8 Articles
Bernard L. Vaflor Jr.
Inability to design performance task is a problem in education. Exploring the perceptions of teachers in designing performance tasks in the Philippine Politics and Governance course. I utilized single case study, interviewed six teachers, six students and three curriculum heads selected through purposive sampling, and applied thematic analysis. The results found that lack of materials and insufficient support systems hinder teachers in designing effective performance tasks; however, teachers respond through cognitive reframing and behavioral adaptation that cope these challenges, fostering reflective teaching practices grounded in student context. Teachers facing limited materials and support may adapt performance tasks through simplified and alternative formats. Future studies may use regression, mediation analysis, and EFA to examine how resource limitations influence adaptive strategies and reflective teaching.
Adamu Yusuf Adam, Bukar Jamri
This study assessed the impact of farmers-herdsmen conflict on insecurity in Yobe State, Nigeria. The specific objectives of the study are: to examine the nature of farmers-herdsmen conflict in Yobe State; to assess the impact of farmers-herdsmen conflict on insecurity; and to provide measures for addressing the problem of farmers-herdsmen conflict in the study area. Anchored on eco-violence theory, the study adopts a descriptive research design to explain how competition over land, water, and grazing resources generates violent inter-group relations. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining questionnaire survey and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs). The study population comprised males and females aged 14 years and above, while the target population included farmers, herders, traditional and political leaders, and security personnel. A total sample of 300 respondents was selected using multi-stage sampling techniques, with 295 quantitative and 5 qualitative respondents. Findings reveal that crop destruction, competition over grazing routes and water points, and the increasing use of weapons are major triggers of conflict. The conflict has resulted in loss of lives, displacement, reduced agricultural productivity, proliferation of small arms, and weakened social cohesion, thereby exacerbating insecurity in the state. The study concludes that farmers–herdsmen conflict in Yobe State is structurally driven and requires integrated interventions. Farmers-herdsmen conflict has emerged as a persistent security and development challenge in Yobe State, one of the North-Eastern states of Nigeria with porous international boundaries, particularly with the Niger Republic. It recommends the establishment of functional grazing reserves, community-based mediation mechanisms, and inclusive land-use policies.
Florence Kayuni, Wilson L. Phiri
Background: Climate change is increasingly affecting livelihoods and food systems globally, particularly among vulnerable populations within the informal economy. While existing climate change research has largely concentrated on agricultural production and rural farming communities, limited scholarly attention has been directed toward informal horticulture traders operating within urban food systems despite their critical contribution to food distribution and household economies. Aim: To explore the lived experiences and adaptive responses of informal horticulture traders to climate variability and its effects on their livelihoods in Zambia. Methods: The study employed a qualitative research approach with phenomenological research design. Purposive and Snowball non-random sampling methods were used to recruit 27 participants who were active informal horticulture traders and key stakeholders. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews involving informal horticulture traders and relevant stakeholders at Masala Market in Ndola District. Qualitative data was analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: The findings reveal that traders experience climate variability through unpredictable rainfall patterns, extreme temperatures, prolonged dry spells, and seasonal market disruptions that affect the supply, quality, preservation, and pricing of horticultural commodities. These climate-related disruptions negatively influenced traders’ livelihoods by reducing daily income, increasing food insecurity, weakening business sustainability, and limiting their ability to meet essential household obligations such as rent, school fees, and healthcare costs. The study further established that traders employed multiple adaptation strategies, including income diversification, modification of trading practices, reliance on social support networks, participation in informal savings groups, and flexible sourcing of produce. However, the effectiveness of these coping mechanisms was constrained by limited financial capital, inadequate market infrastructure, weak institutional support systems, and broader socio-economic inequalities.
Abdallah M. Mamme, Hind H. Modawi, Lubna M. A. Hassan, Mozdelfa A. B. Ali, Naser Y. G. Brema, Omer M. Meina
This study presents a comprehensive floristic and vegetation analysis of plant communities in North Kordofan State, Sudan, a semi-arid region undergoing increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures. Field surveys conducted in March 2023 documented 137 plant species belonging to 61 genera and 37 families, dominated by dicotyledons. Fabaceae, Poaceae, Malvaceae, Asteraceae, and Euphorbiaceae were the most species-rich families. Vegetation structure was characterized by a high proportion of herbs, with annual species (56.9%) slightly exceeding perennials (43.1%). Life-form analysis following Raunkiaer’s classification revealed the dominance of therophytes (47%), reflecting adaptation to seasonal drought, grazing pressure, and recurrent disturbance, while phanerophytes (17%) and geophytes–helophytes (15%) indicated the presence of relatively stable habitats. Chorological analysis showed a predominance of Saharo-Arabian and cosmopolitan elements, alongside Sudano-Zambezian and palaeotropical species, highlighting North Kordofan as a biogeographical transition zone. The observed floristic patterns underscore the combined influence of climate variability, soil conditions, and land-use practices on vegetation composition. These findings provide a baseline for biodiversity assessment and emphasize the need for targeted conservation strategies that protect perennial-rich habitats, regulate land use, and integrate long-term ecological monitoring to enhance ecosystem resilience in semi-arid Sudan.
