Rewriting the Grammar of the Education System: Delhi’s Education Reform (A Tale of Creative Resistance and Creative Disruption)

The study was not designed to undertake an evaluation of the success or failure of reform. Nor was it specifically about the desirability or defects of the policy reform choices. It took these reform choices and the policy context as a given. It is important to note that the Delhi reforms had its share of criticisms (Kumar, 2016; Rampal, 2016). However, our goal was not to comment on whether these were the “right” reforms or have their appropriateness measured in terms of their technical capability. This study sought to understand the pathways through which policy formulations, designed and promoted by committed leaders (the sound and functional head of the flailing state), transmit their ideas and how these are understood, resisted, and adopted on the ground. In essence, this is a study that sought to illuminate the multifaceted challenges of introducing change and transition in low-capacity settings. Its focus was on documenting the process of implementing reforms and the dynamics of resistance, distortion, and acceptance of reform efforts on the ground. The provocative claim that this report makes is that the success and failure, and eventual institutionalisation, of reforms depend fundamentally on how the frontline of the system understands, interprets, and adapts to reform efforts. This, we shall argue, holds the key to upending the status quo of “pilot” burial grounds that characterise many education reform efforts in India. Reforms are never implemented in a vacuum. They inevitably intersect with the belief systems, cultures, values, and norms that shape the education ecosystem. The dynamics of this interaction, the frictions it creates, and reformers’ ability to negotiate these frictions are what ultimately shape outcomes. In the ultimate analysis, we argue that reforming deeply entrenched education systems (and, more broadly, public service delivery systems) is not merely a matter of political will and technical solutions (although both are critical). It is about identifying the points of reform friction in the ecosystem and experimenting with different ways of negotiating these. The narrative presented here does not have any clear answers for what needs to be done right. Instead, it seeks to make visible the intricacies and potential levers of change that tend to be ignored in the rush to “evaluate” reforms and declare success and failure. Moving beyond success to understand the dynamics of change and resistance is the primary contribution of this study.

Examining barriers and strategies for effective professional or interagency collaboration in secondary transition

BACKGROUND: For young adults with disabilities, post-high school outcomes in employment, higher education, and independent living are markedly worse than their peers without disabilities. As a result, legislation and research aimed at supporting transitioning students has increased. Further, numerous initiatives that better support youth and families have been implemented at the state and local level. Collaboration within and across service delivery systems has been identified as a critical aspect of transition planning and supports; however, evidence-based research related to the implementation and effects of collaborative partnerships is limited. OBJECTIVE: In the current study, we identify transition professionals’ perceptions of collaborative factors that facilitate and inhibit collaboration. METHOD: This study utilizes a single-state survey research design to examine the viewpoints of transition professions, specifically educators, Vocational Rehabilitation professionals, and community supports providers. RESULTS: Variance in perceptions were found among participant role groups. Specifically, educators as a whole report that time and workload barriers affect their ability to collaborate effectively. Further, findings indicate that ensuring individual collaborative team member responsibility is perceived as an effective strategy. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may be applied to technical assistance providers when developing team-level evaluations to monitor current levels and support needs of collaborative transition planning teams.

An Investigation into Organisational Learning by Public Officials Creating and Maintaining Multi-Channel Service Delivery Information Systems in the New Zealand Public Sector

<p><b>Public sector organisations in New Zealand increasingly use multi-channel service delivery strategies to achieve better, faster and cheaper services to citizens. Within these organisations, public sector officials envision, define and implement complex service delivery information systems. This study examines the organisational learning mechanisms that those officials use. This provides a deeper insight into the role that organisational learning plays in multi-channel service delivery systems definition in the context of the New Zealand Public Sector.</b></p> <p>A constructionist multiple-case study was undertaken with twenty nine officials from six public sector agencies that explores and characterises the learning mechanisms and knowledge transfer mechanisms that they use to understand and deliver services via physical and virtual channels. In addition, the research led to the development of a candidate conceptual model that integrates organisational learning, information systems and the unique organisational aspects of public sector service delivery.</p>

An Investigation into Organisational Learning by Public Officials Creating and Maintaining Multi-Channel Service Delivery Information Systems in the New Zealand Public Sector

<p><b>Public sector organisations in New Zealand increasingly use multi-channel service delivery strategies to achieve better, faster and cheaper services to citizens. Within these organisations, public sector officials envision, define and implement complex service delivery information systems. This study examines the organisational learning mechanisms that those officials use. This provides a deeper insight into the role that organisational learning plays in multi-channel service delivery systems definition in the context of the New Zealand Public Sector.</b></p> <p>A constructionist multiple-case study was undertaken with twenty nine officials from six public sector agencies that explores and characterises the learning mechanisms and knowledge transfer mechanisms that they use to understand and deliver services via physical and virtual channels. In addition, the research led to the development of a candidate conceptual model that integrates organisational learning, information systems and the unique organisational aspects of public sector service delivery.</p>

An Investigation into Organisational Learning by Public Officials Creating and Maintaining Multi-Channel Service Delivery Information Systems in the New Zealand Public Sector

<p>Public sector organisations in New Zealand increasingly use multi-channel service delivery strategies to achieve better, faster and cheaper services to citizens. Within these organisations, public sector officials envision, define and implement complex service delivery information systems. This study examines the organisational learning mechanisms that those officials use. This provides a deeper insight into the role that organisational learning plays in multi-channel service delivery systems definition in the context of the New Zealand Public Sector. A constructionist multiple-case study was undertaken with twenty nine officials from six public sector agencies that explores and characterises the learning mechanisms and knowledge transfer mechanisms that they use to understand and deliver services via physical and virtual channels. In addition, the research led to the development of a candidate conceptual model that integrates organisational learning, information systems and the unique organisational aspects of public sector service delivery.</p>

