Abstract: Mentorship and coaching programmes organized by principals play a key role in teacher performance. However, in Kiambu County, teacher performance in public secondary schools is low since many teachers do not complete syllabus in time which has occasioned low performance among students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of principals’ management of mentorship and coaching programmes on teacher performance in public secondary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study applied a mixed-methodology and adopted a concurrent triangulation design. Target population comprised 227 principals, 3479 teachers and 24 Sub-County Directors of Education summing up to 3730 respondents from which a sample size of 348 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. This consisted of 36 principals, 288 teachers and 24 Sub-County Directors of Education. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS Version 25 and presented in tables. Qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented in narration. The study revealed that teacher performance has been low with many of them unable to cover syllabus in time which has translated to low academic performance in KCSE among their students. The Teacher Service Commission has introduced mentorship and coaching programmes for teachers. However, principals rarely set clear objectives to be achieved during mentorship nor do they frequently monitor the progress of mentorship programmes. Hence, principals should foster best practices when organizing mentorship and coaching programmes for teachers.

Abstract: Mentorship and coaching programmes organized by principals play a key role in teacher performance. However, in Kiambu County, teacher performance in public secondary schools is low since many teachers do not complete syllabus in time which has occasioned low performance among students. Thus, the purpose of this study was to assess the influence of principals’ management of mentorship and coaching programmes on teacher performance in public secondary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study applied a mixed-methodology and adopted a concurrent triangulation design. Target population comprised 227 principals, 3479 teachers and 24 Sub-County Directors of Education summing up to 3730 respondents from which a sample size of 348 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. This consisted of 36 principals, 288 teachers and 24 Sub-County Directors of Education. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS Version 25 and presented in tables. Qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented in narration. The study revealed that teacher performance has been low with many of them unable to cover syllabus in time which has translated to low academic performance in KCSE among their students. The Teacher Service Commission has introduced mentorship and coaching programmes for teachers. However, principals rarely set clear objectives to be achieved during mentorship nor do they frequently monitor the progress of mentorship programmes. Hence, principals should foster best practices when organizing mentorship and coaching programmes for teachers.

Abstract: Principals’ financial management competencies contribute towards the performance of secondary schools. However, in Kwale County, academic performance is low. This study sought to assess the influence of principals’ financial management competency on the academic performance in public secondary schools. This study adopted a mixed methodology and applied a descriptive survey and phenomenological research designs. Target population was 4327 respondents which comprised 92 principals, 1564 members of the School Board of Management (BoM), 832 teachers, 10 Sub- County Directors of Education (SCDEs) and 1834 student leaders from which a sample of 365 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. Stratified sampling was used to create five (5) strata based on the number of sub-counties in Kwale County. From each sub-county, three principals and four (4) members of school BoM were selected using purposive sampling. All the 10 SCDEs were purposely sampled. However, from each sub-county, 40 teachers and 16 student leaders were selected using simple random sampling. This procedure realized a sample of 15 principals, 200 teachers, 60 members of school BoM, 10 SCDEs and 80 student leaders. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically and presented in narrative form. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively using frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Version 25) and presented using tables. The study found that academic performance in public secondary schools in Kwale County has been low and is attributed to principals’ inadequate financial management competencies. Thus, the MoE should continue equipping principals with financial management skills.

Abstract: Time management strategies adopted by principals are crucial determinants of teacher performance in schools. However, teacher performance in public secondary schools in Kiambu County is low since many teachers do not complete syllabus in time and have most of their students register low grades in examinations. This study sought to examine principals’ time management strategies as determinants of teacher performance in public secondary schools in Kiambu County, Kenya. The study applied a mixed-methodology and thus, adopted a concurrent triangulation design. Target population comprised 227 principals, 3479 teachers and 24 Sub- County Directors of Education (MoE & TSC) totaling 3730 respondents from which a sample size of 348 respondents was determined using Yamane’s Formula. This comprised 36 principals, 288 teachers and 24 Sub- County Directors of Education. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages and inferentially using Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation Analysis with the help of Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS Version 25 and presented in tables. Qualitative data were analysed thematically and presented in narration. The study revealed that teacher performance is low characterized with inability to cover syllabus in time and low students’ performance. This has been partly attributed to principals’ time management strategies. Principals rarely prioritize tasks for teachers, delegate responsibilities rarely set time for professional development, minimal communication and little encouragement to use technology for effective time management. The study recommends that principals should adopt effective time management strategies meant to accord teachers adequate time to undertake their pedagogical duties with minimal disruptions.

Abstract: Absorptive capacity, the ability of firms to acquire and utilise external knowledge, is essential for enhancing performance in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Despite its importance, empirical studies focusing on this relationship within the SME context are scarce. This research addresses this gap by investigating how absorptive capacity influences SME performance, specifically examining the dimensions of knowledge acquisition, assimilation, and applying. Data was collected from 206 managers and owners of SMEs in the Manzini region using a self-administered questionnaire, employing a cross-sectional design. The analysis utilised Pearson’s correlation coefficient to test the proposed hypotheses. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between absorptive capacity and SME performance, with knowledge transformation and application identified as the most impactful dimensions. This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence of the critical role of absorptive capacity in driving SME performance. It emphasises the need for SMEs to invest in knowledge management and collaborative practices to enhance their absorptive capacity. The results also offer practical implications for policymakers to create supportive environments that foster knowledge exchange and innovation, ultimately aiding in the growth and competitiveness of SMEs.

