Peer-reviewed international research papers published open-access with EOI assignment and global indexing across engineering, computer science, environmental science, social sciences, and more.
Persistent mathematical struggles among Filipino students underscore an urgent need for localized ed-ucational interventions. Localized diagnostics within the Schools Division of Candon City reveal a dis-tinct disparity between basic student literacy and functional math applications, particularly highlight-ing widespread difficulties in parsing contextualized mathematical problems. This descriptive-correlational study analyzed the relationship between the academic performance (First Quarter Grades) and specific domain numeracy skills—comprising Basic Number Skills, Algebraic Skills, Measurement, and Worded Problems—of Grade 11 students in General Mathematics during the School Year 2025–2026. Grounded in Cognitive Load Theory, Constructivist Learning Theory, and Instructional Scaffold-ing, the study utilized researcher-made numeracy assessment instruments to identify the students' least mastered competencies. Based on these baseline diagnostic metrics, the researcher developed and expert-validated context-based Learning Activity Sheets (LAS) explicitly tailored around realistic local scenarios from Candon City. Results indicated that targeted, data-driven learning resources effectively bridge the gap between abstract arithmetic computations and practical daily applications. The imple-mentation of these localized modules resulted in a significant reduction in students' arithmetic anxiety, a systematic refinement of problem-solving stamina, and a measurable improvement in overall func-tional mathematics performance. Ultimately, this research provides a solid framework for local teach-ers, school administrators, and curriculum planners to integrate highly adaptive, curriculum-aligned supplementary materials. It delivers localized, data-driven learning resources designed to foster long-term mathematics mastery across the educational community.
ABSTRACT
Energy remains an important source of cooking among low- and middle -income households, despite increase efforts to promote cleaner cooking alternatives. This study examined fuelwood acquisition and use for food preparation among households in Jos North Local Government Area (LGA) of Plateau State, Nigeria. The study specifically assessed the socio-economic characteristics of respondents, sources of fuelwood acquisition, preferred tree species, quantity of fuelwood consumed weekly, frequency of usage, and weekly expenditure on fuelwood. Data were captured with structured questionnaire administered to 400 household respondents. Data were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages, while results were presented by means of Tables and Charts. The results showed that females constituted 62.0% of respondents, while 71.5% earned below ₦70,000 monthly. Fuelwood acquisition was overwhelmingly commercial, with 91.8% obtaining supplies from wood vendors, compared with only 0.5% and 2.5% from their woodlots and immediate environment respectively, while 3.7% directly from the bush. Marke was the most preferred tree species (18.7%), followed by Dinya (14.3%) and Dorowa (14.0%). Regarding quantity, 83.5% of households used up to 100 kg weekly, although a small proportion reported substantially higher consumption. Daily use constituted 48.5%, while use on "some days" accounted for 33.5%. Weekly expenditure was below ₦10,000 for 76.0% of households. The study concluded that fuelwood remains an important household cooking energy source in Jos North, sustained largely by accessibility and perceived affordability. Need for cleaner cooking energy, improved biomass technologies and sustainable fuelwood management are recommended.
Tax policy plays a critical role in generating government revenue and regulating economic activities. In Rwanda, changes in indirect taxes such as Value Added Tax (VAT), import duties, excise taxes, and local market levies may influence commodity prices and consumer welfare. However, limited empirical evidence exists on how tax policy factors contribute to price fluctuations in local and cross-border markets. This study assessed the effect of tax policy on price fluctuation in Gisenyi Market, Rubavu District. Specifically, the study examined the effect of VAT, import duties and cross-border taxes, local government levies, and tax compliance costs on commodity price changes. Guided by Tax Incidence Theory and Cost Pass-Through Theory, the study adopted descriptive and correlational research designs. A sample of 345 respondents, including traders, market officials, and government tax representatives, was selected using stratified random and purposive sampling techniques; 310 (89.9%) fully completed questionnaires were returned. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, document reviews, and market observations. Reliability and validity of the research instruments were confirmed through a pilot study, with Cronbach's Alpha values above 0.7 (overall α = 0.771). Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis in SPSS version 28 at a 5% significance level. Findings revealed that price fluctuation was widely experienced in Gisenyi Market, with a composite mean of 4.09. VAT had the strongest influence on price fluctuation, showing a significant positive relationship (R² = 0.524, β = 0.724, p = 0.000). Import duties and cross-border taxes also significantly influenced price fluctuation (R² = 0.461, β = 0.679, p = 0.000). Local government levies demonstrated the weakest, though still significant, effect (R² = 0.328, β = 0.572, p = 0.000), while tax compliance costs significantly contributed to price adjustments (R² = 0.421, β = 0.649, p = 0.000). The combined regression model showed that VAT, import duties and cross-border taxes, local government levies, and tax compliance costs jointly explained 73.0% of the variation in price fluctuation (R² = 0.730, F = 206.489, p = 0.000), with all four predictors remaining statistically significant. The study concludes that tax policy factors significantly contribute to price instability in Gisenyi Market, mainly through increased operational costs that are transferred to consumers. The study recommends strengthening transparent and predictable tax policies, improving cross-border tax administration, simplifying tax compliance procedures, and reviewing local levies to reduce unnecessary cost burdens on traders while maintaining government revenue objectives and protecting consumers from excessive price fluctuations.