An Investigation into Organisational Learning by Public Officials Creating and Maintaining Multi-Channel Service Delivery Information Systems in the New Zealand Public Sector

<p>Public sector organisations in New Zealand increasingly use multi-channel service delivery strategies to achieve better, faster and cheaper services to citizens. Within these organisations, public sector officials envision, define and implement complex service delivery information systems. This study examines the organisational learning mechanisms that those officials use. This provides a deeper insight into the role that organisational learning plays in multi-channel service delivery systems definition in the context of the New Zealand Public Sector. A constructionist multiple-case study was undertaken with twenty nine officials from six public sector agencies that explores and characterises the learning mechanisms and knowledge transfer mechanisms that they use to understand and deliver services via physical and virtual channels. In addition, the research led to the development of a candidate conceptual model that integrates organisational learning, information systems and the unique organisational aspects of public sector service delivery.</p>

Factors Affecting Choice Of Health Care Facilities Among The Adults of an Urban Community

Introduction: Health service delivery systems that are safe, accessible, high quality, people-centred, and integrated are critical for moving towards universal health coverage. World Health Organisation is supporting to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of health service delivery systems to all the population not only the patients. This study aims to identify the factors affecting the choice of health care facilities among the adults of an urban community and its association with the selected socio-demographic variables. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among the community residence with 120 respondents using non-probability purposive sampling technique. Data was collected using semi-structured interview schedule that was analysed by using descriptive statistical methods such as frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and inferential statistics such as chi-square test. Result: The findings of the study revealed that majority (60.8%) of the respondents used private health care facilities and there was significant association of the choice of health care facility with the health care services related factors whereas no significant association was found with the selected socio-demographic variables. Conclusions: Based on the study findings, it concluded that various health care services related factors like availability, affordability, acceptability and accessibility factors tends to affect the choice of health care facility

The burden of recording and reporting health data in primary health care facilities in five low- and lower-middle income countries

Background Recording and reporting health data in facilities is the backbone of routine health information systems which provide data collected by health facility workers during service provision. Data is firstly collected in a register, to record patient health data and care process, and tallied into nationally designed reporting forms. While there is anecdotal evidence of large numbers of registers and reporting forms for primary health care (PHC) facilities, there are few systematic studies to document this potential burden on health workers. This multi-country study aimed to document the numbers of registers and reporting forms use at the PHC level and to estimate the time it requires for health workers to meet data demands. Methods In Cambodia, Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania, a desk review was conducted to document registers and reporting forms mandated at the PHC level. In each country, visits to 16 randomly selected public PHC facilities followed to assess the time spent on paper-based recording and reporting. Information was collected through self-reports of estimated time use by health workers, and observation of 1360 provider-patient interactions. Data was primarily collected in outpatient care (OPD), antenatal care (ANC), immunization (EPI), family planning (FP), HIV and Tuberculosis (TB) services. Result Cross-countries, the average number of registers was 34 (ranging between 16 and 48). Of those, 77% were verified in use and each register line had at least 20 cells to be completed per patient. The mean time spent on recording was about one-third the total consultation time for OPD, FP, ANC and EPI services combined. Cross-countries, the average number of monthly reporting forms was 35 (ranging between 19 and 52) of which 78% were verified in use. The estimated time to complete monthly reporting forms was 9 h (ranging between 4 to 15 h) per month per health worker. Conclusions PHC facilities are mandated to use many registers and reporting forms pausing a considerable burden to health workers. Service delivery systems are expected to vary, however an imperative need remains to invest in international standards of facility-based registers and reporting forms, to ensure regular, comparable, quality-driven facility data collection and use.

Assessing sustainability factors for rural sanitation coverage in Kenya, Zambia, Nepal, and Bhutan: A qualitative case study analysis

BACKGROUND: Few countries are likely to achieve universal sanitation within the next decade as sustaining sanitation coverage remains a critical challenge. The purpose of this study is to investigate factors that may have supported or hindered sustainability of sanitation coverage 1-2 years after the completion of an integrated, area-wide sanitation program in four countries. METHODS: Between 2014 and 2018, the SSH4A approach was implemented in 15 countries in Africa and Asia, four of which are included in this qualitative study. We conducted focus group discussions and interviews with beneficiaries, implementors, and decision-makers to identify sustainability factors and used household survey data to characterize sub-national sanitation coverage throughout implementation, and 1-2 years after. RESULTS: Our data revealed behavioral, contextual, and service delivery factors that were related to the sustainability of sanitation improvements. Service delivery factors included follow-up hygiene promotion, access to materials (e.g., plastic, cement), local government commitment post-implementation, functioning monitoring systems, uptake of the supply chain by private sector, capacity for innovation. Contextual and behavioral factors included poverty, soil type, road networks, social cohesion, desire for improved latrines, maintenance and cleaning, and knowledge of sanitation benefits. DISCUSSION: The presence or absence of sustainability factors identified through this research may have implications on where certain programmatic approaches will work, and where adaptations may be required. Through comparing sustainability factors with sub-national slippage rates, we were able to illustrate how local service delivery systems may respond to barriers (e.g., poverty, lack of affordable sanitation options, changes in population density) and enablers (e.g., sufficient resource allocation, passionate leadership, social cohesion). Understanding the programmatic and contextual factors that either drive or hinder long-term sanitation coverage may allow for greater program impact through adapting implementation based on existing challenges in service delivery and context.