scholarly journals More Trust and Cohesion for Secondary School Classes – Experiences of the Implementation of the Express Yourself! Programme in Four EU Countries

2021 ◽  
pp. 42-65
Author(s):  
Aija Kettunen ◽  
Heidrun Kiessl ◽  
Katrin Neuhaus ◽  
Sakari Kainulainen ◽  
Niko Nummela ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
School Context ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Research Perspective ◽  
Cultural Conditions ◽  
Erasmus Programme

Aim: The article describes and evaluates the implementation and impact of an inclusive grouping programme in the secondary school context, and how best practices can be established in different contextual and cultural conditions in Ireland, Germany, Lithuania, and Spain. The article is part of the Express Yourself! project and the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme. Methodology: The theoretical framework of this study is based on the self-determination theory. Following the PDCA Cycle, the project team developed a programme scheme (fitting for the broader European context) based on an experienced Finnish model as well as a research perspective. The participating school types ranged from secondary public schools in cities to vocational schools in inclusive settings and gymnasiums with students (approx. 12-20 years) from mainly rural areas. The Express Yourself! sessions include five meetings of 60 to 120 minutes over several weeks. Each session focuses on a different topic, but building up on each other. The training was held in the facilities of the schools and mainly carried out by external pedagogical staff. A 3X10D questionnaire, mainly gathering data on the well-being of the participants (N=677), and a trainer questionnaire, focusing on the content on perception of the session content, were used for the analysis. Results: The article provides evidence that the Express Yourself! programme is a practical way of stimulating social inclusion in schools in different cultures and contexts. The research indicates a positive impact on students’ experienced overall well-being, especially in life-as-a-whole, managing daily activities, friends, and self-esteem. Deeper analysis of the results indicates that there were differences between the success of the project in cooperation countries. The main influencing factors were gender and age.  Conclusion: The Express Yourself! programme was experienced as a low threshold and effective way to positively influence students’ well-being and inclusion. Promising results were promoted by the motivation and cooperation between the trainers and teachers, which was indirectly reflected in the atmosphere in the class. Based on cooperation, sessions were tailored to the needs of each class.

Human potential in the system of social and economic development: problems and prospects of Vinnytsia region

2020 ◽  
pp. 71-80
Author(s):  
Olesya Tomchuk
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Human Development ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Structural Changes ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Potential ◽  
High Tech ◽  
Social And Economic Development

The article highlights the problems and prospects of human development, which is the basis for the long-term strategies of social and economic growth of different countries and regions at the present stage. Submitting strategies of this type provides an opportunity to focus on individual empowerment and to build a favorable environment for effective management decisions in the field of forming, maintaining, and restoring human potential. The analysis of the Vinnytsia region human potential dynamics in the regional system of social and economic development factors was carried out. Application of generalized assessment of the regional human development index components allowed the identification of the main trends that characterize the formation of human potential of the territory, including the reproduction of the population, social environment, comfort and quality of life, well-being, decent work, and education. The article emphasizes that despite some positive changes in the social and economic situation of the region and in assessing the parameters of its human development level relative to other regions of Ukraine, Vinnytsia region is now losing its human potential due to negative demographic situation and migration to other regions and countries. The main reason for such dynamics is proven to be related to the outdated structure of the region's economy, the predominance of the agricultural sector, the lack of progressive transformations in the development of high-tech fields of the economy. An important factor is the low level of urbanization of the region, which leads to the spread of less attractive working conditions and less comfortable living conditions. The key factors that cause the growth of urbanization in the region have been identified, including the significant positive impact of the transport and social infrastructure expansion, the lack of which in rural areas leads to a decrease in the level and comfort of life. Without progressive structural changes in the economy and the resettlement system, the loss of human potential will continue.

scholarly journals Addressing migrants’ well-being during COVID-19: An analysis of Chinese communities’ heritage language schools in Germany

