scholarly journals From Access to Quality? Examining the Interim Quasi-State Schools for Rural Migrants in Urban China

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hui Yu ◽  
Wei-Lin Huang
Keyword(s):  
School System ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Urban China ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
State Sector ◽  
State Education ◽  
Children's Schooling ◽  
State Schools

This article focuses on the educational quality of the newly emerged quasi-state schools for rural migrant children in urban China. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 government officers, school leaders, teachers and migrant parents in Shanghai. Adopting a theoretical perspective of policy as a temporary settlement of interests, the article deconstructs the power relations that constructed the disadvantaged positionality of these schools in the local school system. What can be identified from the empirical data is the emergence of an “interim quasi-state school system” with three interrelated features: it belongs to the state sector, offers quasi-state education and has an interim nature. Under the local government’s low-cost and inferior schooling approach, the whole system is treated as an emergency mechanism for solving the floating children’s schooling problem, rather than as regular schools offering high quality education. While realising the children’s right to education, this system does not guarantee them a “good” education.

Organic agriculture in post-war Uganda: emergence of pioneer-led niches between 1986 and 1993

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (2) ◽  
pp. 169-178 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Hauser ◽  
Mara Lindtner
Keyword(s):  
International Development ◽  
Organic Agriculture ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Theoretical Perspective ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
The Government ◽  
Certified Organic ◽  
Post War ◽  
Southwestern Uganda

AbstractUganda is the largest producer of organic commodities in Africa. While most of the literature associate the start of organic agriculture in Uganda with the first certified project, no accounts exist about non-certified organic agriculture before 1993. Both in Europe and in the USA, pioneers drove non-certified organic agriculture as a response to economic, ecological and social crises. Uganda suffered two decades of civil war ending in 1986 causing multiple crises. We explore how post-war conditions influenced the emergence of organic agriculture in Uganda. We conducted individual semi-structured interviews with 12 organic agriculture experts from Central and Southwestern Uganda. Interviews were held in English using interview guides informed by a transition theoretical perspective. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and analyzed using deductive and inductive coding. Our analysis shows that the degraded environment, food insecurity and economic instability after the war created a sense of urgency for the rehabilitation of livelihoods. Pioneers, including civil society activists, farmers, entrepreneurs and researchers, responded by promoting low-cost, resource-conserving technologies and agronomic practices to smallholder farmers. Economic liberalization, decentralization and institutional vacuum eased pioneers’ activities, despite facing opponents from the government and research. Through experimental learning, demonstration farms and cooperation with the Catholic Church, public extension services, researchers and international development-oriented non-governmental organizations, pioneers reached out to farmers in Eastern, Central and Southwestern Uganda. As challenging as post-war crises may be, they offer opportunities for changing development trajectories. Therefore, reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts can accommodate sustainability concerns and allow the introduction of course-changing measures in any sector.

scholarly journals Child migrants returning to Culiacán, Sinaloa, Mexico

Ánfora ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (46) ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Martha Cecilia Herrera ◽  
Erika Cecilia Montoya Zavala
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
School System ◽  
Return Migration ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
The United States ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Adaptation Process ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
School Life ◽  
Number Of Children

Objective: to characterize familiy profiles from those who return to Mexico after being in the United states and to learn about the difficulties faced by the returning migrant children, with specific attention to their adaptation within the Mexican school system as well as the actions undertaken by parents and teachers to help them in the process. Methodology: a random representative survey was carried out in elementary schools in Culiacán, Sinaloa between March 23rd and December 7th of 2015. Semi-structured interviews were also conducted with parents who returned and the teachers of children who had returned. These interviews were held between March 13th and July 29th of 2016. Results: it was shown that the majority of families are mixed and have a greater number of children who are citizens of the United States. The study also revealed that from a total of 534 children who had been returned to primary schools, 87.4% were born in the United States. Those students suffer from a problem of invisibility in the educational system and, at the same time, face bulling because of their different appearance. Additionally, children and their parents struggle with depression in the adaptation process. Conclusions: return migration to Mexico has been a constant. For children, their families, and the society to which they return, the challenge in return migration is evident. It also creates challenges in a child’s school life, especially due to the fact that they have little or no command of Spanish.

