Offensive behaviours against school leaders: Prevalence, perpetrators and mediators in Australian government schools

2021 ◽  
pp. 174114322110573
Author(s):  
Ben Arnold ◽  
Mark Rahimi ◽  
Phil Riley
Keyword(s):  
Physical Violence ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
School Employees ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
School Based ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Socio Demographic Factors ◽  
Survey Responses

Offensive behaviour towards school employees is widespread and involves a number of potentially harmful acts. There is evidence that school employees’ experiences of offensive behaviour are shaped by demographic, role and school-based factors that mediate the likelihood of victimisation. However, very few studies have investigated the prevalence and correlates of offensive behaviour against school leaders. This study analysed 13,028 survey responses from the Australia Principal Occupational Health, Safety and Wellbeing survey that were completed between the years 2011 and 2019. The analysis determined the prevalence of bullying, threats of violence and physical violence against government school leaders, the main perpetrators of these offenses and the moderating effects of key socio-demographic factors. Results from the study demonstrated that considerable proportions of Australian government school leaders were subjected to offensive behaviour with an average (pooled) prevalence of 36.2% for bullying, 48.6% for threats of violence and 38.7% for physical violence. School leaders report that students and parents are responsible for most offensive behaviours, but that colleagues also contribute considerably to incidents of bullying. Our findings illustrate that offensive behaviours against Australian school leaders are very high and that particular groups of school leaders are at elevated risk of victimization, especially female school leaders and to a lesser extent assistant principals and those inner or outer regional areas.

scholarly journals Objective assessment of compliance with a state-wide school food-service policy via menu audits

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (09) ◽  
pp. 1696-1703 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gael Myers ◽  
Megan Sauzier ◽  
Amanda Ferguson ◽  
Simone Pettigrew
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Healthy Food ◽  
Australian Government ◽  
Traffic Light ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
School Canteen ◽  
Food And Drink ◽  
Western Australian

AbstractObjectiveThe Healthy Food and Drink Policy was implemented in Western Australian government schools in 2007. The aim of the present study was to assess the compliance of Western Australian school canteen menus with the policy a decade after its introduction.DesignThe traffic-light system that underpins the Healthy Food and Drink Policy categorises foods and drinks into three groups: ‘green’ healthy items, ‘amber’ items that should be selected carefully and ‘red’ items that lack nutritional value. Canteen menus were collected online and each menu item was coded as a green, amber or red choice.SettingWestern Australia.ParticipantsOnline canteen menus from 136 primary and secondary government schools.ResultsThe majority of audited school menus met policy requirements to include ≥60 % green items (84 %) and ≤40 % amber items (90 %), but only 52 % completely excluded red items. Overall, approximately half (48 %) of school canteen menus met all three traffic-light targets. On average, 70 % of the menu items were green, 28 % were amber and 2 % were red. Primary-school canteen menus were more likely than those from secondary schools to meet the requirements of the policy.ConclusionsWhile the sampled Western Australian government school canteen menus were highly compliant with most of the requirements of the Healthy Food and Drink Policy, many offered red foods and/or drinks. Providing all schools with further education about identifying red items and offering additional services to secondary schools may help improve compliance rates.

scholarly journals Intimate partner violence among ever-married Afghan women: patterns, associations and attitudinal acceptance

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rehana Shinwari ◽  
Michael Lowery Wilson ◽  
Olumide Abiodun ◽  
Masood Ali Shaikh
Keyword(s):  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Primary Education ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Policy Formulation ◽  
Distribution Analysis ◽  
Parental Violence ◽  
Afghan Women ◽  
Survey Responses

AbstractIntimate partner violence (IPV) is one of the most prevalent forms of violence that women suffer globally. Women in Afghanistan have been exposed to high levels of IPV which coincided with high levels of conflict during more than four decades. We cross-sectionally examined the Afghanistan Demographic and Health Survey responses of 21,234 ever-married Afghan women. We first performed the frequency distribution analysis to determine the prevalence of IPV and the basic socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Subsequently we examined the relationship between the independent and dependent variables followed by the bivariate and survey versions of logistic regression analyses. We report odds ratios in order to depict the strength and direction of the associations between the IPV and selected independent variables. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. The analyses showed that 55.54% of Afghan women experienced some form of physical, emotional, or sexual violence by their intimate partners during the recall period partners. The most common form of IPV found was physical violence (50.52%). Factors such as being exposed to inter-parental violence (respondent woman’s father physically abused her mother) (adjusted OR= 3.69, CI= 3.31–4.10) and respondent’s acceptance of IPV (aOR= 1.85, 1.51–2.26) were associated with increased exposure to IPV. Having a spouse with at least a primary education (aOR= 0.76, CI= 0.64–0.91) or a respondent with at least a primary education (aOR= 0.82, CI= 0.68–0.98) was associated with lower exposure to reported IPV. The lifetime experience of IPV occurs to a high extent among Afghan women, and several socio-demographic factors have predisposing attributes. IPV policy formulation and strategizing may benefit from considering these factors.

