Bureau Of Education Research Articles

From the hidden to the obvious: classification of primary and secondary school student suicides using cluster analysis

BackgroundSuicide is one of the leading causes of death in children and youth. Using a sample of fatal suicides among school-aged students in Hong Kong, this study aimed to demonstrate how the classification of children and adolescent suicides into distinct subgroups using cluster analysis can alert us to the heterogeneous nature of the student suicide population and increase our understanding of multidimensional underlying causes. MethodsDeaths by suicide of Hong Kong primary and secondary school students occurring between 2013–16 were identified. Reports were acquired from the Coroner’s Court, Police Force, and Education Bureau in Hong Kong. Information about students’ sociodemographic characteristics, suicide circumstances, stressors, and risk factors was extracted and organized for analysis. Based on the indicated stressors (school, family, close relationship, social challenge, finance, risk behaviour, suicide exposure, others) and risk factors (health and mental health, history of self-harm, suicidality, and psychological maladjustment), cluster analysis was conducted to derive distinct profiles of student suicides.ResultsA four-cluster solution was found. Patterns of stressors, risk factors, background characteristics and suicide circumstances within each cluster were examined. Four distinct and meaningful profiles of student suicides were characterised as “school distress”, “hidden”, “family and relationship”, and “numerous issues”.ConclusionsFindings highlighted the need to approach student suicides in meaningfully differentiated ways. Gathering suicide report data and generating evidence that advances our knowledge of student suicide profiles are important steps towards early identification and intervention.

Civic Engagement in the STEAM Classroom: Taking “Teaching of Sewage Purification System” as an Example

Civic engagement is more and more critical in this modern society since it can promote the development of society. In Hong Kong, the Education Bureau allows schools to implement civic education through multiple approaches. In this background, the authors' school tries to develop a curriculum to cultivate students' sense of citizenship, which increases students' care and participation in the community. We try to integrate STEAM education and citizenship teaching and let students explore society's responsibility through an integrated curriculum approach. This article shares the practical experience of using STEAM education to facilitate junior high school students' understanding of citizenship and suggests coping with the challenges. The study found that students could construct the value and meaning of STEAM education. Also, students could develop a sense of citizenship after the lessons. Finally, students with low academic achievement could build learning confidence through the integrated curriculum.

해방 이후 교육이념 정립 과정에서 민주주의와 민족주의의 관계

Several objections were raised during the National Assembly discussion before the ‘humanitarianism’ was adopted as the Korean educational ideology. There were concerns that it could limit the values of democracy and liberalism and become a fascist logic, but there was generally a consensus that the universal (Western) value of ‘democracy’ should be transformed (ethnic) according to our situation. Therefore, the ‘democratic national education theory’ could be proposed by Ahn Ho-sang, the first Minister of Education. Ahn Ho-sang argued that he avoided both the exclusivity of nationalism and the visa nature of democracy and combined it into “democratic national education.” However, it was fascistic in that it filled the empty space with the people and the state by denying most of the existing political ideologies.BR Through the presentations of the Democratic National Education Research Conference held in March 1949 and a book called Democratic National Education Theory, we could get a glimpse of how education officials and field teachers accepted Ahn Ho-sang’s Democratic National Education Theory. Education officials basically recognized democracy and nationalism as conflicting and contradictory concepts, but took a passive attitude to suture the two concepts. Like Sa Gong-Hwan, director of the Higher Education Bureau, there were cases where “democratic national education” was justified by weaving nationalist historical perceptions such as Shin Chae-ho, Ahn Ho-sang, Ahn Jae-hong, and Son Jin-tae. There was also a contradiction that the social life and contents newly established to introduce American-style democracy of the time fell into “organic nationalism.”BR Field teachers also often sympathized with the (guardian) theory that individualistic education and class education should be denied, and that individuals should sacrifice for the people, citing the succession of the Hwarangdo spirit and the Samil independence movement spirit. Some people asked what was essentially the core of “democratic education” and diagnosed that excessive “national education” was being advocated as a reaction to the U.S. military government education policy, but only a few. Education expert Oh Chun-seok also consistently opposed the ‘democratic national education theory’. He criticized that the theory of nationalism education was actually based on a fascist worldview. As a result, however, it did not go further from the level of awareness that seeks the possibility of harmony between democracy and nationalism and concerns about the exclusivity of nationalism.

