African Quarterly Social Science Review

Phonological constraints on English speech production among Kiswahili-speaking learners in Tanzanian technical education: A systematic review

Peter B. Kadilikansimba — 2026-05-27

Oral English communication skills are essential for success in learning and subsequent employment in the Tanzanian vocational and technical education environment, where tasks require effective interactions. However, consistent problems with pronunciation amongst Kiswahili-speaking students reflect a significant lack in the body of research and practice related to teaching English pronunciation, specifically in the area of phonological constraints. This paper examines segmental, suprasegmental, and orthographic constraints that impact spoken English communication and assesses the effectiveness of pronunciation pedagogy in terms of Contrastive Analysis Theory (CAT) and Speech Learning Model (SLM). A comprehensive literature review was conducted based on the guidelines proposed by the PRISMA model. Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar were used to collect relevant articles. The results of the research showed that phonological constraints remain a problem that impedes communication in English. Segmental pronunciation problems occur as a result of the substitution of sounds; suprasegmental constraints impact intelligibility through stress and intonation patterns. In turn, the orthographic constraint reflects the inconsistency between spelling and pronunciation. Each of these phonological constraints is related to first-language transfer, perceptual processing barriers, and insufficient attention to pronunciation instruction. The study shows that existing approaches towards developing English pronunciation skills are insufficient. Therefore, the author suggests adopting explicit pronunciation teaching and learning strategies, increasing teachers’ awareness of phonology-based instruction, and integrating both segmental and suprasegmental aspects of phonological awareness into classroom practices. Also, more attention should be paid to context-based strategies, including audio-visual means of instruction. Moreover, curriculum and educational policymakers should include pronunciation skills as part of communicative competence requirements.

Availability of adolescents and youth sexual and reproductive health commodities in public healthcare centers in Tanzania following the adoption of supply chain integration

Alfred Ain Sallwa — 2026-05-01

While more efforts and interventions are directed at improving the health of young men and women in many developing countries, this study posits that supply chain integration (SCI) is the pillar of healthcare facilities in ensuring the availability of adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health (AYSRH) commodities. This descriptive study assessed the availability of AYSRH commodities in Tanzania with an emphasis on the ongoing implementation of SCI. The study focused on the downstream level of the AYSRH service delivery by observing the public healthcare centers in four regions of Tanzania and employed a cross-sectional facility-based analysis to describe the availability of AYSRH commodities. The results indicate that short-term AYSRH commodities (such as male condoms and oral contraceptives) have a high rate of availability compared to long-term commodities such as IUDs, implants, and STI starter packs. Also, the voice of the youth captured through youth exit-intercepts revealed how commodity stockout and long waiting time hinder them from receiving AYSRH services. The study underscores the SCI potential by revealing the current level of AYSRH commodity availability, which is mainly attributed to the ongoing integration between relevant healthcare actors. The study recommends that more emphasis be directed towards improving SCI to improve the availability of long-term contraceptives and STI treatment commodities.

A bibliometric review on digital inclusion and inequalities at work: Scope and future perspectives

Mashala L. Yusuph — 2026-05-02

The fast spread of digital technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and algorithmic management systems has redefined modern workplaces, casting important directives on digital inclusion and the new forms of inequalities in the workplace. As much as digital transformation brings efficiency, innovation, and new jobs, it is a source of increased inequalities in terms of skills, gender, access, and algorithmic bias. Although there is an increase in the scholarly focus, the intellectual framework and developmental path of this field of research are still in pieces. The proposed study is thus an attempt to identify the scope, development, and future of the field of digital inclusion and inequalities in the workplace by a systematic literature review. The research is based on the technology acceptance theory, the digital divide theory, and the sociotechnical systems theory, all of which describe the individual adoption patterns, the structural gaps in access and results, and the interplay between the technological systems and the organizational settings. The major source of data was the Scopus database. Based on the PRISMA protocol, 303 relevant documents were identified, screened and analyzed in VOSviewer software to conduct citation, co-citation and keyword co-occurrence analysis. The results reveal that there has been a marked increase in publications, especially since 2020. The field has an intellectual structure around important themes such as AI adoption, digital skills, engagement at the workplace, gender disparities, digital health, and algorithm governance. The findings also indicate the conceptualization of the individual-level technology acceptance models to the structural and institutional levels of inequality, inclusion, and workforce sustainability. The research has a contribution to theory because it combines isolated views into a harmonious intellectual map and points out new research frontiers. These results highlight the necessity of the inclusive digital policy, reskilling based on target actions, and ethical AI regulation objectives to avoid the further expansion of disparities in the workplace.

Employability skills in the 21st-century among university business graduates: A gender-based analysis

Daniel Kweku Anhwere — 2026-05-04

This study examined the employability skills possessed by university business graduates in Ghana and explored gender differences in these skills. The Individual Differences Theory anchored this study. The study used a quantitative research approach and utilized a descriptive survey research design. The population comprised all business graduates, including 921 from the School of Business and 265 from Business Education, resulting in a total population of 1,186 graduates. A sample of 330 business graduates was selected using multiple sampling techniques to ensure representativeness. Primary data were collected through a structured instrument titled the University Business Graduates’ Employability Skills Questionnaire (UBGES-Q). Both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS version 27. The results indicated that university business graduates possess a wide range of employability skills required by the labor market, suggesting that they are well-prepared to meet workplace expectations and enhance their employability prospects in the 21st century. Moreover, gender is associated with differences in certain employability skills among university business graduates, with male students reporting higher levels of communication and problem-solving skills. However, both male and female graduates exhibited similar levels of corporate sense skills. The study concluded that university curriculum serves not only as an academic framework but also as a vehicle for equipping graduates with practical, entrepreneurial, and adaptive skills aligned with the demands of the 21st-century labor market. The study recommended that university management should maintain and periodically review business programs to ensure alignment with labor market demands and 21st-century employability skills.

Lived experiences of poverty and coping strategies of Gokwe–Nembudziya community in Zimbabwe

Chomunorwa Rusakaniko — 2026-05-05

This paper is an empirical qualitative case study which explores the lived experiences of poverty and the coping strategies used by households in Gokwe -Nembudziya area in Zimbabwe. The study is guided by theories that included capability approach, poverty trap, dependence and sustainable livelihoods framework. The study is grounded in an interpretivist paradigm, and it employed a qualitative case study design. A total of 30 participants comprising household heads, small-scale farmers, informal traders and community leaders were selected using purposive and snowball sampling. Data collection was conducted using semi-structured in-depth interviews, one focused group discussion and participant observation and it was analyzed through thematic analysis. Fundamentally, the findings reveal that poverty in the study area is driven by several intersecting factors including exploitative market prices for cotton and produce, significant education and skills gaps, weak political leadership and governance, inadequate infrastructure, a lack of diversified livelihoods and donor-dependence syndrome. The study also identified the critical coping strategies that can be used to address the discovered coping mechanisms which include value addition and agro-processing, fair pricing and improved market access, investment in irrigation and climate resilient agriculture, empowerment of youth and women through education and vocational training and investment in suitable infrastructure. The study concludes that effective poverty reduction needs a multi-faceted approach that goes beyond relief-oriented solutions to address the structural and systemic causes of deprivation. In light of this, the study recommends a collaborative strategy that involves government, non-governmental organizations, and the community itself to champion investment in sustainable agricultural practices, education, infrastructure and economic diversification.

The influence of regional integration on inflation volatility: Evidence from Tanzania in the East African community (EAC)

Nicodemas C. Lema — 2026-05-08

This study examines how East African Community (EAC) regional integration influences inflation volatility in Tanzania. The study uses the Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic (ARCH) and Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedastic (GARCH) family of models to describe the conditional variance dynamics. It is guided by Optimum Currency Area (OCA) theory, which suggests that sharing a currency decreases inflation volatility through policy coordination by increasing shock absorption due to labour and capital mobility and requiring symmetry among economic partners. Employing quarterly time-series data over critical integration periods, including the attainment of the Customs Union in 2005 and the Common Market in 2010, the findings show that regional integration reduces inflation volatility by encouraging trade convergence, improving monetary coordination, and strengthening expectation anchors. Under the Exponential Generalised Autoregressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (EGARCH) specifications, the estimated asymmetry and persistence parameters were found to be statistically significant, with integration reforms accounting for approximately 79% of quarterly volatility carryover. After 2005, mean-stable inflation with an average of around 1% characterises Tanzania, in contrast to persistently high inflation. However, post-reform turbulence and clustering of volatility point towards the risk of external shocks as a vulnerability for emerging markets aligned with commodity shocks. The results support the conclusions from the optimum currency area (OCA) theory, suggesting that integration fosters convergence and stabilisation, while revealing structural asymmetries such as the agrarian reliance on Tanzania and manufacturers’ tilt of Kenya, which are magnets for uneven volatility among member states. The policy implications of these findings advocate for the rapid operationalisation of the EAC Monetary Union, stronger fiscal surveillance, trade diversification, and the increased sophistication of econometric frameworks. Through enhanced integration that also tackles structural weaknesses, Tanzania and the EAC can create an environment in which inflation variability is a controllable risk rather than an insurmountable barrier to continued economic expansion. Building on these implications, this study recommends strengthening regional stabilisation mechanisms, such as dedicated stabilisation funds; enhancing agricultural productivity to reduce food price volatility; and deepening financial market development to improve monetary transmission. In addition, investing in cross-border infrastructure supports supply chain resilience, and adopting joint inflation-forecasting frameworks enables policymakers to anticipate and mitigate external shocks. Collectively, these measures will reinforce the foundations of integration and culminate in a successful monetary union (MU).

