Policy Tensions Research Articles

Extended education and well-being of children: A case study of Iceland

This article explores the emergent trend of global educational policy which focuses on educational values such as well-being and holistic skills. It makes connections between the emergent trend of “education-as-flourishing” and current developments of extended education, using a specific case for illustration, i.e. school-age educare in Iceland. The author argues that there is an internal tension in the current educational global policy which emphasizes holistic skills and well-being in education but eventually produces a policy framework that overlooks the educational pathways of learners through extended education spaces. The case study shows that the manifold learning outcomes of extended education are largely overlooked in policy and practice. There are external and internal challenges at play that feed this tension, specifically a lack of agency of stakeholders and a supportive social structure. A new Act on Well-being of Children in Iceland encourages municipalities and professionals to align resources from diverse sectors, such as education, health, and social services. This study indicates a primary need for policy makers to work strategically with educators from all sectors to develop innovate educational practices within and outside of school to support the education and well-being of children and youth.

Slap a Label on It—Civic Registration Categories for (Non)Citizens and the Digital Promise

As we experience a sudden leap forward with machine learning models put into the decision-making apparatus of the state, social scientists are putting scrutiny on what actually goes into these datasets. Issues of ethics and representational harms are relevant questions that come up in the present day. Against this background, there has been little work thus far, bringing together various trajectories about the interplay between forms of contemporary citizenship and the politics of migration and diversity. Despite the persistent presence of diversity and migration as constructs that shape social relations in modern society, this gap is notable. Given their importance, it is crucial to continue analyzing these factors. This will contribute to more progressive ways of thinking about the relationship between the individual and the state. In this article, I draw attention to the civil registry identity categorizations in The Netherlands to explore some of the complexities surrounding the relationship between digitization and the often absent dynamics in public policy debates about migration and diversity. Drawing on cultural and political themes, I look at the digital as a language that can offer new perspectives on migration. I suggest that technology and its uses may work to enable the state to address and possibly resolve tensions in policy and practice between the intersection of regimes of rights (legal status) and diversity (forms of social cleavages).

Measuring Pharmacy Student Engagement in a Pharmacotherapy Course With Required Attendance

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate student engagement in a pharmacotherapy course with required attendance, identify intervals where students were most and least likely to be engaged, and assess student perceptions of the importance of engagement. MethodsIn 2022, the pharmacotherapy course faculty implemented a graded attendance policy. A survey instrument was developed to gauge student engagement throughout in-class sessions and included 3 questions regarding engagement to determine whether students were on-task, off-task–related, or off-task–unrelated. Each week throughout the semester, students were randomly surveyed for a beginning, middle, and end time point. A second survey was utilized to collect perception data from students regarding attendance and engagement. The perception survey was released during the midpoint of the semester and at the end of the semester. ResultsThe overall attendance rate was 91.1% (SD 4.64%) for the semester. Generally, students reported being on-task when surveyed. The average weekly tasks rates were 77.7% on-task, 15.8% off-task–related, and 6.5% off-task–unrelated. For the perception survey, both time points had a high response rate (82.8% midpoint survey, 77.1% end of semester). Most students had positive perceptions regarding mandatory attendance, engagement, and pre-class preparation. ConclusionThis study endorses high levels of student engagement in a pharmacotherapy course with required attendance. In addition, student perceptions were generally positive regarding required attendance. Future investigations need to be completed on the non-performance benefits of attending classes.

