Ministry Officials Research Articles

In Search of Better Policies? The Relevance of Different Forms of Knowledge for Finnish Development Policy

Modern interpretations of Aristotelian concepts of knowing, episteme, techne and phronesis, have lately been adopted to study expertise and professions. The article argues that a combination of the three types of knowledge would be useful in development cooperation and that especially phronesis, or practical wisdom, should take the central stage as it combines practice with values. Although values are central in development work, they are currently undermined by technical understandings. The article explored the different forms of knowledge that are used and appreciated within the Finnish development cooperation. The data was drawn from a process of providing topical and rapid scientific inputs to Finnish ministry officials and it was complemented with key-informant interviews. The findings showed that although scientific knowledge was appreciated by the ministry officials, the internal incentive structures of the development administration favoured technical forms of knowledge. Especially results information as well as picking up travelling ideas from the major trendsetters within the field were important in everyday work. The main structural constraints for phronesis to flourish within the department seemed to be a lack of time for learning and reflection. Development is a messy process involving stakeholders with various interests and wicked problems that do not have simple solutions and are inflicted with power struggles. With declining funding and diminishing appreciation from the side of the power holders, the value of knowledge available to improve the quality and effectiveness of development policy and cooperation becomes important to all stakeholders.

The Main Factors Impacting on The Success of Higher Education Internationalisation in Modern China

Higher education internationalisation has become a widespread phenomenon, but the route choice constitutes an important issue. This research intends to evaluate how higher education internalisation is influenced by several factors: the leveraging of globalisation and localisation, inflow and outflow of education resources. After reviewing the theories on the patterns of internationalisation and education flows, telephone interview is conducted with six participants from several universities of Xi'an China, include Xi’an University, Northwest University, Xi’an Jiaotong University. Indicated by interview data, universities show strong inclinations of globalising, because the education shall be oriented towards the future career of the students in a globalised business world. However, the globalisation level is not satisfactory for some students. For example, the international branch campuses could be built to a higher level. This means that the campuses could be funded by the local and foreign universities. In addition, the challenges of leveraging globalisation and localisation include vague standards for leveraging the extents of being localised and globalised, cultural barriers and the conflicting ideas among relevant stakeholders such as the education ministry officials, the principal, professors and students. Demonstrated by interview data, outward flows are exemplified by exchange learning. In order to facilitate inward resource flows, universities in modern China tend to attract international students in various ways: travels to some foreign countries to capture the attention of the audiences there; hire some dealers in foreign countries to seek international students; deliver the most recent documents to some foreign agencies that help students apply for studying abroad.

EU external governance in policy area under “embedded stalemate”: navigating the dynamic networks of Turkish transport

ABSTRACT This paper offers a nuanced examination of EU external governance within the challenging terrain of ‘embedded stalemate’, utilizing a network governance lens. Focusing on the Turkish transport sector as a case study, the research seeks to unravel the determinants of EU compliance in areas characterized by a protracted political impasse. By investigating the intricate dynamics of this ‘embedded stalemate’, the paper explores the question: ‘How do various factors influence the compliance with the EU in the Turkish transport sector amid a prolonged stalemate characterized by the absence of benchmarks and deadlines?’ Through 11 semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, ranging from Turkish Ministry officials to private transport advisors, the study identifies variables such as incentives, actor capacities, asymmetry of interdependence, socialization, and politicization as crucial forces influencing the trajectory of compliance. The conceptual framework of network governance is introduced, providing a theoretical lens to understand the complex web of actors and preferences in this dynamic landscape. Therefore, the study concludes that as a result of ‘embedded stalemate’, patchy compliance is achieved through prolonged and dynamically evolving network governance involving a diverse array of actors from both the EU and Turkey sides.