The usual suspects? Free schools in England and the influence of corporate elites

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rob Higham
Keyword(s):  
Education System ◽  
The State ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Free School ◽  
Economic Class ◽  
Corporate Elite ◽  
State Education ◽  
Corporate Elites ◽  
Elite Influence ◽  
State Schools

Education policy in England has featured a plethora of attempts to increase institutional diversity among state schools. As part of the promotion of choice and competition in quasi-markets, diversity policies have encouraged new agents to enter the state education system as private providers of state schools. Free Schools in England have recently added a new dimension to these processes of privatisation and corporatisation. In this context, this chapter analyses who has entered the state education system as a successful Free School proposer, what policy processes have supported their entry and what patterns of influence and advantage emerge as a result. Drawing on a demographic analysis of Free School proposers and semi-structured interviews with 60 proposer groups, the analysis demonstrates how three differently positioned elite groupings have become particularly important actors. These are identified as a corporate elite within the private sector, a socio-economic class elite within civil society and a state school elite within the public sector. Examining the features of these three groupings, the chapter explores the processes and consequences of the entry and expansion of elite influence in state education.

Göçmen çocuklar ve okul kültürleri: Bir bütünleştirme çalışması

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-81 ◽  
Author(s):  
Halis Sakız
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
School Culture ◽  
Social Acceptance ◽  
School Administrators ◽  
Migrant Children ◽  
Eastern Region ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Negative Attitudes ◽  
School Cultures ◽  
Inclusive School

Bu makale, Türkiye’de yoğun göç almakta olan Güneydoğu Anadolu Bölgesi’ndeki okullarda, göçmen çocukların okullara dâhil edilmesine yönelik olarak idarecilerin düşünce, inanç ve tutumlarını inceleyen nitel bir araştırmanın sonuçlarını bildirmektedir. Araştırma özelde, okul yöneticilerinin göçmen çocukların kendi okullarında eğitilmesine yönelik tutumlarını, bu eğitimin önünde duran ve okul ikliminden kaynaklanan engelleri ve göçmen çocukların kendini ait hissettikleri bütünleştirici okul iklimleri inşa edilebilmesi için eğitim sistemindeki mevcut fırsatları ortaya koymayı amaçlamıştır. Araştırmada, 18 okul yöneticisinden nitel araştırma yöntemlerinden olan yarı-yapılandırılmış görüşmeler kullanılarak veri toplanmış ve bu veriler tematik analiz yöntemiyle çözümlenmiştir. Araştırma sonucunda (i) okul yöneticilerinin göçmen çocuklara ayrıştırılmış ortamlarda eğitim verilmesini desteklediği ve kendi okullarında eğitim görmelerine dair olumsuz tutumlar beslediği, (ii) yapısal yetersizliklerin ve düşük toplumsal kabul düzeyinin göçmen çocukların eğitimine yönelik olumsuz tutumları önemli ölçüde etkilediği ve (iii) bütünleşik okul kültürlerinin oluşması için paydaşların psiko-sosyal ve yapısal anlamda desteklenmesi gerektiği ortaya çıkmıştır. ENGLISH ABSTRACTMigrant children and school cultures: A suggestion for inclusionThis article reports on the findings of an empirical research investigating the thoughts, beliefs and attitudes towards the inclusion of migrant children in the South-eastern region of Turkey which is currently exposed to intensive migration waves. Specifically, the article explores the attitudes of school administrators towards the education of migrant children in their schools, the barriers to this education stemming from the school culture and the opportunities in the education system to build inclusive school cultures in which migrant children can feel belonging to. The research employed 18 school administrators, utilized semi-structured interviews to collect qualitative data and analyzed them through thematic analysis. Findings showed that (a) school administrators supported education of migrant children in segregated environments and possessed negative attitudes towards their education in public schools; (b) structural limitations and low social acceptance levels affected the negative attitudes towards the education of migrant children and (c) stakeholders needed to be provided with psycho-social and structural support in order to establish inclusive school cultures.  Keywords: Migrant children; inclusive school culture; qualitative research; Turkey 

scholarly journals An exploration into the opportunities and constraints for career progression into leadership roles for School Business Managers in the state sector in England

