Government Schools Research Articles

STUDY OF OCCUPATIONAL STRESS OF SECONDARY SCHOOL TEACHERS IN RELATION TO THEIR MENTAL HEALTH AND JOB SATISFACTION

The job of the teachers is complex as it has to meet the expectations of parents, teachers, policy makers and address their once needs. These twin concerns make the life of teachers demanding and stressful. This becomes an important problem in the context of diversity of school system operative in India. A teacher performs outstandingly on being satisfied with the job. However, job satisfaction is concerned with certain aspects and attitude is one of them. It is mandatory for a teacher to have satisfaction on job performance and should develop a positive attitude towards education. Only satisfied, well adjusted and mentally healthy teacher can think of the well being of the students. In the present study, random sampling technique has been employed. Against this backdrop this study was planned to investigate aspects of occupational stress of secondary school teachers in relation to their mental health and job satisfaction. A sample of about 200 teachers from different type of schools (government and private) of Gurdaspur city was selected for the purpose of the study. Toanalyze the data varied statistical techniques have been employed such asstatistics viz; Mean, Standard Deviation have been used to ascertain the nature of distribution of scores, descriptive Pearson product moment correlations have been calculated, the t-test was applied to find out the difference between means, ANOVA (two way) was applied to compute the data. Findings of the study showed that government schools teachers have better mental health and job satisfaction in comparison to teachers of private schools, whereas female schools’ teachers have better mental health in comparison to male school’s teachers.

Extent of Use of Virtual Field Trips in Instruction of History and Government Among Secondary Schools in Murang’a County, Kenya

The use of field trips for instruction has been limited by the cost of trips, logistical planning, time taken in traveling, and learners’ safety concerns. This has led to the adoption of Virtual Field Trips (VFTs) that offer opportunities for learners to virtually visit historical sites for learning. However, the utilization of VFTs in teaching and learning History and Government in secondary schools has not been sufficiently researched and documented in Kenya thus the essence of the study. The study was guided by Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge Theory (TPACK) and adopted a Quasi-Experimental Design targeting thirty-five public sub-county secondary schools. Schools and teachers were purposively sampled while learners were randomly selected. A sample size of 372 respondents took part in the study. Learners’ questionnaires, interview schedules for teachers, and classroom observation schedules were used to collect data. The study found that majority of teachers and learners were not aware of the use of VFTs for teaching and learning. Further, even after training, teachers were not able to effectively use VFTs in instruction. Against these findings, this study recommended that the Ministry of Education and Teachers Service Commission should team up and organize training for teachers to equip them with ICT skills for preparation and use of VFTs for teaching and learning. Also, teacher training institutions should endeavor to equip teacher trainees with ICT skills to exploit VFTs in their specific teaching-learning areas.

Fragile legitimacy of multi-academy trusts in England: the case for a clear set of indicators to engender trust in the academised school system

ABSTRACT The UK 2019–2024 Conservative Government’s ambition was for all schools in England to be part of a multi-academy trust (MAT), a publicly funded body outside of local authority control (Department for Education 2022a). The preference for larger, geographically widespread MATs has resulted in a centralised system, where governance and management of schools is potentially detached from local views and concerns, leading to questions over the legitimacy of these organisations as providers of education. Through the use of phenomenology and organisational theory, this paper explores conceptions of legitimacy for stakeholders in four MATs. It highlights the fragility of an education system over-reliant on the reputation and expertise of the founding CEO, and trustees who often lack educational and pedagogical knowledge, with limited understanding of local issues. This article argues that the lack of plurality and representation on trust boards, limits agency for academy leaders and diminishes space for local voices to be heard. The inadequacies of applying organisational theory to identify legitimacy are exposed. A more insightful model is presented, including a set of ‘MAT legitimacy indicators’: appropriate knowledge, expertise and values of those in management and governance; cultural and demographic representation in governance; plurality through diversity of voice and dissensus.