Work environment characteristics that satisfy principals in China, Germany and the USA

2021 ◽  
pp. 174549992110185
Author(s):  
Chuang Wang ◽  
Dawson R Hancock ◽  
Ulrich Müller
Keyword(s):  
School Leadership ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
Work Environments ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Effective School ◽  
Formidable Challenge ◽  
Effective School Leadership ◽  
The World ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Survey Responses

Effective school leadership is crucial to a school’s success. Yet throughout the world, attracting and retaining qualified school leaders is often a formidable challenge. To discern ways in which we may recruit and retain competent school leaders, this study compares the extent to which principals in three industrialized countries, China, Germany and the USA, value the characteristics of their positions as principals. Survey responses of principals in these three countries reveal many factors that gratify and some factors that disappoint principals about their work environments. Comparing the similarities and differences of the principals’ responses in these countries provides insights into ways in which we may learn from each other about the factors that influence the recruitment and retention of qualified principals.

Current status of soil-transmitted helminthiases among pre-school and school-aged children from Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria

2010 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 234-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.A. Sowemimo ◽  
S.O. Asaolu
Keyword(s):  
Private Schools ◽  
Private School ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Parasitic Infections ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
Soil Transmitted Helminths ◽  
School Aged Children ◽  
Stool Samples

AbstractA cross-sectional survey was conducted to determine the prevalence and intensity of soil-transmitted helminths among pre-school and school-aged children attending nursery and primary schools in Ile-Ife. Single stool samples were collected between January and March, 2009 from 352 children randomly selected from a total of 456 children attending both private and government schools. The stool samples were processed using the modified Kato–Katz technique, and then examined for the eggs of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs). One hundred and twenty-one (34.4%) samples were positive for STH eggs. The overall prevalences of Ascaris lumbricoides, Trichuris trichiura and hookworm were 33.2%, 3.7% and 0.9%, respectively. The prevalence of STH infection in government schools (47.8%) was significantly higher than in private schools (16.1%) (P < 0.001). The most common type of mixed infection was the combination of A. lumbricoides and T. trichiura (6.8%). The prevalence and intensity of A. lumbricoides rose with age. The lowest prevalence and intensity (7.7%; 0.240 ± 0.136 eggs per gram (epg)) were recorded in the 2- to 3-year-old age group, while the highest prevalence and intensity (58.7%; 1.820 ± 0.237 epg) were recorded in children aged 10 years and above. A questionnaire survey indicated that 73% of the children attending private school had been treated with anthelminthics less than 2 months prior to the collection of stool specimens, while 43% of the children attending government school received anthelminthic treatment during the same period. The findings indicate that STH infections are endemic among schoolchildren in Ile-Ife and that the burden of parasitic infections is greater in government schools than in private schools.

scholarly journals CHALLENGES OF DISTANCE EDUCATION DURING THE SCHOOL LOCKDOWN: THE LITHUANIAN SCHOOL LEADERS’ PERSPECTIVE

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 127-134
Author(s):  
Lina Kaminskienė ◽  
Yi Chu Ling
Keyword(s):  
Distance Education ◽  
Public Education ◽  
Staff Training ◽  
School Leaders ◽  
School Communities ◽  
Technological Preparation ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Start Distance

The COVID19 pandemic has caused massive disruption in education practices worldwide and Lithuania was no exception. This article investigates how this period of uncertainties has been perceived by Lithuanian schools during school lockdown. The study aimed to explore the challenges that Lithuanian schools faced and how distance education practices has been reconsidered during school lockdown. The research was based on a survey of 406 sampled school leaders of public education institutions in Lithuania conducted two months into the first nationwide lockdown in spring 2020. This paper aims to discuss the challenges of distance education from the perspective of school leaders, and to link the findings of the study to recent studies related to schools’ responses to the pandemic situation. The survey responses indicated that schools initially focused on the organisation of staff training and technological preparation to start distance education during the first two weeks of lockdown. Their focus two months into the process shifted towards tackling challenges on students' responsiveness and assessment of students' achievements during distance education. Challenges are perceived as opportunities for reflection and growth, re-examine current institution strengths and weaknesses, and reconsolidate with the school communities in prioritising what the utter function in education is.  

scholarly journals COVID-19 and Digital Primary Education: Impact and Strategies for Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
pp. 245513332110496
Author(s):  
Sudarshan Maity ◽  
Tarak Nath Sahu ◽  
Nabanita Sen
Keyword(s):  
Gender Discrimination ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Digital Learning ◽  
School Students ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Village Government

