Private Urban School Research Articles

Assessing post-Covid-19 Lebanese teachers’ attitudes towards ICT and their level of integration in the classroom in relation to their years of experience

In this technological era, the implementation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into the learning environment is impacted by many factors, chief among them are those related to the teachers whose experience and attitude play a key role in the proper integration of technology. This study purports to investigate the effect of teachers’ experience on their attitude towards ICT integration and their level of usage in the classroom. It used a quantitative descriptive method by adopting two surveys (Hernández-Ramos et al., 2014 and Sánchez et al., 2012) as the main instrument for data collection. The survey was administered in four English language private urban schools in Lebanon. This study shows that the teachers hold an overall positive attitude towards ICT integration in the classroom. However, no significant relationship between their attitude and years of experience is identified. While teachers demonstrate a moderate to low ICT usage, a significant negative correlation between their use of ICT in the classroom and their years of experience is evident. These findings are not consistent with the prevalent literature that tends to associate positive attitudes towards technology with higher usage of ICT in different educational settings around the world. Limitations of the study and recommendations for sustainable implementation of ICT in the classroom are provided.

Assessment of the impact of neuro-linguistic programming on primary Schoolchildren's intellectual capacity

BackgroundLebanon's education system confronts significant obstacles from political instability, economic downturns, and inequalities among children, underscoring the urgency for interventions like Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP). This study posits that NLP techniques hold promise in equipping students with the tools to surmount these hurdles and enhance their intellectual capabilities. ObjectiveThis study examines the influence of NLP on the intellectual capacity and abstract reasoning skills of primary school children aged 6 to 11. MethodsOver four months, from April to July 2023, a before-and-after intervention study was conducted. The study involved children from a private urban school in Lebanon, and the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices test was individually administered to assess their intellectual abilities. This test was administered before and after the NLP intervention, which comprised four sessions for teachers and one for students. ResultsThe study involving 121 students (60.0% females, 40.0% males), indicated significant enhancements in performance, particularly among older students aged 8 to 11. Notable increases in mean scores were observed, such as 8-year-olds improving from 8.95 to 9.36 and 11-year-olds experiencing a significant boost from 6.86 to 12.69. Connectivity analysis revealed positive relationships between students' age and performance, with correlation coefficients of 0.328 before and 0.633 after the intervention. Similarly, strong correlations between grade level and performance were evident, with coefficients of 0.385 before and 0.716 after the intervention, both statistically significant (p < 0.001). Comparisons of intellectual abilities among students showcased more significant improvements among older age groups, emphasizing the potential benefits of NLP, particularly for students between 9 and 11 years old. ConclusionThe NLP intervention yielded notable enhancements in children's academic performance, particularly demonstrating a more pronounced positive effect among those aged 8 and older. Despite weaker correlations with parental factors, the study underscores the promising impact of NLP interventions on cognitive development, particularly among older students. As a cost-effective technique, NLP can be implemented with minimal resources, increasing accessibility even in resource-constrained environments.

Dlaczego dzieci lubią szkołę? Przyjazna szkoła współczesna – wyniki badań własnych

In the discussion about the modern school, as an institution and a building, there are many social actors, often with different positions. More and more often, though still rarely, the students’ voice is allowed. Their perspective, as many studies show, can be extremely different from that of adults. The aim of my research was to recognize and understand the primary school students’ perspective in terms of their experience of the broadly understood school space and to describe the material and nonmaterial conditions of spaces in which children feel good and like to learn. I conducted my research in 2021 and 2022, shortly after the pandemic and the remote learning. I conducted the research in an interdisciplinary, qualitative approach among 12 students functioning in four different educational systems and environments: home education, private urban schools, public urban schools and public rural schools. The results of my research indicate that children need variety in the school space to feel comfortable and learn effectively. Respondents’ statements revealed several key factors important in places of learning: sense of security, free learning, completeness of the place, possibility to ask questions, consideration of home conditions and setting specific boundaries for the place of formal learning.