Comparing Physical Education Facilities: an Assessment of Government and Non-Government Schools in Tripura

Comparing Physical Education Facilities: an Assessment of Government and Non-Government Schools in Tripura

Women’s Education: Curriculum and Content in the Nineteenth and Early Twentieth Centuries India

The initiation and expansion of women’s formal instruction in India in the pre-Independence time is the legacy of both colonialism and the nineteenth-century reform movement among Indians. The latter, to an extent, was a response to the Westernisation embedded in the colonial processes. In pre-colonial India, institutional and formal education was a rarity for womenfolk, and until the mid-nineteenth century, zenana education or instruction imparted at home was the accepted norm. Several scholars have noted that the nineteenth century saw an intense debate on women’s schooling, especially in relation to the wisdom of educating women, the form it should take, and the purpose it should serve. Historically, women’s education was viewed by most communities as meaningless. Large sections of the population of both Hindu and Muslim communities were content with extending conventional approaches of learning to women and were vehemently opposed to changing it in favour of a modern education either in government schools or missionary schools. At home, women were taught to read religious scriptures and to read and write the vernacular language, although the focus was on learning home crafts and subjects of domestic and practical utility.

Internet Addiction and Sleep Quality Among School Children in South India.

Today's internet is an unavoidable component of educational sources, the entertainment field, and telecommunication processes. Internet usage is more likely among adolescents and young adults in the form of surfing, chatting, playing games, and fulfilling their social needs. The present study has been planned to assess the effect of internet addiction (IA) on sleep quality in school children. This cross-sectional school-based study was conducted amongschool students in Pondicherry. A total of 350 school students of both genders studying in grades six to 10 and having access to at least one device with internet for more than one year were recruited from government and private schools located in five randomly selected communes in Pondicherry by convenient sampling method. Assessment of IA was done using Young's Internet Addiction Test (YIAT). The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PQSI) questionnaire assessed the participants' sleep quality. All the data was tested for normality using the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Chi-square and unpaired t-tests were used for analysis. The average age of the participants is 13 years. 49 (26.1%) are children and 139 (73.9%) are adolescents. The majority of them are females belonging to the adolescent age group(169, 89.4%). Around 17 (19.5%) children and 70 (80.5%)adolescents reported mild IA. Thirteen (59.1%)childrenand nine (40.9%)adolescents reported moderate IA. There is no significant difference in sleep quality between children and adolescents (4±2.33 vs. 3.62±2.61, p=0.37)but there is a considerable difference in their levels of IA(32.98±21.06 vs. 25.6±15.08, p=0.01). Conclusion: This study found a significant relationship between IA and poor sleep quality among adolescents. Thus, adolescents, parents, school authorities, and researchers should understand the importance of regulating internet usage and encouraging sleep hygiene. Thus, appropriate measures should be taken to address the effects of IA on sleep quality.

The Impact of the Educational Counselor in Promoting Student Achievement Level in Government Schools at Irbid Governorate From School Principal Perspective

One of the purposes and objectives of this research is to identify and assess the impact of the effectiveness of a school counselor on the academic success of students-an effectiveness that is manifested through the provision of academic, psychosocial, and vocational support to students, as well as through the facilitation of the interactions among students, teachers, and parents. In order to accomplish this study, the opinions of 180 public school principals were sought, and they were selected randomly to allow unbiased and generalizable interpretations of the principals in the governorate of Irbid to be the research population. A survey method was employed for data collection, and it consisted of a survey specifically designed for this research study, which contained several paragraphs related to the primary areas of the school counselor's role, as listed above. The responses collected were analyzed by establishing the means and the standard deviations. This research aimed to understand better the significant contribution that school counselors can offer in enhancing the educational process and academic progress within public schools in Irbid. It also confirmed that the multi-faceted support that they provide is essential. Results. In the study evaluating the role of the educational counselor within the scope of the public schools of Irbid, the results of which have been collected from school principals, the work provides a positive evaluation of the perceived influence of the counselors in terms of students' academic achievement across four primary dimensions: academic support that had a mean of 4.2 and a standard deviation of 0.8; psychological support with a mean of 4.0 and standard deviation of 0.9; vocational guidance with a mean of 3.8 and a standard deviation of 0.7; and interaction with parents and teachers with a mean of 4.1 and a standard deviation of 0.6. Such results reveal a high appreciation of the importance of the role of the educational counselor in improving the educational environment and the comprehensive support for the student as the role of the counselor has been exposed as a practical element in supporting the student academically and psychologically, guiding the student professionally, and in addition promoting effective communication between the school and the family.