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zi Wang
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Heritage Language ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Information Access ◽  
Well Being ◽  
School Closure ◽  
Vulnerable Groups ◽  
Educational Programmes

Abstract The coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing lockdown affected social life in every regard. In critical times, the well-being of vulnerable groups is often at stake. Migrants represent a case in point because language barriers and the lack of social networks impede their seeking help from public institutions and information access. In migration policy and research, current attention overwhelmingly focusses on COVID-19’s impact on travel restrictions and healthcare. This article contributes a new perspective by demonstrating how migrants’ well-being needs (understood as emotions and sense of achievement) in education during the COVID-19-induced school closure were addressed by community educational organisations. Focussing on the Chinese community in Germany, data were collected in Chinese heritage language (CHL) schools from three urban areas. This article argues that CHL schools’ reaction to public schools’ closure had a positive impact on their members’ well-being. Such organisations achieved this by expanding their educational programmes during and after the lockdown. These measures ensured continuity in migrant children’s education beyond the realm of heritage language instruction, while enabling migrant parents to seek employment as the economy reopened. Overall, the results of this study underscore the potential of community organisations’ educational programmes in maintaining migrants’ well-being, especially in trying times.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of Community Sports Provision on Social Inclusion and Public Health in Rural China

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 597
Author(s):  
Qiu Chen ◽  
Tianbiao Liu
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Rural China ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Community Sports ◽  
Sanitary Conditions

It is well known that increasing participation in physical activities is not only positive for individual health promotion, but also beneficial for community-level public health by enhancing the individual’s social well-being by facilitating social inclusion. Although the provision of community sports affects participation in physical activities, the magnitude and direction of this effect are still not clear. Under this circumstance, this paper examined the effects of community sports provision on social inclusion and public health using the micro-level data from a household survey conducted in eight provinces of rural China. For the purpose of this paper, the degree of social inclusion was proxied by participation in community sports, while public health was measured by the probability of getting ill for members of each household. The empirical results show that community sports provision was partially effective in promoting inclusion and health in rural areas. Specifically, constructing public sports facilities significantly increases participation in community sports and decreases the risk of getting ill. In contrast, organizing public sports activities increases the opportunity for households to play sports. Nonetheless, it does not promote public health. Equally important is that economic growth (reflected in the increase in income level) may enhance public health through advancing medical technologies and improving sanitary conditions instead of encouraging participation in community sports.

Mediating Role of Interpersonal Interactions Between Chinese Farmers' Social Networks and their Subjective Well-Being

2018 ◽  
Vol 46 (5) ◽  
pp. 721-732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianjun Zhang ◽  
Yang Xu ◽  
Yu Hou
Keyword(s):  
Social Networks ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
General Social Survey ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Psychological Needs ◽  
Mediating Effect ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Interpersonal Interactions ◽  
The Impact

As more than half the population of China lives in rural areas, farmers' subjective well-being is important to the maintenance of socialism in the countryside and the Chinese people's target of comprehensively building a prosperous society. Using data collected in the 2012 Chinese General Social Survey, we built a regression model to examine the impact of farmers' social networks on their subjective well-being, and the mediating effect of their interpersonal interactions on this relationship. Results showed that farmers' social networks had a positive impact on their overall subjective well-being, which was, in turn, mediated by their interpersonal interactions. Farmers with well-developed social networks tended to have effective interpersonal interactions that satisfied their social psychological needs and enhanced their subjective well-being. Our findings provide a valuable reference for enhancing the subjective well-being of farmers in China.

scholarly journals Cost–Benefit Evaluation of Decentralized Greywater Reuse Systems in Rural Public Schools in Chile

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3468
Author(s):  
Carolina Rodríguez ◽  
Rafael Sánchez ◽  
Natalia Rebolledo ◽  
Nicolás Schneider ◽  
Jennyfer Serrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Role ◽  
Life Quality ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Public Network ◽  
The North ◽  
Benefit Evaluation ◽  
Negative Effect