2021 ◽  
pp. 089202062199967
Author(s):  
Josephine Marchant
Keyword(s):  
Career Progression ◽  
The State ◽  
Research Approach ◽  
Leadership Roles ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
State Sector ◽  
Education Professionals ◽  
School Business ◽  
Survey Responses

Drawing on data from 116 survey responses by School Business Managers, and 7 semi-structured interviews with education professionals carried out between October 2017 and February 2018, this article reports on findings from a research project focussing on the opportunities and constraints for career progression into leadership roles for School Business Managers (SBMs) in the state sector in England. The article considers the differing roles and responsibilities of SBMs, how leadership is perceived in schools, the visibility of the SBM role, career aspirations of the SBMs who were surveyed, and the perceived constraints to progression to leadership roles. Analysis of the data was carried out using an inductive research approach using mixed methods. Snowballing was used to obtain a meaningful sample size for survey responses. Interviewees were chosen on the basis of judgement sampling. The sampling design for the survey and the interviews was one of non-probability. Findings suggest that leadership roles for SBMs do exist but that there are considerable constraints to these being achieved, not least the lack of appetite amongst SBMs to do so.

scholarly journals Video-Based Intervention for Improving Maternal Retention and Adherence to HIV Treatment: Patient Perspectives and Experiences

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 1737
Author(s):  
Steven Masiano ◽  
Edwin Machine ◽  
Mtisunge Mphande ◽  
Christine Markham ◽  
Tapiwa Tembo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Positive Impact ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Hiv Treatment ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Hiv Care ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Convenience Sample ◽  
Long Term Conditions ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Retention In Hiv Care

VITAL Start is a video-based intervention aimed to improve maternal retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Malawi. We explored the experiences of pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) not yet on ART who received VITAL Start before ART initiation to assess the intervention’s acceptability, feasibility, fidelity of delivery, and perceived impact. Between February and September 2019, we conducted semi-structured interviews with a convenience sample of 34 PWLHIV within one month of receiving VITAL Start. The participants reported that VITAL Start was acceptable and feasible and had good fidelity of delivery. They also reported that the video had a positive impact on their lives, encouraging them to disclose their HIV status to their sexual partners who, in turn, supported them to adhere to ART. The participants suggested using a similar intervention to provide health-related education/counseling to people with long term conditions. Our findings suggest that video-based interventions may be an acceptable, feasible approach to optimizing ART retention and adherence amongst PWLHIV, and they can be delivered with high fidelity. Further exploration of the utility of low cost, scalable, video-based interventions to address health counseling gaps in sub-Saharan Africa is warranted.

scholarly journals Main Challenges to Concrete Recycling in Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (19) ◽  
pp. 11077
Author(s):  
Abdulmalek K. Badraddin ◽  
Rahimi A. Rahman ◽  
Saud Almutairi ◽  
Muneera Esa
Keyword(s):  
Construction Projects ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Transportation Cost ◽  
Recycled Concrete ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Project Cost ◽  
Main Challenge ◽  
Small Medium Enterprises ◽  
National Programs ◽  
Concrete Recycling