The correlation between marital stress, perceived social support, duration of marriage and mental health of married women in Oshodi–Isolo area, Lagos Nigeria

Uzochukwu N. Israel — 2026-05-17

The study explores the relationship between marital stress, perceived social support, marriage duration, and positive mental health in married women in the Oshodi-Isolo local government area of Lagos State. It also determined the mediating role of perceived social support on marital stress within the sample. The research is grounded on the theory that social support acts as a buffer to protect an individual from the negative consequences of stressful events. The study used a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 385 married women who were randomly selected using these standardized instruments: the Marital Stress Inventory (MSI), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Mental Health Continuum–Short Form (MHC-SF). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, moderation analysis, and multiple regression techniques. Results indicated a negative non-significant relationship between marital stress and mental health. In contrast, perceived social support demonstrated a significant positive relationship with mental health. The results also revealed that perceived social support significantly moderated the relationship between marital stress and mental health. Furthermore, duration of marriage was a significant predictor of positive mental health. These findings underscore the central role of perceived social support and marital duration in maintaining positive mental health among married women. It is recommended that married women utilize their social support systems, like family, to enhance their mental health and maintain enduring, stable marriages. They can also adopt resource-focused mental health interventions through other available channels like psychologists, trusted friends, and available non-governmental organizations that promote the mental health of citizens.

Promoting women’s democratic participation in local governance: The role of community radio in Damongo, Savannah Region, Ghana

Winifred Esinam Agbolosoo — 2026-05-17

This study explored the role community radio (CR) plays in promoting women’s political empowerment for participation in leadership and decision-making processes in the Savannah Region of Ghana. Guided by the Empowerment Theory and the Participatory Communication Theory, it examined how CR fosters agency, amplifies women's voices, and promotes inclusive political engagement. An exploratory case study design was adopted, focusing on Radio for Peace and Development (PAD) in the West Gonja Municipal Area. The target population of the study comprised institutions, experts, and individuals at the national, local, and community levels who were key stakeholders in Radio PAD, community radio, and women’s empowerment in Damongo and Ghana. A purposive sampling technique was employed to pick 18 respondents who included community women as the primary participants, as well as key informants such as the queen mother, chief, community radio expert, local political figures, a female political figure from the Savannah Region, and the Municipal Gender Desk Officer (MGDO). Data was collected using a key informant interview guide and a focus group discussion guide. The data was analyzed and organized into themes using thematic content analysis. Both deductive and inductive coding methods were applied. The findings revealed that patriarchal structures, cultural norms, and socio-economic barriers significantly hinder women’s political participation. Despite these challenges, radio PAD emerged as a platform for promoting women's participation through targeted programs such as Aboyamilso, Aboyagbon, and Within the Issues, as well as the broadcasts in local dialects to enhance accessibility and participation. The study concludes that in as much as community radio can be a meaningful catalyst in enhancing women’s political empowerment, broadcasting alone cannot dismantle deep-rooted barriers. This study recommended that radio stations, including Radio PAD, can implement gender-responsive programming with measurable inclusion targets. Government agencies like the NCA and the NCCE must establish policy guidelines that mandate content to be gender inclusive. District and municipal assemblies can also work alongside radio stations to develop civic educational programs and content that would cater to women in underserved communities.

The role of literary works in multilingual societies: Preserving culture, promoting commination, and fostering social cohesion in Northern Province of Rwanda

Albert Nshimiyimana — 2026-05-19

This study investigates the role of literary works in multilingual societies, basing it on their contribution to cultural preservation, communication enhancement, and social cohesion. Within multilingual contexts, whereby multiple languages are used due to historical, social, or political factors, literary works act as a critical medium for expressing identity, transmitting cultural values, and fostering intellectual understanding. The study worked along with sociolinguistic theory to uncover the image of language in society and postcolonial theory to illustrate the way literature and language interplay with identity. This research uses a quantitative research approach using a descriptive research approach and critical analysis of literary work such as folktales, poetry, and novels through semi-structured interviews with educators and cultural practitioners. The research employs readers to give insights of perception of literature’s social influence. Through stratified sampling methods, 44 respondents were sampled from a total population of 50. Descriptive data was analyzed through descriptive statistics. The findings from questionnaires were recorded into the tables and interpreted by explaining the meaning of figures. The results illustrate that literature functions as a repository of cultural knowledge, preserving traditions and norms and keeping memory in societies experiencing language shifts or dominance of global languages. Transitions and bilingual publication support cross-cultural dialogue, improve second language learning, and encourage empathy among speakers of various linguistic backgrounds. Furthermore, shared literary experiences contribute to social cohesion, enabling communities to address social issues, amplify minority voices, and foster tolerance and inclusivity. Even if there are benefits, challenges, such as the dominance of global languages, lack of translated works, and literary barriers, constrain the reach and effectiveness of multilingual literature. The research concludes that literary works are useful instruments for sustaining cultural heritage, enhancing communication across language groups, and strengthening social unity in multilingual societies. It recommends increased support for local language literature, translation initiatives, integration of multilingual texts in educational curricula, and further research on youth engagement with multilingual literature. By highlighting the intersection of language, culture, and literature, this research contributes to sociolinguistics, literary studies, and cultural policy, providing insights into how literature can shape an inclusive, cohesive, and culturally resilient society.

The nexus between fuel and food prices: A time series regression with Newey-West standard errors

Bahati Ilembo — 2026-05-19

This study examines the relationship between diesel prices and the prices of three staple food crops (maize, beans, and rice) using a time-series regression approach with Newey–West standard errors. It tests the common assumption that rising diesel costs increase agricultural production and transportation expenses, thereby driving up food prices. This study draws on cost-push inflation theory, agricultural household production theory, and time-series econometric theory. Using monthly time series data, the study applies unit root tests, Granger causality analysis, and Newey-West regression estimation to assess both dynamic and simultaneous relationships. The unit root tests confirm that all variables are stationary at levels, making them suitable for time series analysis. Granger causality results reveal heterogeneous transmission effects between diesel and food prices. Diesel prices Granger-cause rice and beans prices at the 5% significance level, while no causal effect is found on maize prices. In addition, there are interdependencies among food crops, with evidence of causality running from beans to maize and from maize to rice, indicating partial price transmission within agricultural markets. However, no reverse causality from food crops to diesel prices is observed, supporting the exogeneity of diesel prices in the system. The Newey-West regression results further show a statistically significant positive relationship between diesel prices and all three food crop prices. These findings highlight the critical role of fuel costs in driving food price inflation through production and transportation channels, although the magnitude of impact varies across commodities. The study concludes that energy price shocks are an important determinant of food price dynamics in Tanzania, with implications for both agricultural and macroeconomic policy coordination. Coordinated energy–agriculture policy integration is essential for enhancing food price stability and protecting consumers from external price shocks.

Work attitude as a mediator between experience, training, and post-promotion performance: Evidence from senior staff in Ghanaian public universities

Mahmud Wakaso Andani — 2026-05-26

This research aims to examine the impact of the factors commonly considered in the promotion of senior staff in public universities in Ghana and their influence on the post-promotion performance of senior staff. This study examines the employee’s experience, training, and performance as common variables, while the employee’s work attitude serves as a mediator among them. This study is grounded in the Social Exchange Theory (SET) and supported by the Ability, Motivation, and Opportunity framework (AMO). The research design is exploratory and quantitative. With data from a target population of 821 senior staff from the University of Ghana and the University for Development Studies and using Slovin’s formula to determine the sample size (268), the collected data through the administered questionnaire were used to test some suggested connections by using the Structural Equation Modelling-Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS). The data have demonstrated that there is a direct significant influence of training on performance (β = 0.484, p = 0.000) and also a positive effect on performance through work attitude (β = 0.113, p = 0.001). The data have also shown that the study does not align with previous research indicating that experience directly influences performance (β=-0.078, p=0.285); instead, it reveals that work attitude (motivation) can mediate the effect of experience on performance (β=0.012, p=0.371). The empirical findings have shown that training has a direct impact on the performance of the senior staff, and to increase performance, the enabling conditions (work attitude-motivation) must be created. The findings also indicate that experience alone has an inverse relationship with performance, necessitating the presence of work attitude-motivation to positively influence performance. It is recommended that universities consider the training of senior staff as a factor in promoting them for performance, and to enhance performance, they must create an enabling environment (work attitude/motivation). Again, it is recommended that, when senior staff are promoted based on experience, the enabling environment (work attitude-motivation) must be ensured to lure the performance of the staff. This study is beneficial for the university management to focus on the influence of experience, training, work attitude, and employee performance when it comes to matters of promotion in order to enhance post-promotion performance. The university policy document should incorporate training, attitude management, and performance management. In conclusion, training alone can be a driver of performance and must be considered a factor for promotion, while experience alone is not; the motivational factors must be there. This approach conforms to the social exchange theory.

Effect of storage management on judicial service delivery of law courts within Western region in Kenya

Bernard Alusa Khamadi — 2026-05-26

ment Correlation and Multiple Regression Analysis as a suitable test. The study found a statistically significant relationship between storage management (P = 0.001) and service delivery; thus, the null hypothesis was accepted at a P-value ≤ 0.05. The study concludes that storage management significantly affects judicial service delivery. Its findings will benefit policymakers, the government, and all court users in Kenya's Western Region. It recommends that law courts invest more in technology and infrastructure to improve judicial service delivery for litigants. Courts should continue integrating with their supply chain partners to enhance organizational service delivery. The study also suggests further research on inventory management technologies, particularly for controlling stock during receiving, data reporting, and issuing from the store.

