Indexing

Abstract: Wolfgang Iser (b. 1926) is professor of English and comparative literature at the University of Constance, in Germany, and has taught at many universities in Europe and America. He and his colleague at Constance, Hans Robert Jauss, are the well- known exponents of a distinctively German school of modern criticism known as ‘Reception Theory’. It was developed in Germany concurrently with the changes in French &Anglo- American criticism from a structuralist focus on the literary text to a post structuralist view of the text as a site for the formation & proliferation of meaning. It owes much to the philosophical tradition of phenomenology that started with Husserl, especially the aesthetics of the scholar Roman Ingarden and the hermeneutics of the German philosopher Hans -Georg Gadamer – a custom which emphasized the focus of consciousness in all investigations of explanation. In his essay he explained the role of reader and scope of creativity for reader for his own illusions, interpretations. This manuscript aims attention at Wolfgang Iser’s phenomenological access to reader acknowledgement, procreation of meaning & description of readers. This approach concentrates on the reader & his role in the making of an erudite attempt. The text does not subsist without the reader. Reader is an efficacious contributor in the production of elucidation.

Abstract: Language is a tool to learn knowledge, bequeath illumination (dossier), trump up ennobling ties, compose societal integrity, express sensibility, emotions & ideas, lingua Franca. as a language of correlative communication, one of the six official languages of the United Nations. This paper will help perceive the importance of English language as the language of science and technology, business and trade, Banking & corporate sector, window on the world, language of opportunity, third most spoken language in world. English is the requisite international language of communication, science, information technology, business, seafaring, aviation, aerodynamics, entertainment, radiotelephonics, saviour-faire, delicatessen, expedience, finesse.

Abstract: literature is the reflection of society which throws light on the social, cultural, economical and historical life of human beings. There are a large number of new literary movements in Indian English fiction in the form of prose, especially novels that describes imaginary events and people.  We have a diversity of writers who are writing Diasporic writing, post-colonial writing, modern, post-modern and feminist writings are becoming prominent in Indian English fiction.  Today the habit of reading books is decreasing.  The development of English writing since Independence has taken a new direction.  This paper will help examine, perceive, explain, interpret and psychoanalyse the development of English literature over the decades beginning from the post-independence period till date. 

Abstract: In-spite of the cessation of activities by militant groups in the Niger Delta (ND), which follows the grant of amnesty and its appurtenances by the administration of President Umaru Musa Yar’adua in 2009, Nigeria’s mono-cultural economy, was once again, besieged by rising cases of militancy with the advent of President Muhammad Buhari’s administration in 2015. While these growing activities of militants have ensured the destruction of the country’s vital oil infrastructure, it also ensured a drop in the country’s oil productions to an all-time low of 800,000 bpd, from a daily production of 2.2 mbpd. This dealt a heavy blow to the country’s economic life line and thus, set in the country’s current economic malaise in the form of recession (for instance, President Muhammad Buhari and Vice President Osibanjo have at various times described the current economic recession as militancy-induced), which further threatened the country’s economic interest and by extension, national security. This paper, using library research and content analysis was posed, amongst others; further interrogate the dynamics which give rise to militancy in the Niger Delta. Related to this was also on the need to, particularly, interrogate whether such activities serve the interest of the common man in the region and the country in general. It is the implications arising from the general discussions of the paper which formed the likely conclusion of this study.    

Abstract:Death of the Author “birth of the reader”. Birth of the reader must be ransomed by the death of Author.

Abstract: Currently, Kenyans both Muslims and non-Muslims are on election fever. By 8th August 2017, shall be exactly five years of His Excellence president Uhuru’s first term in the office as the fourth president of the Republic of Kenya.  This paper is just a brief survey on the past and current Kenyan Muslim political affairs in particular and the coastal people in general.  The study is trying to present the historical injustices done to Muslims past and present. The paper shall aw well look into the election phobia especially when Kenyans reflects back to the 2007 post-election violence that costed a lot of lives and properties. Needless to say, there is a big fear among Kenyans in general, and Muslims in particular for the History to repeat itself. The major objectives of this study are to: Identify the political status of Kenyan Muslims from colonial to post-colonial regimes. Explore the current Election phobia among the Kenyans and its causes. Recognise some means to overcome the post-election violence challenges.  In this study, observations of the existing phenomenon, interviews and self-documentation, as well as library research are going to develop the research methodology of the work.