In-depth analysis of primary schools performance, financial strength and challenges in Bench-Sheko, Kafa and Sheka Zones, Ethiopia

This study is aimed to look at the performance and challenges of public primary schools found in Bench-Sheko, Kafa, and Sheka Zones. National standards developed for Education Sector Development Program V (ESDP V, 2016–2020) was used to measure the schools’ performance. Primary and secondary data are used to meet the research target. Performance reports of the schools of three consecutive years were thoroughly examined. Public primary schools found in the districts and town administration of the three zones were particularly selected for the purpose of the study. School principals, vice-principals, supervisors, district education bureau officers, and senior teachers were used as the subject of the study. Both quantitative and qualitative information was gathered and analysed. A X2-test of independence model is used to see associations between variables. The finding of the study revealed that the schools were progressing well in access. However, there are variations of access rates from district to district and from school to school. The variations were determined by the commitment of the school leadership and the extent of community engagement in school matters. The study further identified the schools as inefficient which is manifested by increasing dropout and repetition rate. Demographic pressure, financial incapability, weak students’ learning interest, poor school infrastructures, poor salary structure, and incentives to keep in and attract talented teachers to the schools were identified as major challenges affecting the performance. The researchers recommend to the policy makers and educational institution leaders to design inclusive policy and financial reform of primary schools with critical implementation and monitoring to come out of these vicious circles.

Analysis of arts and crafts content in the arts and physical education integrated textbook of grade 3: Amhara national regional state in focus

This research focused on grade three Textbook of the Amara National Regional State Education Bureau, published in 2015 (2007 Eth. C) and aimed at content selection and integration with other learning. The evaluation concerns content selection in terms of dimensions of the learner (age, level of learning, and culture) and arts integration with other learning. Evaluation is made based on standards in textbook writing informed by the literature. In this study, qualitative content analysis (QCA) is adopted as a method for the subjective interpretation of the arts and crafts content of the textbook through the systematic process of classification, coding and identifying themes or patterns. The curriculum framework for KG—Grade 12, Pre- Formal Education and Caring O-Class Syllabus, the Grades 1–4 Arts and Physical Education Integrated syllabus, Arts and Physical Education Textbook for Grade 3 were selected as the major data sources using purposive sampling technique in this study. The results of qualitative content analysis indicated that there was a good alignment between the arts and crafts content with the learners’ age level and culture. However, the emphasis placed on handcrafts was found unsatisfactory. The textbook had focused on “sine-wubet” (i.e., beauty), rather than “sine-tibeb” (i.e., the arts) as intended in the syllabus. In the end, implications to future revision of the textbook are included in the study.

Teacher Professional Development in Hong Kong: Describing the Current Infrastructure

Abstract This article describes the current teacher professional development (PD) infrastructure of Hong Kong, one of the world’s top performers in education. Drawing on contemporary policy frameworks, institutional websites, and research literature, we outline how teachers from primary and secondary local schools are supported to enhance their professional capacity. After introducing the structure of the Hong Kong education system, we describe pre-service teacher education and the Professional Ladder framework, designed by the Education Bureau (EDB) to regulate in-service PD. We then describe the work done by the leading PD providers and the PD-related obstacles, difficulties, and constraints reported in the literature. The article shows that Hong Kong has developed a solid PD infrastructure with hybrid characteristics. While the system is based on compliance and external accountability mechanisms, teachers are encouraged to design their PD journeys based on their interests, needs, and career aspirations. Every three years, teachers are required to complete 90 to 150 hours of PD (depending on seniority), including core and elective training (approximately 1/3 and 2/3 of the PD allotment, respectively). Structured, on-the-job, project-based, whole-school, and individual PD activities are available. The article also describes the strategies recently adopted to tackle the challenges of COVID-19. We conclude that Hong Kong has made great efforts to design a high-quality PD infrastructure within a hierarchical educational system, in which quantity of provision and content coverage have been prioritized over teacher agency and autonomy. More research is required to investigate the actual impact of PD on teachers’ practices and students’ learning. Keywords: Teacher Professional Development, continuing education, system analysis, educational policy, effective professional development, Hong Kong

Two-proton radioactivity within Coulomb and proximity potential model * *Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (12175100, 11975132), the Construct Program of the Key Discipline in Hunan Province, the Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Hunan Province, China (18A237), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China (2015JJ3103, 2018JJ2321), the Innovation Group of Nuclear and Particle Physics in

Considering the preformation probability of the two emitted protons in the parent nucleus, we extend the Coulomb and proximity potential model (CPPM) to systematically study two-proton (2p) radioactivity half-lives of the nuclei close to proton drip line. The proximity potential chosen is Prox. 81 proposed by Blocki et al. in 1981. Furthermore, we apply this model to predict the half-lives of possible 2p radioactive candidates whose 2p radioactivity is energetically allowed or observed but not yet quantified in the evaluated nuclear properties table NUBASE2016. The predicted results are in good agreement with those from other theoretical models and empirical formulas, namely the effective liquid drop model (ELDM), generalized liquid drop model (GLDM), Gamow-like model, Sreeja formula and Liu formula.

