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Early Childhood Education: Exploring The Relationship Between The Headteacher Of A Public Primary School And The On- Site Kindergarten Classes In Kenya, Catherine Kathini Wambua

Master of Education

Early childhood education is one of the basic levels of education practises in Kenya. It lays the foundation to the child at the early ages between zero and five years. These children learn in kindergarten centres, nursery or pre-primary schools which are managed by the faith organisations, private individuals, and community. The children pay fee to facilitate for the teacher’s salary and buying of the stationery to sustain the centre. The centres provided none academic education but were meant for care and health of the children. The kindergarten schools have been under the Ministry of Health for long and then …

Exploring Experiences Of Lower Primary School Teachers In Teaching Through Local Language As A Medium Of Instruction In Uganda, Nanseko Pharidah Bwanika

Master of Education

This study explores the experiences of lower primary teachers in teaching through a local language namely Luganda. The study conducted in Wakiso district in Uganda aimed to discover issues that emerge for teachers in the course of their teaching practice as they learn alongside teaching in local language without prior knowledge and experience of teaching and learning in a local language. Employing narrative inquiry, data was mainly collected through one-on-one interviews and supplemented by a focus group discussion, lesson observations, and analysis of relevant documents. Findings revealed that teachers were expected to learn to teach in Luganda, their second or …

Aga Khan University, Report 2014, Aga Khan University

The Aga Khan University Reports Archives

• The Greatest Challenge of Our Time
• Transforming the University
• AKU Overview
• Going Where the Need is Greatest
• Our People
• Research with Impact
• Notable Developments
• World-Class Graduate Professional Education
• Investing in Excellence with Your Support
• AKU by the Numbers
• University Governance
• Financial Highlights

Pediatric Cerebral Palsy In Africa: A Systematic Review, Kirsten A. Donald, Pauline Samia, Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, David Bearden

Paediatrics and Child Health, East Africa

Cerebral palsy is a common neurologic problem in children and is reported as occurring in approximately 2-2.5 of 1000 live births globally. As is the case with many pediatric neurologic conditions, very little has been reported on this condition in the African context. Resource-limited settings such as those found across the continent are likely to result in a different spectrum of etiologies, prevalence, severity as well as management approaches. This review aims to establish what has been reported on this condition from the African continent so as to better define key clinical and research questions.

Rwandan Young People’S Perceptions On Sexuality And Relationships: Results From A Qualitative Study Using The ‘Mailbox Technique’, Kristien Michielsen, Pieter Remes, John Rugabo, Ronan Van Rossem, Marleen Temmerman

Obstetrics and Gynaecology, East Africa

This study aimed to gain more insight into young Rwandans’ perceptions on sex and relationships, which is essential for formulating effective sexual and reproductive health (SRH) promotion interventions. Using a ‘mailbox technique’, this paper studies the spontaneous thoughts of Rwandan young people on sexuality. Mailboxes were installed in five secondary schools in the Bugesera district and students were invited to write about their ideas, secrets, wishes, desires and fears on sexuality and relationships. Of the 186 letters collected, 154 addressed SRH topics. The letters were analysed in NVivo 9 using a theoretical model on vulnerability. Two stereotypical sexual interactions co-exist: …

Minority Languages For Instruction: A Comparative Study Of Teachers’ Perspectives In Tanzania And Brazil, Jean Antunes

Master of Education

Research has pointed to the benefits of children learning in their mother tongue, and much has been discussed and done to assert the rights of ethnic minorities toward the use of their language in education. However, it has also been shown that there are instances in which education in the mother tongue is not preferred. This has many implications for the education systems of multilingual countries such as Tanzania and Brazil that have to deal with a multiplicity of languages in the school. Education stakeholders face these issues on a daily basis. In view of these implications this study set …

