scholarly journals Female Principals in Education: Breaking the Glass Ceiling in Spain

2016 ◽  
Vol 26 (65) ◽  
pp. 343-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Javier Diez Gutierrez

Abstract Spanish schools are characterised by having a high proportion of female staff. However, statistics show that a proportionately higher number of men hold leadership positions. The aim of this study was to analyse the reasons why this is so, and to determine the motivations and barriers that women encounter in attaining and exercising these positions of greater responsibility and power. Questionnaires were administered to 2,022 female teachers, 430 female principals and 322 male principals. In addition, semi-structured interviews were held with 60 female principals, 14 focus group discussions were held with female principals and 16 autobiographical narratives were compiled with female principals and school inspectors. The reasons identified were related to structural aspects linked to the patriarchal worldview that is still dominant in our society and culture. Nevertheless, we also found motivations among women for attaining and exercising leadership roles.

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Jones ◽  
Nyoman Anita Damayanti ◽  
Nicola Wiseman ◽  
Neil Harris

Five focus group discussions (FGDs) with 61 pregnant women were conducted in June and July 2019 at primary health care (PHC) services within five urban areas of Surabaya, Indonesia. In addition, five semi-structured interviews with five midwives were carried out to explore the experiences of pregnant women accessing Antenatal Care (ANC) and the factors shaping uptake of ANC services. Data were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English, and analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings from focus group discussions suggested that fears of negative diagnosis before initial ANC appointment and personal beliefs and myths surrounding pregnancy may delay uptake of ANC. Further, the influence of husbands, family, and friends and long waiting times with overcrowding leading to limited seating shaped timely access and return visits. In addition, feeling comfortable with the quality of the service and receiving a friendly service from the practitioners assisted women in feeling comfortable to return. Finally, midwives acknowledged feeling afraid of being referred to a hospital if deemed a high-risk pregnancy-shaped return ANC visits. The findings highlighted several factors needing to be addressed to increase the promptness of first ANC visits and ensure return visits to achieve great ANC coverage.


2016 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 69-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mufaro Magidi ◽  
Rinie Schenk ◽  
Charlene Erasmus

The culture of gang violence has become deeply entrenched in South Africa. The present study explored the experiences of non-gang school-going adolescents regarding gangs and gangsterism in Hanover Park in the Western Cape. A qualitative exploratory approach was used. Data collection instruments were focus group discussions supported by qualitative semi-structured interviews involving 18 adolescents between the ages of 16 and 18 from two secondary schools in Hanover Park, Cape Town. The data were thematically analysed. The results have shown that the presence of gangs affects the learners’ school attendance, restricts their mobility, increases bullying at school and seriously disrupts family and community life.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (02) ◽  
pp. 77-86
Author(s):  
Anisah Aninditya Rahmaputri ◽  
Dianti Endang Kusumawardhani

Teachers have an important role in educating students well. One way that teachers can do to be able to increase motivation and school engagement is by providing social support to students. This study aims to find out the overview of perceived social support from teachers by high school “X” students in South Tangerang. The research method is descriptive qualitative research with data collection techniques through focus group discussions and structured interviews. The results of data retrieval show that the perceived social support from some teachers by high school "X" students is quite satisfying for students but not from every teachers. This means it can still be improved again. This is because not all teachers are considered good enough at providing social support to students. The total number of teachers are 17 people and for students are 67. It should be able to be improved in communication skills so that they can provide better social support to students. Keywords : Adolescent, School, Social support. Abstrak Guru memiliki peran penting dalam mendidik siswa dengan baik. Salah satu cara yang dapat guru lakukan untuk dapat meningkatkan motivasi serta keaktivan siswa di sekolah adalah dengan memberikan dukungan sosial kepada siswa. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mencari tahu gambaran dukungan sosial dari guru yang dirasakan oleh siswa SMA “X” di Tangerang Selatan. Metode penelitian berupa penelitian kualitatif deskriptif dengan teknik pengambilan data melalui focus group discussion dan wawancara terstruktur. Hasil pengambilan data menunjukkan bahwa gambaran dukungan sosial dari guru yang dirasakan oleh siswa SMA “X” cukup memuaskan bagi siswa tetapi masih dapat ditingkatkan lagi. Hal ini dikarenakan belum semua guru dianggap sudah bagus dalam memberikan dukungan sosial kepada siswa. Total guru yang berjumlah 17 orang untuk siswa sebanyak 67 orang seharusnya dapat ditingkatkan dalam kemampuan komunikasi sehingga mampu memberikan dukungan sosial kepada siswa dengan lebih baik lagi.


