Research Papers

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Start date: 2014End date: 2016

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    Discursive Construction of Masculinities in Gìkúyú Proverbs
    (Laikipia University, 2016-09) Mukami, Gitu P.
    For a holistic understanding of social, economic, political and historical understanding of issues affecting Africa, the struggles of social equality between both men and women must be addressed. This research focused on the semantics of female subjugation and derogation in Gῖkῦyῦ proverbs. Proverbs, as forms of figurative communication with didactic functions in studied conversations possess evidence of male attempt at maintaining control over discourse in society. The representations of womanhood in Gῖkῦyῦ proverbs are mainly negative. The fact that these stereotypes have been encoded in a form of communication usually respected and highly valued in Gῖkῦyῦ culture suggests the degree to which rhetoric in the society has been masculinised. The aims of this study were to evaluate and analyse the depiction of women in African Oral Literature using Gῖkῦyῦ proverbs, to determine how socio-cultural and economic factors contribute to the portrayal of women among the Gῖkῦyῦ community, and to investigate how the image of a woman as exemplified in Gῖkῦyῦ proverbs affects gender roles and attitudes in the community. The study was informed by a combination of Wodak’s (DHA) and Connell’s Hegemonic Masculinities theory. The theories benefited the study in terms of perspectives, practical approaches and analytical tools. Further, they were utilized for the purpose of exploring more nuanced, complex understandings of manliness and men’s relationships with men, women and social structures. The data consisted of Gῖkῦyῦ proverbs which were purposefully collected. The researcher interviewed thirty two respondents ranging from age 21-80 of both genders using semi-structured questions. Data was then analyzed descriptively to help the researcher to establish the possible behavior and attitudes of the subjects. The beneficiaries of the study are other researchers since it was inspire future research in the area of gender and language by showing how language planners can inculcate issues of social justice such as gender equality into the curriculum. The study also benefits institutions interested in gender issues and also curriculum developers in their efforts to mainstream gender strategies through the use of language into planning and implementation since language is a crucial tool in the society.
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    Effect of Internal Environment on Formulation of Strategic Plans in Public Secondary Schools in Nyandarua West, Kenya
    (Laikipia University, 2014-09) Muthee, Esther G.
    A Strategic Plan is a road map for any organization to achieve its long term goals. Majority of schools in Nyandarua West do not have well formulated Strategic Plans despite the Ministry of Educations directive in 2006. This study sought to establish why formulation of Strategic Plans has not been properly done in many Public Secondary Schools in the region. The study was guided by the following objectives; to determine the effects of availability of finance, leadership style, organizational culture and management attitude and skills on formulation of Strategic Plans. The research was based on Michael Porter’s ―Five Forces Model‖ used to analyze the competitive advantage of an enterprise. A survey research design was used in the study, A target population of 372 which included the Parent/Teachers Associations (PTA) members, the Board of Management (BOM), Principals and Teachers was used. A sample population of 112 respondents was obtained using stratified random sampling and purposive sampling from PTA, Teachers, BOM and Principals from a cluster of schools in two zones, purposively selected. The research instruments used were questionnaires and interviews. Questionnaires were administered through a drop and pick later methods to teachers and members of BOM/PTA. Interviews were conducted on Principals or their Deputies and the chairpersons of BOM/PTA. Data was analyzed and presented through the frequency distribution tables, pie chart, regression analysis, correlations coefficients and percentages. Statistical model showed that Formulation of Strategic Plans= 1.622(Constant) +0.334(Leadership Style) + 0.134(Availability of Finance) + 0.94(Management Attitudes and Skills)+0.64(Organization Culture) + error term. This implied that management attitudes and skills had the highest influence, then organization culture followed by leadership style while availability of finance had the least influence. Some specific findings were that good management was important in formulation of Strategic Plans that and funds are not available to enhance the process of formulating Strategic Plans. Schools did not embrace Strategic Planning. Leaders did not allow participation of all stakeholders in Strategic Planning process. The study recommended that management should provide guidelines and encourage all stakeholders to participate in formulation of Strategic Plans by ensuring that they get the required skills through seminars and workshops. Funds should be provided to enable formulation of Strategic Plans and schools culture should embrace Strategic Planning. These finding will be used by both the public and the private sector to enhance formulation of good Strategic Plans in order to improve their efficiency and enhance service delivery.
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    Influence of Selected Parental and Students’ Factors on Secondary School Students’ Career Aspirations in Nyahururu Municipality, Kenya.
    (Laikipia University, 2014-10) Njori, Wanjira Annastasia
    Career choice is a very important decision in life. Secondary school students are prepared through career guidance to make career choices that are best suited to them. However this is not always the case and many high school graduates have continued to choose careers which they are not happy with. To help them make better career choices, it is important that career guidance teachers understand the influence of parental and students’ personal factors on secondary school student’s career aspirations. The purpose of this study was to determine whether parents’occupation, level of formal education and students characteristics, specifically gender and academic performance have any influence on students career aspirationsin Nyahururu Municipality, Laikipia County, Kenya. The study utilized ex-post facto research design. A stratified sample of 327 Form III and IV students from eleven (four public and seven private) secondary schools were purposively selected for the study from a target population of 1565 students. A structured questionnaire was administered to the respondents who had been selected through stratified and simple random sampling techniques from a target population of 1565 students. Using statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) programme version 20.0, data were analyzed through frequency counts and percentages with respect to nominal scale data.Hypotheses were tested by use of ANOVA and t-test statistics at .05 alpha level. Parents level of formal education (p<.05), student’s gender (p< .05) and students’academic performance had statistically significant influence on students’ career aspirations. However, this was not the case with regard to parents’ occupation. The study offers useful insights to secondary schools on how to strengthen career guidance and counseling departments so as to be more effective in aligning students to the right career paths In particular, there is need to strengthen parent-school meetings so as to sensitize parents on matters pertaining to career guidance for their children.