Gender and agriculture subject choice among secondary students in Kakamega and Bungoma counties, Kenya

Annah Nawambisa Manyasi — 2026-04-30

This study sought to establish the role played by gender in selection of agriculture subject by students in Kakamega and Bungoma counties. Descriptive research design was adopted as guided by both occupation theory and conceptual framework. The population of study consisted of 4549 students out of which a sample size of 364 students was purposively sampled. Questionnaires and document contents analysis were used to gather data. Descriptive statistics using frequency, percentages, means and standard deviation were employed to present the findings. The findings revealed that gender plays a significant role in the selection of agriculture subjects among secondary schools. Selection trends show that more students from mixed boys’ and girls’ schools selected agriculture subject, followed by girls’ boarding and lastly boys’ boarding, hence recording increasing selection in all the categories of gender of schools. Mean agriculture selection was higher in boys’ schools, followed by girls’ schools and lastly mixed schools. Factors influencing selection in agriculture subject include type of school such as mixed or one gender school, category of school such as day or boarding school. Day schools exhibit higher selection as compared to both boarding and day, and mixed day and boarding. It was also noted that, gender plays a role such that girls are more motivated in terms of selection in agriculture career than boys; hence, gender is important in the progression to agriculture career. The study recommends the need for adaption strategies to enhance progression in agriculture career. The Ministry of education policies should be well aligned to motivate students of both girls and boys to select agriculture subject. Factors such as type of school which includes public (national, extra county, county sub county) and private, gender of school such as boys’, girls, mixed boys’ and girls’, mixed day and boarding, should be streamlined towards increased agriculture career selection through educational guidelines and policies concerning selection of agriculture subjects.

Mechanisms for the adoption of port automation to enhance cargo handling in Malindi port Zanzibar

Tasnim Yussuf Maalim — 2026-05-27

This study examines the mechanisms behind the adoption of port automation technologies to improve cargo handling operations in Zanzibar. Specifically, it assesses the current state of cargo handling processes, evaluates staff and managerial perceptions and readiness for automation, and identifies key barriers to the implementation of automated systems. A cross-sectional research design was employed, utilizing a convergent parallel mixed-methods approach. The study was guided by the Technology Acceptance Model. The study population comprised 152 individuals, including port staff, customs declaration officers, shipping agency personnel, authorized clearing and forwarding, and shipping line agencies based in Zanzibar. The sample size was 108 individuals who were selected through purposive sampling and simple random methods. The response rate was 90, equal to 85.7%. Data were collected through structured questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistical methods with the aid of Jamovi statistical software, and qualitative data was analyzed using thematic analysis. The findings reveal that 63% of respondents perceive cargo handling processes as only partially automated, while 93% report persistent operational inefficiencies, including berthing delays and yard congestion. Although some information and communication technology (ICT) infrastructure is in place, only 45.5% of participants consider it adequate to support effective port operations. Furthermore, 80% of respondents highlight insufficient ICT training and an underdeveloped policy framework as significant challenges. The study concludes that, despite existing efforts to advance cargo handling automation, implementation remains constrained by interconnected barriers, including technological limitations, financial constraints, institutional fragmentation, and policy inadequacies. It recommends increased investment in integrated ICT systems, the development of targeted digital literacy programs for port personnel, and the establishment of a comprehensive national port automation policy with clear implementation strategies and institutional accountability.

Peace and governance in Ghana: An analysis of the capacity and role of the police service in Ghana's peace architecture

Cletus Kwaku Mbowura — 2026-05-30

This paper examines the intricate nexus between the police service's functions and the state's peace architecture. The states' pursuit of peace constitutes a non-negotiable endeavour, as it creates a conducive environment for holistic societal development. The structures of national peace architecture clearly demarcate the roles of key institutions. In Ghana, the police service is one of the fundamental institutions in the country's peace architecture. The institution's core function of crime control and prevention constitutes a major institutional framework for maintaining law, order, and peace. Utilising the theories of institutionalism and adaptive structuration (AST), this paper analyses the institutional capacity of the Ghana Police Service (GPS) relative to the country's peace architecture. Employing an explanatory case study design, the analysis blends historical and contemporary data from a target population of 30 purposively selected participants across four regions of Ghana to construct a coherent narrative of the police service's capacity for peace maintenance. Data were analysed using thematic analysis, which enabled the identification, coding, and interpretation of patterns within the qualitative data to construct a coherent narrative. The findings revealed that the GPS does not operate in isolation but serves as a central node within Ghana's integrated national security architecture, coordinating with military, intelligence agencies, and regional security councils to ensure unified, layered responses to threats. However, the findings establish that, despite its acknowledged centrality to peace, the GPS faces significant structural and operational challenges: resource constraints, particularly acute during large-scale events, public trust deficits stemming from perceptions of political interference, and training gaps in specialised areas such as crowd control and human rights compliance. Based on the findings, the paper concludes and recommends that to enhance its institutional capacity, the GPS requires sustained political will, adequate resource allocation, and commitment from all stakeholders. Also, there is a need for a depoliticised funding framework to address resource constraints; the establishment of independent oversight mechanisms to rebuild public trust; and the development of continuous, specialised training programs focused on human rights and public order management to effectively execute its mandate within Ghana's peace architecture.

La dynamisation de l’enseignement-apprentissage de l’expression orale en français au Rwanda

Patience David Mbonabuca — 2026-06-08

Cette étude porte sur la didactique de la compétence communicative en français au Rwanda. Au Rwanda, avant 2008, le français occupait le statut de langue officielle et de langue d’enseignement. Depuis lors, le français est devenu une langue étrangère. Il est enseigné comme cours. Cette langue est plus utilisée à l’écrit qu’à l’oral. Le but de cet article est d’indiquer certaines stratégies pour redynamiser et revitaliser l’enseignement-apprentissage de la compétence de l’expression orale en français au Rwanda. Cette recherche a été menée pour explorer profondément la situation de la production orale en français qui se manifeste au Rwanda. Les méthodes mixtes ont été utilisées pour la collecte et l’analyse des données. La population cible de l’enquête est de 1 668 élèves des écoles secondaires et 54 enseignants. Elle s’est effectuée sur l’échantillon de 318 élèves et 12 enseignants de français par sondage non probabiliste intentionnel. La compétence de l’expression orale baisse d’environ 10 % par rapport aux autres compétences enseignées dans les écoles au Rwanda, alors que l’enseignement de cette compétence est moins privilégié de 15 % par rapport à l’enseignement d’autres compétences. Les résultats du questionnaire, de l’interview et de l’observation parrainés par les théories de l’interactionnisme et du socioconstructivisme ont prouvé qu’il est possible d’améliorer l’enseignement-apprentissage des expressions orales en français dans les écoles au Rwanda. Le lecteur de cet article va sortir avec une connaissance complète sur la situation d’enseignement et apprentissage de l’oral en français, au Rwanda. Que les institutions habilitées au secteur de l’éducation fassent tout mieux que l’oral en français, soit dynamisé notamment pour les instructeurs et pour les apprenants.

The influence of public relations promotional strategies on student enrolment in Tanzanian tertiary institutions

Fredrick Elias Sanga — 2026-06-09

There is a deliberate effort taken by the government of Tanzania to increase enrolment in tertiary education, shifting from an elite education model to a mass education system to meet the demands of a growing economy; this makes the student enrolment process a crucial aspect of educational institution management. This study assesses the influence of public relations promotional strategies on student enrolment. The study was guided by framing theory, which posits that the way information is presented – its context, emphasis and wording – shapes how audiences interpret, process, and act upon it. The study employed a cross-sectional research design. The target population was students, public relations and administration officers from tertiary institutions in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The study used a sample of 120 respondents from tertiary institutions in Dar es Salaam, employing simple random and proportional sampling methods. Data were collected through questionnaires, and quantitative data were analysed through SPSS ver. 21 (IBM). The study findings revealed that media relations, government relations, community relations, customer relations, and marketing communications show significant influence (p < .05), which implies that those are strong strategies used by PR to influence student enrolment. The results showed that promotional strategies for public relations had a positive and significant effect on student enrolment at tertiary institutions. Public relations promotional strategies have improved their understanding and made them feel emotionally engaged. This understanding has made them confident and improved their trust in the institution and social well-being. Therefore, tertiary institutions' management needs to increase efforts in terms of PR competence and financial issues to enhance student enrolment.

E-learning in the digital era: How e-learning system quality shapes student satisfaction in public universities in Kenya

Annceta Mbiuki — 2026-06-11

This study examines the influence of e-learning system quality on student satisfaction in selected public universities in Kenya. Although the adoption of digital learning platforms following COVID-19 expanded in most universities, empirical evidence on the relationship between the quality of the e-learning system and student satisfaction remains underexplored. The Resource-Based View (RBV) theory and Information Systems Success (ISS) models guided the study. This paper employed a convergent parallel mixed-methods design. The study targeted 364,998 undergraduate fourth-year students, 2,031 deans, 20,771 lecturers, and 31 system administrators in six universities. A sample size of 446 participants—400 students, 20 deans, 20 lecturers, and 6 administrators—participated. The data were collected using questionnaires and interview guides and analyzed using descriptive, inferential, and thematic analysis. The findings revealed that e-learning system quality positively and significantly influences student satisfaction (B = 0.358, SE = 0.043, β = 0.415, t = 8.394, p = .001, p < .05, 2-tailed). This implies that a unit change in e-learning system quality is linked to a change of 0.358 units in student satisfaction. This paper recommends that universities invest in efficient assessment systems and education accessibility through digital inclusiveness in affordable data, mobile access, and offline collaborative user-friendly platforms.

