Love Affairs, Dating and Sexual Behaviour among Unmarried Youth: A Qualitative Investigation Carried Out Immediately Prior to The Covid-19 Pandemic in Sri Lanka

Initiation and continuation of healthy relationships among youth critical for the long-term wellbeing of the youth. Present socio-cultural environment presents numerous pitfalls which inhibit such relationships. Aim of this qualitative investigation was to describe the current status, trends and patterns of love affairs, dating and sexual behaviour among unmarried youth in Sri Lanka. Case studies, key informant interviews and focus group discussions were selected as methods of data collection. Thematic analysis was used. Four themes were generated, namely initiation of love affairs; dating and sexual behaviour, preferences, pattern and places; phycological, physical and sexual issues and violence related to love affairs and dating behaviour; assistance and advice on issues, problems in love affairs, dating and sexual behaviour. One of the key issues identified was lack of reliable person to seek advice for issues related to love affairs, dating and sexual behaviour among youth. Unmarried youth should be desensitized of the norms that inhibit the communication of love affairs, dating, sexuality and reproduction. Furthermore, a mechanism to identify high risk youth groups: those who have multiple love affairs, youth with inadequate knowledge of STIs, youth with casual sex, victims of sexual harassment need be designed and implemented

The Result of Covid-19 Spreads in Education World

COVID-19 is the most devastating pandemic in human history. Every aspect of human life on earth is disrupted, with little or no education. Many countries have decided to close schools, colleges, and universities, including Indonesia. The crisis came as a shock to governments in every part of the world, including Indonesia, which had to make drastic decisions to close their schools and save lives or to reopen schools in order to save workers’ livelihoods. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of the spread of covid-19 in the world of education. 75 respondents used for sample. The sample selection method used was the target sample. An analytical tool used to assess product duration and determination. Test results show that the spread of Covid-19 has a positive impact on the education world. The study found that the spread of covid-19 affects the world of education.

Malaysian Primary Teachers’ Perceptions on Dyscalculia

This study aims to examine the perceptions of primary school teachers in Malaysia regarding dyscalculia using a survey. The researchers conducted the study using a quantitative design. The survey data had been collected using a questionnaire. The survey data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The questionnaire was adapted from Chinn’s (2020) checklist for dyscalculia with permission from Professor Dr. Steve Chinn. Thirty Mathematics teachers from Year One to Year Three in primary schools were randomly chosen. The severity of dyscalculia were analysed by using means and standard deviations. In contrast, independent t-tests were used to compare the severity of dyscalculia between school locations, and analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the severity of dyscalculia between different school types. According to teachers’ perceptions, the difficulty level for dyscalculic pupils in our country is medium-high (M=3.684, σ=.994). There is no significant difference in dyscalculia severity between school locations (p=.243, p>.05). However, there is a significant difference in dyscalculia severity between school types (p=.007, p.05). Dyscalculic pupils need to be detected since primary schools. The future agenda for this study is to design and develop an instrument in order to detect the dyscalculic pupils among the population. The disparities in dyscalculia severity levels between school types and s are important for the Ministry of Education, educators, teachers, and researchers. This is because it will be useful to determine the allocations of funding and resources so that the learning capability for pupils with different learning abilities can be improved to the maximum.

Effects of Storage Structure Type and Pesticide Type on The Physico-Chemical Properties of Cowpea (Vigna Unguiculatus) After Three Months’ Storage: The Case of Daffiama Bussie Issa District

Cowpea is an important grain legume widely used as food in Ghana and the world at large. It is a significant protein source used by many people in several countries. However, its postharvest management, especially storage, can be problematic because it is easily attached by storage pest insects, particularly Callosobruchus maculatus. Cowpea storage is crucial as the product is protected against damage and deterioration. Also, it is preserved until such a time that market prices are reasonable before they are marketed, enhancing food security. Cowpea grains that are predisposed to insects often attack significantly reduce the quantity and quality, which renders the product unwholesome for human consumption. A survey will be conducted in Daffiama Bussie Issa District in the Upper West Region of Ghana to identify storage structures and storage protectants used by stakeholders to store cowpea. The cowpea variety to be used for the experiment is called ‘songotra’ and is considered the people’s choice. At the end of the storage period, the physical and chemical properties of the cowpea grains were assessed to confirm whether there is a significant effect on them. Test on the viability of seeds will be conducted. The findings will show which storage structure and protectants proved to be more effective by killing the cowpea weevil and unearth the treatment that will offer the highest and lowest protection. Pairwise Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS) Version 9.0 was used to analyse the survey data. It is recommended that further research is conducted on the quantity of cowpea used for storage with an extended storage period.

Reading Identity, Reading Essence: A Strategic Essentialist Approach to Mulk Raj Anand’s Untouchable

The term strategic essentialism, coined by Spivak, is generally understood as “a political strategy whereby differences (within Group) are temporarily downplayed, and unity assumed for the sake of achieving political goals.” On the other hand, essentialism focuses that everything in this world has an intrinsic and immutable essence of its own. The adaption of a particular “nature” of one group of people by way of sexism, culturalization, and ethnification is strongly linked to the idea of essentialism. Mulk Raj Anand’s Bakha is dictated as an outcast by the institutionalized hierarchy of caste practice. He is essentialized as an untouchable by attributing to him the characteristic of dirt and filth. However, unlike other untouchables, Bakha can apprehend the difference between the cultured and uncultured, dirt and cleanliness. Via an analysis of Anand’s “Untouchable,” the present article aims to bring to the forefront the horrid destruction of the individual self that stems from misrepresentations of personality. Through strategic essentialism, it unravels Bakha’s contrasting nature as opposed to his pariah class, defied by his remarkable inner character and etiquette. The term condemns the essentialist categories of human existence. It has been applied to decontextualize and deconstruct the inaccurately essentialized identity of Bakha, which has made him a part of the group he does not actually belong to.