Factors that Influence the Dissemination and Implementation of a School Health Policy

The policy on school health is ineffectively disseminated and poorly implemented in many contexts. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the factors that influence the dissemination and implementation of a policy on school health in Bayelsa state in southern Nigeria. A qualitative approach (using an exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design) was used to achieve the aim of the study. Non-probability purposive sampling was used to select 24 participants for the study. Semi-structured individual interviews and an Olympus VN-7800 audio tape were used to collect data. The data were analysed concurrently using line-by-line the six inductive steps of a thematic analysis as well as Atlas ti version 8.0 to ensure consistency of the findings. The results show that bureaucracy, ineffective monitoring and evaluation, insufficient financial support, political interference, lack of equity of service delivery, poor working conditions, ineffective communication, and lack of knowledge and awareness are perceived as barriers to such a policy. Accessibility to policy documents, collaborative partnership, existing school health programmes, and competent and willing personnel are perceived as positive factors for the dissemination and implementation of such a policy. This study would contribute towards the improvement of school health and educational practices if the findings and recommendations are implemented appropriately.

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A systematic review of school health policy measurement tools: implementation determinants and outcomes

Implementation Science Communications ◽

10.1186/s43058-021-00169-y ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Gabriella M. McLoughlin ◽

Peg Allen ◽

Callie Walsh-Bailey ◽

Ross C. Brownson

Keyword(s):

Health Policy ◽

Policy Implementation ◽

School Health ◽

School Policy ◽

Implementation Processes ◽

Implementation Outcomes ◽

Policy Measurement ◽

Measurement Tools ◽

School Health Policy ◽

Health Policy Implementation

Abstract Background Governments in some countries or states/provinces mandate school-based policies intended to improve the health and well-being of primary and secondary students and in some cases the health of school staff. Examples include mandating a minimum time spent per week in programmed physical activity, mandating provision of healthy foods and limiting fat content of school meals, and banning tobacco products or use on school campuses. Although school health researchers have studied whether schools, districts, or states/provinces are meeting requirements, it is unclear to what extent implementation processes and determinants are assessed. The purposes of the present systematic review of quantitative measures of school policy implementation were to (1) identify quantitative school health policy measurement tools developed to measure implementation at the school, district, or state/provincial levels; (2) describe the policy implementation outcomes and determinants assessed and identify the trends in measurement; and (3) assess pragmatic and psychometric properties of identified implementation measures to understand their quality and suitability for broader application. Methods Peer-reviewed journal articles published 1995–2020 were included if they (1) had multiple-item quantitative measures of school policy implementation and (2) addressed overall wellness, tobacco, physical activity, nutrition, obesity prevention, or mental health/bullying/social-emotional learning. The final sample comprised 86 measurement tools from 67 peer-review articles. We extracted study characteristics, such as psychometric and pragmatic measure properties, from included articles based on three frameworks: (1) Implementation Outcomes Framework, (2) Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, and (3) Policy Implementation Determinants Framework. Results Most implementation tools were developed to measure overall wellness policies which combined multiple policy topics (n = 35, 40%) and were in survey form (n = 75, 87%). Fidelity was the most frequently prevalent implementation outcome (n = 70, 81%), followed by adoption (n = 32, 81%). The implementation determinants most assessed were readiness for implementation, including resources (n = 43, 50%), leadership (n = 42, 49%), and policy communication (n = 41, 48%). Overall, measures were low-cost and had easy readability. However, lengthy tools and lack of reported validity/reliability data indicate low transferability. Conclusions Implementation science can contribute to more complete and rigorous assessment of school health policy implementation processes, which can improve implementation strategies and ultimately the intended health benefits. Several high-quality measures of implementation determinants and implementation outcomes can be applied to school health policy implementation assessment. Dissemination and implementation science researchers can also benefit from measurement experiences of school health researchers.

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Fruit, vegetables, fatness, and Foucault: governing students and their families through school health policy

Journal of Education Policy ◽

10.1080/02680930902823047 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 557-574 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Carolyn Vander Schee

Keyword(s):

Health Policy ◽

School Health ◽

School Health Policy

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Evaluation of the Implementation of School Health Programmes in Senior Secondary Schools in Taraba State, Nigeria

Research Journal of Educational Studies and Review ◽

10.36630/rjesr_19025 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Peninnah Joseph Magaji ◽

◽

Dauda Agbu Atando ◽

Keyword(s):

Secondary Schools ◽

School Health ◽

Senior Secondary Schools ◽

Senior Secondary ◽

Health Programmes

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Monitoring and Evaluation Practices and Performance of County Maternal Health Programmes

European Scientific Journal ESJ ◽

10.19044/esj.2021.v17n37p39 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 17 (37) ◽

pp. 39

Author(s):

John Gatimu ◽

Christopher Gakuu ◽

Anne Ndiritu

Keyword(s):