Water scarcity is one of the most important climatic threats in recent times. In Chile, the north and north-central areas, with predominantly arid or semi-arid climates, have been strongly affected by the low availability of water, as well as by overexploitation of water resources derived from the negative effect caused by some sectors of the economy such as agriculture and mining. Only 53% of households in rural areas in Chile have access to drinking water from a public network. To date, some pilot greywater treatment systems have been implemented in rural public schools. This paper presents an economic analysis of pilot systems for greywater treatment from three case studies. The results showed that the implementation of these systems would not be economically feasible, since the initial investment costs can exceed USD 5200, which is not offset by the water savings. However, other benefits, such as thermal regulation, better life quality, and the feeling of well-being and satisfaction of students and teachers should be considered to be paramount for the evaluation of treatment systems. In addition, current levels of treated greywater could allow irrigation of 6.24, 5.68, and 3.56 m2/person in the Alejandro Chelén, El Guindo, and Pedro de Valdivia schools, respectively. These results contribute to a better understanding of the social role that should be applied to the evaluation of ecological systems that save water and improve the well-being of the population.

scholarly journals The Role of Local Community Associations as Intermediaries: A Multiple Case Study in A Rural Area

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pratiwi Pratiwi
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Local Community ◽  
Multiple Case Study ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Associations ◽  
Tourism Product ◽  
Multiple Case

<p>Intermediary actors in rural areas are expected to stimulate not only economic growth but also social inclusion. The studies of innovation intermediaries in rural areas are under-researched. This study investigates the role, capabilities, and the outcome of the engagement of local community associations as intermediaries in different sectors such as agriculture, food processing, and tourism product. This study describes the way innovation promotes rural development. This research employs a multiple case study method and analyzes data triangulation. The interviews have indicated that intermediaries in different sectors need to play different roles due to their sector drivers, stakeholders, and challenges. This study also describes the outcome of the engagement of the intermediaries in increasing well-being, trust among stakeholders, and local people capability to innovate. Further, the study draws policy recommendations for the governments to enhance the skills and impact of the intermediaries, including collaborations, proposal competition, annual awards, organizational learning, training, and benchmarking.</p>

scholarly journals Managing the Psycho-Social Vacuum of COVID-19 among Rural Learners through Ubuntu

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 266
Author(s):  
Bunmi Isaiah Omodan
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
South African ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Selection Approach ◽  
Relational Framework ◽  
Teachers Perspectives

The advent of COVID-19 has thrown the world in upheaval, most notably in the operationalisation of secondary schools. Observation, bodies of existing literature, and experience have shown that rural secondary school learners are disillusioned and uncertain on the future of their academic development amidst the “psycho-social” vagueness regarding their schooling and well-being. This study draws its background from South African teachers’ perspectives and proposed Ubuntu as relational framework lensing through Transformative Paradigm to respond to the problem. Critical Emancipatory Research was adopted as a research design. Five secondary schools located in Thabo Mofutsanyane municipality of the Free State, South Africa, form the research site. Two teachers each were selected from the schools using the opportunistic selection approach. A semi-structured interview was used to collect data from the teachers on the challenges faced in managing learners during the pandemic and how to manage the effect of COVID-19 on the learners. Socio-thematic Analysis (StA) was used to analyse the data. The findings showed that learners in rural areas are disadvantaged through the poverty line, affected psycho-socially, and that the need for sociological and psychological supports for teachers and learners becomes expedient in the management of the vacuum created by COVID-19. The study concluded that the principle of Ubuntu during and after COVID19 is a possible means to ameliorate the vacuum.