Instructional Materials and Pupils’ Academic Performance in English in Central Division Selected Primary Schools of Ishaka Municipality, Uganda

The study examined the link between instructional materials and pupils’ English language learning in primary schools in Central Division, Ishaka Municipality. The study adopted cross sectional survey design. The quantitative data were collected using questionnaires. The data were presented and analysed using percentage, frequency tables, and arithmetic means. According to the findings, instructional resources included textbooks,chalkboards, computers, exercise books, and other supplies. From the study, factors affecting students' performance in school include lack of school fees, as many students are chased home to get fees and miss assignments and tests, negative attitude, inadequate learning facilities like books, lack of basic needs like shelter, food, poor time management, and lack of school facilities like libraries. Based on these findings, the study proposes that government and private sector stakeholders must contribute financially and materially to provide instructional materials and resources for junior primary school students. More so, regular workshops/seminars for primary teachers, head teachers, and principals on the growth and progress of instructional materials andresources in schools are urgently needed. Additionally, to improve learners' utilisation of instructional materials and resources, school leaders, directors, and ministry officials should supervise schools regularly. Finally, through government and professional seminars, workshops, and conferences, teachers should upgrade their instructional material improvisation abilities. Keywords: Academic performance, English language, Instructional materials, Learning aids, Pupils

What drives trust in regulatory agencies? Probing the relevance of governmental level and performance through a cross-national elite experiment on EU regulation

Abstract Trust between constituent actors within the European Union (EU)’s multilevel regulatory regimes is decisive for regulatory success. Trust drives information flows, increases compliance, and improves cooperation within these regimes. Despite its importance, systematic knowledge regarding the drivers of trust within regulatory regimes is limited. This paper inquires whether trust in regulatory agencies is influenced by their affiliation with the national or EU governmental level, as well as by their performance. While existing literature predominantly focuses on why citizens place their trust in governments or regulatory agencies, this paper presents original insights regarding the formation of trust among elites within the regulatory regime, including politicians, ministerial officials, agency officials, interest groups, and regulated entities. We employ data obtained from a large-scale vignette experiment conducted in six countries involving 752 decision-makers from relevant organizations. The experimental results suggest that both public and private elite actors’ trust assessment of regulatory agencies does not hinge on cues associated with the governmental level, but rather depends on agency performance. Accordingly, belonging to the national or EU governmental level does not create a difference in trust assessment of regulatory agencies in itself. It, however, shows that particularly elite actors are rather sensitive in terms of the performance of a regulatory agency.

Factors Driving Exclusion and Discrimination of Elmolo in Kenya: A Case of El Molo in Turkana County

The indigenous peoples in Kenya face a huge hurdle in protecting their fundamental rights and freedoms due to lack recognition as distinct groups with specific needs, cultures, and ways of life. This study sought to address to identify and map the El-Molo community in Turkana County, documenting varying levels of marginalization among different demographics and understanding the structure through which the community coordinates and advocates for their rights and development. The study focused on 1,104 El Molo residents in Kalokol, Longech, and Kapua, and utilized a descriptive research design. The researcher employed key informant interviews as well as Focus Group Discussions to collect primary data. To ensure the reliability of the findings, a triangulation of methods was utilized, including interviews with local chiefs, ministry officials, and representatives of faith-based organizations in Central Turkana. During public Baraza and FGD, a checklist was used to guide the discussions. The El-Molo community, the smallest ethnic group in Kenya, is at risk of losing their distinct identity through intermarriage and the adoption of Western practices from neighbouring tribes. Without intervention, their traditional food, clothing, housing, and cultural practices will disappear. Therefore, it is crucial to expose the community to methods of preserving their heritage, including material culture, music, and dance

Professional identity and local realities: social work education in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The three historical eras of social work education in Ethiopia are examined in this article, with particular attention devoted to how each era began, was contextualized, and was integrated with service delivery. Interviews with 28 social work graduates and faculty members were conducted as part of the qualitative research study. Additionally, unpublished documents from ministerial offices and universities were examined. The data are arranged and presented chronologically to offer the experiences in the three periods. The analysis found that various contextualizing strategies for social work education were used through curriculum development, fieldwork, community engagement, and obtaining research outputs. Making social work education more responsive to the national context has been challenging due to a lack of country-specific reading materials and policy frameworks that define professional social work and standards of practice. Further, the absence of social work for 30 years has erased the profession’s identity from public memory. The continued development of social work education and practice in Ethiopia will benefit from the creation of local educational resources and policy frameworks.