Keywords: Tax policy, Value Added Tax, Import duties, Local government levies, Tax compliance costs, Price fluctuation, Gisenyi Market.
ABSTRACT
The microbial and heavy metal contaminants of freshly tapped palm wine sold along Lagos–Ibadan Highway were investigated using standard laboratory methods. Notable Heavy metals, including copper (Cu), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), iron (Fe), chromium (Cr) and zinc (Zn), with microorganisms such as Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus spp. and Shigella spp. known to pose health risk were analysed. The findings showed that heavy metals, such as lead, cadmium, were present at levels above permissible limits stipulated by the World Health Organization (WHO), making them injurious to human health; mostly by teaming consumers of palm wine in these areas, which is due to vehiclar and other environmental pollutions contaminants. The isolation of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus spp. also suggested poor hygiene practices exhibited by the producer of these traditional drinks and possible contamination during tapping, handling or distribution. The results underscore the necessity of enhancing safety protocols in the handling and distribution of palm wine in other to mitigate health hazards linked to heavy metals toxicity as well as microbial infection. Therefore, strategies must be put in place to avoid contamination such as personal hygiene and appropriate tapping methods, hygienic storage and prevention from vehiclar contamination should be adequately enforced through enlightment and education by relevant regulatory bodies.
Keywords: Microorganisms, Heavy Metals, Contaminants, Palm Wine, Highway.
Tailored contraceptive counselling must balance clinical, behavioural, and socio-demographic factors that influence contraceptive choice. Machine learning improves predictive decision-making in this area, yet many top-performing models function as computational “black boxes,” which undermines clinician trust and uptake. Explainable artificial intelligence (XAI) offers a path to model transparency without sacrificing predictive accuracy. This systematic review synthesises evidence on predictive machine learning models developed for or assessed in relation to contraceptive selection, uptake, or discontinuation, provided they include an explainability component, and it evaluates predictive performance, interpretability, data sources, and clinical relevance. Methodological quality was assessed using the Prediction Model Risk of Bias Assessment Tool (PROBAST). Most included studies used ensemble and tree-based methods (Random Forest, XGBoost, LightGBM), with explainability typically obtained via SHAP and LIME. Many studies drew on Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) or Performance Monitoring for Action (PMA) datasets and reported area under the curve values generally between 0.77 and 0.93, while accuracy reached about 88.8% for the best-performing stacked ensemble. Explainability measures repeatedly highlighted clinically plausible predictors, including partner approval, educational attainment, prior facility use, and household wealth. External validation, prospective evaluation, and standardised assessment of explanation quality were seldom reported.Nonetheless, methodological heterogeneity, limited external validation, and the lack of standardised explainability evaluation continue to hinder clinical translation. Future work should emphasise prospective multi-centre validation, standardised reporting of explainability metrics, multimodal data integration, and tighter collaboration between data scientists and reproductive-health clinicians to convert model transparency into genuine clinical trust.
Autism spectrum disorder is a type of neurodevelopmental condition exemplified by outliers in areas such as visual processing. Specifically, visual perception has become one of the most researched areas due to the effect it has on an individual’s behavior and processing. Multiple studies have shown that autistic individuals often fixate their attention to elaborate details and abnormally sharp pattern recognition compared to non-autistic individuals. The goal of this research was to examine how heightened activation in the occipital lobe relates to enhanced pattern perception abilities in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder, compared to typical individuals. This study examines different research connecting abnormal visual cortex activation to strengths found in ASD, for instance, improved pattern perception. By linking multiple findings from previously disconnected research areas, this study suggests that increased visual cortical function is a crucial factor, linking visual processing differences with signs of autism.
This study examines the characteristics associated with access to in-kind credit among farmers in Mbanza Ngungu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. It draws on the available statistical results for 541 observations and uses descriptive statistics, association tests, non-parametric comparisons, and a correlation matrix. The reported findings indicate statistically significant associations between access to in-kind credit and several variables, including educational attainment, marital status, main economic activity, land acquisition arrangements, selected household assets, membership in farmers’ associations, access to agricultural extension services, savings, and membership in rotating savings groups. By contrast, gender, main crop, and several economic variables do not show statistically significant associations in the corresponding tests. These findings suggest that access to in-kind credit is associated with a combination of individual, productive, and institutional characteristics.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is characterized by considerable linguistic diversity, which is also reflected in communication practices within the university environment. In this context, French, the official language and the primary language of instruction, coexists with the national languages, particularly Lingala, Swahili, Kikongo, and Ciluba.
