International Journal of Social Sciences: Current and Future Research Trends

How Assessment Influences Pupils’ Academic Performance in Government Aided Primary Schools in Namutumba Town Council, Namutumba District, Uganda

Robert Mugoya — 2023-08-20

This article reports how Assessment Influences Pupils’ Academic Performance in Government Aided Primary Schools in Namutumba Town Council, Namutumba District in Uganda. This study also investigated the relationship between formative assessment and pupils’ academic performance, the relationship between summative assessment and pupils’ academic performance, and the relationship between academic staff motivation and pupils’ academic performance. The study reviewed related literature by other scholars in assessment and pupils’ academic performance in order to have deep understanding of the assessment and student pupils’ performance in Namutumba Town Council, Namutumba District in Uganda through the continuous assessment grading system which requires the assessment of the change in behaviors, in terms of cognitive, affective and psychomotor domains. The pupils are evaluated from one stage to the other through tests, assignments, projects and other school activities. At the end of the term, the tests are used for determining the performance of the pupils in a particular subject visa vis academic staff motivation.

Awareness and Understanding of the Environmental Principles and Concepts among Pre-Service Teachers in a Philippine University

Justina T. Lantajo, Ph.D. — 2023-07-12

The study involves eighty-seven (87) preservice teachers with specializations in biological sciences and physical sciences in Leyte Normal University. They were the respondents of this study because it aims to provide pre-service teachers the competencies they need to perform the roles of a professional teacher.

The focus of this study is on the assessment of the respondents’ awareness and understanding of the different environmental principles and concepts. The research method used in this study is descriptive-evaluative. The instrument used was from Part IIB and Part III of the Assessment Tools for Project 4: Mainstreaming of Environmental Education in Teacher Education Curriculum. This is one of the projects in the Establishment of the BU-DENR Environmental Education Learning Resource Center for the National Network of Normal Schools (3NS). The results of the study showed that the awareness and understanding of the pre-service teachers on the environmental principles were good. Also, the findings revealed that the level of the students’ understanding of the different environmental concepts was moderately high.

Influence of Financial Management Practices on Earnings per Share of Quoted Industrial Goods Companies in Nigeria

Lateef Kolawole Fijabi — 2023-07-09

The study investigated the influence of financial management practices on the earnings per share of quoted industrial goods companies in Nigeria (Debt, Asset turnover, Dividend payout, Cash flow investing, and Working capital as independent variables and Earnings per share as the dependent variable) for the period 2011 to 2021. An ex-post facto research design was used. All the quoted industrial goods companies in Nigeria with up-to-date data from their annual reports and accounts as of 31^st December 2021 were used. The findings from the regression model showed that financial management practices had a significant effect on earnings per share of quoted industrial goods companies in Nigeria (Adjusted R²=0.2752, Chi²₍₅₎ = 20.15, p = 0.0012). The regression result also revealed that debt had a negative and significant effect (F=-0.039, p=0.008), asset turnover had a negative and significant effect (F=-3.202, p=0.016), dividend payout had a positive and significant effect (F=0.023, p=0.047), cash flow investing had a positive and insignificant effect (F=2.590, p=0.172) while working capital showed a positive and insignificant effect (F=0.054, p=0.825) on earnings per share of quoted industrial goods companies in Nigeria. It was recommended that investors should consider appropriate variables that impact earnings per share positively before investing.

Keywords: Asset Turnover, Debt, Dividend payout, Earnings per share, Financial management practices, Industrial Goods Companies, Working capital,

The Influence of Information Management Towards Teachers’ Commitment to Work in Selected Private Primary Schools in Namutumba Town Council

Yusufu M. Nagaya — 2023-09-17

This research examined the influence of information management towards teachers’ commitment to work in Selected Private Primary Schools in Namutumba Town Council in Uganda.
It was revealed that head teachers' information management political strategy had a positive and moderate significant influence on teachers’ commitment to work (? = 0.578, N = 162, p = 0.000 < 0.05). It is thus being concluded that while head teachers seek to manage information in a way that can transform the schools, the way one head teacher manages information is different from another. Some head teachers may utilize information for the better while others may utilize it negatively. This may affect the way administrative staff perform their job especially when information is managed the wrong way by the head teachers.

