International Journal of Social Sciences and English Literature

The Cold War Resurgence: A Discourse on the Rivalry between ECOWAS and AES in West Africa

Oluyemi, Opeoluwa Adisa — 2025-01-09

The Cold War, a descriptive of 45year (1945-1990) of ideological rivalry between the United States and Soviet Union, as well as their competing coalitions, which sought to contain each other‘s expansion and gain worldwide predominance has constituted one of the most notable events and a discourse topic in International Relations. Scholars have indicated the emergence of economic interdependence of states, the increasing need of societal security, environmental security, human security, the rise of capitalism and the role of non-states actors expounded within the various strands of liberal theory to have marked the end of realist/military construct of world politics that gained prominence during the Cold War. However, this research argues on the possible continuation of the old Cold War in the present contemporary era using the recent unfolding rivalry within the West African region as a case study. Recently, the Sahel region in West Africa has been confronted with political instability and security challenges, marked by the rise of insurgent movements, military coups and deteriorating state governance. The Alliance of Sahel States (AES) was created in September 2023 by the three military juntas of Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso as a counterweight to ECOWAS and the postcolonial influence of France and other Western allies. With the adoption of qualitative research method, depending mainly on secondary sources, this research examines the possibility of the Cold War resurgence between the two opposing blocs in West Africa (ECOWAS and AES), the prospect of the region becoming a proxy battleground through the involvements of opposing international allies (western and anti-western allies).

The COVID-19 Pandemic and its Impact on Consumers' Food Habits

Zamir Damani — 2025-01-10

In January 2020, starting as a flu outbreak in China, COVID-19 was soon declared a pandemic, posing a significant threat to public health on a global scale. Albania experienced the initial impacts at the beginning of March 2020, resulting in the first confirmed cases and subsequent governmental measures that affected the entire population. The government implemented a lockdown, necessitating the cessation of operations for all schools and universities due to transportation restrictions and isolation protocols designed to mitigate the spread of the virus. During the first wave of the Pandemic, Albania distinguished itself as one of the countries that effectively managed the crisis. Social distancing measures considerably affected the coordination system, leading to challenges in food supply for families, particularly in urban areas—disruptions within the agri-food supply chain complicated food distribution to markets in sufficient quantities to meet consumer demands. Throughout 2020 and subsequent years, developed countries adopted an online and offline commerce model, deviating from practices established before the COVID-19 pandemic. Food catering services experienced significant growth during the lockdown compared to the pre-pandemic period. These services flourished by implementing various preventive and control measures calibrated to the scale of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Tirana, the capital city, stringent measures impeded both market and governmental efforts to ensure food supply for residents. The unplanned participation of various entities in online food trading facilitated the resolution of this issue. This period proved to be a pivotal opportunity for individuals globally to conceive future solutions.

Women Participation and Party Politics in the Gambia’s Democratic Process, 1997-2020

Oyejide Felix Omotosho — 2025-01-16

For an all-inclusive party politics in a democracy to be achieved, all members of the society, irrespective of sex, religion and class, must be engaged in the spirit of human rights and freedom. This study investigated women participation in party politics in the Gambia with an established all-inclusive and gender-friendly mechanism under the second republic. It explored the extent of conformity with global practices and national policy on gendering in the country. The study extrapolated, through the gender lenses that are descriptive in analysis, on women’s participation in party politics with focus on various challenges besetting the process as a result of males’ dominance and government inadequate national policies to address the quagmires. For this reason, efforts are stepped up by human rights activists and gender scholars on how best to continue to address discrimination issues against women and how their participation level could be increased. Findings concluded that, if an all-inclusive party politics is to become realistic and effective in the Gambia, a public-private partnership and government re-strategy, through policy frameworks that are dynamic and pragmatic and which will be consultative enough in nature would be ideal.

