Impact of COVID-19 on the Nature of Academic Work in Colleges of Education in Ghana

This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 on the nature of academic work in Colleges of Education in Ghana. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. A sample of 346 students was selected for the study. The participants chosen from the Evangelical Presbyterian College of Education, Peki College of Education and the St. Theresah College of Education in the Volta Region of Ghana through purposive, convenience and snowball sampling procedures. Data were gathered using an online questionnaire. Data were received from 270 students resulting in a 78% return rate. The data were analysed using frequencies and percentages as well as means and standard deviations. The results showed that tutors in Colleges of Education mostly taught during the COVID-19 period by sending audio recordings, texts or slide presentations to students. This was however not done in real time. Also, the tutors gave assignments and quizzes and gave feedback on the performance of the students. Finally, it was found that most students’ services were not provided satisfactorily when school came to an abrupt end because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Specifically, student counselling services, student affairs services, organisation of tutorials/seminars and practical classes as well as technical support or IT services and supervisions and mentorships were not satisfactorily provided. It was therefore recommended that authorities in Colleges of Education should liaise with officers in charge of specific services like counselling, student affairs and technical or IT support so that they can effectively and satisfactorily assist students even when they are not on campus.

Predictors of the Effectiveness and Efficiency of Student Affairs and Services (SAS) among Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s)

Exploring new innovative and learning modalities is an urgent move of higher education as an option in this pandemic. As a result, to flexible delivery of Student Affairs and Services as stated in CMO 8 s., 2021, Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Delivery of student Affairs and Services, (SAS) programs during the Covid-19 epidemic as the continuity of student services is significant to the overall development of students during this trying time. The predictors of student affairs and services (SAS) performance among higher education institutions (HEIs) were determined using a descriptive-correlational research method. The students in the College of Teacher Education and Student Affairs and services (SAS) Unit head and staff were selected as respondents through stratified random sampling. The findings revealed that the majority of the student respondents are from HEI’s in the Province of Laguna. There is a significant relationship between the students’ affairs services in terms of Information and Orientation Services, Guidance and Counselling Services, Student Training, Student Organizations and Activities, Admission Services, Scholarships and Financial Assistance (SFA) and the effectiveness and efficiency of student affairs services. As recommended, the Guidance and Counselling unit must administer the student assessment tools regularly and periodically to determine the appropriate interventions necessary in the new normal. The promotion of mental health among students through different platforms may intensify more. The HEI’s and SAS may consider strengthening downloadable materials and their contents as means of student orientation and information dissemination; online seminars, workshops, and conferences relative to students’ program, specialization, and other relevant topics; enhance the system of recognition and accreditation, supervision, monitoring of student organizations and evaluation of its activities.

Leadership’s Policy in Pandemic School Era: New Student Admission, Zonation System, and Digital Problem

This study discusses the leadership of school principals in the context of new student admissions by zonation system, and tracking digital problems in the pandemic era. This study aims to analyze how technology responds to policies related to new student admissions in the Covid-19 era. A qualitative approach is used. researcher as an active instrument. Data related to leadership policies, intake of new students, and digital problems were obtained through interviews, observations, and documentation with data flow chart analysis by Miles and Huberman. The informants are the principal, deputy principal, student affairs, administration, and school operators. The findings show that the acceptance of new students at MAN 2 Jambi City takes into account the number of teachers, and facilities according to the on-line PPDB technical instructions. The on-line 2020/2021 PPDB acceptance is intended to apply 2 channels, namely the "general route and achievement (zonation system)" connected to the databases of the ministry of social affairs, the ministry of education, and the ministry of religious affairs to avoid fraud. Research also proves that the digital problem in this madrasah does not occur. It is recommended that the on-line PPDB implementation be carried out through a zonation system.

Exploring the Role of the Student Affairs Office in Enhancing the Cultural and Social Experiences of International Students in China

Many universities are hosting and enrolling international students as an important aspect of their internationalisation mission of higher education. However, many international students experienced significant problems adjusting into a host culture and social milieu. Informing this qualitative study were 45 international students in a top-tier comprehensive research university in Southeast China. The study focuses on the experience of international students towards the role played by international Fu Da Yuans (Counsellors) in enhancing the students’ cultural and social experiences at the university. The results indicate that the four most significant adjustment issues for international students are the language challenges, social interaction with Chinese students, cultural orientation programmes, and counselling services for international students. Building on the U-Curve adjustment theory (Oberg, 1960), the study revealed the importance of international Fu Da Yuans to provide cultural and social support to international students for easy adjustment into a new culture and social setting. The study bears practical implications to providing international Fu Da Yuans with important insights that can help to create an environment conducive to enhancing the cultural and social experiences of international students.

Strategi STAI As-Sunnah Tanjung Morawa dalam Menangkal Radikalisme

Islam is a religion that commands its adherents to always do good, not to damage or even kill other people, but slanted news about Islam is always decorated by irresponsible people; they say Islam is a religion of terrorism and a religion full of violence. Referring to this, the researcher will thoroughly explore the STAI As-Sunnah strategy in countering radicalism, as well as formulate the supporting and inhibiting factors of the strategy. This research is a field research with a descriptive qualitative method carried out at STAI As-Sunnah, the source of data researchers absorb from the head of STAI As-Sunnah, assistant chairman 1 in the field of education, assistant chairman 3 in the field of student affairs, as well as the sections they supervise and the institutions that in collaboration with STAI As-Sunnah. Data collection methods used by researchers are observation, interviews, and documentation. Data analysis and processing was carried out in three steps, namely data reduction, data presentation and data verification. The results of this research explain that the strategies adopted by STAI As-Sunnah are academic and non-academic strategies. The supporting factors for the strategy are: the vision and mission of STAI As-Sunnah, a conducive environment for STAI As-Sunnah, the appointment of lecturers and students and the boarding school system; As for the barrier factors, namely: communication and print media, living environment, family life and school of origin of students.

FUZZY TAKAGI-SUGENO-KANG FOR MENTAL HEALTH CONSULTATION RECOMMENDATIONS

The condition of students experiencing trauma makes consultation a necessity, there is no mental health examination that can be accessed by students, parents, psychologists, student affairs using the fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno-Kang method so it is necessary to be able to create a recommendation system for student mental health consultations by using fuzzy Takagi-Sugeno-Kang. In accordance with the case given, each student with a neurosis score of 8, psychoactive substances 11, psychotic 10 and post stress trauma disorder 13 had a mental health symptom level of 24.28, meaning they were at a moderate level. With a mental health recommendation system, it can be handled earlier so that learning activities can run according to the desired achievements.