The Elections and Foreign Policy: The Cases of Southeast Asia

Teofilus Setia Wahyudi — 2023-07-09

Elections are always the part of a democratic society, especially those who are living the representative democracy in their society. Nevertheless, the nation-states who run the democratic mechanisms in its constitution would also hold the elections. Elections, in the term of representative democracy, majorly are held to elect the representations of people who take the offices in the state for taking parts in the policymaking of the nation-state, including its foreign policy as a part of its sovereignty and its nature as a subject of international law. Southeast Asians’ case is one of the best examples of case, because of their nation-states’ democratic styles and its international political surface. On this research, Indonesia, and Timor Leste, will be the examples for case studies. As from 10 full members of ASEAN, or 11 principal members, at least until the accession of Timor Leste, at least 5 members do democracy proper, namely Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, and Thailand, and there is also one who has bigger power and is also considered as a party that actively promotes democracy and human rights in the Southeast Asia, this brings also hypothesis for the region and ASEAN itself.

Gender Disparities in Sexual Behaviors and Attitudes among Adolescents and Young People in Tchaourou- Benin: A Multi-dimensional Exploratory Study

Mouhamadou Djima Baranon — 2023-08-06

The sexual well-being of adolescents and young individuals is a critical concern in many African countries, particularly those in sub-Saharan Africa. Numerous organizations have implemented projects and programs to tackle this issue, including Benin. This study utilizes data from a 2016 socio-demographic survey conducted in Tchaourou, a rural municipality in Benin, to examine the circumstances of adolescents and young people in the region. Specifically, we focus on gender disparities in sexual and reproductive lives. Our analysis reveals that girls have less exposure to comprehensive sex education, leading to early sexual initiation and earlier pregnancies compared to boys (17 years for girls and 18 years for boys). Girls also face higher vulnerability to sexually transmitted infections. Surprisingly, over 70% of boys have their first sexual intercourse at the desired time, while less than 50% of girls have the same experience. Although boys' situation appears relatively better, it remains a concern for both genders due to early sexual initiation, early pregnancies, and increased risk of STIs. Addressing this issue comprehensively is crucial for the well-being of both adolescent boys and girls.

Exploring University Students' Awareness of Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritance: A Multi-Theoretical Approach

NiuFei — 2023-08-25

The preservation of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) has become a topic of international concern. This study aims to explore university students' awareness and perceptions of ICH inheritance by employing multiple theoretical frameworks. The research will encompass micro-meso-macro level management practices, students' involvement theory, and cultural-historical activity theory (CHAT) to comprehensively understand how these factors influence students' perceptions of ICH. By integrating these theories, this study aims to establish connections and highlight the interdependencies among them. Recognizing the interplay between individual engagement, group dynamics, organizational practices, and the cultural and historical context will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how these factors influence students' awareness of cultural heritage preservation. Finally, this study seeks to provide valuable insights for fostering and developing university students' awareness of ICH inheritance, offering both theoretical guidance and practical implications.

The Influence of Social Media on Academic Performance of Students in University of Kigali

Ndamage John — 2023-08-28

The purpose of this research study is to examine the influence of Social Media on Academic Performance Of students in University of Kigali. Two Research objectives and two Research questions guided the study. To achieve this, the descriptive survey research design was adopted. The study focused on University of Kigali hence, population consists of all the 251 full-time undergraduate students. The simple random sampling technique was used to select a sample of 154 students. The descriptive statistics of frequency counts and percentage were used to analyze the data. Research findings showed that a great number of students in University of Kigali are addicted to social media. To this end, the researcher concluded that social media should be used for educational purposes as well; Social Networking Sites should be expanded and new pages should be created to enhance academic activities and avoid setbacks in the students’ academic performance; and Students should be monitored by lecturers and parents on how they use these sites. This is to create a balance between social media and academic activities of students to avoid setbacks in the academic performance of the students.

A New Dawn for Bangsamoro: The Evolving Dynamics of Peace and War

Raihan A. Yusoph — 2023-07-24

The Bangsamoro region in the Philippines has long been plagued by conflicts and tensions arising from historical grievances, cultural differences, and political struggles. However, recent developments have provided a glimmer of hope for lasting peace and stability in the region. This study explores the changing landscape of the Bangsamoro peace process and the dynamics that shape the delicate balance between peace and war.