The School Leadership Support On Science Teaching And Learning, Samillah Qadar

Master of Education

Science is an important human tool for taming nature because explanations and predictions that science makes empower human beings to be able to utilize the natural resources that abound in the world. Therefore science considerably touches the personal, social, professional and cultural lives of everyone. Young people’s understanding of science is therefore crucial to prepare to live in a more scientific world than today’s. The school is the ultimate center for such preparations, where learners’ prior-knowledge will be joined with the contextual and scientific knowledge in inquiry and discovery teaching and learning approaches established by competent teachers under effective supportive …

The Management Of The Thematic Curriculum: A Case Study Of A Public School Head Teacher, Abim District, Uganda, Owiny Charles Dickens

Master of Education

Recently, Uganda has been involved in educational reforms, especially in the implementation and management of school curriculum now called, 'the thematic curriculum' This reform was introduced by government as an initiative to promote the goals and objectives of the new curriculum to achieve the national literacy and numeracy standards in primary school education. Despite this reform initiative, literacy and numeracy competences in public primary schools in Uganda have continued to be generally low. The purpose of carrying out this study therefore, was to investigate the management of the new thematic curriculum by a public primary school head teacher in the …

Preparation Of Preschool Children For Grade One: A Case Study Of A Rural Public Preschool In Likuyani Sub-Country Kenya, Ruth Nyongi Kituzi

Master of Education

Preschools in Kenya play an important role in the preparation of children for grade one. Most preschools are community-based and the management of preschool solely lies in the hands of parents. However, problems such as funding and lack of parental involvement abound. The study adopted a qualitative case study which examined preparation of preschool children for grade one in a rural public preschool in Likuyani Sub-County, Kenya. Four teachers ,two drawn from the preschool, two from grade one and six parents responded to open ended interview questions on how preschool children are prepared for grade one. The preschool had eighty …

Enhancing Democratic Teaching And Learning Strategies In A Civics Classroom At Secondary School Level In Tanzania: An Action Research, Amiri Bakari Kaniki

Master of Education

Democratic Teaching and Learning Strategies refers to teaching techniques which provide opportunities for learners to be engaged in a dialogue with the teacher and among themselves to contribute in the process of learning. Unlike teacher-centered which suspended the voice of the learner and Learner-centered which implicitly ignored the voice of the teacher, democratic teaching is about balancing the voice of the teacher and that of the learner for them to equitably contribute in the learning process. The study sought to find out how Democratic Teaching and Learning Strategies with specific focus on the use of group discussions and Debates can …

An Investigation Of Female Heads Of Department: Challenges And Opportunities For Promotion To Headship In Secondary Schools: A Case Study Of Migori Country, Okea Chuda Ayoo

Master of Education

Many attempts by the international community to improve the participation of women in leadership have been frustrated by several factors, such as societal expectations and multiple responsibilities; excuses have been given such as women are emotionally and physically weak as to why they should not be in educational leadership. This study provides a critical reflection on barriers related to the promotion of heads of department to headship positions in secondary schools in Kenya. The study used a qualitative case study approach based on one-on-one indepth interviews with one group of female heads of department .A focus group discussion was held …

Exploring The Effects Of The Free Day Secondary School Program In Kenya: A Case Of A Day School In Eastern Kenya, Boniface Nzioka Musyoki

Master of Education

The FDSE program was initiated by the Kenyan government in 2008 where it paid Ksh 10,265 (US $64) for tuition per year for each secondary student in public school. This study investigated the effects of the FDSE program on various stakeholders in one school in Makueni County, South Eastern Kenya. Data was collected from school administrators, teachers and students by using semi-structured interviews, focus group discussion, document analysis and observation as data collection methods. Data was analyzed qualitatively by first transcribing and identifying codes which were later organized into themes. Findings from the study showed that the implementation of the …

The Role Of Indigenous Knowledge In Teaching Social Studies To Nomadic Pastoralists Lower Primary Learners, Josphat Sempere Reteti