Abstract: Dealing with urban sustainable development especially tourism industry needs proper planning and implementation by the local authorities. The aim of this article is to show that proper planning and good execution will achieve exponential growth of economy for the locals as well as the local authorities. The paper will explore the focal point in tourism taken by Ipoh City Council in relation to sustainable development. The findings reveal challenges and issues experienced by the local authorities with regards to setting the direction, development and management of tourism development. Conclusion is to ensure tourism development sustainability in the long term.

Abstract: This study is an attempt to determine the supernatural beliefs which prevails or dominates in African diaspora in the light of materialistic world. This novel is imbued with supernatural incidents and occurrences. This novel is fraught with tragedy and pain. Every character of this novel has his/her own painful story. Each and every character is contributing his/ their best to change his/their condition and plight. At some part of this novel, the tragedy is not an individual experience, but is rather like a collective consciouseness. In the parameters of materialistic worlds, these incidents would not look like a real incidents. The mind of anybody would raise so many questions. Which might be reasonable and logic based. How can a person control the power of nature? How can a person talk with dead people? Such type of things prevails in every society. What are the reasons and causes of dominating such type of superstitious things in these societies. In this study we would try to analyse and measure such type of things in the parameters of materialistic world.

Abstract: Good performance in English opens doors to many lucrative careers locally and internationally. Teaching reading and success in reading ability is therefore important for young learners. However, the ability for teachers to teach reading is not well documented. Little research has been conducted on teachers’ competence and attitudes towards reading ability among learners at preschool level. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of teachers’ competence on reading ability among pre-school children in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The theory of planned behaviour and education production function theory guided the study. The study employed the mixed methods approach. An explanatory research design was used. The target population was all the 1252 pre-school teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet County Kenya. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select the participating schools and individual teachers. A sample size of 294 schools was used. The instruments utilised were questionnaires, and observation schedules. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The study findings revealed that there are more female pre-school teachers than male. It was also found that most of the pre-school teachers were inexperienced. Results indicated that the teachers’ competency in English phonology was below average. The study results indicated that the pre-school children reading ability was poor. Teacher competency in English phonology was found to have a positive significant effect on reading ability of pre-school children (β= .307, p<0.05). The study concluded that pre-school teaching is a gendered profession characterized by low competency in English phonology. It was also concluded that teacher competency in English phonology has a bearing on the reading ability of pre-school children. The study therefore recommended that pre-school teachers be trained to improve their competency in English phonology as to improve the reading ability of pre-school children.

Abstract: Teaching reading and success in reading ability is therefore important for young learners. However, the ability for teachers to teach reading is not well documented. Little research has been conducted on teachers’ competence and attitudes towards reading ability among learners at preschool level. The objective of this study was to asses reading ability among Pre-School Children in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Kenya. The theory of planned behaviour and education production function theory guided the study. The study employed the mixed methods approach. An explanatory research design was used. The target population was all the 1252 pre-school teachers in Elgeyo Marakwet County Kenya. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select the participating schools and individual teachers. A sample size of 294 schools was used. The instruments utilised were questionnaires, and observation schedules. Data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The study results indicated that the pre-school children reading ability was poor. The study therefore recommended that pre-school teachers be trained to improve their competency in English phonology as to improve the reading ability of pre-school children.

Abstract: India is a developing country having so many challenges. One of the greatest challenges before a socialist and democratic country is the education of its disadvantaged people because in absence of education these people become a major liability on it. It cannot be over emphasised that economic development of a country depends to a large extent on the quality and level of the education of its people. Indian society has been crushed for ages socially, economically and politically only because a large proportion of its population has been the deprived of proper education since time immemorial. Mass education has ever been non-existent phenomenon in this so called highly cultured and affluent ancient country. These deprived people lived a life characterised in poverty, ignorance and superstition. They were easily deprived of the basic human rights and treated as domestic animals by the few rich and powerful men in the feudal social system.

Abstract: The present work is concentrated on the landslides which are very common disaster in the Himalayan region. This specific research theme was attempted taking cues from preparation of a landslide inventory, damage assessment, hazard mapping and subsequently risk analysis. Moreover Landslide change detection of two event pre and post Digitized based on visual interpretation over LISS4 image.
Landslide inventory, a catalogue of present and past landslides prepared by comparing pre and post Kedarnath disaster from a high resolution IRSP6 LISS4 image. Multiple landslides are identified and marked along the Mandakini River course in the inventory map. For susceptibility mapping eight data layers viz Geology, Geomorphology, Slope, Aspect, Distance to lineament, Soil type stream order, NDVI and LULC were created from different sources like SRTM DEM (30M), high resolution multispectral image, soil map etc. Then by weighted overlay in which weights are assigned to each layer according to their influence, susceptibility map is prepared. The statistics of the map indicate that 4% of the area is under high susceptible zone.
After that vulnerability and risk assessment analysis was carried out considering agriculture, built-up and road as important elements. According to the obtained vulnerability map only 7% of the area is under high vulnerability zone where most of the built-up and road is concentrated. The final map is the risk map which shows that only 3% of the total area is under high risk zone.