This study begins by delving into the historical context of the Bangsamoro conflict, highlighting the deep-rooted grievances and historical injustices faced by the Bangsamoro people. It explores the origins of the conflict, including the Moro struggle for self-determination and the complex interplay between different stakeholders such as the government, rebel groups, and marginalized communities. Moreover, this highlights the significant milestones and developments that have taken place in the Bangsamoro peace process. It discusses the establishment of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) as a result of the 2014 Comprehensive Agreement on the Bangsamoro (CAB) and the subsequent ratification of the Bangsamoro Organic Law in 2018.

In addition, this study analyzes the evolving dynamics of peace and war in the Bangsamoro region. It explores the challenges faced by the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority (BTA) in consolidating power, managing expectations, and addressing the multifaceted issues of poverty, corruption, and political fragmentation. It also examines the role of various actors, including rebel groups, local communities, and external mediators, in shaping the trajectory of the peace process.

Furthermore, the data used in this research was purely qualitative as it is gained from reliable and authentic books, journals, and first-hand sources such as Key Informant Interviews (KII) and Focus Group Discussions (FGD). More precisely, the main aims of this paper is to examine the previous efforts in relation to post-conflict reconstruction and will delve into important issues and challenges in the Bangsamoro peace process that can impede peacebuilding.

Key words: Bangsamoro, Moro Islamic Liberation Front, Moro National Liberation Front, and Peace Process

The Influence of Coalition Building Political Strategy on Teachers’ Commitment to Work in Selected Private Primary Schools in Namutumba Town Council

Yusufu M. Nagaya — 2023-08-28

This research brings out the overview of the influence of Coalition Building Political Strategy on Teachers’ Commitment to Work in Selected Private Primary Schools in Namutumba Town Council in Uganda.
It was revealed that head teachers' coalition building political strategy had a positive and strong significant influence on teachers’ commitment to work (? = 0.667, N = 162, p = 0.000 < 0.05). It is thus being concluded that when administrative staff feel part of a coalition effort in school, they tend to do better for themselves and for the school. Although it is common practice that coalition building as a political strategy is meant for promoting interests of the head teachers, the other outcome is a feeling of being valued and involved in the general running of the school on the part of the administrative heads which improves their performance and capacity building.
Generally, organizational politics accounts for 72.2% of teachers’ commitment to work with the other remaining percentage being explained by other factors not part of this study. This makes Coalition Building Political Strategy a critical aspect of school management in private primary schools in Namutumba town council. Nevertheless, head teachers’ coalition building in the model produced the most significant influence of variability of 43.8% on teachers’ commitment to work. it is thus being concluded that much as head teachers engage a variety of organizational political strategies like information management and divide and rule, those who adhere to coalition building political strategy stand to benefit individually as the coalition’s serve the head teachers’ interests while the performance of administrative staff also gets to improve which trickles down to overall school performance.

Unveiling Motivation Factors in the Tlokweng Land Board: An Exploratory Study

Kelly Masoto — 2023-08-25

Motivation is one of the many factors that contribute to employee performance. This is the force that drives employees’ behavior to produce a certain output. Job performance is an employee’s ability to integrate skills, experience, knowledge, and other available resources to deliver the expected outcome. Various studies have concluded that several factors contribute to employee performance. Management standards, level of commitment, knowledge of work, communication, motivation, and employee skills are just a few of these factors. With a clear and attractive motivating factor, employees gear all their efforts towards achieving the set goals, working through any challenges faced in the process. Motivated employees use their creativity to find solutions to the challenges that lead to the invention that we see today. This study sought to investigate how an increase in money, or lack thereof, as a motivating factor, influences employee performance. The literature review incorporates what other scholars have found to shed light on how compensation and promotion influence performance. The scope of this study is limited to the Tlokweng Land Board. This study adopted a descriptive research design. This study was conducted using questionnaires administered to respondents. Their responses were then coded for easy analysis to reach conclusions regarding the influence of their motivation. Descriptive statistics, such as frequency and mean, were used to analyze the quantitative data. In the end, this study confirmed what has been discussed by other researchers in different organizations to be true for the Tlokweng land board as well; money is among the biggest motivators for public employees.