Master of Education

Studies have shown that education service delivery to nomadic pastoralists communities cannot be done in isolation as social, cultural and economic issues also need to be addressed which is embedded in their indigenous knowledge(Ministry of Education, 2010). According to UNESCO(2006), Education for Sustainable Development starts from recognizing the function of indigenous knowledge. The government of Kenya therefore launched the Nomadic Education Policy (2010), which calls for use of traditional nomadic pastoral knowledge and techniques in teaching nomadic pastoralists children. Despite the policy, text book driven teaching is still rampant in nomadic pastoral schools especially in the teaching of social studies. …

Exploring The Role Of Head Teacher In Supporting Early Literacy Development In Lower Primary: A Case Of Makole Primary School In Southern Tanzania, Baraka Roberty Muhindila

Master of Education

Primary school head teachers have many roles to play in supporting early literacy development to young learners of lower primary. This study sought to explore the role of head teacher in supporting early literacy in lower primary school in Southern Tanzania. Through qualitative case study, I deployed multiple methods, namely semi structured interview document analysis to collect data. Data were recorded in the field and later transcribed verbatim. Data analysis involved developing code and themes as guided by the research question and the purpose of my study. The study findings revealed different strategies deployed by the head teacher to support …

Head Teacher’S Role In The Utilization Of Universal Primary Education Funds: A Case Of Bigandu Primary School In Uganda, Moses Nsamba

Master of Education

In 1997 universal primary education (UPE) was introduced in Uganda in response to a series of international conferences and summits of 1990s that resulted into the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration of 2000. To operationalize the declaration the UN secretariat put in place a list of eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGS) to be achieved by 2015, each of them accompanied by specific targets and indicators. The second MDG is “to achieve universal primary education”. Target 2A of this goal is to ensure that, by 2015 children everywhere, boys and girls alike will be able to complete a full …

An Exploration Of The Role Of Open Distance Learning In Facilitating Teachers’ Professional Development, Sije Daniel Ojala

Master of Education

Teachers’ professional development is a key component in improving the quality of teachers so that they can impact on their practice as well as improving learner’s performance. However many teachers in Tanzania are in the teaching profession with old skills and those who are qualified still have low capacities that needs continue professional development to meet the reforms in the education sector. One of the forms of teachers’ professional development is through open distance learning that ensures reaching masses of teachers who cannot access convectional studies for professional development for different reasons. This study sought to explore the role of …

Teacher Preparation For Teaching English In Secondary School Classes In A Teacher Preparation College In Southern Tanzania, Gervace Anthony

Master of Education

The increase of learner from diverse linguistic backgrounds in today’s classrooms makes teacher education important for teaching these learners. For this case teachers are crucial in making sure that these learners acquire English language basic skills which are important for them in the whole learning process as almost all the subjects in secondary schools are being taught in English except Kiswahili subject. The situation calls for well prepared English teachers to help English language learners who are in transition from using Kiswahili as the medium of instruction to English language. Thus, the study sought to find out how pre-service English …

Public Expenditure Monitoring In Primary Schools: A Case Of A Primary School In Masaka Municipality- Uganda, Stephen Ssemutono

Master of Education

Initiatives to increase the quality of education and number of children in schools, including ‘Universal Primary Education’, lead to the need for more teachers, school administrators and infrastructure. This necessitates hugely increased levels of funding. This in turn leads to the increasing importance of strong financial monitoring. This study sought to explore how public funds are deployed and monitored in a primary school in Uganda, and how key stakeholders are involved in spending decisions and how they perceive their roles. The study adapted a qualitative approach involving one public primary school. Data collection included document analysis, and also interviews and …

School Self-Evaluation: A Case Of A Public Secondary School In Kiambu County, Kenya., Albert Wanjala Mauka

Master of Education

Moves to expand both quality of education and the number of children in school have been highlighted across the world for many years. This has heightened the need for monitoring mechanisms, which, alongside decentralisation of control, have increasingly turned from external inspection to self-evaluation. The use of self-evaluation as a means of school improvement is well documented in the developed world. Evidence of its use in the developing world can be found with, so far, little research literature alongside. This research, therefore, sought to explore how a secondary school in Kenya has implemented school self-evaluation. It aimed to explore the …