Computer Skills and Teacher Accomplishment in Private Secondary Schools in Kampala City

This study investigated the relationship between Computer skills and teacher accomplishment in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; i) To assess the relationship between computer accessibility in teaching and teacher accomplishment, ii) To examine the relationship between computer utilization and teacher accomplishment, and iii) To examine the relationship between computer knowledge and skills and teacher accomplishment in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. This investigation accepted the correlational research strategy coupled with a quantitative approach. A sample size of 35 respondents was considered constituting of head teachers and teachers from the five selected private secondary schools in the city. Both descriptive analysis and correlation analysis was employed to provide answers to the study phenomenon. The study revealed that there’s strong positive and important connection among computers accessibility in teaching and teacher accomplishment s in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. The study also revealed that there is a moderately positive and significant relationship between computer utilization and teacher accomplishment in private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda. Further, Additionally, the investigation found a significant beneficial and substantial connection amongst computer knowledge and skills and teacher accomplishment within Kampala City private high schools, Uganda. Therefore, this investigation concludes that Computer skills constituting of computer accessibility in teaching, computer utilization, as well as computer knowledge and skills has a statistically significant relationship in regard to teachers' productivity at work within private high schools in Kampala City, Uganda in that an increase in the different aspects of Computer skills resultantly leads to an improvement in teacher accomplishment within private high schools within Kampala City, Uganda. This investigation recommends that the Education Ministry as well as policymakers ought to create interventions, policies, and programs that better support an enhancement in Computer skills among teachers in the different schools as this would improve teacher accomplishment outcomes in both government and private secondary schools in Kampala City, Uganda.

Prevalence of Methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) use in south east Nigeria: a community-based cross-sectional study

BackgroundMethamphetamine (MA) (Mkpurummiri) is seen as the most common, accessible and new drug of use/abuse in south east Nigeria. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the dire consequences of this drug to the users, there is lack of empirical research to determine its prevalence in this area where use is assumed to be common. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MA use, characteristics of the users and the control measures.MethodsA descriptive cross-sectional survey research design was conducted from May through November 2023 among adolescents/adults at the age bracket of 15-64 years in the five states of south east, Nigeria. Three hundred and seventy-one (371) respondents were recruited using purposive/convenience sampling methods. A semi structured questionnaire was the instrument used. Data were analyzed using percentage, bivariate and multivariate logistics regression statistics. The Prevalence of MA was determined using percentages whereas the factors that are associated with MA use were expressed using multivariate logistics regression statistics AORs and 95%CIs. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05.ResultsThe prevalence of Methamphetamine (Mkpurummiri) was (21.8%). The most common reason for MA use was depression (86.5%), the most common route of administration was inhalation (64.9%). The most common characteristic of MA (Mkpurummiri) user was aggressive/violent behaviour (94.1%).The control measures were self-control (92.2%), parental monitoring (85.7%), drug education (83.1%) and legal control (80.8%). The multivariate logistics regression statistics AOR shows that off-campus were 3 times (AOR = 0.298; CI = 0.12–0.73 P = 0.008), family house 4 times (AOR = 0.241; CI = 0.09–0.65; P = 0.005 ≤0.05\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\le 0.05$$\\end{document}) less likely than on-campus to predict MA use. Recently married were 3.25 times (aOR = 3.25; CI = 1.47–7.18), divorced 3.45 times (aOR = 3.45; CI = 1.23–9.58), polygamy 2.3 times (aOR = 2.3; CI = 1.08–4.90; P = 0.031 ≤0.05\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\le 0.05$$\\end{document}), tradition 4.44 times (aOR = 4.44; CI = 1.77–11.15; P = 0.001 ≤0.05)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$$\\le 0.05)$$\\end{document}, more likely than others to use MA.ConclusionsMA use prevalence was relatively high, and marital status, living arrangements, family type and religion were the predictors. These findings underscore the need for concerted effort among the relevant government agencies, community stakeholders, families, religious bodies and school authorities to designing MA use policy/laws with special focus on adopting the punitive measure used in checking cocaine users. This may help to arrest and prosecute the manufacturers, distributors and users of MA.