Indigenous Pedagogy for Developing Essential Life-Skills of Children in Masaka District, Uganda

Contemporary education practice is widely seen as practices that blend conventional approaches with either new innovations or culturally tested practices. In a situation where being cultural or modern has its own drawbacks, towing the middle position becomes an inevitable choice. The paper presents findings from an exploratory sequential study that examined the influence of Indigenous Pedagogy (IP) on developing children's life skills in Masaka District, Uganda. It was anchored on Lewin's (1922) change theory; likened to Manion and Cohen's (1975) reinvention theory and adopted as a restoration theory. Snow bowling, purposive and stratified random sampling were used to select 44 participants. Twenty (20) key informants including 6 parents, 2 elders, 6 religious, 2 District Education Officers; 2 Ministry officials and 2 local council leaders were interviewed. Twenty-four (24) other respondents participated in three-eight-member Focus Group Discussions (FDGs). The findings portray replicable practices of skilling based on deep-rooted beliefs set on standards that are supported by aspirations in harmony with nature. The study found that methods used by Masaka parents combined theory and practice daily; in lessons that happen where knowledge was situated, mainly through apprenticeship, attachment, heart-to-heart and one-to-one encounters. They also embraced global citizenry based on firm principles of what Africans value. The study concluded that indigenous methods were still useful in grooming children with life skills of productive work, character, positive attitudes, mental acuity and social orientation. It recommends that teacher education institutions require academic programmes blending contemporary with indigenous methods anchored on core African values to prepare pro-cultural-modern teachers. To link the valuable past to the inevitable contemporary ways of knowing, the application of hybrid pedagogy becomes imperative

Empowering Virtuous Citizenship: A Curriculum-Driven Initiative for Community Good Character by Madrasah Aliyah Teachers

Madrasah Aliyah has shifted from traditional competitive academic models to an independent curriculum that emphasizes holistic development and cooperation. This qualitative study, involving interviews, observations, and document analysis, assessed the curriculum's implementation and impact, involving stakeholders like educators, the madrasa head, and ministry officials. The findings indicate that the curriculum substantially supports individual growth, ethical character development, and community involvement. The madrasa head plays a pivotal role by integrating character values into daily practices, fostering an ethical and respectful community. Educators actively participate in developing and executing the curriculum, tailored to meet diverse student needs. This curriculum enhances essential life skills—respect, honesty, and justice—through practical applications, aligning with broader educational objectives of preparing well-rounded individuals for societal challenges. However, the study’s limitation to one institution may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research should expand to multiple institutions to verify these outcomes and explore the curriculum's broader applicability. Madrasah Aliyah Nurulfalah Airmolek’s innovative approach provides a model for other schools to incorporate character education into their frameworks, underscoring the importance of leadership in fostering significant educational and social transformations.

Decabinetisation as a presidentialisation strategy: a process-tracing analysis of the executive state law in Greece

ABSTRACT This paper develops and empirically tests the novel concept of ‘decabinetisation’, a type of depoliticisation reform that affects the advisory and support offices of executive politicians. Reforms that restrict and constrain the work of ministerial advisers and reduce the political resources of ministers are puzzling, even more so when pressure to reform ministerial offices is absent. To understand why governments undermine a system that has been put in place to serve them, this paper investigates the provisions of Law 4622/2019 on the Executive State in Greece, using ‘theory-building process-tracing’ based on data collected from government documents and 23 elite interviews. Initially selected as an extreme case of second-order decabinetisation in the absence of pressure to reform, the study morphed into a more typical case that exemplifies how ministerial office reforms can be the result of strategic forms of presidentialisation. Decabinetisation can be triggered by the Prime Minister’s intention to ‘presidentialise’ the core executive in face of centre-of-government dysfunctionalities; policy entrepreneurs couple the problem and politics stream with the decabinetisation policy; but the reform becomes possible only in the presence of a critical juncture during which the power asymmetry between the head of government and other members of government is big.