College Management System using Python & Django

The College Management System (CMS) is an advanced web-based application designed to streamline administrative and academic processes within educational institutions. Developed using the Django framework for backend functionalities and HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for frontend presentation, the CMS offers a comprehensive solution for managing various tasks efficiently. Leveraging SQLite as the databadminisratiase management system ensures robust data management capabilities, scalability, and ease of maintenance. The CMS provides a wide array of features to automate routine tasks and enhance collaboration among students, faculty, and administrators. Student admission and enrollment management, course scheduling, curriculum planning, and faculty assignment are seamlessly handled by the system, reducing manual workload and minimizing errors. Integrated messaging systems and announcement boards facilitate communication, fostering a collaborative learning environment. The examination management module automates the entire examination process, including exam scheduling, creation of question papers, venue allocation, and result processing. Online exam registration and automated grading streamline the process, ensuring accuracy and transparency while reducing administrative burden. Attendance tracking is simplified with the CMS, allowing faculty to record and monitor student attendance easily. Integration with biometric systems or RFID technology enhances accuracy and eliminates manual attendance taking. Comprehensive attendance reports provide insights into student progress and compliance with attendance policies. Resource management is optimized through the CMS, which enables efficient allocation and utilization of classrooms, laboratories, library resources, and equipment. Administrators can manage inventory, track asset availability, and schedule resource bookings to prevent conflicts and ensure optimal utilization. Reporting and analytics features empower administrators with real-time insights into various aspects of college operations. Customizable dashboards provide information on enrollment statistics, academic performance, financial data, and more, enabling informed decision-making and continuous improvement. In conclusion, the College Management System developed with Django, HTML/CSS/JS, and SQLite revolutionizes educational institution management. By combining advanced technology with intuitive design, the CMS enhances efficiency, transparency, and collaboration, ultimately contributing to the success and growth of the institution.

IMPLEMENTATION OF A FINGERPRINT ELECTRONIC ATTENDANCE POLICY AS A SUPPORT FOR EMPLOYEE WORK DISCIPLINE AT THE BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AGENCY (BPU) OF GORONTALO STATE UNIVERSITY

<em>This study aims to determine and describe (1) the implementation of the fingerprint electronic attendance policy as a support for employee work discipline at the Business Management Agency (BPU) of Gorontalo State University, which is studied from: 1. planning, 2. implementation, and 3. evaluation. (2) Determining Factors for the Success of the Implementation of the Finger Print Electronic Attendance Policy as a Support for Employee Work Discipline at the Business Management Agency (BPU) of Gorontalo State University, which are studied from: 1. Apparatus Compliance; 2. Smooth Absence of Problems; and 3. Satisfactory Performance. The approach used in this study is qualitative with descriptive qualitative methods. Data collection using interviews, observation, and documentation The results of this study show that (1) the implementation of the Fingerprint Electronic Attendance Policy (Fingerprint) as a Support for Employee Work Discipline at the Business Management Agency (BPU) of Gorontalo State University has run quite optimally. This is shown by the existence of a) planning, b) implementation, and c) evaluation that has been carried out based on the regulation of the Rector of Gorontalo State University Number 1,786 / UN47. A2/KP/2022 on July 25, 2022, to increase discipline, productivity, and work effectiveness, as well as working hours for civil servants in education and contract personnel within Gorontalo State University. Determining Factors for the Success of the Implementation of the Electronic Attendance Policy Fingerprint (Fingerprint) as a Support for Employee Work Discipline at the Business Management Agency (BPU) of Gorontalo State University based on the results of research conducted that has run optimally. This can be seen from a) apparatus compliance; employees at the Business Management Agency have shown compliance with regulations related to the use of electronic attendance to improve employee discipline, b) smoothness factors, the use of electronic attendance systems can increase the effectiveness in managing attendance administration as a guideline for employee benefits, c) satisfactory performance, employee performance, and productivity are increasing with the innovation of changes. The previous attendance method was still manual, despite technology</em>

Face Recognition Based Attendance System using ESP 32CAM

Abstract: In the modern industrial system, attendance logging is essential to raising system quality. Thus, it is necessary to have a robust computerized Face detection attendance recording system that uses an ESP32 camera. Each and every organization has strict attendance policies. It takes time and effort to manually maintain an attendance register. For example, RFID and biometric technology are two ways of solving the same issue. This research outlines a creative and efficient method for determining presence and verifying attendance. The ESP32 microcontroller family features integrated Wi-Fi and dual-mode Bluetooth. This facial detection-based technology does not require a person to be in close proximity to the fingerprint reader module, in contrast to biometric attendance systems. The biometric device becomes contaminated when the same employee or student records their attendance using the same biometric system. Furthermore, the likelihood of a proxy in RFID is considerable. This forecast will track student or employee attendance using facial recognition technology.