Mediating Educational Gaps For Refugee Children: The Case Of South Sudanese Children In A Primary School In Addis Ababa

The major purpose of the study was to understand how culturally mediated is the primary education provided for urban South-Sudanese refugee children that are found in Addis Ababa. Qualitative single case study approach was used. Interviews were used to collect data from six South Sudanese refugee students, three teachers, and two vice principals at Hibret Fire primary schools; officers drawn from Development Interchurch Aid Commission (DICAC), United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), and Addis Ababa City Education Bureau. Results of the study indicated almost absence of any attempt to make use of previous educational experiences of the children; low attention to bridging language gaps; and lack of preparation on the part of the schools to teach refugee children. The leadership of the school and the teachers lacked commitment to provide for the special needs of the refugee children. In general, it was learned that no attempt was made to mediate gaps the particular refugee children phase in their education. The study hinted that this undesirable state of primary education delivery might have resulted in the reported behavioral problems, high drop-out rate, low academic achievement, and decreased interest to learn which are rampant among the refugee children.

Instructional Supervision at Government Secondary Schools in Relation to Supervisor Competence Standard: Practice and Challenge in the Case of Arsi Zone, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to examine the Implementation of Instructional Supervision in Government Secondary Schools in relation to Competence standard of supervisor developed by MoE 2012. The study focused on areas of instructional supervision policy frame work and strategies, the trend of external and internal supervision process at school system. To meet the objectives of the study, the study employed qualitative research approach and case study research design. The study conducted at Arsi Zone in Oromiya regional state; in the study four schools purposely selected and 20 respondents have been participated in the study (2 Woreda education office head; 7 school leadership; 11 teachers). Purposive sampling method will be implemented on this take empirical study. The Data were gathered through open ended questionnaire and interview. The study result shows that, in study area Instructional supervisor could not able to carry out the tasks of supervision to enhance quality of learners and not undertaken their instructional role, b/c of lack of commitment for their work, failing to follow rules, regulation, procedures, and policies. It was suggested that, in order to provide instructional supervisors with the necessary knowledge, techniques, and skills, the Regional Education Bureau of the Ministry of Education should strengthen the capacity of school leaders by providing ongoing training and ensuring that school policies are consistent with the ministry's strategies.

基于citespace的生态风险评价研究进展与启示

PDF HTML阅读 XML下载 导出引用 引用提醒 基于CiteSpace的生态风险评价研究进展 DOI: 10.5846/stxb202111123176 作者: 作者单位: 作者简介: 通讯作者: 中图分类号: 基金项目: 国家自然科学基金面上项目（42071170），湖北省教育厅人文社科研究项目（20Z031） Progress and enlightenment of ecological risk assessment research based on CiteSpace Author: Affiliation: Fund Project: The National Natural Science Foundation of China (General Program)；Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Hunan Province, China 摘要 | 图/表 | 访问统计 | 参考文献 | 相似文献 | 引证文献 | 资源附件 | 文章评论 摘要:基于Web of Science和中国知网数据库，运用CiteSpace知识图谱可视化方法，分析国内外生态风险评价的研究进展。结果表明：（1）1990-2020年国内外生态风险评价研究文献数量均快速增长，其中国内文献数量增长更快；（2）国内外文献作者及研究机构之间基本形成合作网络体系，中国科学院的发文量在国际位于领先地位；（3）关键词和关键词聚类可视化分析表明生态风险评价研究长期聚焦在水环境、重金属、有机化合物污染影响；（4）国内外研究重点重合度高、同步性强，均从水环境为主向水土环境与城市环境并重转变、向源解析和风险管理研究延伸，但相较之下，国内研究对风险源、质量标准研究更为重视，国外研究与生物学联系更为紧密、对于国际性话题的研究关注也更多。对当前国内生态风险评价研究的启示包括：增强研究对象多元化和国际化，检验更新各类质量标准，构建相对统一的生态风险评价框架和指标体系，科学评估区域持续发展水平和绿色发展潜力。 Abstract:Based on the literature data from web of science and China National Knowledge Infrastructure this paper uses CiteSpace software to analyze the research progress of ecological risk assessment. The results show that: (1) the number of ecological risk assessment paper have been increasing since 1990, while the domestic publications’ growth rate was faster than that of foreign ones. (2) The scientific research cooperation between literature scholars and research institutions have basically formed a cooperative network system. The Chinese Academy of Sciences had a leading position in the world in terms of publication volume. (3) The analysis of keywords and keyword clustering shows that ERA had long-term focusing points on aquatic environment, heavy metals and organic contaminant. (4) The focus of research at home and abroad was high coincidence and synchronization. Both domestic and foreign researches have shifted from water environment to soil and water environment and urban environment, and extended to source analysis and risk management. However, the domestic research pays more attention to the study of risk sources and quality criterion, while foreign researches are more closely related to biology, and pay more attention to international topics. Inspired by the above, domestic ecological risk assessment research needs to pay attention to: enhance the diversification and internationalization of research objects, test and update all kinds of quality criterion, build a relatively unified ecological risk assessment framework and indicator system, and scientifically evaluate the sustainable development level and green development potential of the region. 参考文献 相似文献 引证文献