A Public Opinion on Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme in Tamil Nadu

The public opinion on the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's breakfast scheme in Tamil Nadu is generally positive. This scheme, which aims to provide nutritious breakfast to school children, has been widely appreciated for addressing issues of malnutrition and enhancing educational outcomes. As the most essential meal of the day, breakfast should never be neglected. Since children rush to get to school early in the morning, many children skip breakfast. Skipping breakfast makes youngsters weary, angry, and restless. This will give the most nutrient-dense breakfast to the elementary school children on school days Critics may raise concerns about implementation challenges or financial implications, but overall, it has been seen as a commendable initiative to improve the health and well-being of students in the state. Some applaud it for addressing malnutrition among school children and promoting education by ensuring they start the day with a nutritious meal. Others may criticise aspects such as implementation challenges, cost-effectiveness, or potential political motives. Overall, it's a topic that generates mixed reactions and ongoing debate among the public. The Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, which was initially devised to provide nutritious breakfast to 1,14,095 students of classes I to V studying in 1,545 government schools, has now been extended to 31,000 government schools across the State, benefitting 17 lakh students. Some people see it as a positive initiative aimed at addressing hunger and malnutrition among school children, while others may have concerns about its implementation, cost-effectiveness, or sustainability. Overall, the reception of such schemes often depends on individual perspectives and experiences. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Breakfast Scheme is known by many names in Tamil Nadu like "Stalin Breakfast Scheme" or "Morning Breakfast Scheme in Tamil Nadu" or "Tamil Nadu Breakfast Scheme".

Learners’ motivational opportunities, learning style, cognitive ability and their associations with LLS choice to practice speaking EFL: Dire Dawa secondary government schools in Focus, Ethiopia

Learners’ motivational opportunities, learning style, cognitive ability and their associations with LLS choice to practice speaking EFL: Dire Dawa secondary government schools in Focus, Ethiopia

A Study of School Absenteeism During Menstruation Amongst Adolescent Schoolgirls in An Urban Area of North India

Introduction: WHO has defined adolescence period as the phase of life between childhood and adulthood. This study aimed to estimate the percentage of girls absent from school during menstruation, investigate the underlying causes of this absenteeism, and determine the association between school absenteeism and various factors. Methods: In present community-based study, 473 school going adolescent girls studying in 9th to 12th standards were selected by multistage stratified random sampling method. We selected 3 private and 3 government schools. Adolescent girls were interviewed by pretested, predesigned, semi-structured questionnaire for data collection. Results: The mean age of the students was 16.64 ± 1.4 years. 29.2% participants were absent from school during menstruation. Dysmenorrhea was the most prevalent reason for school absence, quoted by 51(37%) of the participants. In present study positive association between school absenteeism and various socio-demographic factors like the type of school, socioeconomic status, mother's education level, access to hygienic menstrual products and health education was observed. Conclusion: Nearly one-third of the girls were absent in school during menstruation. The main reasons for school absenteeism reported by girls were dysmenorrhea, mother's restrictions, fear of staining cloth and difficulty in changing pads in school.