Two implementation strategies to support the integration of depression screening and treatment into hypertension and diabetes care in Malawi (SHARP): parallel, cluster-randomised, controlled, implementation trial

Although evidence-based treatments for depression in low-resource settings are established, implementation strategies to scale up these treatments remain poorly defined. We aimed to compare two implementation strategies in achieving high-quality integration of depression care into chronic medical care and improving mental health outcomes in patients with hypertension and diabetes. We conducted a parallel, cluster-randomised, controlled, implementation trial in ten health facilities across Malawi. Facilities were randomised (1:1) by covariate-constrained randomisation to either an internal champion alone (ie, basic strategy group) or an internal champion plus external supervision with audit and feedback (ie, enhanced strategy group). Champions integrated a three-element, evidence-based intervention into clinical care: universal depression screening; peer-delivered psychosocial counselling; and algorithm-guided, non-specialist antidepressant management. External supervision involved structured facility visits by Ministry officials and clinical experts to assess quality of care and provide supportive feedback approximately every 4 months. Eligible participants were adults (aged 18-65 years) seeking hypertension and diabetes care with signs of depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9 score ≥5). Primary implementation outcomes were depression screening fidelity, treatment initiation fidelity, and follow-up treatment fidelity over the first 3 months of treatment, analysed by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03711786, and is complete. Five (50%) facilities were randomised to the basic strategy and five (50%) to the enhanced strategy. Between Oct 1, 2019, and Nov 30, 2021, in the basic group, 587 patients were assessed for eligibility, of whom 301 were enrolled; in the enhanced group, 539 patients were assessed, of whom 288 were enrolled. All clinics integrated the evidence-based intervention and were included in the analyses. Of 60 774 screening-eligible visits, screening fidelity was moderate (58% in the enhanced group vs 53% in the basic group; probability difference 5% [95% CI -38% to 47%]; p=0·84) and treatment initiation fidelity was high (99% vs 98%; 0% [-3% to 3%]; p=0·89) in both groups. However, treatment follow-up fidelity was substantially higher in the enhanced group than in the basic group (82% vs 20%; 62% [36% to 89%]; p=0·0020). Depression remission was higher in the enhanced group than in the basic group (55% vs 36%; 19% [3% to 34%]; p=0·045). Serious adverse events were nine deaths (five in the basic group and four in the enhanced group) and 26 hospitalisations (20 in the basic group and six in the enhanced group); none were treatment-related. The enhanced implementation strategy led to an increase in fidelity in providers' follow-up treatment actions and in rates of depression remission, consistent with the literature that follow-up decisions are crucial to improving depression outcomes in integrated care models. These findings suggest that external supervision combined with an internal champion could offer an important advance in integrating depression treatment into general medical care in low-resource settings. The National Institute of Mental Health.

Performance of the Food Waste Recycling Law in Japan with Reference to SDG 12.3

SDG target 12.3 calls for halving food waste in retail, food service, and households by 2030. The food waste index developed for this purpose includes parts attached to food that are usually removed intentionally (“unavoidable food waste”) and counts conversion into animal feed and utilisation as biomaterial as a means of reduction. In Japan, the “Food Waste Recycling Law”, which has been in effect since 2001, promotes the recycling of food waste generated from businesses, designating feed conversion as a top priority. On the other hand, based on the more recent “Food Loss Reduction Promotion Act” of 2019, the government is currently promoting reduction in avoidable food waste to meet the SDG target. Based on statistical sources and interviews with ministry officers, this paper explains the history and achievements of Japan’s 23-year policy based on the Food Recycling Law, as well as the tension between the two legislations.