The present study is based on primary data of 720 students from primary schools in West Bengal, India. With adherence to the Logistic Regression Model, the study investigates and analyses the factors that influence digital learning of primary students during the COVID-19 pandemic situation. Further with the application of Welch’s t-test, comparative study have been conducted based on parameters as village and city school students, private and government school students and gender discrimination. The findings conclude that the school structure; willingness of the school and teachers to conduct virtual classes; availability and accessibility of high-speed internet and economic capability of parents to bear the exorbitant internet charges are significant dimensions in virtual learning of primary section students. The study also confirms that during the pandemic girl students and students from village government schools are the worst hit in comparison to boys who are from city-based schools and private schools respectively.

scholarly journals Comparison of Educational Facilities of Mentally Challenged Children of Special School and Government School in Kolkata

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Phalguni Bhattacharya
Keyword(s):  
Education System ◽  
Special Educators ◽  
Special School ◽  
Educational Facilities ◽  
Right To Education ◽  
Special Schools ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
Inclusion Education ◽  
The Right

Purpose: The present study examined the right to education of mentally challenged children in special schools and government schools to compare educational facilities and availability of special educators. Method: Sample of 40 special schools mentally challenged children and 40 Government schools under inclusion education system mentally challenged children of both gender participated.Similarly10 teachers of five special school and 10 teachers of five govt. school under inclusion education system. Measures used were self-made questionnaire. Result: Percentage revealed that Governmental facilities and availability of special educators significantly differ between special schools and Governmental schools under inclusion education structure. Contribution of the Research: After implementation of right to education act, education becomes the fundamental right of each and every child. Article 21-A included disabled children in this act. The contribution of the study is to betterment of Governmental facilities for all mentally challenged children of both schools and maintain proper ratio in class between special educator and mentally challenged children. Therefore the study enlightens more awareness among society about inclusion education system for mentally challenged children.

Prevalence of Workplace Violence Against Health-Care Professionals in China: A Comprehensive Meta-Analysis of Observational Surveys

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (3) ◽  
pp. 498-509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Lu ◽  
Min Dong ◽  
Shi-Bin Wang ◽  
Ling Zhang ◽  
Chee H. Ng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Workplace Violence ◽  
Health Care Professionals ◽  
Physical Violence ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Psychological Violence ◽  
Random Effects Models ◽  
Policies And Procedures ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Associated Risk Factors

Background: In China, workplace violence (WPV) toward health-care professionals has been a major concern, but no meta-analysis on this topic has been published. This study is a meta-analysis of the pooled prevalence of WPV against health-care professionals in China and its associated risk factors. Method: English- (PubMed, PsycINFO, and Embase) and Chinese-language (Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, and SinoMed) databases were systematically searched. Data on the prevalence of WPV and the subtypes of violence experienced by health-care professionals in China were extracted and pooled using random-effects models. Findings: A total of 47 studies covering 81,771 health-care professionals were included in the analyses. The overall prevalence of WPV from 44 studies with available data was 62.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = [59.4%, 65.5%]). The estimated prevalence of physical violence, psychological violence, verbal abuse, threats, and sexual harassment were 13.7% (95% CI [12.2%, 15.1%]), 50.8% (95% CI [46.2%, 55.5%]), 61.2% (95% CI [55.1%, 67.4%]), 39.4% (95% CI [33.4%, 45.4%]), and 6.3% (95% CI [5.3%, 7.4%]), respectively. Males were more likely to experience WPV than females. Interpretation: WPV against health-care professionals appears to be a significant issue in China. Relevant policies and procedures related to WPV should be developed. Staff should be provided with adequate training, education, and support to implement violence management policies to ensure safety at the workplace.

Effect of an Emotional Intelligence Intervention Program on Coping Strategies Among Government School Teachers

2020 ◽  
pp. 148-156
Author(s):  
Jayalakshmi V. ◽  
Aravindakshan M.
Keyword(s):  
Emotional Intelligence ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Simple Random Sampling ◽  
Government Schools ◽  
Government School ◽  
And Control ◽  
Emotionally Intelligent ◽  
Experimental Group

Teaching is regarded to be among the careers in which employees are subjected to high levels of stress. Teacher stress is a complex and enduring problem. Hence, it is highly crucial that teachers learn ways of coping or managing with stressors inherent in teaching. Studies have shown that emotionally intelligent individuals can cope better with the challenges of life and control their emotions more efficiently than those who cannot. Thus, the present study aimed at developing an emotional intelligence intervention program and assessing its effect on the coping strategies among schoolteachers. Simple random sampling technique was adopted to select 47 teachers (25 women and 22 men) working in government schools in Erode district as sample for the study. An emotional intelligence intervention program that was tailor-made by the researcher was implemented on the experimental group. Results revealed that the emotional intelligence intervention program was very effective in helping teachers use effective coping strategies to combat stress.

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