REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) Volume Three Number Three

Abstract

The study determined the effects of computer numerical control machines on students’ academic achievement in machining operations in technical colleges in Rivers State using turning and drilling operations as variables. Two research questions were posed, and two hypotheses postulated and tested. The study adopted quasi-experimental design. The area of study was the four government technical colleges in Rivers. The population for the study was 133 National Technical Certificate class two (NTC II) mechanical engineering craft practice students from four Technical Colleges in Rivers State for the 2022/2023 session. These students in their intact classes were assigned to sixty-seven (67) for experimental group (Computer Numerical Controlled Machines) and sixty-six (66) for control group (Traditional/ Conventional machines).  The study was a census as the entire population. Hence, there was no sampling due to the manageable size of the population. The instrument for data collection was an achievement test titled “Machining Operation Achievement Test (MOAT)”. The instrument was validated by three experts. A reliability index of 0.81 was obtained using Pearson Product Moment Correlation coefficient. The data collected from the administration of pretest and posttest was analyzed using descriptive statistics to answer the research questions using means and standard deviation while inferential statistics were used test hypotheses using Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) at .05 level of significance. The findings revealed that those taught turning and drilling operations using computer numerical control machines performed better in their achievement test than those taught using traditional machines in technical colleges in Rivers State. Based on the findings, the following recommend were made among others: teachers should be encouraged to employ use of CNC machines more in the teaching turning operation.

REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) Volume Three Number Two

Abstract

Trichurisis is a common soil-transmitted helminthic pathogen with considerable impact on human health. To achieve appropriate control of trichuriasis from a public health perspective, effective treatments and regular education of populations most at risk such as children and pregnant women are essential. Currently available drugs show however only unsatisfying cure rates when used in short course regimens, and egg reduction rates are disappointingly low. An improvement in the efficacy of drug therapy has been demonstrated for a prolonged 3-day dosing regimen of albendazole as well as for a combination therapy of albendazole and oxantel pamoate or mebendazole and albendazole. However, even these regimens do not reach the widely accepted threshold for a satisfactory cure rate of at least 90 %. While this lack of efficacy of current anthelminthic drugs may be explained by specific single nucleotide polymorphisms in the β-tubulin gene of T. trichiura, these findings highlight the need for further research to develop highly efficacious short-course treatments for human Trichuriasis.

REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) Volume Three Number One

Abstract

The main aim of this study was to assess the utilization of facilities for teaching and learning of metalwork technology in the department of mechanical technology, School of Technical Education, Plateau State Polytechnic, Plateau State, Nigeria. Three research questions were formulated to guide the study. Survey research design was adopted in conducting the study. The total populations of 64 respondents were used for the study which includes four (4) technical instructors, five (5) metalwork technology teachers and 55 metalwork technology students to give a total population of 64 respondents. A questionnaire based on four point scale was used as instrument for data collection. The analysis was done using percentages, mean scores and standard derivations. It was found that the facilities in the metalwork technology workshop were not effectively utilized for teaching and learning. Instructional materials like, audiocassette tapes, videos, slides, and filmstrips were not utilized for teaching and learning and teachers lack skill for improvisation. It was recommended that (a) facilities like obsolete machines and equipment be replaced and properly maintained through adequate funding (b) institutions training technical teachers should include courses on improvisation in specific trade areas as a mandatory requirement for graduation.

Keywords: Facilities, Metalwork and Vocational, Technical Colleges.

REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) – Volume Two Number Two

Abstract

This study looked into the potential hazards of heavy metals to residents near the Sagamu cement factory. Three means of absorption, which are: Inhalation, dermal, and ingestion absorption pathways of heavy metals into the human system were examined with the aid of a risk assessment model. FTIR and AAS of the sample reveal the composition of soil minerals and the level of heavy metals in the soil samples, respectively. Non-carcinogenic hazard quotient (HQ) results for dermal and oral ingestion for the Cd, Cr and Pb are less than a unit, which implies that there is no obvious risk to the residents around the cement factory. However, the non-carcinogenic risk (HQ) result for inhalation pathway of these heavy metals is greater than one and this indicates a serious potential adverse effect on residents around the cement factory. The carcinogenic risk for the concerned heavy metals exceeds the regulatory cancer risk level, implying that adverse health effects on children and adults who live near the cement factory are unavoidable. It is therefore recommended that the government should enforce the international environmental regulatory pollution law on this and other cement factories and offer environmental remediation for the surrounding soil in order to sustain and develop a functional natural environment for the future generation.  Another settlement could also be provided for the residents to resettle them.