Social Reintegration and Life Satisfaction among Uganda Migrant Worker Returnees from Middle East

Social Reintegration and Life Satisfaction among Uganda Migrant Worker Returnees from Middle East

Analysis Of The Influence Of Work Productivity, Work Environment And Workload On Performance Of Ministry Office Employees

The purpose of this study is to determine and examine how employee performance in one of Ministry in Indonesia is impacted by the physical work environment, workload, and productivity. 100 respondents were included in the saturation sampling approach used to select the research sample. With the use of SPSS software version 26, multiple linear regression techniques were used to analyze the data for this investigation. The findings demonstrated that employee performance was impacted by the physical work environment, workload, and productivity all at the same time. With a significance value of 0.000, the physical work environment has a considerable impact on employee performance to some extent. Employee performance is also significantly impacted by workload, and employee performance is significantly impacted by work productivity. In the coefficient of determination (R2), the corrected R Square value shows that all independent variables simultaneously has positive and significant effect on performance of employees in ministry office.

Records as strategic resource in the Malaysian public sector

Records may be used to ensure transparency, to keep individuals and organisations responsible for their acts and responsibilities, and to show that organisations have met legal or regulatory standards or accepted best practices. Records appear as a medium to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the organisation, it becomes a strategic resource that provides information for future use. This study aims to describe how public records are managed and used among officers in departments and ministries of the Malaysian government. The respondents and key informants engaged in this study are Diplomatic Administer Officers (PTD) from different position grades starting from grade M44 to JUSA because they are categorized as top management that acts as administer, policymaker, decision-maker, etc. in the organisation. The respondents were randomly selected from twelve ministries and one department of the Malaysian public sector in Putrajaya. The study conducted is quantitative method. Findings show that all hypotheses are accepted. Records users were found to have a significant and positive relationship with the strategic use of records. Records value was also found to have a significant and positive relationship with strategic use of records same as the relationship between records user and records value. Moreover, the records’ value is hypothesized as a mediator between the records user and strategic use of records also indicates the same result. The results of the study have contributed to the development of a research model and theory for using records as a strategic resource, especially, in the government sector. Government servants especially PTD must use records as one of the strategic resources in carrying out their daily affairs.

Transfer Pricing Regime under the Indian Income Tax Act 1961 and Income Tax Rules 1962 – Inadequacies, Deficiencies, Problems and Proposed Solutions

The author makes a case for the inclusion of the OECD Guidelines into the Indian transfer pricing regime. The article takes a bird’s eye view of the Indian transfer pricing regime and therefore undertakes a high-level analysis. In doing so, it brings to the fore the shortcomings in the Indian regime for consideration by the tax policymakers – ministry and revenue officials who frame India’s international tax and transfer pricing policies. For this purpose, the author adopts the perspective of the revenue/tax authorities.

Socio Economic Reintegration on the Fit of Migrant Worker Returnees Policy and Process and Life Satisfaction of Ugandan Migrant Worker Returnees from Middle East