Abstract: Strategic planning process is conducted in organizations to facilitate setting of spending priorities. This includes:-focusing energy and resources, strengthening operations, ensuring employees and other stakeholders share common goals. It therefore is a purposive planning which guides fundamental decisions and actions within the organization. The Ministry of Education (MOE) acknowledges the importance of school strategic plans and has made it a requirement for all public secondary schools. The process of strategic planning in schools has an impact on school’s performance and lack of it lead to general lack of direction in the school effectiveness. Academic performance in most public secondary schools in Masaba north sub-county is low a situation that is manifested in poor performance in national examination over a period of time. The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of strategic management planning on students’ academic performance in secondary schools. The objectives of the study were; to establish the extent to which strategies employed by secondary schools influences academic performance, to assess the extent of strategic planning on allocation of resources influences academic performance, to assess the extent of strategic planning on management of human capital in schools influences academic performance and to determine the extent to which strategic planning has influences academic performance. This study sought to employ conceptual framework in which the independent variable was strategic planning whereas academic performance became the dependent variable. The study adopted a cross-section survey design. The study was correlational in nature. The target population was 32 public secondary schools, which comprises 106 Heads of Departments (HODs) and 32 principals of public secondary school and one Education Officer (DEO) in the sub-county. This study employed purposive sampling to select one DEO and 30 principals, simple random sampling techniques to select 66 HODs. Sample size was determined in accordance with Morgan matrix. Questionnaires and interview schedules were used to collect data from respondents. The reliability and validity of the outcome of this study was ensured. In this study both qualitative and quantitative data was analyzed. The data was organized, presented, analyzed and interpreted using both descriptive and inferential statistical tool like regression. The study findings established that the level of strategic planning in setting academic strategies, allocation of resources and management of human capital significantly explained variations in academic performance. The study recommends that the ministry of education should ensure that all public schools use strategic planning in setting academic strategies, allocation of resources and human capital management to ensure performance. A key research gap to be filled by future researchers is to undertake similar study covering all schools in the country.

Abstract: This study investigated parental care and academic stress as predictors of adolescent substance abuse in Rivers State Nigeria .Using random sampling technique, 250 participants were selected from 4 secondary schools in the state. The participants comprised of 130 males and 120 females with age range of 12-18 years with a mean age of 14.8 years. Participants were administered with 3 instruments which include Parental Care Scale developed by Baumrind (1971), Student Academic Stress Scale developed by Busari (2011) and Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST) developed by Skinner (1982). A cross sectional survey was employed and A Multiple Regression analysis was used for data analyses. Result indicates that parenting style and academic stress do not predict adolescent substance abuse in Rivers State Nigeria.  The significance of the study borders on the need for parents to watch out for other significant environmental factors like peer pressure as the inducing factors to substance abuse as they do their best to train their children

Abstract: Play is anything that is spontaneously done for its own sake; it appears purposeless, produces pleasure and joy, and leads one to the next stage of mastery. Play is a very important tool in holistic growth and development of children. Many experts agree that play provides the foundation for learning and later academic success of young children. Unfortunately due to the demands for accountability in pre-school and pressure to accelerate young children’s academic learning, time for play is either being eliminated or limited. The ECDE centres in Kisii South Sub-County, either lack play materials completely or have few materials which are either overwhelmed by the enrolment of learners in the centres or are inappropriate. The purpose of study was to investigate how selected play types contributes to cognitive development of preschool learners in Kisii South Sub-County. The research objective was to find out the influence of parallel play on cognitive development of ECDE learners.
Methods: The study used Vygotsky theory of cognitive development. The study adopted a Concurrent Triangulation design within the mixed method approach. The target population comprised of 61 public ECDE centers, 61 public primary school head teachers, 126 public ECDE teachers, 2592 public ECDE learners and 1 sub County ECDE programme officer. A sample size of 18 ECDE centers, 18 public primary school head teachers, 38 ECDE teachers, 778 ECDE learners and 1 Kisii South Sub County ECDE programme officer was selected using stratified and simple random sampling techniques respectively. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires, interviews guide and observation checklists. Validity of research instruments was ensured by expert judgement by university supervisors. Reliability of questionnaires was ensured by Cronchbar reliability test and a Cronchbar reliability coefficient of r=0.7824 was reported. Trustworthiness and authenticity of instruments was enhanced by use of multiple sources of information and member checking. Quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and inferential statistics such as Pearson correlation while qualitative data was analyzed by thematic framework.
Results: The study found that learners, who parallel play, learn quite a bit from one another like taking turns and that parallel play enabled often mimicking the other ones behaviour, hence good behaviours are passed across. Parallel play also helped children begin language development and through communication and interaction, the learners develop their language and communication skills. The study also found that through parallel play, learners increase their understanding of size, shape and texture. Based on the first hypothesis, the study concluded that there was a strong significant (p < 0.05) positive relationship between parallel play and cognitive development of preschool learners. This implies that, it was acceptable to conclude that there were significant positive association between parallel play and cognitive development among the preschool learners.
Conclusion: The study conclude that there was a strong significant (n= 36; r = .627; p < 0.05) positive relationship between parallel play and cognitive development of preschool learners.