This article examines the effects of linguistic plurality on the acquisition of French in Congolese universities, focusing primarily on the case of the Université Pédagogique Nationale (UPN). The study adopts a sociolinguistic approach based on participant observation and a questionnaire survey administered using KoboToolbox.
The findings reveal the predominance of French in academic and administrative activities, as well as the significant presence of Lingala in everyday interactions. They also highlight the phenomenon of linguistic hybridization, demonstrating the constant interaction among the different languages in the linguistic repertoires of university stakeholders. Furthermore, 67.74% of respondents believe that linguistic plurality facilitates the learning of French, particularly through opportunities to clarify concepts, transfer knowledge, and improve comprehension.
However, this diversity may also constitute an obstacle when language proficiency levels vary and teaching practices do not sufficiently take learners’ linguistic repertoires into account. The study therefore advocates an integrative approach to multilingualism based on the promotion of national languages, the development of a university language policy, and the training of teachers in the didactics of multilingualism.
Flooding is one of the most frequent and destructive natural hazards in Rwanda, with Rubavu District being particularly vulnerable due to its location along Lake Kivu, steep slopes, dense river networks, and intense seasonal rainfall. Despite recurring flood events, there is limited comprehensive spatial analysis of the geophysical factors influencing flood risk at the district level. This study aimed to identify, analyze, and map the geophysical factors affecting flood risk in Rubavu District using Geographic Infor-mation Systems (GIS) and the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP). A descriptive research design integrating quantitative spatial analysis and qualitative field investigation was employed. Eleven geophysical factors were analyzed: elevation, slope, aspect, curvature, proximity to roads, proximity to rivers, lithology, soil texture, land use/land cover, Topographic Wetness Index, and rainfall. GIS-based weighted overlay and AHP techniques were used to produce a flood risk map. Results showed that 8.3% of the district is at very high flood risk, 22.56% at high risk, 16.88% at moderate risk, 47.75% at low risk, and 4.51% at very low risk. Rainfall (25.3%), Topographic Wetness Index (17.9%), slope (14.4%), and proximity to rivers (11.9%) were identified as the most influential factors. The findings provide valuable information to support flood risk reduction, sustainable land-use planning, and disaster management in Rubavu District and Rwanda.
This paper investigated the political addresses of Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu, and Ali Khamenei delivered in the immediate period preceding the escalation of the US–Israel–Iran conflict on 28 February 2026. This was the date the United States and Israel launched a surprise joint military campaign, designated Operation Epic Fury and Operation Roaring Lion, striking multiple cities and military installations across Iran and killing Supreme Leader Khamenei in the opening salvo. Employing Speech Act Theory as the principal analytical framework, the study drew on Searle's (1969, 1976) taxonomy of illocutionary acts and Austin's (1962) theory of performative language to analyse three political speeches. This is done with a view to identifying the dominant illocutionary categories deployed, the strategies through which power and legitimacy are performed, and the rhetorical mechanisms through which each leader positioned himself and his nation in anticipation of or response to the conflict. The analysis revealed that declarations, assertives, and directives constitute the primary speech act resources through which each leader constructed the necessity, justice, and inevitability of military action. Khamenei's final public address is treated as a pre-conflict performative whose ideological work was completed in the hours before his assassination. This paper asserts that the three speeches together constitute a multi-vocal, adversarial pragmatic event in which language was deployed not merely to describe the impending conflict but to constitute it as legitimate, righteous, and unavoidable. The study contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship at the intersection of pragmatics, political discourse analysis, and conflict studies.
Conformal mapping is a technique in complex analysis that preserves angles locally while transforming one region of complex plane into another through analytic functions, In electromagnetic, this property is invaluable because Laplace’s equation, which governs static electric and magnetic fields in charge –free regions, is invariant under conformal transformations. This study presents geometric insights and investigates the application of conformal mapping techniques as an analytical method for simplifying and solving two-dimensional electromagnetic field problems. The method is based on the principle of transforming a complicated geometry in the complex z-plane into a simpler geometry in the complex w-plane using analytic functions that preserve Laplace's equation and the associated boundary conditions. Dirichlet boundary value problem configuration where the electric potential confined plates within a bounded conducting plates and electric potential on a lightning arrester ware determined and also Mobius transformation a classical form of conformal map was employed to map cylinder into upper half-plane then electrical potential and electric field inside cylinder with two separate electrodes were determined in the mapped domain and inversely transformed to the original domain.