Does an Attendance Policy Positively Impact Staff and Student Wellbeing? A Case Study Exploring Attitudes Toward a University of Surrey Attendance Policy

ABSTRACT This investigation reviews the University of Surrey’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management (SHTM) attendance policy, requiring students to meet the Senior Personal Tutor (SPT) to determine reasons for absences and to provide support for the student. Research was conducted to achieve four objectives; to understand student and staff attitudes toward the attendance policy, to identify reasons for student absence, to evaluate the effectiveness of registers as a tool for wellbeing intervention and to evaluate the impact of the policy on staff wellbeing. A qualitative approach assessed staff and student views of the policy and findings connect student absences with staff and student wellbeing, indicating that attendance monitoring can improve a student’s sense of belonging. The study provides a framework for using learning analytics to support student and staff wellbeing, draws attention to the role of the SPT and contributes to literature connecting student attendance with staff and student wellbeing.

COVID-19 testing, incidence, and positivity trends among school age children during the academic years 2020–2022 in the State of Qatar: special focus on using CDC indicators for community transmission to evaluate school attendance policies and public health response

BackgroundThere exists a gap in our understanding of the age-dependent epidemiological dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 among school-age children in comparison to adults within the State of Qatar. Additionally, there has been limited assessment of the timely implementation of physical distancing interventions, notably national school closures, and their impact on infection trends.MethodsWe used the national database to capture all records of polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) testing, and rapid antigen tests (RAT) conducted at all health care venues in Qatar and administered between August 26, 2020, and August 21, 2022, across all age groups (≥ 5 years old). Study participants under 18 years old were categorized into two age brackets: (5–11) and (12–17), aligning with the Primary and Preparatory/Secondary grade levels in Qatar, respectively. We assessed age group testing rates, incidence rates, and positivity rates in relation to adults. These epidemiological metrics were compared with the CDC’s thresholds for COVID-19 community transmission.ResultsThroughout the school years of 2020–2021 and 2021–2022, a total of 5,063,405 and 6,130,531 tests were respectively conducted. In the 2020–2021 school year, 89.6% of the tests were administered to adults, while 13.7% were conducted on children in the following year. The overall test positivity rates for the 2020–2021 and 2021–2022 school years were 5.8% and 8.1%, respectively. Adolescents underwent the fewest tests during the full study period compared to both adults and young children. Using the CDC indicators, we found that children and adolescents can significantly contribute to elevated infection rates, potentially driving community transmission upon relaxation of social restrictions.ConclusionIt is crucial to acknowledge the potential for higher transmission among youth and adolescents when formulating transmission control strategies and making decisions regarding school closures. Employing data-driven indicators and thresholds to monitor COVID-19 community levels is important for informing decision-making. These approaches also enable the prompt implementation of infection control transmission mitigation measures in future pandemics.

College peer effects on learning behaviors in synchronous online courses

This study contributes to the growing body of research on peer effects in educational contexts by examining the peer effects on learning behaviors, which are pivotal in understanding how peers impact academic achievements, especially in online education. Drawing upon an administrative dataset and a learning behavior dataset from an online education platform at a Chinese research university in 2020, we employ fixed effects and dynamic models to investigate the peer effects on undergraduates' class absence. Notably, we further consider partially overlapping networks of peers and utilize the class absence of “classmates of classmates” (who are not one's own classmates) as instrumental variables for peers' absence to address potential estimation biases. Our findings reveal significantly positive effects of classmates' class absence on individuals' both full-class and part-class absence in synchronous online courses. Additionally, heterogeneity analyses show that males, freshmen and sophomore students are more susceptible to peer influence and exhibit greater influence on their peers, and peer effects are stronger in subject required courses, courses with larger class sizes, courses with mandatory attendance policies, and among students in the same department or grade level.

The Exploration of Youth School Refusal Problem: Causes, Intervention, and Case Study from Ecological Perspective