P036 INFLUENCE OF FOOD ENVIRONMENT IN AND AROUND SCHOOLS ON FOOD CHOICES AND PRACTICES OF STUDENTS: A MIXED METHODS STUDY – ANTICIPATORY FINDINGS

Background: The health behaviors of adolescents are significantly influenced by their living environments, with schools serving as crucial settings for promoting healthy behaviors. The school food environment, encompassing areas where food is provided and consumed within and around schools, plays a key role in shaping adolescents’ dietary choices. However, there is a notable scarcity of evidence regarding the school food environment in Pakistan. This study aims to examine the school food environment and associated factors, including the availability, accessibility, and affordability of foods within and around schools for adolescents, the facilitators and barriers school vendors face while offering healthy food options, and the perspective of policymakers on the role of food environments. Objectives: • To assess the school lunchtime food practice and sources of adolescents in schools in Karachi • To explore facilitators and barriers to offering healthier food options to adolescents through school vendors both within and outside school premises • To explore the perspectives of adolescents regarding the food choices available to them Methods: A mixed methods concurrent study design i.e. a cross-sectional study, interpretive descriptive qualitative study. Six schools, comprising three government and three private schools from District Central of Karachi, will be recruited. Students from grades 6 and 7 who provide consent and assent will be included, with an anticipated sample size of 430 participants. Descriptive statistics will be utilized to analyze quantitative data and a manual thematic analysis approach will be employed to analyze qualitative data. Results: The anticipated outcome of this study is to understand the school food environment holistically taking into consideration the practices and perspectives of key stakeholders i.e. school-going adolescents, vendors, and policymakers. Conclusion The groundwork done through this research project will help develop evidence-based healthy school food environment programs/interventions that can be feasibly deployed in government and private schools in Pakistan. The research outcomes will foster collaborative efforts among various stakeholders to co-create and implement viable solutions.

Innovation in Education: Teachers and Students Perception of Implementing ICT in Learning in Higher Secondary Schools of Gilgit Baltistan

This paper primarily intends to investigate the perception of ICT integration in teaching and learning in higher secondary schools of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB). A sample of 200 students and 100 teachers were randomly selected from various government, private, and NGO higher secondary schools in GB. A questionnaire was designed through the Likert scale, and distributed among teachers and students. A statistical analysis has been carried out. The average percentage of both teachers and students has been 40.29%, 37.27% strongly agreed, 42.5%, 38.07% agreed, 10.01%, and 13.8% not sure, 5.25%, 9.1% disagreed, and 2.26%, 6.2% strongly disagreed, respectively. The analysis shows that the willingness of teachers and students towards ICT integration has been considerably high in percentage.in contrast, the lowest percentage of teachers and students were not favored by ICT integration in teaching and learning. An attempt has also been made to find out the variances of teachers' subject-based and students in school types applying one-way ANOVA. The perceptions of teachers and students are important that determine the success behavior in higher secondary schools in Gilgit-Baltistan since its inception at the city level, now extending towards the remote areas. Targeted initiatives that tackle these perceptions can serve to greatly improve the learning experience and outcomes for education in the region.