Dans la commune rurale de Kitsombiro, en République Démocratique du Congo, les savoirs écologiques traditionnels des femmes agricultrices restent insuffisamment documentés et reconnus par l'agronomie conventionnelle, alors qu'ils jouent un rôle majeur dans la fertilité des sols, la sécurité alimentaire et la résilience des ménages ruraux. Cette étude analyse les pratiques d'agroécologie et de permaculture développées par Kavira Lukulirwa Marthe dans son jardin de case afin de formaliser un modèle agroécologique local. Adoptant une approche qualitative fondée sur une étude de cas unique, la recherche s'appuie sur l'observation directe, l'identification des composantes du jardin familial, la cartographie des microzones et une description fonctionnelle des interactions entre cultures et biotopes. Les résultats démontrent que le jardin s'organise en microzones interdépendantes qui garantissent la production alimentaire, la couverture du sol, la conservation de l'humidité et une fertilisation naturelle. Les associations culturales et la stratification verticale associant le taro, l'ail, le maïs et le bananier permettent d'optimiser l'espace, de protéger le sol et d'étaler les récoltes. De plus, le recyclage des résidus de cultures en paillage, combiné à l'intégration de l'élevage porcin, renforce le cycle des nutriments et diminue la dépendance aux intrants externes. Au vu des résultats l’auteur désigne ce modèle de SAELUK (Système Agro-Édaphique Kavira Lukulirwa-Kitsombiro), un référentiel articulant l'aménagement des microzones, la préservation de la fertilité, la diversification, le recyclage de la biomasse et l'intégration agriculture-élevage. Ce modèle offre une reconnaissance scientifique aux savoirs autochtones féminins appliqués aux systèmes agricoles familiaux et durables.
The increasing volume of non-performing loans (NPLs) continues to challenge financial institutions, particularly in emerging economies where borrower information remains fragmented across banks, fintechs, microfinance institutions, and digital lending platforms. Traditional loan monitoring and recovery systems rely heavily on manual reviews, periodic assessments, and reactive collection strategies, often resulting in delayed detection of financial distress, weak recovery outcomes, and increased credit losses. This study proposes an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven framework that integrates Bank Verification Number (BVN) infrastructure, credit bureau databases, banking transactions, guarantor intelligence, and alternative data sources into a unified credit surveillance ecosystem.
The proposed framework leverages Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), Graph Neural Networks (GNNs), predictive analytics, and recovery optimization algorithms to continuously monitor borrower behaviour across all BVN-linked accounts, determine repayment capacity, generate early warning indicators, trace financial relationships, and improve recoveries from both borrowers and guarantors. Drawing on the Technology-Organization-Environment (TOE) framework and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), the study develops a strategic roadmap for AI adoption in loan monitoring and recovery. A hybrid AI-human governance model is proposed to balance automation, regulatory compliance, transparency, and ethical decision-making. The framework presents a novel contribution to post-disbursement credit risk management by extending AI applications beyond underwriting toward continuous credit surveillance and recovery intelligence.
Formal education is facilitated in classrooms. Civic education is among courses in formal education curriculum. This study identifies problem that greater majority of Nigerian population does not have formal education, thereby limiting their exposure to civic education. The study aims at establishing feasible framework that can reposition civic education beyond classroom. It applied pragmatic research methodology- a constructivist method in philosophy of education. Thus, it used four principles of pragmatism to examine Greek Agora and Civic Outreach as Community-driven Education models for penetrative educational development. The objectives include; explore utility-interest potentials of Agora-Outreach platform in establishing civic education beyond classrooms, examine experiential feasibility of the platforms in reaching out to grassroots, analyze civic education integration of formal (government, tertiary institutions) and informal (grassroots) education through community-driven education. The study concludes that establishing Agora and Outreach as fora for civic discuss and community interaction will not only integrate formal and informal education, but also provide civic learning environment that is not limited to classroom opportunity. The study recommends that federal and state governments should utilize the framework to promote local government/community collaboration on civic advocacy. Also, tertiary institutions should explore the platform in training students on civic/community service engagements.
