http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/15 2026-04-30T14:49:50Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/10161 Assessment of Professional Development among Teachers of Agriculture and Performance in Public Secondary Schools in Nyamira County, Kenya Nyamwamu, Peter Obaga In the Kenyan economy, Agriculture plays a key role in the promotion of social, economic and cultural development. The study of Agriculture subject in the secondary school curriculum is very important so as to produce graduates, especially teachers of Agriculture, with the requisite skills and positive attitudes to engage in agricultural practices. However, Agriculture has been made optional in the secondary school curriculum and thus, few learners opt to pursue it. Thus, this study sought to assess professional development among teachers of Agriculture performance within public secondary schools in Nyamira County. The study sought to identify the professional development needs of teachers of Agriculture, find out content areas where teachers of Agriculture require professional development, investigate factors that determine the professional development of teachers of Agriculture and propose guidelines for the professional development of teachers of agriculture. An exploratory research design was used in targeting teachers of Agriculture, Principals and Quality Assurance and Standards officers in Nyamira County. The study targeted a total of 167 public secondary schools with 210 teachers of Agriculture. Random sampling was utilized to sample fifty public secondary schools for the study. Simple random sampling was used to sample teachers of Agriculture and school principals, while purposive sampling was used to sample education officers. The questionnaires were administered to a total of 136 teachers of Agriculture, while an interview schedule was administered on fifty Principals and five Quality Assurance and Standards officers for collection of primary data. The data collected was subjected to both descriptive and inferential analysis and presented using frequencies, percentages, tables and figures. The study found that there were unmet professional development needs for teachers of Agriculture. The study revealed that most schools did not have systems or processes in place for systematic professional development of teachers of Agriculture and did not facilitate implementation of the new instructional practises covered in seminars/ workshops. There were competence areas in leadership, knowledge of subject matter, educational practice-based research and teaching in a multicultural setting that teachers of Agriculture needed professional development. The study also established that teachers of Agriculture did not adhere to the approved curriculum and the use of a variety of teaching/ learning methods in Agriculture. Most teachers of Agriculture did not embrace modern technology in the teaching of Agriculture subject and besides, they did not engage adequately in research and extension in order to remain updated. The study also found that recognition of professional development attained by teachers, provision of sufficient resources and making efficient government policies are the key professional development challenges affecting the teaching and learning of agriculture in secondary public schools and provide a platform for further research work. From the needs identified and findings of the study, guidelines for the professional development of teachers of Agriculture were developed. There were professional development needs of teachers of Agriculture and stakeholders should allow teachers to participate in those professional development programmes. 2025-10-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9997 Influence of Agricultural Education on Uptake of Tissue Culture Banana in Kiambu County, Kenya Omache, John Ongechi Agricultural education could contribute to increase in production by encouraging the application of enhanced farming techniques, high-yield crop varieties and livestock breeds. Moreover, agricultural technology has not been properly exploited due to decreased support and dropping standards of farmers’ extension services, and deteriorating economic situations in Kenya over the previous ten years. The general objective of the study was to determine the influence of agricultural education on uptake of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County. Specific objectives were to determine the influence of formal, non-formal and informal agricultural education on the uptake of tissue culture banana technology in Kiambu County. The study also determined the moderating effect of cultural belief on the relationship between agricultural education and uptake of tissue culture banana. This study was anchored on diffusion innovation theory and technology acceptance model. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design in order to determine the influence of agricultural education on uptake of tissue culture banana. The study targeted 1881 farmers in the 12 sub-counties of Kiambu County. Purposive sampling method was used to select 6 sub counties that were part of the study. The study sample size was 286 respondents. A pilot test was conducted to determine the suitability of the study tool, clarity of questions and their logical flow. Primary data was collected using questionnaires. The study collected quantitative data which was analysed using descriptive statistics, correlational analyses and regression analysis. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25 was used. Data was presented using tables. A linear regression was conducted to determine the association between independent and dependent variables. Analyzed data show that there is a positive correlation of (r=0.609, p=0.01) for formal agricultural education and uptake of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County, (r=0.701, p=0.01) for non-formal agricultural education and uptake of tissue culture banana technology and(r=0.583, p=0.01) for informal agricultural education and uptake of tissue culture banana technology. The study found that formal agricultural education has significant influence on uptake of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County. Non-formal agricultural education has significant influence on uptake of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County. Informal agricultural education has significant influence on uptake of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County of tissue culture banana in Kiambu County. The study suggests that the government ought to increase its funding on agricultural education in learning institutions. This would ensure that more learners take agriculture as a subject in schools. It is recommended that more vocational institutions offering agricultural education should be established in Kenya. This would increase the number of individuals in agricultural education who are innovative. It is suggested that agricultural expos should held in counties. This is helpful for farmers to share ideas and also get to learn agricultural technologies. 2025-09-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9878 SOIL FERTILITY AND PLANT NUTRITION SOIL 320 2025-01-09T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/9877 PLANT BREEDING AGRO 222 2024-12-09T00:00:00Z