Financial governance and education quality in decentralised basic education systems: Evidence from Gomoa West District, Ghana

Roger Amoako — 2026-06-13

This study examined the functionality of the financial governance system of basic education in the Gomoa West District of Ghana, with the aim of identifying evidence-based strategies for improving the quality of education. The study employed a qualitative research design grounded in a constructivist ontology and an interpretivist epistemology, guided by the effectiveness and efficiency theories. The target population comprised head teachers of public junior high schools and district education officers of the Gomoa West District Education Directorate. Three district education officers and nine head teachers were selected using expert purposive sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and supplemented by documentary analysis of the School Performance Improvement Plan (SPIP) and the Capitation Grant guidelines. Data were analyzed thematically. The results reveal that the district operates a formalized, policy-oriented financial governance system anchored in the SPIP, with well-developed structures for budgeting, stakeholder participation, and accountability. However, despite this structural progress, financial governance of basic schools in the district continues to be constrained by several challenges that impede the improvement of educational quality. These include inadequate, late, and irregular disbursement of the capitation grant; limited financial governance literacy among school leaders; and weak community involvement in accountability processes. Furthermore, the rigid implementation of financial regulations risks stifling local innovation in resource mobilization. It is recommended that the Ghana Education Service and District Education Directorate start intensive, sustained capacity-building programming for school leaders and district officers with an emphasis on flexible, context-sensitive budgeting within the SPIP structure. Furthermore, the Ghana Education Service (GES) in partnership with the Ministry of Education must institutionalize periodic mandatory training on financial management, resource mobilization, and compliance with financial accountability standards for all district education officers and head teachers.

Effects of the work environment on agent retention in the life insurance industry in Zambia

Chisenga Blessed Mwansa — 2026-06-15

High turnover among life insurance agents remains a significant challenge in Zambia's insurance industry, affecting service quality, customer relationships, and organizational performance. This study investigated the effect of the work environment on agent retention in the life insurance industry in Zambia. The study was guided by Herzberg’s Two-Factor theory. A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods design was adopted, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Data were collected from 173 insurance agents using structured questionnaires and from 10 human resource managers through semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and multiple regression, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. The findings revealed that work environment has a positive and statistically significant effect on agent retention (β = 0.638, p < 0.001). The adjusted regression model explained 44.3% of the variation in agent retention (Adjusted R² = 0.443), indicating that workplace conditions play an important role in influencing agents' decisions to remain with their organizations. Qualitative findings further showed that supportive supervision, adequate work resources, employee recognition, and a positive organizational culture contribute to higher retention levels. Demographic characteristics such as gender, age, education level, and tenure were not significant predictors of retention. The study concludes that agent retention is largely influenced by organizational factors, particularly the quality of the work environment. Life insurance companies should therefore invest in creating supportive and conducive working conditions to improve agent retention and organizational sustainability.

The influence of university research facilities on timely doctoral studies completion: Empirical evidence from Kenya

Adan Ali Abdi — 2026-06-21

Doctoral education shapes the development of human capital as well as national innovation; however, Kenya faces low completion rates, with less than 30% of students graduating within the three-year policy, and in some public universities, the figure is approximately 11%. Although the reviewed studies focus on student factor, institutional management, supervisory practices, and funding models, the nexus between research facilities and timely doctoral studies completion remains underexplored. This paper aims to analyze how university research facilities affect the timely completion of doctoral studies at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. General systems theory and Tinto’s integration theory guided the study. The target population was 1,183 supervisors, 646 graduates, and 10 deans. The sample size was 339 respondents (182 supervisors, 147 doctoral graduates, and 10 deans). Stratified random sampling was applied to sample supervisors and students, while purposive sampling was applied to sample deans. Semi-structured questionnaires and interview guides were used in data collection. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (simple linear regression) in SPSS v25 were used to analyze quantitative data, and thematic analysis was used for qualitative data. The results reveal that research facilities have a positive and significant relationship with doctoral completion, according to supervisors (β = 0.229, p = .004, p < .05, 2-tailed), while research facilities had a positive and non-significant relationship with doctoral completion, according to students (β = 0.267, p = .259, p > .05, 2-tailed). The findings suggest that university research facilities influence timely doctoral studies completion. The study concludes that timely doctoral studies completion relies not only on the availability of research facilities but also on their accessibility, usability, and integration into the student’s academic environment. The study recommends the need to embark on user-centred and inclusive research infrastructure in higher education, beyond mere availability. Further, the study recommends increased investment in research systems and policy frameworks, and targeted training to support doctoral education.

Personal attributes influencing gender disparity in development of early childhood education teaching profession in Kakamega East Sub-County, Kenya

Manson Sichari — 2026-06-27

Education determines the ability of individuals to connect and communicate with one another. Despite this view, the gaps in education opportunities in most developing countries are large. Public schools in Kakamega East Sub-County haven’t escaped the waves of gender disparities that have affected both private and public schools in Kenya. This study, therefore, sought to establish personal attributes influencing gender disparity among early childhood development education (ECDE) teachers in Kakamega East Sub-County, Kenya. The study was supported by the social role theory. A descriptive survey study design was used, which is primarily concerned with the generic statistics that derive from the extraction of data from respondents. The location of study was Kakamega East sub-county in Kakamega County, Kenya. The target population was 1,106, including head teachers, deputy head teachers, teachers, program officers, and quality assurance officers (QUASO). Simple random sampling was employed to select 260 respondents, which constituted the sample size. Stratified random sampling was used to sample schools according to wards. Data was collected by the use of questionnaires and interviews with 37 head teachers, 37 deputy head teachers, and 184 teachers. A pilot study was conducted to validate the research instruments in advance. Cronbach’s alpha (α) as a coefficient method to establish the reliability of the research instruments revealed a coefficient of 0.783, which shows that the instrument was reliable. Data was collected from the teachers in line with the three study objectives using questionnaires and interview schedules. Data obtained from the research instruments were analyzed inferentially and descriptively with the help of a statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 22. Quantitative data was summarized to quantify the strength of the association between the variables; the researcher conducted a regression analysis to establish the effect of selected factors on gender disparity. Results were presented in tables. The findings revealed that personal attributes have a positive effect (β=.642, p<.05) and explain 40.9% of the variance in gender disparity. It was concluded that all the selected factors had a significant influence on gender disparity in the early childhood education profession. The study recommends that teachers undergo training to help them build on their personal attributes and develop a positive attitude towards ECDE learners.

The historical snags and triumphs of the Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) in monitoring national elections in Uganda between 1963 and 2016

Nansikombi Proscovia — 2026-06-28

The Uganda Joint Christian Council (UJCC) was established in 1963, and its founding member Christian churches included the Protestants under Archbishop Leslie Brown, the Catholics under Archbishop Joseph Kiwanuka, and the Orthodox under Archbishop Theodros Nankyama. According to the Kampala Archdiocese Archives, UJCC was established with a number of objectives, which include, among others, that of enhancing democratic institutions in Uganda. The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UNUDHR), established on December 10, 1948, also encouraged UJCC. UNUDHR advances the people’s right to democratic elections and voting. It goes on to assert that election monitoring groups, ranging from local to party monitors, assist respective governments to hold free and fair elections. In this regard, UJCC widened its focus on promoting democracy and good governance. Since the latter can hardly be realized without holding national elections, UJCC embarked on the noble work of monitoring national elections in Uganda between 1994 and 2016. According to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), election observation is a valuable gizmo for supporting the quality and integrity of elections. It further states that election observers/monitors help build public confidence in the honesty of the electoral process. As a religiously founded organization, politically, UJCC has been at the forefront of monitoring the national elections in Uganda, viz., from the pulpit to politics. This position is because UJCC wanted to promote people’s right to democratic elections and voting. Similarly, election monitoring promotes democratic elections as an essential element for sustainable democratic governments in a country. From its inception in 1963 up to 2016, UJCC experienced various challenges and achievements during the course of enhancing democracy in Uganda. Therefore, this article presents the snags and triumphs that UJCC experienced prior to and during the process of monitoring national elections in Uganda. The study was guided by the behavioral theory and the rational choice theory. This is because these theories correspond with the issue of election monitoring. Similarly, both theories encompass the rationality aspect in decision-making used by the individuals or agencies that are monitoring elections. Conclusively, the investigation of this article has historically echoed the concern of national elections monitoring in Uganda, with special reference to the experience of UJCC as an ecumenical body. The article has mirrored how the management of the electoral process in Uganda has been enriched to some extent, owing to the role of UJCC in the monitoring of national elections. UJCC and other monitoring agencies are recommended to develop a methodology and tools for monitoring the hurried government demarcation of the new districts and constituencies, especially as the national elections are looming. UJCC ought to outwardly and courageously caution the government/EC against the issue of creating ghost polling stations. Finally, UJCC Church members are encouraged to desist from the issue of government patronage and vote buying if they are to improve their mandate of election monitoring.

The nexus between maritime insecurity and land-based terror activities in Lamu County, Kenya

Constar Haggai Katamu — 2026-06-30

The threats of terror activities in the Indian Ocean led to the Kenyan government’s reaction to the maritime asymmetric threats by putting in place maritime security strategies. Despite these strategies, maritime environments continue to face challenges. The study examined the nexus between maritime insecurity and land-based terror activities in Lamu County, Kenya. The study was grounded on two theories: routine activity and securitization theory. Convergent parallel research design was utilized. The study area was in Lamu County. The target population of the study was 966, for which Slovin’s formula was used to derive a sample size of 320. Primary data was collected using questionnaires, an interview guide, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Secondary data was obtained from police records, academic journals, books, policy papers, government publications, and online sources. The obtained data was analyzed with the aid of the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27. The study established that external links in the Indian Ocean region contributed to the smuggling and illicit trade of weapons and drug trafficking at 66%, while maritime ecosystems and natural harbors allowed the freelancing of pirates by providing them with shelter and concealment at 50%. This situation has enabled terror groups to conceal their activities (66%) using small boats to exploit the maritime domain, leading to maritime insecurities that negatively affect the livelihoods of locals (84%). Based on the data, the statistical results highlight a compromised maritime security environment in the Indian Ocean Region. The findings indicate high rates of illicit activity, driven by exploitation of natural geography, which severely impacts local communities. The study concludes that the Indian Ocean region is facing a complex maritime insecurity nexus where weak governance and natural coastal features allow criminal and terror networks to thrive. Terror groups have leveraged this environment, utilizing small boats to conceal movements and exploit the maritime domain for attacks on land. The study recommends enhanced maritime domain awareness and surveillance using satellite and automatic identification system monitoring; strengthened law enforcement and regional cooperation, including joint regional patrols and legal framework enhancement; community-based resilience and livelihood protection, like inclusive maritime security with local fishing communities in maritime security dialogues and resource protection; and adoption of strategic counter-smuggling measures through geographic risk assessment and coast guard professionalization.