Specific inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome suppresses immune overactivation and alleviates COVID-19 like pathology in mice.

SummaryBackgroundThe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been a great threat to global public health since 2020. Although the advance on vaccine development has been largely achieved, a strategy to alleviate immune overactivation in severe COVID-19 patients is still needed. The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated upon SARS-CoV-2 infection and associated with COVID-19 severity. However, the processes by which the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in COVID-19 disease remain unclear.MethodsWe infected THP-1 derived macrophages, NLRP3 knockout mice, and human ACE2 transgenic mice with live SARS-CoV-2 in Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) laboratory. We performed quantitative real-time PCR for targeted viral or host genes from SARS-CoV-2 infected mouse tissues, conducted histological or immunofluorescence analysis in SARS-CoV-2 infected mouse tissues. We also injected intranasally AAV-hACE2 or intraperitoneally NLRP3 inflammasome inhibitor MCC950 before SARS-CoV-2 infection in mice as indicated.FindingsWe have provided multiple lines of evidence that the NLRP3 inflammasome plays an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the lungs. Inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome attenuated the release of COVID-19 related pro-inflammatory cytokines in cell cultures and mice. The severe pathology induced by SARS-CoV-2 in lung tissues was reduced in Nlrp3−/− mice compared to wild-type C57BL/6 mice. Finally, specific inhibition of the NLRP3 inflammasome by MCC950 alleviated excessive lung inflammation and thus COVID-19 like pathology in human ACE2 transgenic mice.InterpretationInflammatory activation induced by SARS-CoV-2 is an important stimulator of COVID-19 related immunopathology. Targeting the NLRP3 inflammasome is a promising immune intervention against severe COVID-19 disease.FundingThis work was supported by grants from the Bureau of Frontier Sciences and Education, CAS (grant no. QYZDJ-SSW-SMC005 to Y.G.Y.), the key project of the CAS “Light of West China” Program (to D.Y.) and Yunnan Province (202001AS070023 to D.Y.).

Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition 2021

The Hong Kong Student Science Project Competition (HKSSPC) promotes the interest in science and technology among youth, develops their creativity and critical thinking skills through an innov ative application of science and technology, and ignites their passions and career interests in these areas. This year, the HKSSPC was organized by The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, the Education Bureau, the Hong Kong Science Museum, and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation. Furthermore, it was supported by the Innovation and Technology Commission and the Hong Kong Young Academic of Sciences. We extend our thanks to all these groups for making this year’s competition a success. STEM Fellowship collaborated with the HKSSPC Secretariat to provide youth from Hong Kong with the unique opportunity to submit their work in the STEM Fellowship Journal. This year’s theme was “Inspiration from Living - Innovation from Science” with an emphasis on United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. The broad scope of the competition allowed participants to submit their work in a variety of areas such as water pollution, nanoparticles, artificial intelligence systems, agriculture, environmental health, plastics, waste reduction, and many more. We are pleased to share the creativity and ambitious drive for research demonstrated by HKSSPC’s participants in these proceedings. We would like to congratulate every passionate individual who participated in the HKSSPC this year and wish them the best in their future STEM-related endeavours.

