prefix: doi.org/10.52283/1.ajbmr |
Volume :9 Issue :01 Year : 2024
-
Smallholder Farmer Engagement in School Feeding Program and Learner Participation in Public Primary Schools in MAKUENI, County, KENYA
► Mary Mbithe Mwanthi (Corresponding Author)
melimwanthi@gmail.com
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1564-2578
► Charles Misiko Wafula
► John Mwaura Mbugua
Received: 18 January, 2024
Final Revision: 30 October, 2024
Accepted: 11 November, 2024
Published: 11 December, 2024
10.52283/NSWRCA.AJBMR.20240901A01
AbstractSmallholder farmers’ engagement in the school feeding program was aimed at the regular supply of foodstuffs to schools and enhancing learner participation. Learners from marginalized households are affected by food shortages, poor healthcare, and a lack of nutritious meals. The study aimed to assess the influence of smallholder farmer engagement in school feeding program and learner participation. A sample of 275 was employed from a population of 875. Information was gathered using a questionnaire, and interview guide. Quantitative and qualitative information were analyzed using descriptive, and inferential statistics. Simple linear regression models demonstrated the variables' strength and relationship. Pearson's Product Moment Correlation coefficient(r) was computed. The overall F statistics was 2.795. The outcomes were represented in tables, regressions, mean, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. The null hypothesis was tested, thus there is no significant association between small-scale farmer engagement and learner participation (P-value 0.006 <0.05) suggesting a statistically significant correlation between small-scale farmer involvement and learner participation. This implies that learners were not provided with adequate meals resulting in school dropouts, absenteeism, and lack of concentration in class.Keywords: Stakeholder engagement, learner participation, small-scale farmer, supply of food, school feeding projectPages:01-12 :: Download-View
-
Members' Trust Acts as a Mediator Between their Dual Roles and Cooperative Identity: An Empirical Study of Industrial Cooperatives
► Chinju Chandran S (Corresponding Author)
► Rajitha Kumar S
Received: 13 June, 2024
Final Revision: 20 January, 2025
Accepted: 7 February, 2025
Published: 14 February, 2025
AbstractIndustrial cooperatives are a unique organizational model that strikes a balance between economic objectives and social responsibility. As member-driven organizations, they uphold a distinct identity rooted in cooperative principles by relying on members’ dual roles as owners and workers, which help to shape their identity and operational success. However, despite their significance in fostering inclusive growth and sustainable business practices, the extent to which industrial cooperatives effectively uphold and fulfil their cooperative identity remains an underexplored area in the available literature. The situation at hand is that cooperative institutions are experiencing difficulties in putting their cooperative principles into effect in the real world. In this situation, the current study investigates how members' dual roles influence the fulfillment of cooperative identity articulated in cooperative principles. The study also sought to analyze the mediating effect of members’ trust on the relationship of members’ dual roles and fulfillment of cooperative identity by industrial cooperatives. To analyze these relationships a conceptual model has been formulated with the support of Social Identity Theory and Social Exchange Theory. The conceptual model formulated has been empirically tested by collecting primary data by conducting face-to-face interviews with members of industrial cooperative societies in Kerala. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis is used to examine how cooperative identity is influenced by members’ dual roles. The findings indicate that when members engage positively in their dual roles as owners and workers, it brings benefits to the cooperatives in terms of implementing cooperative identity. Members' trust is regarded as an intermediate variable that connects both their dual roles to favorable behavior towards the cooperatives. Thus, this study provides statistical evidence that the trust of members plays a crucial role in enhancing their involvement as both owners and workers towards establishing the cooperative identity of the industrial cooperative societies.Keywords: Cooperative Identity, Members’ Trust, Dual roles, Members’ Identification, Occupational Self-efficacyPages:13-27 :: Download-View
-
Do Monitoring and Evaluation Practices in School Feeding Program Strategies Improve Learner Participation in Public Primary Schools in Makueni Country, Kenya
► Mary Mbithe Mwanthi (Corresponding Author)
► Charles Misiko Wafula
► John Mwaura Mbugua
Received: 10 October, 2024
Final Revision: 21 December, 2024
Accepted: 5 January, 2025
Published: 10 January, 2025
AbstractThis study ought to bridge the gap by answering the research question; what is the relationship between Monitoring and Evaluation Practices and learner participation in public primary schools in Makueni County, Kenya? Monitoring and Evaluation practices such as tracking learners’ school attendance, conducting nutritional assessments, and collecting feedback help measure program success and guide improvements. A descriptive survey and a correlation research design were adopted. The study population comprised county education officers, sub-county education officers, management board chairpersons, head teachers, and School Feeding Program learners. Using Yamanes' formula, a sample size of 275 was drawn from the population where stratified, purposive sampling and simple random methods were employed to select the appropriate sample size. Data was presented in frequency tables with correlations, regressions, mean, standard deviations, and percentages. The study established no significant correlation between monitoring and evaluation practices and learner participation in public primary schools in Makueni County public primary schools. The study recommends that relevant stakeholders dedicate adequate resources to sustain learner participation in public primary schools and that the national and county governments should support monitoring and Evaluation Practices in schools.Keywords: Monitoring and Evaluation practices, learner participation, public primary schools, learning, school feeding programPages:28-42 :: Download-View