The Role Of School Leadership In Facilitating The Use Of Ict In Teaching And Learning : A Case Of Public Secondary School In Tanzania, Obed Kipelo

Master of Education

Literacy development is very important especially to young learners because it is not only for the purpose of reading, writing, listening and speaking. Literacy development rather is about development in many practices learners are exposed to, through the interaction with others and the environment in which they live. Therefore, school and home based environment are importance in promoting learners’ literacy development. Room to Read organization intervened in school settings by providing story books which are the useful resource in teaching process Literature appears to concentrate on the usefulness of using story books in literacy development to learners though very little …

Clinical Features, Proximate Causes, And Consequences Of Active Convulsive Epilepsy In Africa, Symon M. Kariuki, William Matuja, Albert Akpalu, Angelina Kakooza-Mwesige, Martin Chabi, Ryan G. Wagner, Myles Connor, Eddie Chengo, Anthony K. Ngugi, Rachael Odhiambo, Christian Bottomley, Steven White, Josemir W. Sander, Brian G. R. Neville, Charles R. J. C. Newton

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Purpose: Epilepsy is common in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), but the clinical features and consequences are poorly characterized. Most studies are hospital-based, and few studies have compared different ecological sites in SSA. We described active convulsive epilepsy (ACE) identified in cross-sectional community-based surveys in SSA, to understand the proximate causes, features, and consequences.

Methods: We performed a detailed clinical and neurophysiologic description of ACE cases identified from a community survey of 584,586 people using medical history, neurologic examination, and electroencephalography (EEG) data from five sites in Africa: South Africa; Tanzania; Uganda; Kenya; and Ghana. The cases were examined by clinicians to …

Aetiology Of Acute Febrile Episodes In Children Attending Korogwe District Hospital In North-Eastern Tanzania, C. Mahende, B. Ngasala, J. Lusingu, A. Butichi, P. Lushino, M. Lemnge, Zul Premji

Pathology, East Africa

Introduction: Although the burden of malaria in many parts of Tanzania has declined, the proportion of children with fever has not changed. This situation underscores the need to explore the possible causes of febrile episodes in patients presenting with symptoms at the Korogwe District Hospital (KDH).

Methods: A hospital based cross-sectional study was conducted at KDH, north-eastern Tanzania. Patients aged 2 to 59 months presenting at the outpatient department with an acute medical condition and fever (measured axillary temperature ≥37.5°C) were enrolled. Blood samples were examined for malaria parasites, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and bacterial infections. A urine culture was …

Using Verbal Autopsy To Measure Causes Of Death: The Comparative Performance Of Existing Methods, C.J.L. Mahende, R. Lozano, A.D. Flaxman, P. Serina, D. Phillips, A. Stewart, S.L. James, A. Vahdatpour, C. Atkinson, M.K. Freeman, S.L. Ohno, R. Black, S.M. Ali, A.H. Baqui, L. Dandona, E. Dantzer, G.L. Darmstadt, V. Das, U. Dhingra, A. Dutta, W. Fawzi, S. Gomez, B. Hernandez, R. Joshi, H.D. Kalter, A. Kumar, V. Kumar, M. Lucero, S. Mehta, Zul Premji, D. Ramirez-Villalobos, H. Remolador, I. Riley, M. Romero, M. Said, D. Sanvictores, S. Sazawal, V. Tallo, A. D. Lopez

Pathology, East Africa

Background: Monitoring progress with disease and injury reduction in many populations will require widespread use of verbal autopsy (VA). Multiple methods have been developed for assigning cause of death from a VA but their application is restricted by uncertainty about their reliability.

Methods: We investigated the validity of five automated VA methods for assigning cause of death: InterVA-4, Random Forest (RF), Simplified Symptom Pattern (SSP), Tariff method (Tariff), and King-Lu (KL), in addition to physician review of VA forms (PCVA), based on 12,535 cases from diverse populations for which the true cause of death had been reliably established. For adults, …

Aku-Nama : Winter 2014, Volume 7, Issue 2, Aga Khan University Alumni Association

The Aga Khan University Newsletter and Magazine for Alumni (AKU-NAMA)

Highlights

- Editorial: The Human Capital

- In Pursuit of Happiness

- Megan’s Story

- Pioneers Meet Again!

