Orphans in post-conflict Liberia: Seeking care in fractured communities

Orphans in post-conflict settings have unique needs that have not been well-characterized. In post-conflict Liberia, maternal orphans are more likely to be without care than paternal orphans. This study examined the experiences of maternal orphans in Liberia, as they attempted to care for themselves and seek care from others, and the barriers they faced. In-depth interviews were conducted with 75 post-conflict Liberian orphans. We performed a secondary narrative analysis of interview transcripts from all maternal or double orphans (n = 17). We identified similar elements across narratives: traumatic loss, disconnection from family and community, and the desire for a savior. Female high-risk orphans were more likely to have formal substitute caregiving arrangements in which they were living with someone who was a relative or had been selected by a relative. Male orphans more commonly lacked arranged substitute care, but this allowed them to form relationships with substitute caregivers of their choosing. Sex also played a role in the provision of caregiving; substitute care was provided by women. Findings highlighted the syndemic relationship between poverty, violence, transactional sex, trauma, and substance use that traps high-risk Liberian orphans. Interventions are needed to improve access to mental health care, sober communities, housing, and education support. The need to integrate these services into indigenous institutions and address barriers related to stigma is explored.

Towards an Ideal Framework of Education Support Services for Learners With Special Education Needs at Basic Education Level in Lesotho

This chapter explores a suitable model within which an efficient education support can be developed to promote inclusive education in Lesotho. It highlights the gaps and challenges in the policy framework of the Ministry of Education and Training which have bearing on education support. In 2009 the Ministry developed the Curriculum and Assessment Policy. In order to realize the ideals of the curriculum which include the need for learners to work efficiently, independently, use technology, and communicate efficiently, the Ministry develops work plans that operationalize the ideals. In this regard, the current policy and practice contexts must be evaluated for the extent to which they enhance or impede education support of learners facing barriers to learning and development.

VR Education Support System—A Case Study of Digital Circuits Design

Areas of experience allow for the acquisition and consolidation of both existing knowledge and skills. These are significant factors in the training of staff members for companies in the Industry 4.0 area. One of the currently available modern tools used in the teaching process is virtual reality (VR) technology. This technology, due to its high level of immersion and involvement of the different senses, and the need to focus on the performed activities, allows one to develop skills in solving various tasks and problems. The extended VR environment enables the creation of diverse teaching scenarios adapted to the needs of industry. This paper presents the possibility of building training scenarios in the field of digital techniques. The software solution, developed and presented by the authors, uses elements of computer game mechanics and is designed to familiarize students with the idea of digital circuits, their construction, logical implementation and application. This paper also presents a comparison of the features of different forms of education used in teaching digital techniques, as well as a comparison of these forms, from the point of view of the student and his/her perceptions.

Students’ Perceptions on the Implementation of Online Learning in Pandemic Era

The implementation of online learning in Indonesia today becomes an alternative to the conventional learning because of the pandemic situation. However, it triggers some problems during the learning process. The problems exist because of various aspects. One of them is the way how the teachers implement the learning process. This research is aimed to investigate how students perceive the online learning implementation in higher education based on four categories (Planning Promotion, Education, Support Training, and Encouragement). It is descriptive-survey research using a questionnaire as the instrument to collect the data. The result shows various perceptions of students. The average students perceive: 1) implementation of online learning is well planned, 2) the lecturers are competent enough in implementing the online learning, 3) they got sufficient support during the online learning, and 4) the online learning situation encourages them in the learning process. This research result can be used as an evaluation for the stakeholders (lecturers and decision-makers) for the online learning implementation.

A Prática do Professor de Apoio na Escola Inclusiva: Sugestões para Aprimoramento

ResumoA partir do movimento da inclusão escolar, os alunos com necessidades educacionais especiais (NEE) passam a frequentar o ensino regular nas classes comuns, paralelamente amplia-se a presença do professor de apoio à inclusão para atendê-los. Este artigo tem o objetivo de apresentar as sugestões relatadas por professores de apoio visando aprimorar o seu trabalho junto aos alunos com NEE para favorecer o processo de inclusão. O aporte teórico deste texto está sustentado pelos pressupostos da educação inclusiva, aliado com a análises de diversos estudos sobre o papel do professor de apoio no contexto da escola inclusiva. Participaram da pesquisa 67 professores desenvolvendo a função de apoio à inclusão. A coleta dos dados ocorreu por meio da aplicação de um questionário. Entre os resultados se destaca a necessidade de maior investimento na formação continuada para os professores de apoio à inclusão, juntamente com os professores regentes sobre o processo de inclusão dos alunos com NEE, bem como de se estabelecer um trabalho entre eles na perspectiva colaborativa, aliado aos demais profissionais internos e externos à escola e familiares. Palavras-chave: Educação Inclusiva. Serviço de Apoio. Trabalho Colaborativo. AbstractFrom the school inclusion movement, students with special educational needs (SEN) start to attend regular education in common classes, in parallel the presence of the inclusion support teacher is expanded to serve them. This article aims to present the suggestions reported by support teachers in order to improve their work with SEN students to favor the inclusion process. The theoretical contribution of this text is supported by the assumptions of inclusive education, combined with the analysis of several studies on the role of the support teacher in the inclusive school context. 67 teachers engaged the research, developing the role of supporting inclusion. Data collection occurred through the application of a questionnaire. Among the results, the need is highlighted for greater investment in continuing education for teachers to support inclusion together with the governing teachers on the inclusion process of SEN students, as well as establishing a work between them in a collaborative perspective, allied to other internal and external professionals at the school and family. Keywords: Inclusive Education. Support Service. Collaborative Work

Experience of internationally qualified nurses providing palliative care in a New Zealand aged residential care facility

Background: New Zealand is reliant upon internationally qualified nurses (IQNs) working within aged residential care (ARC), despite the fact that many of these nurses have limited or no ARC or palliative care experience before arriving in the country. Aims: To understand the issues faced by IQNs providing palliative care to people in ARC. To understand how the palliative aged residential care (PARC) specialist nurse team can best support IQNs. Methods: A thematic analysis was undertaken from five focus group interviews with IQNs (n=24) from ARC facilities in the Christchurch and Canterbury regions. Findings: Unfamiliarity with New Zealand 's palliative care and ARC systems, cultural differences and communication barriers caused internal struggles. Transitioning to a New Zealand approach to palliative care highlighted participants' adaptability and resilience. Consistent approaches to training and support by the PARC team and additional cultural training within New Zealand Competence Assessment Programmes (CAP) are required. Conclusion: Ongoing education, support and role modelling to develop confidence and reduce internal struggles are required for IQNs providing palliative care in ARC.