Abstract:Total Quality management is an important tool in the management of organizations in the world. The purpose of this study was to establish the application of TQM strategies in management of performance of tea factories in Kisii County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were: to determine how application of quality leadership influences the performance of tea factories in Kisii County, to find out how application of strategic planning influences the performance of tea factories in Kisii County, to establish how application of customer and market fours influences the performance of tea factories in Kisii County, and to establish how application of supplier focus influences the performance of tea factories in Kisii county. The study employed descriptive survey design. The area of study was Kisii County. The target population of this study included top managers and senior supervisors of Kiamokama, Rianyamwamu, Ogembo, Eberege, Nyamache, and Itumbe tea factories. A total of 96 respondents were targeted. They include: 6 factory unit managers, 6 production managers, 6 production assistant managers, 6 field service managers, 6 assistant field managers, 6 factory accountants, 6 assistant factory accountants, 6 Data managers. 6 factory mechanics, 6 assistant factory mechanics and 36 senior supervisors in each section of each KTDA factories. Data was collected using a questionnaire and analyzed using frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Data was analyzed using percentage distribution and frequency distribution using SPSS. The findings show that top management encouraged the core team to set high performance goals and provide appropriate resources, involved senior management in creating the organization mission, vision, values and implementation strategies, maintain close and direct contact with the key customers, engage in the change management, engage senior management to make decisions and require others to make the decisions based on the data effectively, and empower employees to take action effectively in an effort to improve performance. There was application of strategic development supported, developed and implemented based on data concerning customers’ requirements, the firm’s capabilities and customers’ needs. There was application of customer knowledge through: frequent close contact with customers, actively and regularly seeking customer inputs to identify their needs and expectations. Information of customers’ current and future needs and expectations was effective in improving performance. Finally, the study found that the application of quality supplier system ensures quality of their products and/or services through emphasis on quality and delivery performance rather than price in selecting the supplier
Keywords:Application of Total Quality Management Strategies on Perfomance of Kenya Tea Development Authority Factories.

Abstract:Many food security projects in Kenya have been funded by the Kenyan Government in collaboration with other development partners with an intention of mitigating food insecurity. However, such projects tend to lack sustainability after the departure of the donors hence little impact on the problem. Sustainability of the rural and Community based projects remains a big challenge. Despite the effort to engage Community participation in these projects, sustainable development after the phase out remains a thorn in the flesh of project managers. In irrigation projects globally, there exists a difference between irrigation potential and actual size of land under irrigation. The level of exploitation of the potential can be used to determine the level of sustainability of the irrigation project. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that influence the sustainability of Nogirwet Small Scale Irrigation Project in Chepalungu Sub-County, Bomet County. The study was guided by the following objectives: To determine the extent to which technical factors influence the sustainability of community based projects post donor funding, To establish the extent to which Financial factors influence the sustainability of community based projects post donor funding, To assess the extent Stakeholder participation in project implantation influence the sustainability of community based projects post donor funding, To examine the extent to which Farmers` level of education and Training influence the sustainability of community based projects post donor funding. Also the study endeavors to ascertain the moderating influence of farmers` level of education and government/county policies, soil characteristics and fertility. Data was obtained by administered questionnaire, both structured and unstructured. Stratified random sampling will be used to get the sample size. A sample of 132 respondents was drawn from a target population of 200 people. Qualitative and quantitative data was collected through questionnaires. A research instrument was pilot tested for validity and reliability using split-half test. Data was analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. For quantitative data entry and analysis, the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version21) was used. The results showed that technical factors, financial factors, stakeholder participation and farmers` level of education and training had significant influence on the sustainability of small scale irrigation projects. Community based projects to be assisted to get efficient and affordable spare parts, training of management committees to be assisted in setting up tariffs for water consumption fees that would be used in repairs and maintenance of irrigation systems. Women should be encouraged to participate in this economic activity to boost the living standard of the people in the county. The result of the study was used to inform policy on ways to improve sustainability of post donor funding irrigation projects.
Keywords:Determinants of Sustainability of Community Based Projects Post Donor Funding.