Keywords: Grassroots, civic education, pragmatism, education, community service
The toponymic landscape of the Kîîtharaka-speaking region serves as a rule-governed archive that encodes the historical, ecological, and socio-cultural experiences of the community. However, rapid modernization and generational shifts threaten to erode the indigenous etymological knowledge embedded within these rural commercial place names. This study investigated the morphosemantic characteristics of shopping centre toponyms in the Tharaka region of Tharaka Nithi County, Kenya. Specifically, it analyzed the meaning, naming systems, morphological processes, and underlying morphosemantic patterns involved in toponym formation. Adopting a descriptive qualitative research design, the study purposively sampled 60 community elders aged 60 and above for key informant interviews and linguistic elicitation. The theoretical framework combined Harry Bochner’s (1992) Lexical Relatedness / Generative Morphology Theory and Gareth Evans’ (1973) Causal Theory of Reference. The findings revealed that Tharaka shopping centre names are highly structured linguistic signs rather than arbitrary labels. Morphologically, the toponyms undergo rule-governed processes including compounding, clipping, lexical borrowing, and extensive affixation (prefixation and suffixation) demonstrating that Kîîtharaka is a highly agglutinative Bantu language [E54] with predictable word-formation patterns. Semantically, the names categorize into anthroponyms, zootoponyms, phytotoponyms, topotoponyms, and cultural designations, transforming historical catalysts like pioneering merchants, fauna, flora, and geological formations into permanent commercial anchors. The study concludes that these toponyms function as vital linguistic archives preserved through unbroken communicative chains. It recommends that local administrative and educational bodies systematically document these indigenous naming systems to preserve the community's cultural heritage and contribute to descriptive Bantu morphology.
Productivity in Zimbabwe's smallholder coffee sector has declined steadily over the past three decades, from a national peak of roughly 15,000 tonnes of green coffee in 1988 to under 500 tonnes today. Access to credit is widely regarded as one of the key levers for reversing this decline, yet little context-specific evidence exists on how credit is actually distributed among smallholder coffee farmers, or on which borrower characteristics shape that distribution. This study addresses that gap using a case study of 45 smallholder coffee farmers in Mutasa district, Manicaland province, randomly selected from the accessible sampling frame in the Honde Valley.
Structured telephone interviews captured borrower age, gender, education, and farmer-group membership alongside credit history and farmers' own views on productivity. Only 52% of respondents had accessed credit of any kind in the preceding five seasons, and the amounts involved were modest (mean US$329, ranging from US$15 to US$3,000). One-way analysis of variance found no statistically significant association between amount of credit accessed and age, gender, or farmer-group status (all p > 0.05), although farmer-group membership showed the strongest pattern of the three (p = 0.09) and warrants further investigation with a larger sample. Despite this, an overwhelming 98% of respondents believed credit access has a direct bearing on productivity, and most felt that women, the youth, and farmer-group members would make the most productive use of credit if it reached them.
The findings suggest credit is not currently allocated in a way that systematically favours any particular borrower profile.
This research investigates the impact of exchange rate volatility on the trade performance of eight selected Asian economies: China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, and Thailand during 2000-2023. Total trade, exports and imports were the measures of trade performance, while the standard deviation of monthly changes in the nominal effective exchange rate was the proxy for exchange rate volatility. Panel estimates suggested that exchange rate volatility caused a negative and statistically significant reduction in trade, where the decrease was on average 1.8% for total trade for every one percentage point increase in volatility, and a larger impact on exports (by 2.4%) than on imports (by 1.2%). Domestic income, foreign income, foreign direct investment and infrastructure quality enhanced trade, while inflation decreased it, and real exchange rate appreciation lowered exports but increased imports. Panel unit root and panel cointegration tests verified the existence of a genuine long-run correlation among the variables, and the results were robust to alternative GARCH-based volatility measure and to the exclusion of China.
Access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) remains a major development challenge in many rural communities of Rwanda. To address this, World Vision Rwanda implemented the Nyamasheke Inclusive WASH (iWASH) Project from 2021 to 2025 to improve access to sustainable and inclusive WASH services for vulnerable populations. This study assessed the effectiveness of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems in enhancing the performance of the iWASH Project, examining participatory M&E practices, M&E capacity building, monitoring planning, and monitoring tools. Guided by Results-Based Management (RBM) Theory and the Theory of Change (ToC), the study adopted a descriptive mixed-methods design, using a census of 150 respondents involved in project implementation and management. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, and document review, and analysed in SPSS Version 28 using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression. Validity was ensured through expert review and the Content Validity Index, and reliability through Cronbach's Alpha. Of the 150 questionnaires distributed, 138 were returned complete, representing a 92.0% response rate. Project performance was rated highly (composite mean = 4.07, SD = 0.77). All four M&E dimensions had strong, statistically significant relationships with performance: participatory M&E practices (R² = 0.462, β = 0.680, p = 0.000), M&E capacity building (R² = 0.496, β = 0.704, p = 0.000), monitoring planning (R² = 0.413, β = 0.642, p = 0.000), and monitoring tools (R² = 0.501, β = 0.708, p = 0.000), each statistically significant, leading to the rejection of all four null hypotheses. Jointly, the four dimensions explained 76.5% of the variance in project performance (R² = 0.765, F = 108.290, p = 0.000), with M&E capacity building the strongest predictor (Beta = 0.321), followed by monitoring tools (0.291), participatory practices (0.281), and monitoring planning (0.221). The study concludes that M&E systems, particularly capacity building and monitoring tools, are strong and complementary drivers of WASH project performance, supporting the propositions of Results-Based Management Theory and the Theory of Change. It is recommended that World Vision Rwanda and Nyamasheke District authorities strengthen community involvement in M&E planning, extend M&E orientation to local government officials, clarify monitoring responsibilities at the sector level, and maintain consistent reporting schedules, while prioritizing capacity building and monitoring tools as the strongest drivers of project performance.
