attitudes towards Computer Simulated Physics Lesson Scale (ATCSPLS). The experimental groups were taught Magnetic Effect of an Electric Current using computer simulations. The two control groups on the other hand were taught the same content using conventional methods of instruction. Findings indicated that there was a statistically significant relationship between use of computer simulations and attitude towards Physics lessons (r=0.560, p=0.000). The study revealed that there was a statistically significant difference in academic achievement between the control and experimental groups (t= -7.531, df=193.338, p=0.000). It was recommended that learning should integrate computer simulations in Physics subject since they enhance positive attitude in learners and also high academic achievement.

Received January 28, 2020; Revised March 17, 2020; Accepted March 19, 2020

Abstract: This paper explores the linguistic transformation of written format of language, a global transformation. Interest is in both the novel linguistic expressions and the diversity of the use of symbols replacing linguistic word expressions. The emergence of Emoji commonly used in social media system of communication has completely replaced the ‘normal’ way of communicating, the use of words. Thus, symbols have been recontextualised and ‘repurposed’ (Bolter and Grusin, 2000; Prior and Hengst, 2010) the word forms for communication. The study used 36 participants of which 20 were students: 8 boys, 12 and 16 community people to interpret the proverbs. The intension is to show how
Emoji has been localized and adopted as a mode of communication. For instance, Emoji has been used to express proverbs in CiCewa as (i) Kandimverele anakanena za mmaluwa a proverb which means ‘a gossiper does not say the truth’, now ; (ii) nkhonya yobwezera kuwawa/mutu ukakula sulewa nkhonya ‘a repeat bad act is painful/ when you are old you cannot run away from problems’ = . This innovative technique of transmitting messages
has come because of technology. The implication of the usage of emoji is the commodification of language as semiotic resources and symbolic discourse practice in communication skills. This mode of communication has, concurrently, brought excitement and confusion (see ii) above. The paper thus concludes with a thesis on blurring boundary between different interpretations of emoji, which has become a culture on social media leading translocal mobility of quick messaging system resulting in hybridized discursive communicative practices. The paper recommends that every company that creates emojis should provide intended meaning so that interpretation is uniform.

Received February 12, 2020; Revised February 28, 2020; Accepted March 3, 2020

Abstract: This study assessed the views of stakeholders on the effectiveness of capacity building provided on Big Results Now Education initiative in Ruangwa district in Lindi region, Tanzania. Goal Setting Theory by Locke and Latham (1990) was applied in this study since it puts more emphasis on setting goals for good achievement. Concurrent triangulation research design was applied in this study and included semi structured interview guide, questionnaires and documentary analysis. The sample comprised of 125 participants including teachers, heads of schools, District Secondary Education Officer (DSEO) and Regional Administrative Education Officer (RAEO) from eleven government secondary schools in Ruangwa district in Lindi region, Tanzania. Head of schools, DSEO and RAEO were sampled purposively while systematic random sampling technique was used to obtain teachers’ sample. The findings of the study indicated that stakeholders’ awareness and understanding of the overall objective of Big Results Now education initiative (BRNED) in Tanzania secondary schools was limited; stakeholders were not well informed and educated about the goals of BRNED of increasing pass rates to 60%, 70% and 80% in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively. The findings further indicated that teachers as the major implementers of the BRNED were less involved in pre capacity building and planning seminars and workshops. On the basis of the findings, it was recommended that the introduction of any education initiative and/or programme ought to include key stakeholders in a planning process; educational officials should prepare and provide adequate capacity building to programme implementers.