1998 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 218-220 ◽  
Author(s):  
J G Johnson ◽  
V Goode Sen ◽  
H Faal

In The Gambia many patients identified as blind or as having low vision are not attending for surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the reasons for non-attendance. Three methods were used: semi-structured interviews; focus group discussions; and written questionnaires completed by staff. The most frequently identified barrier by all three methods was cost, closely followed by lack of information about services, fear, transport difficulties, and the lack of an escort. In addition to the existing measures taken by the National Eye Care Programme (NECP) to reduce these barriers, further research into both the public's knowledge and attitudes regarding surgery for cataract is needed. More contact between members of the eye care programme and the communities would aid the transfer of information about the surgery.


Author(s):  
Maheshvari Naidu ◽  
William Muc hono

This exploratory and descriptive article explores male perceptions toward the cultural practice of chinamwali/khomba among the Shangaan of the Mahenye community of Chipinge district in Zimbabwe. Chinamwali/khomba is the cultural practice of female initiation among the Mahenye people. The article draws on narratives of men from interviews and focus group discussions and describes khomba/chinamwali as a central aspect of (female) body politics in the Mahenye community, where the female practice of chinamwali marks the entrance into so-called ‘womanhood’ [sic]. The men’s sexually gendered narratives reveal how the women’s bodily sexual enactments become ‘cultural texts’ prescribed and inscribed by (male) societal perceptions and social (sexual) interactions. Semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions were carried out with 40 men from the community. Social role theory was the lens which was used to analyse these dynamics. Emergent findings reveal that the men of the community compel an overtly patriarchal agenda by encouraging and compelling women to be initiated.


Author(s):  
Plaxcedes Chikunda ◽  
Cynthia Dzimiri ◽  
Viola Ingwani

<div><p><em>The study explores deviant activities that female teachers engage into due to the poverty induced by the economic crisis prevailing in Zimbabwe. The research was designed and conducted within the qualitative paradigm.  The design adopted by the study was the survey.  The methodology involved informal conversational interviews and focus group discussions. The study was conducted with a group of thirty female teachers who were also perusing their masters studies. The study established that female teachers engage in various deviant as teachers and as students due to the economic hardships that they find themselves in. Deviant acts as teachers include failure to attend to their classes, getting involved into peddling activities instead to augment the meagre income from government. Retailing of goods to pupils, giving less work to their pupils to reduce work load and many more. As students they are forced to engage in acts of plagiarism as well as missing lessons to attend to whatever business that can bring the much needed extra income. </em></p></div>


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (12) ◽  
pp. e0260631
Author(s):  
Olga Cambaco ◽  
Noni Gachuhi ◽  
Rebecca Distler ◽  
Carlos Cuinhane ◽  
Emily Parker ◽  
...  

In low-and middle-income countries, many infants and children remain unregistered in both civil registration and healthcare records, limiting their access to essential rights-based services, including healthcare. A novel biometric registration prototype, applying a non-touch platform using smart phones and tablets to capture physical characteristics of infants and children for electronic registration, was tested in rural Mozambique. This study assessed acceptability and perceived barriers and facilitators to the usability of this biometric registration prototype in Manhiça district, southern Mozambique. The study followed a qualitative design consisting of 5 semi-structured interviews with healthcare providers, 7 focus group discussions with caregivers of infants aged between 0 and 5 years old, and 2 focus group discussions with data collectors involved in the implementation of the biometric registration pilot project. Data were thematically analysed. The results of this study show that there is wide acceptability of the biometric registration prototype among healthcare providers and caregivers. Participants were aware of the benefits of the biometric registration prototype. The perceived benefits included that the biometric registration prototype would solve the inefficiency of paper-based registration, and the perception of biometric registration as “healthcare norm”. Perceived potential barriers to the implementation of the biometric registration prototype included: myths and taboos, lack of information, lack of time, lack of father’s consent, and potential workload among healthcare providers. In conclusion, the biometric prototype was widely accepted due to its perceived usefulness. However, there is a need to address the perceived barriers, and involvement of children’s fathers and/or other relevant family members in the process of biometric registration.