兒童青少年拒學問題一直以來都是複雜和難解的課題。研究者基於生態系統觀點探討拒學原因與介入方法，並認為若能分別主要與次要影響因素，先針對主要影響因素進行介入，將更能在有限的時間和資源內改善出席率，故提出三個層次的原因與介入模式。此模式中不同層次差別在主要影響因素的數量不同，層次一包含兩個因素的相互影響，如：個人與家庭。層次二包含三個因素的相互影響，如：個人、家庭與學校。層次三包含四個因素的相互影響。原因部分，個人因素包含身體狀況、心理狀況和特質；家庭因素包含五點，即家長特質與身心健康、家庭功能與動力、家庭期待與參與度...等；學校因素包含六點，即轉換學校、學校氛圍、管教與出席...等；社會因素包含五點，即經濟拉力、文化價值觀、政策或法規...等。介入部分，個人因素包含醫療介入、提升行為技巧、增進認知技巧、提供專業資源；家庭因素包含五點，即進行意外或風險管理訓練、提供諮詢或家訪、提供認知訓練...等；學校因素包含七點，即辨識和轉介高風險學生、推動反霸凌政策、鼓勵學習社群與生涯活動...等；社會因素包含社區資源、警政與司法、社會機構與媒體、教育、諮商與醫療。最後提出中年級拒學案例說明如何改善拒學。Problematic school refusal in youth has long been a complex and vexatious issue. This article reviews the literature that affect school refusal based on ecological perspective. It is believed that if we can differentiate between primary and secondary influencing factors and first intervene with the primary influencing factors, we can better improve school attendance within limited time and resources. Furthermore, a three-level model that emphasizes on comprehensive causes and user-friendly systematic intervention recommendations is proposed. Level one includes the interaction of two factors, such as the individual and the family. Level two includes the interaction of three factors, namely the individual, family, and school. Level three includes the interaction of four factors. Among the causes, personal factors can be addressed through physical condition, mental condition and trait. Family factors include five points, such as parents’ trait, mental and physical health, family function and family dynamic, family expectations and involvement... etc... School factors include six points, namely transferring schools, school atmosphere, discipline and attendance policies...etc.. Social factors include five points, such as economic pressures, cultural values, policies or regulations...etc.. Regarding interventions, personal factors can be addressed through medical treatment, enhancing behavioral skills, increasing cognitive skills, and providing professional resources. Family factors include five points, namely conducting accident or risk training, consultation and home visits, providing cognitive training...etc.. School factors include seven points, such as identifying and referring high-risk students, promoting an anti-bullying policy, encouraging learning groups and career activities...etc... Social factors include community resources, policing and Justice, social organizations and media, education, counseling and medical services. In the end, there is a case example of a fourth-grade child, explains how to address school refusal.

Workplace interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of healthcare settings.

Workplace interventions to reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection outside of healthcare settings.

How AI challenges the medical device regulation: patient safety, benefits, and intended uses

Abstract This article examines whether the EU Medical Device Regulation (MDR) adequately addresses the novel risks of AI-based medical devices (AIaMDs), focusing on AI medical imaging tools. It examines two questions: first, does the MDR effectively deal with issues of adaptability, autonomy, bias, opacity, and the need of trustworthiness of AIaMD? Second, does the manufacturer’s translation of the MDR’s requirements close a discrepancy between an AIaMDs’ expected benefit and the actual clinical utility of assessing device safety and effectiveness beyond the narrow performance of algorithms? While the first question has previously received attention in scholarly literature on regulatory and policy tensions on AIaMD generally, and work on future technical standard setting, the second has been comparatively overlooked. We argue that effective regulation of AIaMD requires framing notions of patient safety and benefit within the manufacturer’s articulation of the device’s intended use, as well as reconciling tensions. These tensions are on (i) patient safety and knowledge gaps surrounding fairness, (ii) trustworthiness and device effectiveness, (iii) the assessment of clinical performance, and (iv) performance updates. Future guidance needs to focus on the importance of translated benefits, including nuanced risk framing and looking at how the limitations of AIaMD inform the intended purpose statement in the MDR.

Power and Public Administration: Applying a Transformative Approach to Freedom of/Access to Information Research

Freedom of Information (FOI) or Access to Information (ATI) legislation regulates the right to make written requests for government records. Previous research either interrogates the effectiveness of FOI/ATI legislation for advancing government transparency or positions the requests as a means for gathering data on government institutions. This article intervenes in this debate by treating FOI/ATI mechanisms as the vantage point from which to examine questions about power in public administration. Adopting a transformative approach, this article explores the potential of using FOI/ATI requests as a liberatory tool that enables the analysis of power dynamics in public administration. For this purpose, the author draws upon her experience with Canada’s ATI regime and requests from the Immigration and Refugee Board. This article documents how ATI requests reveal policy tensions within the Board related to case and performance management, as well as patterns of front-line staff resistance to these measures. It goes on to examine complaints about delays made to the ATI watchdog which expose the attribution of ATI resources towards non-ATI responsibilities. This article highlights the contribution that FOI/ATI requests can make to public administration research.