- AKU AANA Reunion 2014

- Let’s Meet Up

- A Home Away From Home

- From Fertile Lands to the Arid Desert

- Physician par Excellence

- An Extraordinary Person

- FHS Library in Nairobi Wins the Maktaba Award

- Preparing to Excel

- Alumni in the News

- Class Notes

- In Memoriam

Aku-Nama : Summer 2014, Volume 7, Issue 1, Aga Khan University Alumni Association

The Aga Khan University Newsletter and Magazine for Alumni (AKU-NAMA)

Highlights

- The Right Attitude is Important

- Keep Learning

- On the Frontline

- Convocation

- Saving Lives through Early Childhood

- Education - Badakhshan

- Fast Medicine

- Class Notes

Our Graduates - Their Success, Institute For Educational Development

Institute for Educational Development Pakistan (IED-PK) Archives

This publication captures narratives shared by our graduates on their experiences at AKU-IED, their thoughts on education in the East African region, and on how the University has helped them in shaping their current careers.

Impact Of Community-Based Interventions For The Prevention And Control Of Malaria On Intervention Coverage And Health Outcomes For The Prevention And Control Of Malaria, Rehana A. Salam, Jai K. Das, Zohra S. Lassi, Zulfiqar A. Bhutta

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

In this paper, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of community-based interventions (CBIs) for the prevention and management of malaria. We conducted a systematic review and identified 42 studies for inclusion. Twenty-five of the included studies evaluated the impact of the community-based distribution of insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), indoor residual spraying (IRS), or impregnated bed sheets; 14 studies evaluated intermittent preventive therapy (IPT) delivered in community settings; two studies focused on community-based education for malaria prevention; and one study evaluated environmental management through drain cleaning. Our analysis suggests that, overall, the community-based delivery of interventions to prevent and control malaria resulted …

Interprofessional Curriculum On Environmental And Social Determinants Of Health In Rural Kenya: Aga Khan University East Africa University Of California San Francisco Integrated Primary Health Care Program, M. R. Mahoney, K. Baltzell, Esther Nderitu, R. Dhanani, S. Macfarlane

School of Nursing & Midwifery, East Africa

The Aga Khan University East Africa (AKU)-University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Integrated Primary Health Care Program (IPHC) is a public–private partnership with community and government to strengthen the primary health care (PHC) system in Kenya. IPHC provides opportunities for health professions students to work and learn together in the rural and underserved district of Kaloleni.

Grand Multiparity: Is It Still A Risk In Pregnancy?, Andrew H. Mgaya, Siriel N. Massawe, Hussein Kidanto, Hans N. Mgaya

Faculty of Health Sciences, East Africa

Background The association of grand multiparity and poor pregnancy outcome has not been consistent for decades. Classifying grand multiparous women as a high-risk group without clear evidence of a consistent association with adverse outcomes can lead to socioeconomic burdens to the mother, family and health systems. We compared the maternal and perinatal complications among grand multiparous and other multiparous women in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania.

Methods A cross-sectional study was undertaken at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH). A standard questionnaire enquired the following variables: demographic characteristics, antenatal profile and detected obstetric risk factors as well as maternal and neonatal risk …

Heroes - The Ismaili Africa, Nasrin Shamji-Dewany

Selected secondary sources and publications with substantial content about AKU

This issue of The Ismaili Africa highlights major institutional initiatives, community achievements, and humanitarian efforts across East and Central Africa. Featured stories include the inauguration of the Aga Khan Academy in Hyderabad by Mawlana Hazar Imam, the Aga Khan Award for Architecture, Serena Hotels’ recognition at the World Travel Awards, and the community's response to the 2013 Westgate Mall attack in Nairobi. The publication also includes profiles, interviews, regional news, and tributes, reflecting the values, resilience, and service ethos of the Ismaili community.