Abstract: Livestock plays a crucial role in rural communities’ global social and economic development by ensuring access to food, generating revenue, and creating employment opportunities. Despite the significant contribution of the livestock projects in Rwanda, there is a lack of studies focusing on effect of quality management strategies on economic performance of livestock projects. The general objective of this study was to assess the influence of quality management strategies on economic performance of livestock projects in Rulindo District, Rwanda. The study used descriptive and correlational research designs. The target population of this study was 344 participants including 107 Partnership for Resilient and Inclusive Small Stock Market (PRISM) staff, 24 PRISM stakeholders in local government and 213 beneficiary representatives at cell level in Rulindo District, but only a sample size of 185 respondents were included in the study. This study used stratified sampling. Primary data was collected through structured questionnaire and an interview guide. The study concluded that there is significant influence of quality management strategies on economic performance of livestock projects in Rulindo District, Rwanda. The study recommends that the Government should invest in enhancing breeding programs by providing access to superior breeding stock and modern breeding techniques.

Abstract: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are vital for economic development but are particularly vulnerable to disruptions due to limited resources. The concept of absorptive capacity (AC), which refers to a firm’s ability to acquire, assimilate, transform, and exploit external knowledge, has emerged as a key mechanism for enhancing resilience in SMEs. While core dimensions of AC are well-researched, additional aspects such as breadth and depth of knowledge search, organisational learning, desorptive capacity, and connective capacity warrant further exploration.This study addresses two main questions: (a) What are the key dimensions of theoretical models of AC? (b) How does AC act as a catalyst for resilience in SMEs? A comprehensive literature analysis was conducted, synthesising empirical and theoretical insights on AC and resilience from peer-reviewed articles published between 1990 and 2024 across various databases.The analysis identifies critical dimensions of AC, including its cumulative nature, strategic alignment with environmental dynamism, and role in ecosystem integration. These factors collectively underpin resilience, enabling SMEs to adapt and recover from disruptions while fostering proactive strategies through collaborative innovation. This study contributes to the literature by highlighting how AC extends beyond internal capabilities to leverage external adaptability and ecosystem partnerships. The findings underscore the necessity for SMEs to adopt dynamic knowledge processes and collaborative frameworks to thrive in volatile environments, providing a foundation for future empirical studies on resilience-building strategies in SMEs.

Abstract: The study explored the key employability skills sought by employers of graduate teachers in Uganda, examining how these competencies can be integrated more effectively into pre-service teacher training programs. Guided by an interpretivist philosophical orientation, this qualitative single-case study was conducted at Kyambogo University. Purposive sampling included 2 heads of department, 8 lecturers, 22 final-year pre-service teacher trainees, and 8 head teachers from both public and private secondary schools. Data collection encompassed key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Thematic analysis was used to derive key themes. Trustworthiness was reinforced through peer debriefing, triangulation, and member checking. Findings revealed that employers consistently emphasized a set of ten core employability skills communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, leadership, emotional intelligence, adaptability, problem-solving, time management, and self-sufficiency. These competencies were deemed vital for newly hired teachers to manage dynamic classroom environments, innovate within resource constraints, and contribute effectively to school communities. The study recommended that pre-service teacher training programmes should systematically embed these employability skills and assess them through practical experiences and mentorship. Stakeholders, including policymakers and educational leaders, must also offer institutional support such as professional development and structured collaborative opportunities to foster ongoing skill enhancement.

Abstract: The general objective of this study is to assess the effect of project resource management practices on the performance of Rice Meal project in Rusizi District. The population of the study was 346. A sample size of 186 was calculated using Slovin’s formula. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 25 was employed to analyze collected data, applying descriptive, correlation and regression analysis. Specifically, a unit increase in human resource management results in a 0.277 increase in project performance (B = 0.277, t = 6.442, p = 0.000), confirming its significance. Similarly, a unit increase in financial resource management leads to a 0.245 increase in project performance (B = 0.245, t = 6.622, p = 0.000). A unit increase in material resource management contributes to a 0.362 increase in project performance (B = 0.362, t = 9.282, p = 0.000), indicating the highest effect among the variables. Lastly, a unit increase in technology resource management results in a 0.206 increase in project performance (B = 0.206, t = 4.478, p = 0.000), confirming its significant role in enhancing project outcomes. The study recommended that project managers focus on enhancing human resource management, financial oversight, material procurement, and technology utilization to improve the performance of Rice Meal Project.

Abstract: The general objective of the research is to find out the effect of project management practices on performance of pig value chain projects in Gakenke District, Rwanda. The population of this study was 315 people including pig values chain project staff, Duhamic Adri staff and women beneficiaries’ representatives in Gakenke District. The study used simple random sampling method to select 176 using Slovin’s formula. The researcher relied on document analysis, questionnaires, and interviews to collect data. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) 25 used in the study as tools of data analysis. The correlation coefficient (R) is 0.796, indicating a strong positive relationship between these predictors and project performance. The R Square value of 0.634 indicates that approximately 63.4% of the variance in project performance can be explained by the independent variables included in the model. This high percentage shows that the selected factors are significantly relevant in influencing the performance of pig value chain projects in Gakenke District. P<0.05 for all independent variables show a statistically significant effect with project performance. Gakenke District should implement regular workshops for stakeholders to enhance the thoroughness of needs assessments for future projects, ensuring that all community needs are documented and prioritized.