Purpose: The current study was undertaken to establish the contribution of socioeconomic reintegration on the fit of migrant worker returnees policy and process and life satisfaction of Ugandan migrant worker returnees from middle east so as to come up with a unified model for improvements in Uganda. Its objectives main objective was to explore the mediating effect of socio economic reintegration on the fit of migrant worker returnees’ policy and process and life satisfaction of Ugandan migrant worker returnees from Middle East.
 Materials and Methods: In an effort to address the set objectives, a cross-sectional survey design which followed both quantitative and qualitative research approaches was adopted. Data was collected from a total quantitative sample of 218 Ugandan migrant worker returnees from Middle East. A qualitative sample of 25 managers of registered labour export companies and ministry officials in Uganda was determined by saturation point approach. The data was analysed at descriptive and inferential level, and later a Path Equation Model was fitted through Structural Equation Modelling in Stata Version 14.0.
 Findings: The results indicated exists a positive relationship on the use of Social Reintegration and life satisfaction of the Uganda migrant returnees (r = 0.397 statistically significant since the associated p – value of 0.000 is less than 0.05 (p< 0.001). Results also showed shows that there exists a positive relationship between returnee policy implementation and social economic reintegration of the Uganda migrant returnees (r = 0.398). This relationship is statistically significant since the associated p – value of 0.000 is less than 0.05 (p < 0.001).
 The study concluded that that sufficient evidence substantiates significant relationship exists between socio economic reintegration and life satisfaction.
 Implications to Theory, Practice and Policy: Finally, the socio economic reintegration and the other strategies had a total causal effect of 92.8% on life satisfaction. However, the life satisfaction referred to only applied to the current environment which did not promise continued Survival into the future. Given that fact the study has proposed the Sustainable Penchant Socioeconomic Partaking Model (SUPSEP MODEL) which guarantees not only life satisfaction but also sustainability. This, therefore, means that if the new Model is adopted, the migrant worker returnees’ will not only be provided a good life satisfaction for a short period of time but will get it for many years to come. The SUPSEP Model is, henceforth, the current study contribution to knowledge.

The Escribano of Babel: Power, Exile, and Enslavement in the Venezuelan Llanos During the War of Independence (1806–1833)

Abstract This article traces the professional life of Rafael Almarza, the last royal escribano (notary) of Mérida in the captaincy of Venezuela, and his role in undermining monarchical authority among the enslaved community displaced in the plains region (Los Llanos) during the war of independence in 1814-18. Despite their status as minor officials within the Spanish imperial bureaucracy, notaries, through the records they made, helped to establish legally binding truths underlying everyday actions, making them influential agents of colonial rule in the community they served, particularly among those seeking notarial documents to obtain freedom. During the battles for independence, escribanos like Almarza facilitated the transition of sovereignty and created documents that fomented the independence cause among enslaved individuals during the years of total war. By examining the manumission documents found in the notarial book Almarza kept during exile, the author of this article shows the importance of enslaved people in granting legitimacy to the emerging leadership of José Antonio Páez and the Republican project. At the same time, this study aims to provide a new look at manumission during the early stages of nation-building and the involvement of underrepresented groups in this process.

The Old Turkic Title Buyruq Reconsidered

First attested among the administrative titles used in the Türk Qaghanate, the Old Turkic title Buyruq was used by various Eurasian steppe peoples and polities from the 6th to the 13th centuries. In this paper, examples of the title Buyruq seen in historical sources are identified and examined, while different views put forth by modern scholars up to the present day are also brought together. Apparently, instead of indicating a fixed ministerial office or a commandership, this title, generally understood as meaning ‘having received an order’, indicates a position for dignitaries that was bestowed by rulers upon officials who were holding numerous administrative titles and were also tasked with certain duties by their rulers.

Reorganization of Diplomatic missions of the Russian Empire in North-East China During the Early XX Century: based on Materials from the Foreign Policy Archive of the Russian Empire

In their article, author considers previously little-studied aspects of the activities of Russian diplomatic missions in China in the late XIX - early XX century in order to explore the features of the daily life of the consular offices of the Russian Empire in China. The study is based on the copies of the answers of the Russian consular office employees in Manchuria to the questionnaire compiled by a special Commission for the Reorganization of the Foreign Service under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1907. These documents are stored in the Foreign Policy Archive of the Russian Empire of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, and have been introduced used publicly for scientific use for the first time here. From the available material, it is apparent that in addition to the difficult living conditions in unusual climate, Foreign Ministry officials in China faced a large number of domestic difficulties, a lack of working materials, and funding. Disagreements over the delimitation of consular districts and the powers of diplomats led to inconsistency in the activities of Russian consuls in China. Nevertheless, despite the difficulties, under any circumstances Russian diplomats remained committed to their duty and did their best in the interests of their state, at the same time striving to establish friendly and equal relations with their Chinese counter-parts.