Pricing capability, regulatory intensity, and market competition as determinants of financial sustainability in private schools in Lusaka Province, Zambia

Lusungu Anne Kumwenda — 2026-04-12

Pricing capability and affordability management, together with the moderating influences of regulatory intensity and market competition, constitute theoretically important but empirically underexplored determinants of financial sustainability in private schools. This study investigates the direct influence of pricing capability and affordability management on financial sustainability, and the moderating roles of regulatory intensity and market competition on the financial sustainability of private schools in Lusaka Province, Zambia. Grounded in the Tuckman and Chang financial vulnerability model and Bowman's financial capacity framework, the study employed an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design (QUAN→qual). Quantitative data were collected from 272 valid survey questionnaire responses drawn from school owners, principals, bursars, and accountants at 594 registered private primary and secondary schools across the six districts of Lusaka Province, using two-stage stratified random sampling guided by Yamane's (1973) formula. Qualitative data were gathered through 15 purposively selected semi-structured telephone interviews conducted to theoretical saturation. A Financial Sustainability Index (FSI) was computed via Principal Component Analysis, with a mean FSI of 0.53 (SD = 0.202) reflecting moderate financial fragility across the sector. Pearson correlation analysis, supported by bias-corrected bootstrap estimation with 5,000 resamples, revealed a very weak and statistically insignificant direct relationship between pricing capability and affordability management and the FSI (r = -0.023; p = 0.702; BCa 95% CI: -0.14–0.11), indicating that H2 is not supported. The pricing items recorded neutral mean scores ranging from 2.88 to 3.00, reflecting widespread awareness of pricing imperatives without systematic strategic implementation. However, PROCESS Macro moderation analysis (Model 2; R² = 0.29; F(7,264) = 15.36; p < .001) revealed important contextual findings: market competition had significant positive direct effects on financial sustainability (B = 0.25; SE = 0.03; t = 9.96; p < .001), but regulatory intensity and market competition did not significantly moderate the pricing–sustainability relationship. Moderation analysis of other financial sustainability determinants revealed that market competition significantly amplified the effect of revenue diversification on financial sustainability, while both regulatory intensity and market competition significantly moderated the governance–sustainability relationship. Qualitative findings provided critical contextual explanation for the pricing null finding, with participants describing uniformly reactive, informally determined, and competitively benchmarked pricing practices that are fundamentally disconnected from institutional cost structures and strategic financial planning. The study makes original contributions by documenting the first empirical evidence of the pricing–sustainability null finding in Zambian private schools. This study concludes that by demonstrating important moderating boundary conditions imposed by regulatory and competitive environments across multiple financial sustainability determinants provides a rich qualitative account of the mechanisms through which these effects operate in practice. This study recommends that the Ministry of Education should assess the financial sustainability implications of the free education policy for the private school sector and develop complementary support mechanisms that reduce the competitive pressure on private schools to maintain fees below cost-adequate levels.

Moderating effect of leadership style on corporate mentorship and service delivery in counties of the western region, Kenya

Maureen W. Orembo — 2026-04-03

Succession planning is important within the public sector to ensure continuity in service delivery. Just like at the national level, county governments have less effective succession planning strategies driven by poor talent management and human resource development practices. This study sought to establish the influence of corporate mentorship on service delivery in counties in the Western Region, Kenya, and to examine the moderating effect of leadership style on the relationship between corporate mentorship and service delivery in counties in the Western Region, Kenya. The study was based on the Leadership Pipeline Theory and social learning theory. The study used descriptive and cause-effect designs. It used primary data, through structured questionnaires on a Likert scale, and interviews were administered to a target population of 243 top-level managers (chief executive committee members), middle-level managers (chief officers), and low-level managers (directors and functional heads in Kakamega, Vihiga, and Busia Counties. Stratified simple random sampling was used to select 151 respondents; reliability was tested using Cronbach's alpha through a pilot study at Bungoma County, and content validity was tested using expert opinions while construct validity was tested using factor analysis. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The findings were presented using tables. The findings revealed that there is a significant positive effect of corporate mentorship (β1=0.254, P=0.000) on service delivery in counties in the Western Region, Kenya. Further, it was evident that there is a significant moderating effect of leadership style on the relationship between succession planning and service delivery in counties in the Western region as the R-squared moved from 36.0% to 56.9% (P=0.000). The study concluded that leadership style plays a crucial role in maximizing the impact of corporate mentorship efforts. The study recommended that county governments institutionalize structured corporate mentorship programs aimed at developing employees’ professional and managerial competencies. County executives should integrate mentorship and leadership training into their human resource policies to ensure continuity in professional growth and service excellence.

Perceptions of newly posted teachers about their pre-service preparation in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana

Isaac Atta Kwenin — 2026-04-04

This study investigated newly posted public basic school teachers’ perceptions of their preservice preparation. The study was guided by Schlossberg’s theory of transition. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was chosen for this study. All 322 newly posted teachers in public basic schools in the Kumasi Metropolis of the Ashanti Region, Ghana, were included (census) in the study. A questionnaire was used to collect data from the teachers. The questionnaire with a Cronbach alpha reliability test of a .799 coefficient was used for data collection. Appropriate ethical guidelines, including verbal and oral informed consent, were sought prior to data collection. The Test Analysis for Surveys (TAFS) was used for analyzing the data using descriptive and inferential statistical tools. The study revealed that preservice teacher preparation programs are directly related to knowledge and skills these newly posted teachers need to teach effectively. It was concluded that the newly posted teachers perceive their preservice training as adequate and impactful during their first year of posting into their schools. This adequacy resulted from the effectiveness of their preservice training in pedagogy and pedagogical content knowledge, class management techniques, and class control techniques. It was recommended that principals of the colleges of education and district/municipal/metropolitan education directorates should collaborate with the Ghana Education Service and the Ministry of Education to institute proper and formal induction and orientation programs for newly posted teachers within their first year of posting to properly integrate them into the classroom.

Moderating role of technology acceptance on the relationship between digital HRM practices and organizational performance: Evidence from organizations in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma cities, Tanzania

Mashala L. Yusuph — 2026-04-04

Digital transformation has altered human resource management (HRM) worldwide, but its performance outcomes in emerging economies are not yet well researched, especially the conditional role of user acceptance. This paper investigates the moderating role of technology acceptance on the relationship between digital HRM practices and organizational performance in Tanzania. The research is based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), and Resource-Based View (RBV). The hypotheses are that digital HRM practices positively influence performance, technology acceptance directly influences the main effect, and acceptance enhances it. The survey was a quantitative cross-sectional study of 304 ICT and HR professionals and managers in all public and private organizations in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma, selected using purposive sampling. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) in SmartPLS 4. Findings show that digital HRM practices contribute to organizational performance in a significant and positive manner, technology acceptance has a direct and positive effect, and acceptance moderates the relationship positively. The model is a strong predictive model that explains 58% of the variance in performance. Theoretically, this research takes a step toward the integration of personal acceptance variables and organizational resource perspectives in an African context. In practice, user-focused training, user-friendly interfaces, and change management should be prioritized in organizations to enhance the benefits of digital HRM and achieve long-term competitive advantage. To facilitate the introduction of inclusive and sustainable HRM change across Tanzania, policymakers must implement acceptance-based interventions within national strategies for a digital economy, public sector reforms, and Vision 2050 initiatives.

Exploring Tanzanian secondary school teachers’ challenges and opportunities in the use of tablets as a pedagogical tool in teaching and learning

Titus Tossy — 2026-04-04

This paper explored Tanzanian secondary school teachers' challenges and opportunities in using tablets as a pedagogical tool for teaching and learning. For the past few years, the United Republic of Tanzania (URT) has distributed more than 290,000 tablets in primary and secondary schools. However, these tablets are still underused, and there is no documentation of the challenges and opportunities they bring. The study, guided by the constructivist learning theory, employed both quantitative and qualitative methodology. A target population of 758 respondents from secondary schools, and data were collected using questionnaires, interviews, and observations. The collected quantitative data were examined and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). The study founder's severe challenges include limited access to electricity, lack of technical support from the school management when the tablet encounters a problem, lack of adequate training to effectively use tablets, lack of confidence in using the tablets, lack of the skills to install the necessary apps on their tablets related to teaching and learning, lack of accessibility to ICT-based resources, language problems (barriers), limited access to the internet, and a few noted that they have limited time. This study revealed various opportunities due to the use of tablets in secondary schools. Some of these opportunities encourage teachers to experiment with innovative teaching strategies, help teachers to increase their technological skills and digital literacy, foster professional growth, and encourage lifelong learning. Tablets enable teachers to collaborate and share teaching resources with colleagues more easily, provide a platform for teachers to communicate more effectively with parents and guardians, help to broaden the range of various subjects/content to teach, enhance personalized learning opportunities, and improve communication and global exposure. The findings will benefit policymakers, teachers, and curriculum developers in Tanzania by providing valuable insights into how to effectively support and encourage tablet use in secondary education.