Systematic study of two-proton radioactivity half-lives using the two-potential and Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approaches * *Supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11205083, 11505100, 11705055), the Construct Program of the Key Discipline in Hunan Province, the Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Hunan Province, China (18A237), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China (2018JJ2321), the Innovation Group

In this work, we systematically study the two-proton ( ) radioactivity half-lives using the two-potential approach, and the nuclear potential is obtained using the Skyrme-Hartree-Fock approach and the Skyrme effective interaction of SLy8. For true radioactivity ( 0 and 0, where and are the released energies of the one-proton and two-proton radioactivity, respectively), the standard deviation between the experimental half-lives and our theoretical calculations is 0.701. In addition, we extend this model to predict the half-lives of 15 possible radioactivity candidates with 0 obtained from the evaluated atomic mass table AME2016. The calculated results indicate a clear linear relationship between the logarithmic radioactivity half-lives ( ) and coulomb parameters [( + ) ] considering the effect of orbital angular momentum proposed by Liu [Chin. Phys. C 45, 024108 (2021)]. For comparison, the generalized liquid drop model (GLDM), effective liquid drop model (ELDM), and Gamow-like model are also used. Our predicted results are consistent with those obtained using other relevant models.

Epidemiological Investigation among Middle School Students in Haicheng City, Liaoning Province

Objective To investigate the incidence and characteristics of scoliosis among middle school students and adolescents in Haicheng City, Liaoning Province, to enrich the epidemiological data of the disease in our city and provide theoretical basis for clinical prevention and treatment. Methods From October 10, 2019 to December 12, 2019, under the organization of the Haicheng Education Bureau of Liaoning Province, students from 37 schools in the city’s junior and senior high schools were screened, and all the subjects were tested in turn. Screening methods, namely the first inspection visual method, Adam bending test, second inspection scoliosis measurement rulers, third inspection standing position spine full length anterolateral X-ray examination. X-ray examination found that Cobb’s angle ≥10° The patient was diagnosed with scoliosis. Results the number of students screened in this screening were 29,314, and the number of confirmed cases was 289 (0.99%). Among the confirmed numbers were 115 males (39.79%) and 174 females (60.21%). The prevalence of females was higher than that of males (X2=27.789). P=0.0000). Among the confirmed cases, 245 cases had Cobb’s angle ≤19°, 28 cases had Cobb’s angle 20°−29°, 10 cases had Cobb’s angle 30° − 39°, and 6 cases had Cobb’s angle ≥40°. Conclusion The incidence of scoliosis among middle school students in Haicheng City, Liaoning Province is higher in the junior high school group than in the high school group. The incidence of female students is higher than that of male students, which should be taken seriouslt.

USP10 exacerbates neointima formation by stabilizing Skp2 protein in vascular smooth muscle cells

The underlying mechanism of neointima formation remains unclear. Ubiquitin-specific peptidase 10 (USP10) is a deubiquitinase that plays a major role in cancer development and progression. However, the function of USP10 in arterial restenosis is unknown. Herein, USP10 expression was detected in mouse arteries and increased after carotid ligation. The inhibition of USP10 exhibited thinner neointima in the model of mouse carotid ligation. In vitro data showed that USP10 deficiency reduced proliferation and migration of rat thoracic aorta smooth muscle cells (A7r5) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs). Mechanically, USP10 can bind to Skp2 and stabilize its protein level by removing polyubiquitin on Skp2 in the cytoplasm. The overexpression of Skp2 abrogated cell cycle arrest induced by USP10 inhibition. Overall, the current study demonstrated that USP10 is involved in vascular remodeling by directly promoting VSMC proliferation and migration via stabilization of Skp2 protein expression.

Research on Developing Dynamic Website for Benishangul Gumuz Regional State of Educational Bureau

This research project was done by Assosa University College of Computing And Informatics. Developing Dynamic Website for Benishangul Gumuz Regional State of Educational Bureau, provides a simple and efficient way of facilitating education service. Since the redundancy and collection of relevant malfunctioned material information can be very time-consuming, it is difficult to achieve this objective using manual systems. All these challenges had been minimized by automating the manual system.This document contains the introduction, methodology that uses tools like Notepad++,HTML, wampserver and MYSQL, data sources like site observation, interview and document analysis, and for design methodology we use object-oriented. For analysis model we use sequence and activity diagram. For system design we include state diagram and use case diagram. To develop the real website, designs had been made that covers the website architecture, user interfaces and database designs.