2021 ◽  
pp. 104973232110497
Author(s):  
Tom Palmer ◽  
Cynthia Waliaula ◽  
Geordan Shannon ◽  
Francesco Salustri ◽  
Gulraj Grewal ◽  
...  

Focusing only on biomedical targets neglects the important role that psychosocial factors play in effective diabetes self-management. This study aims to understand the lived experiences of children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1DM) in Kenya. Children ( n = 15) participated in focus group discussions and photo diary data collection. Focus group discussions and semi-structured interviews were also conducted with caregivers ( n = 14). We describe an adaptation to diabetes over time, identifying four overarching themes: knowledge and awareness, economic exclusion, the importance of social support, and striving for normality. Photo diaries are then categorized to explore daily realities of diabetes management. Children with T1DM in Kenya face varied barriers to care but can lead a “normal” and fulfilling life, provided adequate support is in place. To improve the lives of children with diabetes in this context and others like it, stakeholders must take note of children’s experiences and recognize their multidimensional needs.


2017 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 2483
Author(s):  
Mehmet Tunaz ◽  
Engin Evrim Önem

The purpose of this research is to enquire the ELT teachers’ perspective of continuous professional development under restricted conditions they are obliged to teach English. Therefore, 20 EFL teachers who have been working at different state schools in the remote villages of southeast region of Turkey were selected as the participants of the inquiry. The data were collected in two different processes. First, all the teachers in the study were interviewed to answer the questions in the first part of the survey individually. Then, randomly selected 12 teachers were separated into two groups for online focus-group discussions, which were held in a semi-structured context by leading questions adapted from Brown (2013). Data collection processes were audio-recorded, and the qualitative data obtained from interviews and focus group discussions were coded and clustered to form specific themes. The results of the research revealed that teachers working in underprivileged districts of Turkey: (a) believe the crucial contribution of professional development activities for teacher quality and/or student achievement (b) have very limited opportunities and options for sustained professional development, and (c) think that the times allocated for professional development activities should be increased. Moreover, teachers these teachers (d) hope to take place in the planning phase of professional development activities, and (e) are dissatisfied with unfair financial situation. Upon the analysis of these items stated in the results, male teachers were found to focus on more general ideas compared to female teachers (item a and item b). On the other hand, the results indicated that female teachers focused on specific ideas statistically more often compared to male teachers (item c and item d). The teachers did not show statistical gender difference in terms of financial limitations (item e). The results of the research might be generalized to the similar contexts in other underprivileged districts, and similar researches might be conducted with teachers of other fields in order to reach results that are more generalizable.


PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. e0247112
Author(s):  
Hasina Rakotomanana ◽  
Christine N. Walters ◽  
Joel J. Komakech ◽  
Deana Hildebrand ◽  
Gail E. Gates ◽  
...  

Few studies have investigated fathers’ roles in child care in Madagascar. This study explored the perceptions, attitudes, and practices regarding fathers’ involvement in child care using qualitative methods. Ten focus group discussions were conducted among parents of children aged 6–23 months; seven were among mothers, and three among fathers. In-depth semi-structured interviews (n = 8) were also conducted with key informants. Discussions and interviews were audio-recorded and the verbatim transcripts in Malagasy were translated into English. Data were analyzed using the thematic analysis approach. Provision of financial and material support as well as teaching and playing with the child were the main perceived roles of fathers. In practice, fathers spent their time alone with their children playing and holding them when the mother was unavailable. Busy schedules and separation due to work were major barriers to fathers’ involvement. Traditional gender roles for child care in which the mother is seen as primarily responsible for the child were salient across the data. Consequently, men involved in child care activities and their wives were often criticized by the community. Nevertheless, there was self-reported interest from both mothers and fathers in involving men more in child care. Interventions aimed to increase fathers’ involvement in child care may be more successful when they focus on shifting the community perceptions on the division of responsibilities between fathers and mothers.


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