중세 유럽 대학의 운영과 조선후기 서원의 경제 운영 - 이탈리아 볼로냐 대학과 상주 옥동서원을 중심으로

There is a prevailing agreement among academic experts that medieval universities in Europe underwent a transformation from parochial and monastic schools to institutions recognized as universities during the 11th or 12th century. However, the date of the university's founding is less clear, due to a lack of empirical evidence. This is because early European medieval universities were not established by royal or ecclesiastical decree, but rather slowly developed out of the existing parochial or monastic school system. Furthermore, the understanding of higher education at the University of Bologna in Italy, University of Paris, and University of Oxford during this era differed from the contemporary notion of a university, referred to as a studium or studium generale. The studium functioned as a “studium generale,” gathering students from various regions, rather than the modern concept of a “universal study center” in universities today. The universities founded in the late 12th century were perceived as distinctively European institutions, lacking direct connections to Greek, Roman, Byzantine, or Arab educational traditions. This indicates that prior to the Middle Ages, universities as institutions comprising professors and students with specific privileges, including administrative independence, curriculum development and implementation, and degree conferral, had no precedent elsewhere in Europe. Many academic studies have found that medieval universities in Europe emerged and developed in a distinctive manner. The origins of medieval universities in Korean history can be traced back to the state-sponsored establishment and operation of Taehak and Gukhak in ancient society. These institutions were passed down and evolved into Gukjagam (國子監) during the medieval Goryeo Dynasty. The Gukjagam underwent several name changes, becoming Gukhak in 1275(King Chongryeol's first year), Sungkyunkam(成均監) in 1298, Sungkyunkwan(成均館) in 1308, respectively, and undergoing subsequent renamings until it was succeeded by Sungkyunkwan following the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty. In the early Joseon Dynasty, the state promoted the policy of Sungkyunkwan and Sahak(四 學)in the central capital, and Hyanggyo(鄕校) in the provinces, which greatly encouraged the growth of learning, with Confucianism as a national policy. However, as the hall of higher education in the Joseon Dynasty, Sungkyunkwan, which was responsible for academic education and the recruitment of officials, began to show its limitations in the late Joseon Dynasty due to the decline in the quality of its instructors and the induction of students into the dutiful ranks of the royal army(忠順衛). The decline of the governmental school(官學) became a factor in the emergence and growth of private schools(私學). Many students chose to leave the governmental school to pursue their studies in the private schools, and the purpose of the private schools was to promote education based on the political ideology of learning of way(道學), rather than to promote education as a means of promoting to educate officials. In addition, if the main cause of the decline of governmental education was the lack of academic virtue of professors, private schools were opened with the power of teachers and scholars who had both academic virtue and scholarship, and were able to grow rapidly.

The use of ESL textbooks and students’ performance in speaking: a case study of some secondary schools in Ringim LGA Jigawa state

The role of English as a Second Language (ESL) textbooks in enhancing students' speaking abilities is a critical area of study, especially in regions where English is not the primary language. This research examines the influence of ESL textbooks on the speaking performance of secondary school students in Jigawa State, Nigeria. Adopting a qualitative research design, the study involved detailed interviews with teachers and focus group discussions with students from six secondary schools In Ringim local government of Jigawa state. The findings reveal that while ESL textbooks contribute to students' speaking development, the effectiveness varies significantly based on the alignment of textbook content with the local context and students' needs. The study concludes by recommending the integration of culturally relevant materials and interactive speaking exercises in ESL textbooks to better support students' oral communication skills.

Smartphone use and its addiction among Jammu adolescents

Background: Smartphones play a crucial role in our everyday life. Smartphones help users to develop social connections with others, gain information and entertain themselves through various applications. With the widespread use of smartphone, the number of smartphone users has been increasing worldwide. As smartphones are getting popular, smartphone addiction has become a serious mental health problem among adolescents. Objectives: To find out significant differences in smartphone addiction among adolescents with respect to their gender and locale. Methodology: Descriptive survey method was used for conducting the study. The sample consists of 200 adolescents of government and private schools from Jammu and Kathua. ‘Smartphone Addiction Scale’ (2021) developed by Vijayshri and Masaud Ansari was used for data collection. Results: It was found that smartphone addiction was significantly higher among female adolescents (M=65.34) as compared to their male counterparts (58.61). Further, it was also found that smartphone addiction was significantly higher in urban adolescents (M=64.37) than rural adolescents (M=59.08). Conclusion: In order to combat smartphone addiction among adolescents, we advise the creation of healthy environment at the family and school levels. Teachers should provide knowledge to the students about smartphone security tips and educational programmes should be organized for protecting psychological well-being of the adolescents.