Systematic study of two-proton radioactivity with a screened electrostatic barrier * *Supported in part by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (11205083, 11505100, 11705055), the Construct Program of the Key Discipline in Hunan Province, the Research Foundation of Education Bureau of Hunan Province, China (18A237), the Natural Science Foundation of Hunan Province, China (2018JJ3324), the Innovation Group of Nuclear

In this study, a phenomenological model is proposed based on Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin (WKB) theory and applied to investigate the two-proton ( ) radioactive half-lives of nuclei near or beyond the proton drip line. The total diproton-daughter nucleus interaction potential is composed of the Hulthen-type electrostatic term and the centrifugal term. The calculated radioactive half-lives can accurately reproduce the existing 10 experimental datasets of five true radioactive nuclei with σ = 0.736. In addition, we extend this model to predict the half-lives of possible radioactive nuclei whose radioactivity is energetically allowed or observed but not yet quantified in NUBASE2016. The predicted results are in agreement with those obtained using the Gamow-like model, generalized liquid drop model, Sreeja formula, and Liu formula.

Ethiopian Early Grade Mathematics Curriculum Organization

Early grade education is basic and necessary for preparing students for their future education and life. Therefore, paying attention for early grade mathematics education has a multidirectional contribution to the quality of education in a country. This study investigated Ethiopian early grade mathematics curriculum organization in relation to its responsiveness to children learning progression. In this study a qualitative research approach was employed. 4 early grade mathematics teachers participated in evaluating the early grade mathematics curriculum (minimum learning competency (MLC) document, syllabus, and flowchart document). In addition, two educational experts at the regional education bureau and the Ministry of Education (MoE) participated in the study. The data were collected through interview and document analysis by using content analysis protocol developed by adapting the national guideline for preparing and evaluating teaching-learning materials (Taye, 2011), mathematics content analysis (Aggarwal, 2009; Hashmi, Hussain, & Shoaib, 2018), and learning progression responsive curriculum (Bristow & Patrick, 2014; Council, 2007; Duschl, Maeng, & Sezen, 2011; Popham, 2007; Sáez, Lai, & Tindal, 2013; Simon, 1995; Wilson & Bertenthal, 2005). The study revealed that there are considerable gaps in the early grade mathematics curriculum in relation to responding to children learning progression at the level. The study recommends special focus to be given for children learning progression and alignment of curricular materials when developing early grade mathematics curriculum. The study further suggested developing a learning progression document, based on research evidence that can be used as a guide for the textbook and other curricular materials development. Keywords : Curriculum organization, Early grade mathematics, Learning progression DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-25-03 Publication date: September 30 th 2021

In-Depth Analysis of Primary Schools Performance, Financial Strength and Challenges in Bench-Sheko, Kafa and Sheka Zones, Ethiopia

This study was aimed to look at the trends of public primary schools performance and challenges. The national standards indicated in Education Sector Development Program V (ESDP V 2016-2020) was used to measure school performance. Primary and secondary data sources were used to meet the research targets. Three years performance reports of Primary Schools of Bench-Sheko, Kafa and Sheka Zones were examined in depths. School principals, vice principals, supervisors, district education bureau heads, and senior teachers were used as a source of data. Both quantitative and qualitative information was gathered and analyzed. A X2 test of independence model is used to see associations between the variables. The finding of the study revealed that the schools were progressing well in access. However, there are variations in access rate from district to district and from school to school. The variations were determined by the commitment of the school leadership and the extent of community engagement in school matters. The study also identified schools as an inefficient which was manifested by increasing dropout and repetition rates. Demographic pressure, financial incapability, poor students’ learning interest, poor school infrastructures, poor salary structure and incentives to keep in and attract talented teachers to the schools were identified as major challenges affecting the performance. The researchers recommends to design inclusive policy and financial reforms of primary schools with critical implementation and monitoring to come out of these vicious circles.

Physical education strategies for COVID-19 prevention and control in primary and secondary schools: A practical case from China

This study recognizes the severity of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and addresses the issue of preventing the virus spread while achieving good standards of school-level physical education (PE). Accordingly, it examines feasible scientific strategies to implement offline PE activities during the COVID-19 pandemic based on local practical experience in Hangzhou, China. A regular practical mechanism to implement sports activities and provide PE based on the recommendations of the local government’s education bureau is well established for primary and secondary schools. To aid the local government in implementing scientific and reasonable PE programs, an operational guide was developed to carry out PE lessons and sports activities before, during, and after classes. The strategies discussed in this paper will facilitate the orderly practice of PE and sports activities in schools and the consideration of COVID-19 pandemic prevention measures, which can help PE teachers enhance students’ physical fitness and health.