Keywords: Monitoring and Evaluation, Participatory M&E, Capacity building, Monitoring planning, Monitoring tools, Project performance, WASH, Rwanda.
This study examined land use and land cover (LULC) change and its influence on landslide hazards in Rulindo District, Rwanda, a highland region increasingly exposed to environmental risks due to steep slopes, intense rainfall, and growing human pressure on land resources. Over the period from 1990 to 2020, the landscape experienced significant transformations characterized by the expansion of cropland and built-up areas alongside a substantial decline in forest cover, contributing to increased slope instability and the occurrence of landslides. The study applied a quantitative approach using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing techniques, where multi-temporal Landsat imagery (1990, 2000, 2010, and 2020) with 30 m resolution was analysed to generate LULC maps, complemented by landslide inventory data and Digital Elevation Model (DEM) analysis to assess terrain characteristics. Spatial overlay and change detection techniques revealed that areas experiencing intense land cover conversion, particularly from forest to agriculture, recorded a higher concentration of landslide events, especially on steep slopes with limited vegetation cover. The findings confirm a strong relationship between LULC changes and landslide occurrence, demonstrating that human-induced land transformations have significantly increased landslide susceptibility in Rulindo District. The study provides practical evidence to support improved land-use planning, environmental management, and disaster risk reduction strategies, emphasizing the need for sustainable land management practices such as reforestation and controlled land use on steep slopes to reduce landslide risks and promote long-term environmental stability.
KEYWORDS: Land use, Land cover, Land cover change, Landslide, Landslide hazards, GIS, Remote sensing, Rulindo district.
Gishwati-Mukura National Park (GMNP) experienced severe vegetation degradation in the late twentieth century due to human resettlement, agricultural encroachment, livestock grazing, illegal logging, and unsustainable resource extraction, resulting in forest loss and habitat fragmentation. In response, the Government of Rwanda established conservation measures under the Rwanda Development Board (RDB). This study analysed the impacts of these measures on vegetation recovery within GMNP from 2005 to 2025. A non-experimental longitudinal spatial research design was adopted, integrating multi-temporal Landsat imagery (Landsat 7 ETM+ and Landsat 8 OLI) processed through Google Earth Engine and ArcGIS 10.8, Python-based Mann-Kendall trend test and Sen's slope estimator, documentary review, Key Informant Interviews with 22 conservation staff, and field-based validation surveys. Four major conservation measures were identified: access restriction and buffering through a legally gazetted 962-hectare buffer zone; SMART-based patrolling and law enforcement; invasive plant species monitoring and control; and reforestation and assisted natural regeneration. NDVI analysis revealed progressive vegetation recovery, with dense vegetation expanding from 1,611.24 hectares (47.86%) in 2005 to 2,047.77 hectares (60.82%) in 2025, while very sparse degraded land contracted from 365.40 hectares (10.85%) to 83.34 hectares (2.48%). Mann-Kendall analysis confirmed positive greening trends in 82.6% of valid pixels, with 48.4% achieving statistical significance at p < 0.05, while Sen's slope estimator revealed a mean annual NDVI recovery rate of +0.00378 units per year. The study concludes that conservation measures substantially drove vegetation recovery within GMNP, with the post-gazettement period producing the most dramatic and statistically validated gains.
This study investigated the implementation of the MATATAG Curriculum in Junior High School Science at Candon National High School, Candon City, Ilocos Sur, focusing on its classroom application and perceived influence on students’ scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. It employed a qualitative-descriptive research design using semi-structured interviews with purposively selected Grade 7 Science teachers who had direct experience implementing the curriculum. The interview data were transcribed verbatim and analyzed thematically, with member checking conducted to strengthen the credibility of the findings. Results revealed that teachers utilized discussion-based instruction, guided inquiry, and real-life examples to facilitate science learning. However, some continued to rely on traditional lecture methods because of limited training and insufficient confidence in implementing inquiry-based approaches. Teachers also reported inadequate curriculum-aligned instructional materials, prompting them to develop or modify existing resources. Regarding learner outcomes, teachers observed gradual improvements in students’ understanding of scientific concepts, use of scientific terminology, and ability to connect lessons with real-life situations. Nevertheless, students demonstrated varying levels of scientific literacy, while difficulties in answering open-ended questions and explaining evidence-based reasoning indicated continuing gaps in critical thinking development. The study concludes that the MATATAG Curriculum provides opportunities to strengthen science learning, but its intended outcomes require sustained teacher training, adequate instructional resources, differentiated instruction, and continuous monitoring. These measures may help bridge the gap between curriculum objectives and classroom realities.