Abstract: This article investigates state actors’ perceptions of the contribution of non-state actors in inclusive public policy process in Kenya. A quantitative survey methodology is employed in the study area of the City of Nairobi in 20 government ministries with one permanent secretary from each ministry answering the questionnaire on behalf of the ministry. A power analysis framework is used to understand the relationships of power between state actors and non-state actors and how they affect public policy process. The findings confirm that there has been significant improvement in inclusive public policy process in Kenya. A process which began as closed in the 60s, 70s and 80s supported by the existing governance framework, had the 90s as a turning point as a result of civic action and pressure from donor community that forced the government to embrace democratic process. Since then, there has been gradual and meaningful inclusion of non-state actors in public policy process supported by new governance framework articulated in the 2010 Constitution. However, there exists coercive power of the state actors as they continue to influence policy decisions and delivery using their authority to determine who they collaborate with and who is invited to participate in specific policy areas and issues.

Abstract: State domination in public policy process constrain the participation of non-state actors. However, non-state actors seem to have succeeded in influencing public policy to satisfy their interests as well as removing obstacles to citizens’ engagement in the midst of a reluctant state. What is unclear is the manner in which non-state actors have tried to open public policy spaces. This raises questions not only about the non-state actors’ contribution in opening the policy process and increasing space for participation but also how they negotiate to be included in the process and contribute to inclusive process. Based on an empirical case of Kenya, this study examined the contribution of non-state actors to inclusive public policy process particularly, public policy decision and delivery processes. The study was conceptually supported by the theory of power relations which assisted in understanding and explaining a complex interplay of people, organisations and institutions with beliefs and experiences and how they communicate value judgements to produce policy decisions and delivery. The study employed a survey and qualitative research design with population including four categories of organisations: the local and international non-governmental organisations, private sector membership organisations, donor organizations and multinational corporations, all operating in Kenya. Data was collected through an in-depth interview using schedule and guidelines and supplementary information was obtained through document reviews. Data analysis was by content analysis, carefully moving from manifest level analysis of providing a descriptive account of data, to latent level analysis of more interpretive analysis of responses and inferences. The validity and reliability of this study was assessed by four-fold criteria including sensitivity to context; commitment and rigour; transparency and coherence; and impact and importance. The study found out that non-state actors have influenced public policy at the national and county levels. The national NGOs have straggled to claim policy spaces for engagement with the state actors more than international NGOs. The private membership organisations have struggled less than both the national and international NGOs to create spaces for engagement, instead they have been invited by state actors in many occasions to contribute their views to inform various policies particularly, those likely to affect their business interests. They have claimed their own spaces in many occasions where their interests have been threatened by government policy. They have used their “power with” and “power within” to influence government policies. Donor organisations have engaged with state actors as partners using formal structures in place that favour and respect the interests of each partner. Inversely, the multinational corporations have been complex as state actors have a stake in the industry and influence major policy decisions for the interest of the industry. The findings of this study may not be generalised for the whole of Africa or across other regions of the world. However, the study may be replicated in other countries by adopting the same methodology.

Abstract: Integrated day, is a form of organization in which children engage in a variety of activities in a classroom that is arranged around themes, rather than different subjects. It is implemented for primary schools’ children in United Kingdom in order to acquire maximum benefit from every resource at their disposal and to give children a certain amount of responsibility and to take initiative for their own learning. This review article explored one of the most important structural aspects in the organisation of primary schools in the United Kingdom: the ‘integrated day’. It also focused the different approaches employed in the UK’s primary schools which implement the integrated day concept. It discussed the different definitions of integrated day given by numerous researchers and educators. Furthermore, it reviewed the main advantages and disadvantages of implementing the integrated day as a strategy for achieving inclusion of special needs pupils inside the ordinary school.