Maternal Health ◽

Capacity Building ◽

Health Sector ◽

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

Evaluation Practices ◽

Health Sector Reforms ◽

And Performance ◽

Descriptive Survey ◽

The Relationship ◽

Health Programmes

The study sought to establish the relationship between monitoring and evaluation practices and performance of County Maternal Health programmes in Kenya. The combined monitoring and evaluation practices included planning for M&E, stakeholder engagement, capacity building for M&E, and M&E data use. The study adopted a descriptive survey research design. To obtain 282 respondents, stratified random sampling was used. A self-administered structured questionnaire was the study's research instrument. Using descriptive narratives, qualitative data was analyzed within specific themes. Quantitative data was analyzed descriptively using measures of central tendencies and measures of dispersion. Regression was conducted for testing the study hypotheses. Data was presented using frequency tables. The study found that stakeholders’ engagement in M&E and capacity building for M&E influenced the performance of County Maternal Health Programmes in Kenya. The study also found that the respondents agreed that planning for M&E and the data management for M&E. This implied that the combined monitoring and evaluation practices influence performance of County Maternal Health Programmes in Kenya.The study found a strong correlation between the performance of county maternal health programmes and combined monitoring and evaluation practices. The study concluded that combined planning for M&E monitoring and evaluation practices influenced the performance of county maternal health programmes. The study suggests that management develop an effective methodology as well as raise awareness of M&E activities for the success of the project. The study also suggests that human resources issues such as workers charged with monitoring and evaluation ought to have technical capabilities, and roles and duties of monitoring and evaluation personnel should be outlined at the start of projects. To ensure M&E sustainability health sector reforms, investments in strong and vibrant technical harmonization platforms that can sustain the change agenda at all times and every required level.

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Public-Private Partnership Principles Applied to Industry-School Partnership to Support Technical and Vocational Education

Adult Education and Vocational Training in the Digital Age - Advances in Higher Education and Professional Development ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0929-5.ch002 ◽

2016 ◽

pp. 18-36

Author(s):

Hitendra Pillay ◽

James J. Watters ◽

Matthew C. Flynn ◽

Lutz Hoff

Keyword(s):

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

Research Literature ◽

Public Private Partnership ◽

Daily Activities ◽

Policy Documents ◽

Private Partnership ◽

Learning Partnerships ◽

School Partnership ◽

Industry Community

The term partnership is increasingly used by governments, industry, community organizations and schools in supporting their daily activities. Similar to the terms ICT and learning, partnerships are now ubiquitous in policy discourse. Yet, the term remains ill-defined and ambiguous. This chapter reviews and reflects on a government-led industry-school partnership initiative in the state of Queensland, Australia, to understand how the concept was applied and the consequences. PPP principles derived from the literature were used as a framework to review this initiative. The methodology of this qualitative case study involved consultations with stakeholders and an analysis of Gateway schools' policy documents, and research literature. The review suggests that despite the use of terminology akin to PPP projects in Gateway school program and policy documents, the implicit suggestion that this initiative is a public-private partnership can be interpreted as partially tenable. The majority of principles shaping a PPP have not been considered in any significant manner in the Gateway schools program. Although the review recognizes the legitimate and sincere purpose of the Gateway schools program, a more explicit adoption of a PPP framework during the design, monitoring, and evaluation stages could have strengthened the initiative in terms of outcomes, benefits, and sustainability.

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Enhancing Public Sector Productivity in Ghana: A Qualitative Study

Journal of Public Administration and Governance ◽

10.5296/jpag.v3i3.4378 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 3 (3) ◽

pp. 22 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Dr. Kwame Asamoah ◽

Alex Osei-Kojo ◽

Emmanuel Yeboah-Assiamah

Keyword(s):

Content Analysis ◽

Public Sector ◽

Qualitative Study ◽

Secondary Data ◽

Monitoring And Evaluation ◽

Political Will ◽

The Public ◽

Regular Monitoring ◽

Political Interference ◽

Increase Productivity

In recent times, there have been calls on public sector workers to increase productivity in the public sector of Ghana. This comes against the backdrop that productivity in Ghana’s public sector appears to be consistently declining. While this seems to be the situation, it appears there is paucity of literature on the actual causes of productivity and how it can be improved in Ghana. Using secondary data and content analysis, this paper examines the phenomenon of low productivity in the public sector and recommends measures for improvement. Findings of the study revealed that poor remuneration systems in the public sector, political interference, and bureaucratic inertia are among the causes of low productivity in the public sector. The study recommended that public sector productivity could be enhanced through the establishment of a flexible bureaucracy, improvement in remuneration, regular monitoring and evaluation of the performance of the public sector and appointment of personnel based on merit. Political will as effective leadership are considered useful instruments to propel productivity in the public sector.

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