The impact of mobile fintech on financial inclusion in Tanzania (2020 – 2024): A literature review

Magreth Kulwa Emmanuel — 2026-04-05

Despite the growing body of literature on the impact of mobile fintech services on promoting financial inclusion, the trends in the adoption of mobile money services, as well as the number and value of transactions that enable the access of a variety of financial services such as savings, transfers, payments, credit, insurance and investment opportunities, remained less understood and inadequately documented. This study aimed to review the impact of mobile fintech services on financial inclusion in Tanzania from 2020 to 2024. The study was guided by two key theories: the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and the Financial Inclusion Theory. This study employed both quantitative and qualitative research methods approaches, based on a comprehensive literature review. Data were drawn from a range of published articles in peer-reviewed journals accessed through several academic databases as well as grey literature from websites of key organisations, including the Tanzania Communications Regulatory Authority (TCRA), the Bank of Tanzania (BOT) and fintech service providers. The findings indicated that the mobile fintech service in Tanzania is dominated by a few service providers such as M-Pesa, Mixx by Yas and Airtel Money. The mobile money accounts in Tanzania have increased from 32,268,630 in 2020 to 63,207,569 in 2024, recording an annual increase of 19.85% in 2020, 8.55% in 2021, 13.84% in 2022, 22.55% in 2023 and 16.35% in 2024. Further, Tanzania has experienced a consistent improvement in its financial inclusion index from 0.45 in 2020 to 0.81 in 2024. The Pearson's correlation coefficient has shown that mobile money accounts have a positive and statistically significant correlation with the financial inclusion index (r = 0.930, p = 0.011). Similarly, the number of transactions had a positive and statistically significant correlation with the financial inclusion index (r = 0.917, p = 0.014). The value of transactions also showed a positive and statistically significant correlation with the financial inclusion index (r = 0.858, p = 0.032). Furthermore, mobile money accounts had a very strong positive correlation with the number of transactions (r = 0.996) and with the value of transactions (r = 0.973), indicating that as mobile money adoption increases, so do the number of transactions and the value of these transactions. This study concludes that the adoption of mobile fintech services has a strong positive correlation with financial inclusion in Tanzania from 2020 to 2024. This study recommends that policy and decision-makers in Tanzania should focus on creating a more favourable environment that fosters competition among mobile money service providers, ensuring that fintech services remain affordable, efficient, and accessible to all population segments, particularly low-income and rural communities.

Tourism resilience in the SADC region: A multi-crisis analysis and integrated crisis management model

Bruce Ernest — 2026-04-06

The tourism industry in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region is highly vulnerable to multiple, overlapping crises, including environmental disasters, energy shortages, political instability, economic fluctuations, and global health pandemics. Despite the growing importance of resilience in tourism research, existing studies largely adopt single-crisis or destination-specific approaches, limiting their applicability to complex regional systems, which is particularly problematic given the interconnected nature of crises affecting the SADC region. This study examined tourism resilience in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, with a focus on the impacts of crises, the strategies adopted to enhance resilience, and the effectiveness of these adaptation measures. The study adopted a qualitative research design based on a systematic desk review of secondary data. Literature was sourced from peer-reviewed journals, books, and policy reports from institutions such as SADC, UNWTO, and the World Bank, retrieved through databases including Google Scholar, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. A thematic analysis approach was used to synthesize findings on tourism resilience and crisis management in the SADC region from studies published between 2000 and 2025. The study finds that tourism in the SADC region is highly vulnerable to multiple interrelated crises, including environmental, economic, political, energy, and pandemic shocks, which significantly disrupt sector performance, with uneven recovery across countries. Despite this, resilience is gradually emerging through digital transformation, infrastructure and technological adaptation, and market and product diversification, although these efforts remain constrained by structural inequalities and weak coordination. The study recommends the adoption of an integrated SADC Crisis Management and Resilience Model (S-CMRM) to strengthen multi-level governance, enhance adaptive capacity, and promote a more proactive and transformative approach to tourism resilience in the region.

Challenges faced by teachers in teaching inclusive education at St. Charles Special School, Zambia

Mirriam Mulenga — 2026-04-10

This study aimed to identify the challenges encountered by science teachers at St Charles Special School when delivering subject content to learners, with the goal of proposing possible solutions to enhance the quality of knowledge and skills acquired by students. This study is grounded in social constructivist theory. A case study design was adopted, guided by the following objectives: (1) to identify the challenges associated with teaching science at St Charles Special School, (2) to assess the impact of these challenges on the learning of pupils with hearing impairment, and (3) to explore suitable teaching strategies that accommodate both groups of learners in an inclusive school setting. Respondents were purposively selected from the target school. To achieve the stated objectives, ten teachers from the science department completed a questionnaire comprising Likert-scale and open-ended questions. Additionally, ten pupils, five of whom were hearing impaired, responded to a questionnaire with open-ended questions. Data were analysed using SPSS and Excel, with findings presented in tables and pie charts. The results indicate that inclusive educators encounter various barriers that impede effective delivery of knowledge and skills. The study found that science teachers and learners at St Charles Special School face significant challenges, including communication barriers in sign language, a shortage of trained special education teachers, limited teaching resources, and bullying, all of which negatively affect teaching effectiveness and learners’ understanding and academic achievement. The study underscores the need for educators to take an active role in fostering student success by employing teaching strategies that support all learners.

Analyze the structure of the economic diplomacy frameworks between Kenya and Ireland

Lucy Cynthia Mugala — 2026-04-10

The increasing significance of economic diplomacy in international relations has initiated several countries to prudently employ diplomatic channels to achieve their economic goals. Despite a framework of diplomatic engagement, the economic exchanges between these two nations are characterized by a profound and persistent imbalance, reflecting a neo-colonial pattern of trade that undermines the very principles of sustainable and mutually beneficial development. The urgency for targeted study is amplified by the changing global landscape, including the African Continental Free Trade Area, which offers Kenya new platforms for value-added exports. Despite a friendly bilateral environment, the absence of a formalized economic diplomacy framework results in an imbalanced trade structure and missed opportunities in key sectors. Therefore, this study sought to investigate the economic diplomacy frameworks between Kenya and Ireland. This study was anchored on power theory. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The research was conducted within Nairobi County. The study targeted business traders, exporters, the Irish ambassador to Kenya, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade representatives, Irish business networks, trade and policy analysts, trade directors, Customs and Trade officers-KRA, the Kenya Investment Authority representative, and the Kenya Private Sector Alliance [KIPPRA] representative, yielding a total of 247 sampled respondents. Purposive sampling was employed to select the sampled respondents. The primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and key informant interviews. These were complemented by extensive secondary data, including trade reports and academic publications. Quantitative data was analyzed through SPSS version 26, while qualitative data was analyzed verbatim thematically. Quantitative data was presented in the form of tables and figures, while qualitative data was recorded thematically via verbatim. The study findings revealed the existence of a formal institutional framework supporting bilateral relations, which included embassies, trade missions, and bilateral cooperation agreements. The study concludes that economic diplomacy has been achieved through agriculture, especially horticulture; technology; infrastructure; education; and joint trade missions; however, with challenges such as political instability, cultural differences, and lack of strong partnerships and agreements. The study recommended that both governments establish a joint economic commission and formal trade agreements to structure engagement and unlock potential in agriculture, technology, and renewable energy sectors.

Knowledge governance and national development: Conceptual foundations, institutional architecture, and a framework for the knowledge management ecosystem

Sitali Wamundila — 2026-04-07

The accelerating transition towards knowledge-based economies has rendered the systematic governance of knowledge assets an urgent strategic priority for nations aspiring to sustainable development. Yet the conditions under which national knowledge management frameworks translate into measurable development outcomes remain theoretically underspecified and empirically underexplored, particularly in the sub-Saharan African context where institutional capacity constraints intersect with acute development imperatives. Employing a qualitative methodology that integrates narrative literature review with systematic content analysis of policy documents across multiple national and institutional contexts, this paper advances the argument that knowledge governance - defined as the deliberate, institutionally embedded orchestration of the processes through which knowledge is created, captured, shared, and applied - constitutes a structural prerequisite for effective national development rather than a peripheral administrative function. The analysis proceeds through five analytically distinct but interrelated dimensions: the conceptual architecture of national development and its embeddedness in knowledge-intensive processes; the taxonomy and developmental applications of explicit and tacit knowledge assets; the comparative landscape of knowledge management strategy, legal, and policy framework adoption across global, regional, and national institutional tiers; the institutional morphology of knowledge governance structures; and the empirically documented contribution pathways through which knowledge management produces national development outcomes. Synthesising these dimensions, the paper introduces a five-component Knowledge Management Ecosystem framework that provides a theoretically coherent and practically actionable architecture for integrating knowledge governance into national development systems. The paper's principal contribution is the development of a theoretically grounded and empirically informed framework that positions knowledge governance as the connective tissue linking national development aspiration, institutional capacity, and sustainable development outcomes, with direct implications for development policy, public administration reform, and knowledge management scholarship across the Global South.

Unveiling the silent voices of Gender Based Violence [GBV]: A glimpse of gender-based violence against men in Uganda

Musa Balonde — 2026-04-11

This study examines gender-based violence (GBV) against men in Uganda, with particular attention to its forms, causes, and consequences. Guided by hegemonic masculinity theory, muted group theory, plus power and control theory, the study explores how dominant gender norms, discursive exclusion, and non-physical strategies of domination shape men’s experiences of abuse and contribute to its underreporting in Uganda. Using a narrative inquiry approach, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 Ugandan men aged 18 years and above who were married, divorced, or separated. Participants were selected using a combination of convenience and purposive sampling techniques. The data were analyzed thematically using MAXQDA 2020, resulting in three major themes: forms of GBV, causes of GBV, and consequences of GBV against men. Findings reveal that the primary causes of GBV against men include poverty, group pressure, adultery, family background, and female social support networks. The study further indicates that GBV against men manifests in multiple forms, including physical, sexual, verbal, psychological, and economic abuse. Consistent with power and control theory, many of these abuses were non-physical and aimed at exerting domination and control over male partners. The consequences of such violence included psychological trauma, financial losses, suicidal ideation, and marital separation. Hegemonic masculinity norms and muted group dynamics further emerged as key factors that silenced male victims, discouraged reporting, and limited institutional recognition of men as legitimate victims of GBV. These findings signify that GBV against men in Uganda is real, multifaceted, and underreported. It is driven by power dynamics and gender norms. A possible mitigation mechanism for GBV against men calls for inclusive policies, recognition, and responsive support systems nationally. The study recommends fair and inclusive hearings for all GBV victims, increased advocacy for men’s rights, expanded victim counseling services, and greater involvement of cultural and religious institutions in GBV prevention and response. To enhance awareness among policymakers and stakeholders, further research on GBV against men in Uganda and other global contexts is strongly recommended.