The Dynamics of Civic Identity Construction in Post-War and Newly Independent Kosovo: A Discourse Analysis of Citizenship Education Curriculums and Textbooks in the First Decade of the 2000s

Ereblir Kadriu — 2023-08-06

This paper analyses the process of creation of the new citizenship identity among young people in Kosovo through formal education, specifically, through mandatory Citizenship Education courses in schools. A discourse analysis of the Citizenship Education Curriculum and Textbooks, employed in this paper identified five major components of the civic identity among young people that was promoted, in the first decade of 2000s in Kosovo: 1. Political and Social Literacy, 2. Political and Social Participation, 3. Cosmopolitanism and not nationalism 4. Media, environmental and global critical thinking, and 5. European and International integration. The paper discusses the attempts, governmental official discourse, to create a new system of meaning about the new civic identity in relation to Kosovo's unique statue of a post-war and newly independent, who although has not yet fully reconciled with the past, is in the process of re-definition of statehood and identity.

Determinants of Repurchase Intention in Live Streaming E-Commerce in China and Suggested Strategies

Yang Manqing — 2023-08-25

In the dynamic landscape of e-commerce, live commerce has emerged as a transformative force, reshaping consumer interactions and purchasing behaviors. This study investigates the factors influencing repurchase intention in the context of live commerce. Drawing on the Cognition-Affect-Conation (CAC) model, Feeling as Information Theory (FIT), Use and Gratification theory (U&G) and Information System Success Model, this study conducted a quantitative research approach with 424 live commerce consumers. The results reveal that repurchase intention is positively influenced by enjoyment, cost advantage, and customer satisfaction. Perceived value is a crucial factor that significantly impacts customer satisfaction and is influenced by both product and information quality. To enhance customer loyalty, the live commerce industry should prioritize strategies to build trust, ensure product quality, increase entertainment value, and maintain price competitiveness through promotional activities.

Influence of Structural Empowerment on Job Performance in National Polytechnics in Kenya

Catherine Kagucia, PhD — 2023-07-03

Structural empowerment can be defined as an administration process where employees access resources and information as well as participate in organisational decision-making. It is described as access to opportunities and access to information in this study. There is an upsurge attention in utilizing the knowledge sources in an organization lately, to arouse invention among the employees. Structural employee empowerment also refers to cultivation of a working environment to enable employees participate in goal setting, problem solving and decision making. This study examined the influence of structural empowerment on job performance in National Polytechnics in Kenya. The dependent variable in this study was considered as structural empowerment while job performance was considered as the dependent variable. The target population consisted of 2993 staff from the ten National Polytechnics in Kenya. The study employed cross-sectional descriptive survey research design. Disproportionate stratified sampling was used in selecting the 337 respondents. Questionnaires were used to collect data. Validity was established by obtaining experts’ verification and pretesting. Pilot study was also conducted. To determine the document’s reliability, Cronbach’s alpha score was computed, realizing a score of 0.722. Inferential and descriptive statistics were used. Regression analysis was used to establish the influence of structural empowerment on job performance. 302 valid questionnaires were returned out of the 337 questionnaires issued translating to 89.6 % response rate. The study established that structural empowerment significantly influences job performance. Data was presented in tables and figures. It was anticipated that by understanding the influence of structural empowerment, managers would design programmes applying effective empowerment plans. The study was considered beneficial in policy making to the government, the National Polytechnics managements, the staff and the public. It would offer literature for further research as well as contribute to knowledge.

Newman Method Used to Analyze the Math Performance of Somali Sixth-Grade Students

Dr. Shuaib Abdullahi Salad — 2023-07-12

Somalia faces the problems of low performance in mathematics at primary school level, especially in the area of ability in mathematical problem solving. The purpose of this study was to understand the cause of students' low achievement through analysis of the levels of their abilities, which are classified into the five stages, i.e. reading, comprehension, transformation, process skills, and encoding. And relationship between those levels and mathematical abilities to determine the contribution of these levels to math performance. In this study, 40 students were selected from among 6th graders of elementary school; there are five questions to interview forty Grade six students. The data suggested that most of students’ errors occurred at comprehension level for structured questions while the errors for multiple choice questions occurred at the transformation level. Good performers’ errors did not occur at reading level, but poor performers’ errors occurred mostly at comprehension level.