Effectiveness of the Marungko Approach in Enhancing Early Reading Skills among Kindergarten Learners

Genevieve Cane — 2025-01-22

The study presents a comprehensive analysis of the Marungko Approach in significantly elevating early reading skills among kindergarten learners. Initially, the student cohort displayed modest to low reading proficiency, struggling across various reading skill indicators. However, the implementation of the Marungko Approach marked a pivotal transition, with the majority of learners achieving remarkable scores, predominantly in the highest performance brackets. The intervention's success is evident across a spectrum of reading skills, encompassing the recognition of letter names and sounds, identification of initial sounds, reading of familiar words, and fluency in reading oral passages. The post-intervention analysis revealed not just a significant improvement but a uniform advancement across these diverse reading facets. This leap in performance is statistically substantiated through the analysis of t-values and p-values, which indicated significant positive shifts across all reading skill indicators. These findings not only reinforce the effectiveness of the Marungko Approach but also highlight the transformative potential of targeted instructional strategies in early education. By significantly improving literacy skills at a foundational level, the Marungko Approach sets the stage for the future academic success of young learners. This study serves as a testament to the approach's efficacy and its role as a cornerstone in shaping the educational trajectory of kindergarten students, offering valuable insights for educators and policymakers in similar educational settings.

Primary Grade Teachers' Perspectives and Dedication to Inclusive Education

Evelyn Buslon — 2025-01-24

This study explored the relationship between teachers' demographic profiles (age, gender, educational attainment, rank, years of teaching, and training) and their attitudes and affective commitment toward inclusive education in kindergarten to Grade 4 settings. Using a descriptive-correlational research design and quantitative methods, the study surveyed 32 teachers from selected schools in Bohol Province. Statistical analyses, including Pearson’s r and Chi-square tests, revealed no significant relationships between the demographic profiles and teachers’ attitudes or affective commitment toward inclusive education. The findings align with existing literature, which suggests that contextual factors, such as professional development, institutional support, and direct experience with inclusive practices, play a more critical role in shaping positive attitudes and commitment than demographic variables. The study underscores the importance of providing targeted training, fostering collaborative school environments, and enhancing institutional support systems to empower teachers and strengthen inclusive education practices. These findings contribute to a growing understanding of how systemic factors can better address the challenges of implementing inclusive education, ensuring that all learners, including those with special educational needs, receive equitable and quality education.

Influence of Family Attributes on Academic Outcomes for Children with Special Educational Needs

Marian June Bendijo — 2025-01-24

This study examined the influence of family stability and involvement on the academic outcomes of learners with special educational needs (SEN). Utilizing a descriptive-correlational design, the research analyzed responses from 50 parents of SEN learners using a validated questionnaire. Statistical tools, including Pearson’s correlation, revealed strong positive relationships between family stability and family involvement with academic performance. Findings showed that consistent family routines, emotional and financial support, and active parental engagement significantly enhanced academic outcomes. However, moderate levels of participation in school activities indicated areas for improvement. These results underscore the critical role of family-related factors in supporting SEN learners and highlight the need for collaborative efforts between families and schools. The study provides actionable insights for designing interventions and policies to foster inclusive and effective educational support systems.

The Development of the Public Sector and the Shift Towards Public-Private Partnerships in Yemen

Khaled Ali Saleh Shatef — 2025-01-28

This research examines the historical development of Yemen’s public and private sectors and their transition towards public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a strategy for sustainable development. Yemen’s private sector has evolved from a traditional, limited economy into a market-driven system, playing a key role in job creation and economic growth. However, it continues to face significant challenges, including inadequate infrastructure, import competition, and political instability. Strengthening the private sector through investment-friendly policies and structural reforms is crucial for economic resilience. PPPs provide Yemen with an opportunity to address infrastructure deficits, enhance service delivery, and stimulate economic growth. Moving forward, establishing effective legal frameworks, promoting transparency, and fostering cooperation between the public and private sectors will be essential to building a more inclusive and sustainable economy.