Abstract:The purpose of the study was to establish the determinants of completion rate of government-funded early childhood development education classrooms construction projects in Awendo Sub- County. The study  was guided by four objectives: to establish the extent to which availability of funds influence completion of government funded early childhood development education classroom projects in Awendo Sub-County; to determine how stakeholders’ engagement influence completion of government funded early childhood development education classroom projects in Awendo Sub-County; to establish the extent to which procurement process influence completion of government funded early childhood development education classroom projects in Awendo Sub-County and to assess how monitoring and evaluation influence completion of government funded early childhood development education classroom projects in Awendo Sub-County. A descriptive design will be adopted to carry out the study. The target population was 219 respondents. A sample of 140 respondents will be selected using simple random sampling method by use of Kredjcie and Morgan table. Data collection will be carried out through structured questionnaires. The questionnaires were pretested in Rongo Sub County. Data analysis and interpretation was accomplished by use of SPSS version 21.  Hypotheses were tested using Karl Pearson’s correlation method. The study findings showed gaps in funding, stakeholder engagement, procurement process and monitoring and evaluation of ECDE classroom construction projects in the study area. The hypotheses tested showed a positive relationship between all the independent variables (funding, stakeholder engagement, procurement process and monitoring and evaluation) and the dependent variable (completion rate). The study concludes that the funding, stakeholder engagement, procurement process and monitoring and evaluation systems for these projects are weak and recommends a strengthening of the same so that the completion rate of these projects can be hastened.
Keywords:Determinants of Completion Rate of Government Funded Early Childhood Development Education Classroom Projects.

Abstract:Mathematics is one of the most important core subjects in the Malaysian Education System. However, there are challenges with regards to the Mathematics teaching methods in primary schools especially in multiplication of  fraction. Therefore, this study was conducted to introduceTechnique  Pillar Method  to overcome the multiplication problems of fractional with the whole numbers. A total of 30 student from 5 Ibnu Khaldun Class, at SK Telok Gong, Port Klang, Selangor were involved in this study. This study was conducted using questionnaire, observation, pretest and post test learning. This study has also conducted planning and compilation action aimed at solving the multiplication of mixed numbers with whole numbers in a simple way. This study found that the Technique  Pillar Method  has positive impact to the student’s achievement. Therefore, this technique is recommended as an alternative besides the current teaching methods. Further studies should be conducted to involve large populations sample to make more meaningful conclusion.
Keywords:Technique Pillar Method, Multiplication, Fraction.

Abstract:The era of Information Communication and Technology (ICT) is characterized by unprecedented pace of technological development witnessed in the current society. Electronics, a branch of Physics, forms the basic block for the development of technologies of smart phones, projectors, interactive boards, computers, radio, television, remote controls and autopilot systems. However, according to Kenya National Examination Council reports (2014 and 2016) the topic electronics, is difficult to a majority of candidates at the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) Physics Examinations, with many candidates performing poorly throughout the nation on the topic. The reports attribute the dismal performance of students in topic due to lack of apparatus in secondary school laboratories. Furthermore, research studies reviewed indicate that Physics teaching in secondary schools in Kenya in done through chalk and talk as opposed to experiments. Therefore, there was need to seek alternative teaching materials, which enable learners in secondary schools to conceptualize the electronic content. An animated Electronic video downloaded from YouTube and titled “Transistors, How do they work” and is an open source found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ukDKVHnac4. The video package is one such alternative resource which can be used to teach the topic electronic. Animations in the video illustrate abstract concepts of band theory, doping, depletion layer and biasing of diode which are essential to understanding of the topic electronic. The objective of this study was to establish whether student achievement was affected by use of the animated electronic video. This research employed Solomon Four quasi-experimental non-equivalent group pre-test post-test randomized control group design. A sample of 160 Form 4 (Grade 12) learners from four schools was involved in the study. The research tool used was Electronic Achievement Test (EAT) which measured students’ performance on electronics at secondary school in Kenya during pre-test and post-test for both the experimental and control groups involved in the study. Cronbach’s alpha (α) coefficient was used to determine reliability of the tool. Data were analyzed using t-test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The t-test was used to test the difference in the mean scores of the pre-test while ANOVA was used to establish the differences between the experimental and control groups on the post-test mean scores. Statistical Package for Social Science version was used to analyze the data. Hypothesis was tested at coefficient alpha significance level of .05. Pretest-posttest analysis indicated a significant difference between the students taught with conventional instructional materials and those taught with the animated electronic video (F_{(3, 158)} = 15.71; p = .000). The researcher concluded that the animated electronic video is an effective resource for teaching electronics and teachers should be encouraged to employ it in their teaching of Physics and teacher trainers should make it part of the teacher training curriculum.
Keywords:Conceptualization of electronic concepts, Animated Electronic Video, ICT integration in education.

Abstract:Recent researches in English Language Teaching attempts to make learning of English for the non-native speakers of English more and more effective. Students of rural India are not only non-native speakers of English but also most of them or first and second generation learners with hardly any exposure to the English language outside their classrooms. This paper attempts to demonstrate how mainstream and popular feature films made in English, which are very cheap and easily available now, can be used to teach English, with all its nuances, to the rural students of India.
Keywords:comprehension, dialect, ELT, film, listening skill, pronunciation.