(ZAJESE)

It is the pleasure of the Editor-in-Chief of the Zaria Journal of Empirical Studies in Education (ZAJESE), to present Volume 5, Number 1, December 2024 to the readership of the academic community. This issue encompasses a diverse range of research articles that contribute significantly to the field of education, reflecting the ongoing commitment to empirical studies that address pressing educational challenges in Nigeria and beyond. This volume begins with an insightful analysis of students' perceptions of mathematics in Maiduguri. It sheds light on the attitudes that shape learning outcomes in secondary education. The next article explored the relationship between creative engagement and academic performance among primary school pupils in Kaduna State, emphasizing the role of teacher creativity in enhancing student learning experiences.

The volume also contains studies on emotional intelligence and its correlation with age and gender among technical drawing students, illustrating how these factors influence academic achievement. Additionally, a compelling analysis of early childhood English language education as a catalyst for economic growth is presented, highlighting the vital importance of foundational literacy skills. Other notable articles include assessments of factors affecting students' attitudes towards learning in Osun State and exploring entrepreneurial potential among retirees in Abuja. Furthermore, the volume contains studies on the provision and maintenance of school facilities in Kano State and the integration of artificial intelligence tools into instructional delivery for vocational education programs. Equally, critical themes such as teachers' attitudes toward instructional technology, students' awareness of AI tools, and security management in social studies education are addressed. The volume concludes with studies on project-based learning techniques and leadership styles' impact on academic performance, offering valuable insights into effective educational practices.

This collection reflects the diverse educational landscape and emphasizes the importance of empirical research in informing policy and practice. The readers are encouraged to engage with these findings and consider their implications for improving educational outcomes across various contexts. I extend my gratitude to all contributors for patronage, reviewers for thorough reviews, and Editorial Board members for their dedication and hard work. Together, we continue to advance knowledge and foster dialogue within the educational community.

Dr Ramatu Asabe Nuru,
Editor-in-Chief,
ZAJESE.

With great enthusiasm, I present the latest edition of the Zaria Journal of Empirical Studies in Education (ZAJESE), Volume 5, Number 1, December 2024. This issue features 16 articles, each contributing unique insights into various facets of education in Nigeria. It also furthers our tradition of showcasing rigorous empirical research that addresses critical issues in education, reflecting the diverse challenges and opportunities present within our educational landscape.

This collection showcases the breadth of research being conducted and emphasizes the importance of empirical studies in informing educational practices and policies. Readers will find these articles valuable not only to satisfy the quest for knowledge but also for improving educational outcomes across various contexts if the implications of the findings are reflected upon.

I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all authors for their expertise, the team of reviewers for rigorous and quality reviews that have added value to the manuscripts, and members of the Editorial Board for their dedication and hard work in maintaining the quality and ideals of the journal which had continued to foster knowledge advancement in our educational community.

Dr Suleiman Balarabe,
Chairman,
Editorial Board,
ZAJESE.

The Editorial Board of Zaria Journal of Empirical Studies in Education (ZAJESE) invites papers from interested stakeholders in education for publication in the journal. The paper may focus on analytical research, research reports, replicated research, research notes, descriptive research, etc. from any of the following areas in Education:

• Adult and Non-formal Education
• Citizenship Education
• Computer Information and Communication Technology (ICT)Education
• Continuing/Distance Education
• Creative Arts Education
• Curriculum Planning and Development
• Educational Management/Administration, Planning and Supervision
• Health and Physical Education
• Language and Literature Education
• Measurement and Evaluation
• Library and Information Management
• Nomadic and Disadvantaged Peoples' Education
• Philosophy and Sociology of Education
• Family Life Education
• Pre-Primary, Primary, Secondary and Higher Education
• Psychology and Counselling
• Religious and Moral Education
• Science, Technology and Mathematics Education
• Social Science Education
• Special and Rehabilitative Education
• Vocational and Technical Education

Manuscripts:

• Which must be written in English or any other acceptable language, should be scholarly original and contribute to knowledge;
• Must not have been published or under consideration for publication in any other journal. Once a paper is accepted for publication in ZAJESE, the author(s) cede copyright to the publisher of the journal;
• Should clearly state on its front cover page, the title of the paper, author’s name(s), his/her status/rank, and institutional affiliation.
• The next page should also begin with the title of the paper (but no name of the author) and followed by a single line spaced abstract of not more than 250 words;
• should be computer typed on one side of the paper, using a font size of 12, double-spaced for the main work and should not exceed 12 pages of A4 paper including abstract, references appendices; and
• Tables, figures and diagrams, where applicable, should be simple, camera ready and kept to the barest minimum to facilitate printing.




References

The current American Psychological Association (APA) style of citation for referencing is used in the Journal as follows:

In the Text of the Paper:

The author's name whose idea/statement is being cited should be stated and the year of publication of enclosed in brackets in front of the name. If the statement is paraphrased, it is not enclosed in inverted commas. e.g. It has been argued (Muhammad, 2020) that the effect of …or Muhammad (2020) argues the effect of … But if it is quoted verbatim, it must be enclosed in inverted commas and the year of publication is accompanied with the page number where the statement appeared. e.g. Muhammad (2020:49) argues that the effect of“…….”.Also, quotations exceeding three typed lines may be extracted, indented and typed single-spaced without quotation mark. Shorter quotations should only be enclosed in inverted commas and integrated into sentence structure.




In the References:

Book
Muhammad, S.L. (2020). Introduction to Laboratory Management for Schools. Zaria: Ahmadu Bello University Press.

Chapter in an Edited Book
Nuru, A.R. (2019). Basic Concepts in Ecology. In M. Amos (Ed) Instructional Text in Biology for Students in Colleges of Education and Allied Institutions in Nigeria I, Kaduna; Concept Design & Prints, 88-95.

Journal
Abbas, I. (2004). Teaching Arabic as a Second Language for National Development. Zaria Journal of Educational Studies, 6 (1), 64-69.

Projects/Thesis/Dissertations
Rabiu, A. T. (2007). An Assessment of the Programme of the National Mathematical Centre, Abuja: Implication to the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics. An Unpublished M.Ed Thesis Submitted to School of Postgraduate Studies, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Submission of Manuscript/Correspondence:
Three (3) hard copies of article, typed in MS Word, font size 12 (Times New Roman), is to be submitted along with: Three (3) self-addressed and stamped envelopes of appropriate sizes and rates. Soft copies can also be sent to the journal email zajesefcez@gmail.com. Submission of manuscript, editorial inquiries/correspondence should be addressed to::

The Editor-in-Chief,
Zaria Journal of Empirical Studies in Education,
Federal University of Education,
P M. B. 1041
Zaria, Nigeria.
Email: zajesefcez@gmail.com

Receipts of all manuscripts will be acknowledged promptly. The decision of the Journal’s assessors to publish or not will be communicated without delay.

Contributors are advised to adhere strictly to the above guidelines for presentations, since failure to submit manuscript in the correct style may result in referral or rejection.

Authors whose articles are accepted will each receive a copy of the issue where their articles appeared.