Tobacco consumption and associated factors among tribal adolescent students in Terai-Dooars region, West Bengal

Background: Tobacco is one of the major causes of preventable deaths worldwide. Around the world, tobacco is one of the leading causes of tobacco-related cancer. Objectives: To estimate the proportion of tobacco use among tribal adolescents in Terai-Doars region, and to determine the related risk factors. Methodology: A school based cross-sectional study was conducted among 680 tribal adolescent students of government schools in Teria-Dooars region of West Bengal, from April 2022 to October 2022. After obtaining consent, data on socio-demographics and tobacco consumption were collected. Significance was tested using multivariable logistic regression. Results: The proportion of tobacco consumption among tribal adolescent students was found to be 45.7%. Male (58.1%) and female (28.2%) adolescents were found to be regular consumers. Male adolescents primarily prefer smokeless tobacco, with 58% starting their habit between 12-15 years age. Male adolescents preferred smokeless tobacco, with a significant proportion starting their habit between 12-15 years (58%). High consumption of Khaini (52.6%), Guthka (46.6%), and Cigarette (42.4%) is observed. Age (&lt;0.001), sex (&lt;0.001), religion (0.029), socio-economic level (0.004), and family history (0.003) significantly associated with tobacco consumption. Conclusions: Overall proportion of tobacco use was high among the tribal adolescents, with most starting smoking at an early age. The major risk factor that contributed was the family members' tobacco use.

The Utilization of Instructional Materials in Teaching-Reading of Primary Education Children in Selected Government Schools

The primary intention of this study is to determine the level of effectiveness of different instructional materials used in teaching reading to primary education children of selected government schools in China. The descriptive research method was employed in this study. Descriptive research, also known as statistical research, describes data and characteristics about the population or phenomenon being studied. Upon approval of the concerned individuals, questionnaires were reproduced and distributed through online forms to the seventy eight (78) teacher - respondents.The researcher used the convenience sampling in choosing the respondents because some teachers in the schools she selected were here classmates and common friends .It would be more convenient for the researcher to collect necessary data if she is acquainted with her respondents. As to effectiveness of different instructional materials commonly used in teaching reading, most of the respondents believed that most of the millennial students are visual learners hence the variety of materials used in the classroom is proven effective in teaching reading.

Prevalence and associated risk factors of stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight among primary school children in Kandahar City, Afghanistan: a cross-sectional analytical study

BackgroundUndernutrition, which includes stunting, wasting, and underweight, is a global problem, especially among children of low- and middle-income countries. To our knowledge, this study is first of its type from Afghanistan. Its main objectives were to estimate the prevalence and associated risk factors of stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight among urban primary school children in Kandahar city of Afghanistan.MethodsThis school-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 1205 primary school children aged 6–12 years during a period of six months (October 2022–March 2023). Anthropometric measurements and other data were collected from all the participants. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi square test (using crude odds ratio or COR), and multivariate logistic regression (using adjusted odds ratio or AOR).ResultsAmong the 1205 enrolled government school students, 47.4%, 19.5%, and 25.6% had stunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight, respectively. Statistically significant factors associated with stunting were age group 6–9 years (AOR 1.3, 95% CI 1.1–1.7), being girl (AOR 2.3, 95% CI 1.8–3.0), poverty (AOR 2.2, 95% CI 1.5–3.2), large family (AOR 3.0, 95% CI 2.4–3.9), illiterate mother (AOR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0–2.6), jobless head of the family (AOR 3.3, 95% CI 2.3–4.8), and skipping breakfasts (AOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.2–2.3). Main factor associated with wasting/thinness were age group 6–9 years (AOR 30.5, 95% CI 11.8–78.7), skipping breakfasts (AOR 22.9, 95% CI 13.9–37.8), and history of sickness during the past two weeks (AOR 17.0, 95% CI 6.6–43.8). Also, main factors associated with underweight were age group 6–9 years (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.6–4.1), skipping breakfasts (AOR 2.6, 95% CI 1.8–3.6), and poor sanitation (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1–3.2).ConclusionsStunting, wasting/thinness, and underweight are highly prevalent among primary school children (both girls and boys) in Kandahar city. It is recommended that local government (Afghanistan Ministry of Education and Ministry of Public Health) with the help of international organizations and donor agencies should implement comprehensive school-based feeding programs especially for girls. Health and nutrition education programs should be conducted with emphasis on nutrition of children aged 6–9 years as well as importance of healthy breakfast and good sanitation.