John Wajim,Ph.D, Madugu Doris, Shimfe Grace Harry
Preventable deaths among the elderly remain high, with over 70% deemed avoidable. This study investigated healthcare system gaps contributing to elderly deaths in Taraba South Senatorial Zone, Nigeria, using the Social Determinants of Health theory. A cross-sectional survey design combining quantitative and qualitative methods was employed. From a population of 1,068,367, a sample of 1,110 respondents was selected through multistage sampling across five Local Government Areas. Data collection involved structured questionnaires, Focus Group Discussions, and Key Informant Interviews. Findings showed that 69.6% of respondents cited long distances and poor transport as barriers, while 72% identified insufficient healthcare funding. Chi-square tests at a 0.05 significance level revealed that accessibility (p = 0.001) and funding (p = 0.001) significantly influenced preventable deaths. The study recommended increased healthcare funding, geriatric training, and adoption of telemedicine to reduce preventable deaths among the elderly in Taraba South.
Chungkham Dingku Singh, Konsam Sophia Devi, Temjensosang
In Manipur, Long distance running as a recreational and fitness activity has gained popularity in the recent years. However, there is limited research in this regional context. Therefore, this study tries to understand the rise of marathon culture in Manipur from sociological perspective. Our study aims to understand the factors contributing to the rise of marathon events in Manipur and to find out what motivates people to participate and the broader social and cultural significance of this emerging trend. The study used a mixed method approach, combining both qualitative and quantitative data collected through interviews, participant observation, questionnaires and secondary sources. The analysis is guided by Bourdieu’s habitus, Durkheim’s collective effervescence and Mead’s Symbolic interactionalism. The study findings imply that Marathon participation is influenced by individual motivation such as health, personal challenges and enjoyment and broader social influences such as peer networks and social media. Marathon events promote social cohesion and identity formation with participants identifying themselves as “runners”. However, the question of sustainability, accessibility and organisational constraints remain, showing how marathon culture act as a site of social change.
Dr Rattandeep kaur, Dr. Navjot kaur
There was a time when it was believed that the marriages were arranged in heaven, and it used to be a relation of flesh with flesh and bone with bone. So, the question of separation from each other was a far cry. But slowly and steadily this concept did not find favor with social reformers, who wanted that a woman must not be chained with a man who is completely devoid of all the virtues. Divorce, once stigmatized, has experienced a notable shift in societal attitudes, where it has become increasingly normalized and accepted in modern times. The general societal view on divorce has shifted to accept and understand the feelings of the people involved. One of the main reasons for the acceptance of divorce is the shift in gender roles over time. There is no direct ground for dissolution of marriage on irretrievable breakdown theory of Divorce. This paper will focus on the idea and legality of irretrievable breakdown of marriage and its implications in the long run specifically in India.
Ibrahim Usman Aikawa, Zahraddeen Abdullahi
We present the use of survival analysis to investigate divorce rate and marriage stability among ever married women in Kano metropolis. Specifically, Weibull Accelerated Failure Time Mixture Cure Model (Weibull AFT MCM) was used to analyze time-to-divorce data. We used the cure model because the Kaplan-Meier divorce survival curve has indicated the possibility of marriages that will forever remain without divorce (cure fraction). This is against the usual regression models used, because they do not incorporate the possibility of cure fraction. Also, comparing the Weibull homogeneous model with the Weibull AFT MCM indicates the superiority of the use of the cure model in terms of log-likelihood (-620.8 versus -323.6) and AIC (1245.6 versus 641.6). Therefore, the aim was to estimate the proportion of marriages that will forever survive divorce, divorce survival curve, as well as to ascertain the influence of some factors on the time-to-divorce as well as on the probability of remaining in marriage without divorce. The estimates of divorce fractions from Kaplan-Meier and Weibull AFT MCM are close to each other (73.4 versus 72.2). Factors that significantly cause divorce include Husband employment status, Domestic violence and Discussing family matters with spouse. While, level of education and Discussing family matters with the spouse significantly influences time-to-divorce. It is seen that, discussing family matters with the spouse is a factor that significantly influence both the incidence and latency sub models. Findings may benefit the government and other stakeholders in marriage stability planning policies.