While concrete recycling is crucial to protecting the environment, its implementation in practice is low in many countries. This study aims to highlight challenges to concrete recycling. To achieve that aim, the study objectives are (1) to identify the main challenges to concrete recycling in construction projects; (2) to compare the main challenges between small–medium enterprises (SMEs) and large enterprises (LEs); and (3) to determine the underlying groups among the main challenges. Potential challenges were identified through a systematic literature review of journal articles and semi-structured interviews with fifteen industry practitioners. Then, the identified challenges were inserted into a questionnaire survey and distributed to industry practitioners. Eighty-nine valid responses were collected and analyzed using the mean score ranking, normalization, agreement analysis, and factor analysis techniques. The analyses show thirteen main challenges to concrete recycling. The main challenges include increased project duration, lack of national programs, lack of comprehensive rules and regulations, increased project cost, low demand for recycled concrete, low cost-effectiveness of concrete recycling, and increased transportation cost. However, there is no consensus on the criticality between SMEs and LEs. For example, increased project cost is the main challenge for SMEs but is only middlingly ranked for LEs. Finally, the main challenges can be categorized into three interrelated groups: people and technical, legal and environmental, and economic challenges. This study contributes to the literature by analyzing challenges that hinder concrete recycling in practice. The findings allow researchers and practitioners to develop strategies to reduce concrete recycling rejection.

Maintenance of lift systems affecting resident satisfaction in low-cost high-rise residential buildings

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 17-25 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheong Peng Au-Yong ◽  
Nur Farhana Azmi ◽  
Nur Aaina Mahassan
Keyword(s):  
Residential Buildings ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Housing Quality ◽  
Resident Satisfaction ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Breakdown Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
High Rise ◽  
Poor Households

Purpose Providing quality low-cost high-rise residential housing for poor households remains a major concern worldwide and especially in Malaysia. Despite government effort to maintain the quality of the housing through the Housing Maintenance Program and 1Malaysia Maintenance Fund Program (TP1M), the maintenance industry is still faced with serious housing quality problems in terms of facilities, one of which is the lift system. As the most expensive and important transportation system in a high-rise building, a lift system requires regular maintenance and inspection to provide safe and effective service to occupants. Unfortunately, most lift systems in Malaysia are not effectively maintained. The purpose of this paper is to examine contributing factors to the breakdown of lift systems, which greatly affect resident satisfaction in low-cost high-rise residential buildings. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three stakeholders involved in maintenance management to identify the common causes of lift breakdown. Subsequently, a questionnaire survey was used to investigate resident satisfaction with the system. Findings The results demonstrate vandalism as the most common cause for the frequent breakdown of lift system in low-cost housing. The study also reveals that there is a significant relationship between system breakdown rate and residents’ satisfaction. Originality/value The paper concludes with the recommendation that stakeholders, including both maintenance personnel and residents, should commit themselves to ensuring that the use and care of lift system are correct

A place to work: examining workplace location attributes that appeal to generation Y and Z talent

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wasuthon Wisuchat ◽  
Viriya Taecharungroj
Keyword(s):  
Generation Y ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Traffic Density ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Work Activities ◽  
Development Plans ◽  
The City ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to identify and to compare workplace location attributes that appealed to Generation Y and Z talent. Design/methodology/approach Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 participants to identify workplace location attributes. Choice-based conjoint surveys were collected from 750 Generation Y and Z individuals in the talent pool of Bangkok, Thailand to compare the importance of attributes. Findings The most important workplace location attribute was the availability and diversity of restaurants followed by place appearance, traffic density, availability of public workspaces, public transport and after-work activities. Transport-related attributes were more important for older generations, whereas public workspaces and place appearance were more important for younger talent. Practical implications To attract talent, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) should address the weaknesses of potential workplace locations through efficient, low-cost and rapid development plans. Although Bangkok is known for street food, BMA policies that promote restaurants as the most important attribute are limited. The BMA should initiate plans to promote the availability and diversity of restaurants. Innovation districts in Bangkok should connect to restaurants and food networks in their vicinity. Originality/value The existing literature explored factors that attract talent at the city level, but no study has investigated attractiveness at the workplace location level. Despite some similarities, workplace location attributes identified in this study were more specific than city-level attributes.

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