Keywords: Matatag Curriculum, Scientific Literacy, Critical Thinking Skills, Inquiry-Based Instruction
This study explored the lived experiences of science teachers in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for lesson planning and instructional design at Candon National High School, Candon City, Ilocos Sur. Specifically, it examined changes in lesson planning practices, personal and emotional impacts, challenges encountered, and teachers’ perspectives on ethical AI integration. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design involving two purposively selected science teachers with three and thirteen years of teaching experience. Data were gathered through semi-structured, in-depth interviews guided by an aide memoire and analyzed through phenomenological reduction, description, and essence synthesis. Member checking was conducted to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. The analysis revealed six major themes: struggles of manual lesson planning, AI as a creative assistant, redesigning planning habits with AI, barriers in AI use, AI reduces teacher burnout and boosts motivation, and responsible and purposeful AI integration. The findings indicated that AI tools, particularly ChatGPT and Canva’s Magic Write, helped teachers generate instructional ideas, formulate learning objectives, organize lesson components, and improve planning efficiency. However, challenges involving internet connectivity, technical complexity, and the cultural relevance of AI-generated content required teachers to critically evaluate and revise outputs. Participants also reported reduced planning-related exhaustion and increased motivation while emphasizing the importance of professional judgment, content accuracy, and academic integrity. The study concludes that AI can support effective lesson planning when used responsibly as an instructional assistant rather than a replacement for teachers’ expertise and professional agency.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence in Education, Lesson Planning, Science Teachers, Phenomenological study, Instructional Design
This study explored the lived experiences of Grade 7 Science teachers in implementing spiral progression under the MATATAG curriculum at Candon National High School, Candon City, Ilocos Sur. Specifically, it examined the teachers’ experiences, challenges, instructional adaptations, and insights regarding the role of spiral progression in developing students’ scientific understanding. The study employed a qualitative phenomenological research design, with two Grade 7 Science teachers purposively selected based on their direct experience in implementing the curriculum. Data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using a phenomenological approach involving transcription, identification of significant statements, categorization of meaning units, and synthesis of themes. Member checking was conducted to enhance the credibility and trustworthiness of the findings. The analysis revealed five major themes: initial confusion and adjustment to spiral progression, evolving instructional planning strategies, balancing curriculum demands with student realities, emotional labor and teaching identity, and professional growth and resilience. The findings also highlighted the need for continued support and collaboration through follow-up training, mentoring, and professional learning communities. Despite challenges in curriculum sequencing, instructional pacing, and addressing learners’ varying levels of understanding, the teachers demonstrated adaptability, reflective practice, and commitment to meaningful science learning. The study concludes that effective implementation of spiral progression requires flexible instructional planning, sustained professional development, and responsive educational support systems that recognize teachers’ lived experiences.
Keywords: MATATAG Curriculum, Spiral Progression, Lived Experiences, Phenomenological Study, Grade 7 Science Teachers
This case study, titled “Ranking versus Wrongking: The Tenets of Trust and Confidence in Teacher Hiring Practices,” investigates the ethical issues surrounding teacher hiring in a newly opened public high school in Candon City. Through in-depth written interviews with five key stakeholders, including teachers and ranking committee members, the study reveals how formal DepEd ranking procedures are often bypassed in favor of appointments based on “trust and confidence.” Participants highlighted incidents of favoritism, political interference, and weakened morale among qualified but overlooked candidates. These practices created tensions in the workplace and questioned the credibility of school leadership. The study underscores the gap between DepEd’s merit-based hiring policies and local practices, emphasizing the need for stricter policy enforcement, clearer guidelines, and leadership accountability. The findings offer insights into improving ethical hiring standards, especially in newly established schools.
Keywords: Teacher Hiring, DepEd Ranking, Favoritism, Trust and Confidence, Ethical Practices
The revisited lived experiences of farmers working in the hilly and mountainous landscapes of Barangay Sampiano, Malitbog, Bukidnon, Mindanao, Philippines. Focusing on the experiences, challenges, and coping mechanisms encountered in agricultural activities by the farmers. Using a phenomenological (live experience), ethnological (culturally diverse), and anecdotal (recorded) technique of data gathering and collecting. Structured and guided observation/dialogue/conversation were done with the selected farmer participants. Findings revealed that topographic landscape experiences, challenges, and coping mechanisms for labor and labor cost expenses are very high.