A Cross-Sectional Study of the Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity using Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference among 11–14-Year-old Children in Puducherry

Background: Obesity in children has become more common in recent years around the world. It is estimated that India will have 17 million obese children by 2025. Increased consumption of high-calorie meals deficient in vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients, combined with decreased physical activity, is factors contributing to rising childhood obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity using body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference. Material and Methods: The study was a school based cross-sectional study conducted among 1386 students aged 11–14 years from four Private Urban schools of Puducherry. This was measured using WHO BMI-for-age-2007 (5–19 years) charts for boys and girls and for waist circumference using an inch tape with a cut off value at 71 cms. Results: The findings reveal that among 1386 children aged 11–14 years the prevalence of overweight and obesity in the study participants was 20.2% and 7.14%, respectively. In the overweight category, girls were overweight (52.5%) when compared to the boys (47.5%) and in the obese category, boys were (51.5%) and girls were (48.4%). The mean waist circumference of students in the overweight category was 76.61 with a standard deviation of 4.32 and in the obese category was 78.7 with a standard deviation of 4.14. A significant association was found between gender and age with the waist circumference at P &lt; 0.001. Conclusion: The present study findings imply that overweight and obesity are a growing concern in our country and there is an urgent need to create awareness among all stakeholders.

Examining the effects of K-8 mergers on brand awareness and fundraising using a mixed-method research design

A research study was conducted to examine the effects on brand awareness and fundraising for a K-8 private urban school system known as CUES. A substantial number of private schools across the country have suffered financially, with many closing. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to evaluate stakeholder assessment of values, choice and opportunities as well as stakeholder engagement and philanthropic support. Purposive sampling was used to electronically collect data from a sample of n = 139. Quantitative findings illuminate success with more than 60 per cent of participants identifying performance as either ‘above average’ (39.57 per cent) or ‘excellent’ (23.74 per cent). Donors and Board Members described ease of donating to the school with 85.48 per cent indicating ‘very easy’ making it a significant finding relating to other K-8 private schools. Qualitative findings indicate the private school is providing an excellent education for children, diversity, small class sizes and a strong graduation rate where students succeed in high school and beyond. Findings indicate opportunity for community engagement through outreach and service to share successes and tell the story. Recommendations related to teacher support, community engagement, service to others, marketing and showing how donations support the mission are also provided. These findings are transferrable to other private K-8 schools.

Utilising social networking sites to improve writing: a case study with Chinese students in Malaysia

With the advancement of technology, writing in English is no longer confined to the classroom as nowadays students are exposed to various forms of writing on the Internet. Specifically with Generation Y in mind, online writing is a new method that needs to be implemented to enhance Malaysian students’ writing skills. This article aims at identifying what motivates English as a Second Language students to write in English on Facebook. Ten Chinese-speaking students from a private urban school were selected for this study. These students had just started secondary education after being educated in Chinese-vernacular elementary schools for six years. The students were required to participate in an ongoing discussion on their Facebook class page in order to complete a writing task. Data for this study comprised both online discussions and interviews. The findings suggest that peer influence and school surroundings motivated the students to write better in English on Facebook. The findings also imply that the use of technology in writing tasks made students write better in English owing to the exchanges of feedback and ideas that took place through this social networking site.

English

INTRODUCTION: Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and there is an alarming trend in the rise in childhood obesity. In the majority it is caused by an unhealthy diet and lack of exercise in children. With more fast-food restaurants appearing on every street corner it gives children an easy way to eat more unhealthy food. Children are also happier when they sit for hours in front of television or play on their play station. Studies show that in India, nearly 15 to 20% of children are overweight and 30% are in the risk of falling in this category. Although much importance has been given to under-nutrition in our country, obesity is slowly emerging as the future-killer. Hence this study is a small endeavour to know the knowledge and attitude of school children studying in government and private schools in Khammam regarding dietary habits. MATERIALS & METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out to study the Knowledge, attitude and dietary practices of secondary school students in Khammam town over a period of two months. List of schools was obtained from Secondary Education Board. Among the total available schools 128 (includes 38 Government, 90 Private schools), 12 schools were included in the study (6 schools from Government &6 schools from Private strata were selected conveniently). Pre tested, pre designed questionnaire was given to Students that included questions on their eating habits and physical activity and their body mass index (BMI) was calculated using Quetelets index. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess students' weight status. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (SPSS version 21.0). OBJECTIVES: To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a randomly selected government and private urban schools in Khammam. To assess the Knowledge, attitude regarding dietary practices of secondary school students of Khammam town. RESULTS: Among total number of students selected for study (847) 55.85% were male and 44.15% were female. Majority (96.58%) of the children belong to 13-16 years of age. Almost 50.06% are from government and 49.94% are from private school. The overall prevalence of overweight was 1.77% and obesity was 1.18%.