Exploring Singing Vocal Pedagogy in the Greek Elementary School through Interactive Technologies

2016 ◽  
pp. 310-324
Author(s):  
Sofia Stavropoulou ◽  
Anastasia Georgaki
Keyword(s):  
Interpersonal Relationships ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Voice Quality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Vocal Pedagogy ◽  
Interactive Technologies ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Health And Well Being

A growing body of interdisciplinary research suggests that children's structured engagement in musical activities may have a positive impact on social inclusion by means of offering opportunities for social bonding, developing interpersonal relationships and empowering self-expression, health and well-being. In this paper we investigate the amelioration of children's voice accuracy and quality in signing through a visual feedback software. The research took place in two public elementary schools in Athens in a total of sixty children aged 6-9 years old and with a different cultural background. The statistical analysis on the effectiveness of the software has proved the amelioration of the children's voice quality before and after its use.

scholarly journals Drinking water and rural schools in the Western Amazon: an environmental intervention study

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e4993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maura Regina Ribeiro ◽  
Luiz Carlos de Abreu ◽  
Gabriel Zorello Laporta
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Public Schools ◽  
Water Treatment ◽  
Rural Schools ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Social Inclusion ◽  
Fecal Coliforms ◽  
Environmental Intervention ◽  
Calcium Hypochlorite

Background Although water and sanitation are considered human rights, worldwide approximately three of 10 people (2.1 billion) do not have access to safe drinking water. In 2016, 5.6 million students were enrolled in the 34% of Brazilian schools located in rural areas, but only 72% had a public water supply network. The objective was to evaluate effectiveness of environmental intervention for water treatment in rural schools of the Western Amazonia, and determine the efficacy of water treatment using a simplified chlorinator on potability standards for turbidity, fecal coliforms and Escherichia coli. Methods A simplified chlorinator was installed for treatment of potable water in 20 public schools in the rural area of Rio Branco municipality, Acre state, Brazil. Results Before the intervention, 20% (n = 4), 100% (n = 20) and 70% (n = 14) of schools had water that failed to meet potability standards for turbidity, fecal coliforms and E. coli, respectively. However, after intervention, 70% (p = 0.68), 75% (p < 0.001) and 100% (p < 0.001) of schools complied with potability standards. Discussion This intervention considerably improved schools’ water quality, thus decreasing children’s health vulnerability due to inadequate water. Ancillary activities including training, educational lectures, installation of equipment, supply of materials and supplies (65% calcium hypochlorite and reagents) were considered fundamental to achieving success full outcomes. Installation of a simplified chlorinator in rural schools of the Western Amazon is therefore proposed as a social technology aiming at social inclusion, as well as economic and environmental sustainability.

scholarly journals Struggling against the Odds of Poverty, Access, and Gender: Secondary Schooling for Girls in Pakistan

2013 ◽  
Vol 18 (Special Edition) ◽  
pp. 67-92 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zeba A. Sathar ◽  
Asif Wazir ◽  
Maqsood Sadiq
Keyword(s):  
Public Schools ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Household Survey ◽  
Secondary Schooling ◽  
Urban Girls ◽  
Actual Choice ◽  
Large Families ◽  
And Gender ◽  
Public Versus Private

While schooling outcomes for girls have improved over the period 2001–11, progress has been uneven within Pakistan. Rural girls lag far behind urban girls and progress across the provinces remains unequal. The transition to secondary school—in some ways more critical for improving employability, reproductive health, and other outcomes—shows even more disparate progress by province and income class. Questions about the preference for public versus private schools and the actual choice of schools available to girls in most rural areas need to be answered if we are serious about a rapid escalation of secondary school enrollments for girls. We use data from the Pakistan Integrated Household Survey for 2001/02 and the Pakistan Social and Living Standards Measurement Survey (PSLMS) for 2007/08 and 2010/11 to look at patterns in this transition. Access is likely to be the main driving force behind the transition to secondary-level schooling. Initial findings reflect the almost total reliance on public schools for 10–14-year-old girls. This suggests that private secondary schools are not an option for girls in rural areas. The next major intervening factor is household income level: even rich families appear to favor public schools for girls. The data also suggest that girls from poor and large families compete with their brothers and other siblings for limited resources.

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