Keywords: potential, residents, absorption pathways, natural environment

REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) – Volume Two Number One

Abstract

The study investigated relative effects of guided inquiry instructional approach on retention ability in basic science by secondary school students. To carry out this study, two research questions and two null hypotheses was formulated. The design for the study was a quasi-experimental non-equivalent control group pre-test and post-test design. The sample for the study comprised of One hundred and thirty four (134) secondary school Basic science students. This study was conducted in two Co-educational Secondary school drawn for the study through simple random sampling. One of the Co-educational schoolis assigned to the treatment group and the other to the control group. In each schoolintact classes were used for the study. The treatment group was taught Basic science concepts using guided inquiry instructional approach while the control group was taught using convectional teaching method. Research questions were answered using mean and standard deviation while the hypotheses were tested using the Analysis of Co-variance (ANCOVA) at an alpha level of 0.05. The result revealed that guided inquiry instructional approach is superior to the convectional teaching method in facilitating retention ability in Basic science. The researcher therefore, recommended that guided inquiry instructional approach should be used in junior second dary school teaching and learning of Basic science and there is need for an urgent curriculum review to accommodate guided inquiry instructional approach as a method of instruction in the teaching of Basic science in junior secondary school.

REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) – Volume One Number Two

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The Universal Basic Education (UBE) Programme in Nigeria was developed to implement Inclusive Education which makes it compulsory for every child of school age to be in school. Hence, the school population consists of varied collection of learners with different learning capabilities, needs, problems, styles and difficulties. Also among these children are those with special learning needs that include children with learning disabilities. Learning disabilities is a special need category of a heterogeneous group consisting of students who may have reading, spelling, writing, or listening difficulties while others may have arithmetic, reasoning or some forms of perceptual problems.Professionals in the field of learning disabilities believe that three criteria must be identified before a student is classified as one with learning disabilities. These criteria include: When there is a discrepancy between the student’s potential and actual achievement, when there is need to exclude the student from his peers for personalised instruction and when there is need for special education services. Academic, behavioural and social characteristics of these students are highlighted alongside the different specific learning disabilities and some probable causes of learning disabilities. Empirical studies reviewed revealed the prevalence of a high population of children with learning disabilities: boys and girls, primary and secondary schools children and children in urban and rural areas in Nigeria. Teaching strategies and classroom management skills were explained to help teachers teach students with learning disabilities effectively. Recommendations were made which include amomgst others; that early diagnosis, intervention and education on the various types of learning disabilities should be implemented during admission into primary and secondary schools in Nigeria to help achieved the aims of inclusive education.

Keywords: learning, disabilities, management, children, inclusive education

REVIEW OF AFRICAN EDUCATIONAL STUDIES (RAES) – Volume One Number One

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The study investigated influence of home background on reading skill of adult learners in literacy centres in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. Three research questions guided the study. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. The population of the study comprised adult learners in all literacy centres in Oshimili South Local Government Area of Delta State. The sample of the study comprised 40 adult learners selected through purposive random sampling technique. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire titled Influence of Home Background on Reading Skill of Adult Learners Questionnaire (IHBRSALQ). The instrument was validated by the Experts. The reliability coefficient of the instrument was 0.73 obtained through Cronbach Alpha method. The data collected were analyzed using mean statistics. The findings revealed that parental level of income, parental educational qualification and parental occupational influence reading skill of adult learners in literacy centres in Oshimili South Local Government of Delta State. Based on the findings, the study recommended among others that facilitators should consider adult learners’ home background status in order ensure conducive learning environment for those from high and poor home background, parents should provide a conducive environment at home to enable their children acquire readings skills. Furthermore, parents should also provide all the necessary readings materials for their children both at home and in school to enable them to acquire reading skills.

Keywords: Home Background, Reading Skills, Literacy, Adult Learners,