Emotional Intelligence of Twelfth Grade Students of Durg District with Respect to Their Gender, Locality, Types of School

The data were collected from 320 students studying in class XII of Durg District, Chhattisgarh in INDIA. The investigator used stratified random sampling technique to select a sample of 320 students of class XII. There were 40 boys and 40 girls from government and private urban schools and 40 boys and 40 girls from government and private rural schools of Durg District of Chhattisgarh in INDIA. To collect the relevant data for the present study, the investigator used standardized instruments Mangal Emotional Intelligence Inventory, that constructed by Dr. S.K. Mangal to measure the Emotional Intelligence of Higher Secondary School Students. The data have been analyzed using appropriate statistical techniques, both descriptive and inferential. Mean, ANOVA have been accurately computed and well interpreted. Below Study inferred effect of demographic variables on Emotional Intelligence .

Reconhecimento de direitos e significados de infância entre crianças

Este estudo teve como objetivos saber se as crianças reconhecem alguns dos seus direitos, quais conhecimentos sobre esses direitos são compartilhados e quais os significados de infância que esses compartilhamentos indicam. É um estudo comparativo, orientado pela Psicologia Sócio-Histórica, cujos dados foram analisados qualitativamente. Os participantes foram vinte e uma crianças, com idade entre nove e onze anos. Sete crianças eram estudantes de uma escola particular urbana, sete, de uma escola pública urbana e as outras sete, de uma escola pública rural. Foi utilizada a técnica da entrevista individual semiestruturada, baseada na apresentação de imagens impressas. Os direitos mais reconhecidos pelas crianças foram referentes à alimentação, à educação e ao brincar, que são direitos entrelaçados a significados de infância mais amplamente compartilhados. Quanto à proibição do trabalho infantil e ao direito à inviolabilidade da integridade física, elas apresentaram compartilhamentos divergentes.

Limits to self‐organising systems of learning—the Kalikuppam experiment

AbstractWhat and how much can children learn without subject teachers? In an attempt to find a limit to self organized learning, we explored the capacity of 10–14 year old Tamil‐speaking children in a remote Indian village to learn basic molecular biology, initially on their own with a Hole‐in‐the‐Wall public computer facility, and later with the help of a mediator without knowledge of this subject. We then compared these learning outcomes with those of similarly‐aged children at a nearby average‐below average performing state government school who were not fluent in English but were taught this subject and another group of children at a high‐performing private school in New Delhi who were fluent in English and had been taught this subject by qualified teachers. We found that the village children who only had access to computers and Internet‐based resources in the Hole‐in‐the‐Wall learning stations achieved test scores comparable with those at the local state school and, with the support of the mediator, equal to their peers in the privileged private urban school. Further experiments were conducted with unsupervised groups of 8–12 year‐olds in several English schools using the Internet to study for GCSE questions they normally would be examined on at the age of 16. We conclude that, in spite of some limitations, there are opportunities for self‐organised and mediated learning by children in settings where they would otherwise be denied opportunities for good, or indeed any, schooling. We also show that this approach can be enhanced by the use of local or online mediators.

Prevalence of female genital cutting among Egyptian girls

Female genital cutting (FGC) is the collective name given to traditional practices that involve partial or total cutting away of the female external genitalia whether for cultural or other non-therapeutic reasons. In Egypt, the result of the Demographic Health Survey in 2000 revealed that 97% of married women included in the survey experienced FGC. The aim of this study is to measure the prevalence of FGC among schoolgirls in Egypt. Multistage random technique was applied for site selection. First, Egypt was divided into five geographical areas; Greater Cairo, Lower Egypt, Upper Egypt, Sinai and Suez Canal Region. Second, from each governorate, two educational districts were selected randomly (except Luxor). In each of the selected districts, the schools were divided into primary, preparatory and secondary schools. In each education stage, the schools were divided into rural, urban, government and private. The total number of females interviewed was 38,816. The prevalence of FGC among schoolgirls in Egypt was 50.3%. The prevalence of FGC was 46.2% in government urban schools, 9.2% in private urban schools and 61.7% in rural schools. Educational levels of mother and father were negatively associated with FGC (P < 0.001). The mean age of the time of FGC was 10.1 +/- 2.3 years. FGC prevalence is lowering, yet more active education at the grass-roots level is needed to create change.