Evaluating the influence of mobile and internet banking on customer satisfaction: Evidence from Absa Bank Tanzania

Fredrick B. Mwangela — 2026-04-11

This study examines the influence of mobile and internet banking on customer satisfaction in the Tanzanian banking sector, using evidence from ABSA Bank’s Ngorongoro Branch. Grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study adopts a quantitative cross-sectional design and utilizes primary data collected from 127 digital banking users through structured questionnaires. The target population comprised 150 customers actively using mobile and/or internet banking platforms. Simple random sampling was employed to ensure representativeness, with respondents selected from a list of eligible digital banking users provided by the branch. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. The findings reveal that mobile banking significantly enhances customer satisfaction through ease of cash withdrawal and balance inquiry, while inefficiencies in money transfer services negatively affect satisfaction. Similarly, internet banking contributes positively to customer satisfaction through fast transaction processing, whereas transaction errors significantly reduce customer satisfaction. The cost of internet banking services was found to be statistically insignificant, suggesting that customers prioritize service efficiency and reliability over pricing considerations. Overall, digital banking variables explain 51.1% of the variation in customer satisfaction. The study concludes that convenience, efficiency, and system reliability are critical determinants of customer satisfaction in digital banking. It recommends that banks improve system stability, minimize transaction errors, enhance transaction speed, and invest in user-friendly digital platforms to strengthen customer experience and competitiveness. The study contributes to the literature by providing branch-level empirical evidence from an emerging economy and highlighting the differential effects of specific digital banking attributes on customer satisfaction.

Investigating Tanzanian secondary school teachers’ attitudes and competencies in the use of tablets as a pedagogical tool in teaching and learning

Titus Tossy — 2026-04-03

This paper investigates teachers' attitudes and competencies in Tanzanian secondary schools on the use of tablets as a pedagogical tool in teaching and learning. Over the past years, Tanzania has distributed more than 290000 tablets in primary and secondary schools. However, these tablets are still underused, requiring a study to reveal teachers' attitudes and competencies on using tablets. The study was guided by the Constructivist Learning Theory. The study adopted a quantitative research design approach. The target population was 254 secondary schools (151 public and 103 private). Through simple random sampling, a population of 758 secondary school teachers (348 female and 410 male) was selected. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews, and the researcher observed what was happening in schools. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Firstly, the study revealed that teachers own various ICT tools, including tablets, smartphones, laptops, and desktop computers. Secondly, the study revealed that teachers are highly competent in using tablets for teaching and learning, with an overall mean of 4.09 and an SD of 1.281. Thirdly, the study reported that most teachers have a positive attitude towards the use of tablets in teaching and learning, with an overall mean of 4.66 and SD 0.87, signifying that most teachers would like to use tablets (mean 4.69, SD 0.79). Teachers perceive ease of use of tables (Mean 4.27, SD 1.26). Most teachers perceive tablets as highly useful for teaching and learning (overall mean: 4.34, SD: 1.17). While some are excited about the benefits tablets can bring to teaching and learning, they’re also encountering real problems and resistance. Major hurdles include tech glitches, a lack of good training and support, connectivity issues, and a mismatch with the current curriculum, not to mention time constraints and other teaching challenges. This study's findings make it clear that to get the most out of these tablets in Tanzanian schools, we must address the identified challenges. Therefore, this study’s findings are of beneficial to policymakers, teachers, and curriculum developers, researchers and all education stakeholders.

Human resource risks and organisational performance in Zambian quasi-governmental organisations

Daniel Siakalima — 2026-04-12

This paper investigates the human resource (HR) risks faced by quasi-governmental organisations in Zambia and examines their effects on organisational performance. Anchored in stakeholder theory, human capital theory, and institutional theory, the study adopted an interpretivist multiple-case study design. The target population comprised the most senior HR practitioners in quasi-governmental organisations in Zambia, and purposive sampling produced eleven participants drawn from parastatal and statutory bodies across diverse sectors. Data were collected through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analysed thematically using Braun and Clarke's six-phase framework. The findings identify five critical HR risk categories, namely recruitment corruption and political interference, recruitment and skills mismatches, casualisation and legal exposure, talent drain from uncompetitive compensation, and benefit misalignment with workforce demographics, together with reputational damage as a cross-cutting governance consequence. These risks undermine organisational performance through capability depletion, operational disruption, financial liability, and legitimacy erosion. The paper concludes that HR risks in quasi-governmental organisations are strategic rather than merely administrative problems and recommends stronger recruitment controls, reduction of unlawful casualisation, improved retention and reward strategies, and greater elevation of HR risk to board and executive attention.

Fintech adoption and entrepreneurial decision-making: How trust, risk, and capability reshape choices

Windu Matoka — 2026-04-14

Research on FinTech adoption has concentrated extensively on predicting adoption intention, while the downstream effects of adoption on entrepreneurial decision-making have remained underexplored. This conceptual paper shifts the analytical focus by treating FinTech adoption as an input to, rather than an outcome of, entrepreneurial decision-making. Drawing on the Technology Acceptance Model, the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, perceived risk facets theory, digital trust theory, and entrepreneurship decision-making scholarship, the paper identifies three interconnected pathways through which FinTech adoption reshapes entrepreneurial choices. First, trust transformation describes how system-based and institution-based trust reshape the relational and contractual environment within which entrepreneurs trade. Second, risk reframing describes how FinTech shifts the risk portfolio of entrepreneurs from cash-based risks toward digital and platform risks, altering investment timing and opportunity evaluation. Third, capability expansion describes how FinTech generates a digital information trail that, when combined with adequate financial literacy and operational competence, enhances forecasting, pricing discipline, and working capital management. This paper employs an integrative conceptual synthesis approach that combines theory development with selective empirical illustration. An Integrative Decision Model for Entrepreneurial FinTech Adoption is proposed that maps the flow from acceptance drivers through adoption to decision environment changes and conditional decision outcomes. The model predicts heterogeneous outcomes: constructive decision transformation in high-trust, high-capability institutional contexts, and defensive adoption or adverse outcomes in low-trust, low-capability environments. The paper contributes to both the FinTech adoption and entrepreneurship literature by providing a theoretically grounded, mechanism-level account of how digital financial technology changes what entrepreneurs decide, not only whether they adopt it. This study concluded that FinTech adoption is relevant for entrepreneurship not only because it expands access to financial services but also because it changes the decision environment within which entrepreneurs evaluate opportunities, manage liquidity, and respond to uncertainty. This paper closes with targeted recommendations for regulators, entrepreneurship support organisations, FinTech providers, and entrepreneurs.

Evaluating the influence of media strategies on the implementation of media policy protecting children against harmful television content in Nairobi County, Kenya

Samson Guatai Raiji — 2026-04-16

Mass media content in Nairobi, particularly broadcast radio and television, is largely free to air. This unrestricted access poses a significant challenge regarding specific content exhibited and its potential long-term effects on audiences and society. The most affected audience category is children, who risk exposure to unregulated, age-inappropriate content that may cause them harm. This paper therefore evaluated the influence of media strategies on the implementation of media policy protecting children against harmful television content in Nairobi County. The study was grounded in Implementation Theory, which conceptualizes policy execution as a dynamic, interactive process shaped by stakeholder engagement. It adopted a descriptive research design to determine how media policy implementation strategies influence the safeguarding of children. The study involved all child media policy implementing bodies: government agencies, the Media Owners Association, media policy experts, television stations, and parents within Nairobi County. A total of 416 respondents were sampled using Purposive Sampling Technique. Self-administered questionnaires were administered to selected parents, while structured interviews were conducted with other identified respondents. A critical analysis of Kenyan media policy was carried out to examine the extent of stakeholder involvement, establishing a relationship between stakeholder involvement and policy implementation. Data was analyzed using linear regression. The study found that while media policy implementation strategies are generally sufficient, they do not guarantee adherence to set guidelines. Moreover, unlike media agencies, parents demonstrate low awareness of mechanisms regulating safe children's television content. The study recommends civic education and participation by all stakeholders in media policy formulation and strategies, as well as continuous review of existing policies governing safe children's television content.

Enhancing speaking capabilities in secondary schools via storytelling: An analysis of GS Gikumba in Kigali’s Gasabo District, Rwanda

Ntibanyurwa Sosthene — 2026-04-18

This study looked at how well storytelling helped secondary school students at GS Gikumba in Kigali's Gasabo District improve their speaking abilities. The study's objectives were to assess the storytelling techniques employed by educators, pinpoint the difficulties encountered by students, and determine the connection between storytelling and the development of speaking abilities. The study was based on Vygotsky's Sociocultural Theory, which emphasizes the role of social interaction and collaborative learning in cognitive development, and Krashen's Input Hypothesis, which highlights the significance of comprehensible input in language acquisition. In order to obtain a 100% response rate, a census sampling technique was used in conjunction with a descriptive research design to gather data from all 40 students. Information on students' experiences with storytelling and how it affected their speaking performance was gathered using structured questionnaires. While correlation analysis evaluated the connection between speaking skill development and storytelling techniques, descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data in order to find trends and patterns. The results showed that storytelling has a positive impact on vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, confidence, and classroom engagement. Language anxiety, a small vocabulary, a lack of practice outside of the classroom, and a fear of speaking in front of peers were among the difficulties that students encountered. Additionally, the study found a strong positive correlation between speaking skill improvement and storytelling engagement, suggesting that students who actively engage in storytelling exhibit greater oral communication competence. Based on these findings, the study suggests incorporating storytelling into English language training, encouraging both group and individual storytelling exercises, and giving students regular chances to practice speaking in encouraging and engaging environments. These interventions can improve learner confidence, improve oral communication abilities, and improve academic performance in general. The study shows that storytelling helps students improve their speaking skills, including vocabulary, pronunciation, fluency, confidence, and participation in class. Despite these benefits, students often struggle with language anxiety, limited vocabulary, fear of speaking in front of others, and not enough practice outside the classroom. To support them, schools can include storytelling in the curriculum, encourage both group and individual storytelling activities, and set up speaking clubs. Teachers can foster active participation to build confidence, while students benefit from practicing regularly to strengthen their oral skills. These approaches can boost learners’ confidence, communication abilities, and overall academic performance.