This study revisited the traditional pamahiin (superstitions) beliefs as observed in Barangay Imelda, Municipality of Villanueva, Province of Misamis Oriental, Northern Mindanao, Philippines, particularly those related to childbirth, weddings, burial (funerals) rites, and the use of amulets (anting-anting). These beliefs and practices guided the community members to live life to the fullest. Using the phenomenological (live experience), ethnographical (diverse culture), and anecdotal (recorded) techniques, ten participants aged sixty years old and above were observed and interviewed. The thematic analyses identified major practices such as 1) childbirth, 2) wedding, 3) burial (funeral) rites, and 4) the use of amulets (anting-anting). Thus, the identified themes favorably shape the community behavior. The likelihood of sustaining these practices builds up the body of knowledge in the community.
Amaranth (Amaranthus spp.) is an important vegetable crop in Bandundu, Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, its production is severely affected by insect pest infestations. This study aimed to identify the main insect pests, assess the extent of crop damage, and examine the pest management practices used by farmers. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 152 farmers, of whom 151 provided usable responses, mainly in the municipalities of Mayoyo, Basoko, and Disasi, using a structured questionnaire.
The results showed that 98.03% of farmers reported pest infestations, while 80.26% indicated that these infestations occurred frequently. Defoliating insects were the most commonly reported group (36.84%), followed by chewing insects (28.29%) and piercing-sucking insects (14.47%). The vegetative growth stage was considered the most vulnerable by 76.32% of respondents. Pest damage was rated as severe by 81.58% of farmers, and nearly all respondents (98.68%) reported production losses. Mechanical control was the predominant management method (96.05%), although 95.39% of farmers considered their methods ineffective. The lack of training (98.68%) and limited awareness of integrated pest management (96.05%) highlight the urgent need to strengthen farmers’ capacities and promote locally adapted integrated pest management strategies.
This article explores the influence of gender stereotypes on the learning and teaching of mathematics. It highlights how cultural and social perceptions regarding the mathematical abilities of boys and girls can affect learners’ self-confidence, academic performance, and career choices. The article also examines teaching practices that may reinforce or mitigate these stereotypes, emphasizing the importance of an inclusive and equitable approach to mathematics education. Recommendations are provided to raise teachers’ awareness of gender biases and to create a learning environment that values learners’ contributions regardless of their gender.
This article explores the fascinating property of the squares of numbers composed entirely of the digit 9. By examining the results of the squares of these numbers, we uncover a remarkable pattern: each square produce a result that begins with a series of 9s, followed by an 8, a series of zeros, and then ends with a 1. This phenomenon can be explained by the mathematical formula that reveals the underlying structure of the results. By breaking down these squares, we highlight how mathematics can be both elegant and captivating. The article also emphasizes the importance of such observations for mathematics education, encouraging learners to appreciate the beauty in simple operations.
This research investigates the effects of fluid saturation on the geo-mechanical properties of consolidated and unconsolidated sandstone reservoirs under confined stress conditions. Sandstone formations are critical for hydrocarbon production, but their mechanical behavior is strongly influenced by lithology and pore-fluid interactions.
A comparative knowledge gap exists regarding how consolidated and unconsolidated sandstones respond under
identical multiphase saturation and stress conditions. This study addresses the gap by experimentally analyzing six core samples obtained from the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The cores were oven-dried, saturated with water and oil-water mixtures, and subjected to triaxial compression tests at confining pressures of 100 psi and 300 psi. Results revealed marked lithological differences: the consolidated dry core exhibited a Young’s modulus of 22,300 psi, yield strength of 34,800 psi, and peak strength of 36,775 psi, failing suddenly in a brittle manner. In contrast, the unconsolidated dry core showed a much lower Young’s modulus of 65 psi, yield strength of 2,700 psi, and peak
strength of 2,915 psi, with gradual strain-softening failure. Saturation kinetics further demonstrated that unconsolidated cores achieved equilibrium within ~1 hour, whereas consolidated cores required 3-5 hours. Fluid type also influenced behavior: under water saturation, consolidated samples weakened to a peak strength of 23,497 psi,
while oil-water saturation improved performance, reaching 29,350 psi. The study advances understanding of lithology-
dependent saturation kinetics, multiphase fluid effects, and failure mechanisms under confinement. In conclusion,
lithology and saturation state jointly control sandstone geomechanics, with consolidated samples showing higher
strength but brittle failure, while unconsolidated samples exhibit lower strength with ductile deformation. This study
contributes critical experimental data for refining reservoir geomechanical models and supporting sustainable petroleumproduction.
No papers found matching your search. Try a different keyword.
Published papers are indexed in
Submissions Open
See Your Research in the Next Edition
Join thousands of researchers published in GSJ. Submit your manuscript — peer review in 1–3 days, open access publication, EOI assignment, and global indexing across 150+ countries.