Assessing skin lightening knowledge and practices among students at University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), Wa, Ghana

Ismail Saani — 2026-04-18

Despite the serious harmful consequences of skin lightening outlined in medical journals, many Ghanaian students still indulge in the practice. This study assesses the knowledge and practices of skin lightening among students at the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies (FIDS), University of Business and Integrated Development Studies (UBIDS), Wa. Guided by the social learning theory, the study employs a cross-sectional mixed-methods research design, combining questionnaires and in-depth interviews for data collection. The target population comprised all undergraduate students at the Faculty of Integrated Development Studies (FIDS), UBIDS, Wa. The study uses a mixed-methods approach. Primary data was obtained through questionnaires and interviews from 100 students selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Qualitative data was analyzed using an interpretative approach and presented in narrative form, while quantitative data was analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS v.20) and presented in charts and tables. The study reveals that 52% of respondents could differentiate between skin bleaching and skin toning. However, 71% were unaware of the lethal chemicals and abrasive agents in skin lightening products and their dangers. Only 18% of students self-reported current or previous use of skin lightening products. However, 47 students were initially sampled based on visible physical indicators of potential skin lightening use, suggesting possible underreporting driven by social desirability bias and semantic denial. Sources of knowledge included the internet (42 respondents), friends (30), celebrity endorsements on radio/television (23), billboards (3), and family (1). The findings underscore how digital platforms, peer networks, and celebrity culture create platforms that normalize skin lightening while suppressing awareness of health risks. The study recommends comprehensive health education campaigns, media literacy programs, and psychological support services to address skin lightening practices among university students.

Artificial intelligence and the question of moral personhood: A philosophical enquiry

Sandra Khagayi — 2026-04-18

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into high-stakes domains such as healthcare, finance, and public administration has intensified debates on moral agency, moral personhood, and accountability. As AI systems increasingly shape human outcomes, concerns arise regarding whether they qualify as moral agents or should bear responsibility for their actions. This study adopted a systematic literature review design grounded in qualitative philosophical inquiry to critically examine the moral status of AI and its implications for ethical governance. The study was guided by John Searle’s critique of strong AI and Floridi and Sanders’ theory of derivative moral agency, which provide a conceptual basis for evaluating AI’s capacity for moral understanding, intentionality, and accountability. The target population comprised scholarly literature in AI ethics, moral philosophy, and philosophy of technology, with the accessible population including peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and conference proceedings published between 2019 and 2026. A criterion-based sampling technique was employed to select relevant studies based on predefined inclusion criteria such as topical relevance, scholarly rigor, and conceptual contribution. Data collection involved systematic identification, screening, and extraction of key arguments from selected sources. A critical normative and thematic analysis was conducted to evaluate competing perspectives on AI moral personhood. The findings reveal that contemporary AI systems lack genuine moral understanding, autonomous intentionality, and accountability, thus failing to meet the criteria for moral personhood. The study further establishes that attributing moral status to AI risks creating responsibility gaps and weakening human accountability. It concludes that AI should be understood through derivative moral agency, where responsibility remains with human actors and institutions. The study recommends strengthening regulatory frameworks, institutional oversight, and ethical training to ensure responsible AI governance.

Factors affecting mathematics performance among ordinary secondary school students in Tanzania and its implications for future career selection: A review of literature

Dorence M. Kalemile — 2026-04-20

Performance in the mathematics discipline has been a stumbling block among students completing ordinary secondary schools in Tanzania. The discipline has been showing inefficient results among the finalists of secondary school from year to year despite its importance. This study aimed at analyzing major factors contributing to the subject matter not being well understood among students. The study was conducted in Tanzania purposively in order to meet its objective and guided by the Expectancy Theory of Motivation. The theory posits that students’ individual motivation and intensity of work are highly affected by their future’s expectations. The study adopted a systematic literature review with the sample involving 22 studies. Data were collected from authentic secondary data sources and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Factors with higher frequencies were adopted as major contributing factors of performance in mathematics in the study area. The study found that mathematics in secondary schools was faced with factors of four categories, i.e., policy-related factors, individual factors, psychological factors, and socio-economic factors. The policy-related factors were major contributing factors to the current problem by 60%. The study concluded that the mathematics subject is seriously faced with a lot of issues, but the leading factors are related to education policy. Solving policy-related factors will mean improving performance in mathematics. The study recommends the Ministry of Education and other education stakeholders come up with a special project/program purposely to improve performance in the subject matter.

African Traditional Religion (ATR) and Environmental Conservation from the Ghanaian perspective

Adam Konadu — 2026-04-23

This study explores the role of African Traditional Religion (ATR) in environmental conservation in Ghana, positioning it as a culturally embedded and indigenous framework for ecological sustainability. Employing a qualitative and interpretive research approach, the study draws on interdisciplinary insights from religious studies, environmental ethics, and African philosophy to examine how traditional belief systems shape human–environment relations. The findings reveal that ATR promotes a holistic worldview in which nature is perceived as sacred, relational, and morally governed. Cultural institutions such as taboos, totems, sacred groves, and customary laws historically functioned as effective ecological safeguards, ensuring biodiversity preservation and environmental balance. However, contemporary pressures—including globalization, urban expansion, and the gradual erosion of indigenous knowledge systems—have weakened these traditional mechanisms. The study argues that meaningful integration of indigenous ecological knowledge into modern environmental governance frameworks can enhance sustainability outcomes. By foregrounding ATR as a viable ethical and ecological resource, this research contributes to ongoing debates on sustainable development and culturally grounded conservation strategies. It concludes that renewed engagement with ATR offers critical pathways for addressing environmental challenges while reinforcing national sustainability efforts in Ghana.

Re-thinking foster care through community practice: Insights from St Martin Catholic Social Apostolate in Kenya

Esther Kalekye — 2026-04-23

This study explores the factors that shape the success of foster care placements within the community-based foster care programme implemented by St Martin Catholic Social Apostolate (CSA) in Kenya. The study is guided by the Attachment, Family Systems and Ecological Systems theories, which together provide a framework for understanding how individual, family, and sociocultural factors influence child wellbeing in foster care settings. A qualitative case study design was adopted, focusing on foster parents, foster children, former foster children, programme staff, and the District Children’s Officer involved in the foster care programme. The study also drew on foster care case files maintained by the organisation. Stratified random sampling was used to ensure representation of both successful and unsuccessful foster care placements. The overall sample comprised ten foster care case files, nineteen individual participants, three programme staff, one District Children’s Officer, and two focus group discussions involving foster parents and former foster children. Data were collected through document review, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions, and analysed using content and thematic analysis. The findings show that successful foster care placements are influenced by a combination of foster parental commitment, parenting practices, and the provision of emotional support. Family-level factors such as acceptance within the household and relationships among family members also play an important role. In addition, the emotional adjustment and relational capacity of foster children affect placement stability. Cultural and religious values within the community were found to reinforce caregiving practices and support foster parenting. The study further highlights the importance of careful assessment and matching processes in strengthening foster care outcomes. The study concludes that community-based foster care models can provide effective and sustainable alternatives for children without parental care when supported by appropriate caregiver selection, strong family environments, and continuous programme support. It recommends strengthening assessment procedures, enhancing family support systems, and deepening community engagement in foster care initiatives.

Influence of risk management strategy on implementation of road construction projects in Migori County, Kenya

Bundeh, Lennard William — 2026-04-29

The purpose of this study was to establish the influence of risk management strategy on implementation of road construction projects in Migori County, Kenya. Implementation was measured as a function of project completion within the set time frame, meeting quality requirements and being within budget. This study was anchored on Risk Management theory. Descriptive research design was used. The target population for the study was 417 with a sample of 232 which included 39 contractors, 193 constituency roads committee members (CRCs). Simple random sampling method was applied in selecting Constituency Roads Committee members and the road contractors. Data was analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics with the help of statistical package for social sciences, SPSS. The study utilized the t-statistic to test the null hypothesis. Primary data was obtained through self-administered questionnaires to contractors and CRC members. Validity of research instruments was obtained through piloting and expert evaluation while reliability was tested using test retest method. Inferential statistics of Multiple Linear Regression was applied to determine the influence of risk management strategy on implementation of road construction projects by testing the hypotheses for the study. Statistical significance was assessed at p<0.05. According to the study, risk management strategy accounted for 70.0% of change in implementation of road construction projects. It also discovered that risk management strategy was moderately applied in the roads construction projects in Migori County. In summary, the study concluded that, most roads being implemented did not factor into consideration risk management strategy as a result, they faced multiple implementation challenges related to cost, timelines and quality, however, risk management has a positive and significant influence on implementation of road construction projects in Migori County, Kenya. The study therefore recommends formal integration of risk management into all stages of road construction projects and embedding risk management within county project implementation guidelines.