Prevalence of sickness presenteeism and associated factors among primary school teachers in Gondar city, northwest Ethiopia.

Sickness presenteeism, the phenomenon of people going to work despite being ill, is an occupational and psychosocial condition that hurts both the health of workers and organizational productivity. It negatively affects health, increases health-related costs, and the risk of contagious diseases. Primary school teachers are particularly vulnerable to this problem, although little is known about its scope and associated factors. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and factors associated with sickness presenteeism among school teachers in Northwest Ethiopia. An institution-based cross-sectional study was employed and the study period was from April 18 to May 18, 2023. A sample of 633 primary school teachers was recruited using two-stage stratified random sampling. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires. Epi-data version 4.6 and STATA version 14 were used for data entry and analysis, respectively. Binary logistic regression analysis was used. A multivariable logistic regression model with an adjusted odds ratio was fitted for statistical significance. A total of 603 school teachers participated in this study, with a response rate of 95.26%. The overall prevalence of sickness presenteeism in the last 12 months was 54.7% (N = 330) [95% CI (50.9, 58.7)]. Private school teachers [AOR: 2.21, 95% CI (1.14, 4.28)], low supervisor support [AOR: 1.53, 95% CI (1.06, 2.20)], lack of staff replacement availability [AOR: 2.74, 95% CI (1.85, 4.06)], low colleague support [AOR: 2.17, 95% CI (1.40, 3.37)], unsuitable household conditions [AOR: 1.49, 95% CI (1.08, 2.34)], and strict attendance control [AOR: 2.54, 95% CI (1.67, 3.85)] were factors significantly associated with sickness presenteeism. The prevalence of sickness presenteeism was relatively high among primary school teachers because of factors such as low support from supervisors and colleagues, strict attendance control, lack of staff replacement, unsuitable household conditions, and private school type. Strategies to promote teachers' health include fostering a culture of support and collaboration among colleagues, recruiting adequate staff, and implementing liberal attendance policies.

Особенности реализации торговой политики китая

Within the framework of this work, the key points in the implementation of China’s trade policy are revealed. The Beijing authorities are aiming at multi-vector work with various actors who are ready to cooperate, wanting to improve their situation, while facing certain difficulties caused by both natural and artificial causes. It is quite natural that a number of already existing major trading players are trying to prevent China from further developing in the environment under consideration. Now, within the framework of foreign policy tensions, China is confidently showing itself as an economically strong power. The article highlights the peculiarities of the Chinese approach to interaction with its partners in the framework of political cooperation. It is planned to consider the goals of the government, as well as multifaceted cooperation with other global political actors that influence global markets in one way or another.

Forces and Tensions in Cultural Policy

Forces and Tensions in Cultural Policy

From Bush to Biden: British public opinion and the image of America

The scholarly literature on US–UK relations has been marked by recurrent debate over the health and utility of the special relationship, recently enlivened by the policy tensions and political turbulence of the Trump presidency. The literature has also seen a social and cultural ‘turn’, with a growing focus on the broader linkages between the two countries’ societies and cultures. However, there has been limited analysis of public opinion in Britain in recent scholarly research. This article examines the ‘image of America’ in British public opinion in the twenty-first century, across recent Republican and Democratic presidencies. It uses data from the annual Pew Global Attitudes survey series and Transatlantic Trends survey series to undertake systematic analysis of these quantitative data sources. It examines the following areas: the performance and policies of presidents from Bush to Biden, the US and its people, the state of bilateral relations, and NATO. It examines aggregate-level opinion and also pays close attention to views across different societal groups, based on demographic characteristics, party support and left–right ideology. The paper makes a significant and distinctive contribution to scholarly research into US–UK relations.

Youth on the Move: Tendencies and Tensions in Youth Policies and Practices, edited by Brunila, K. and Lundahl, L.

Youth on the Move: Tendencies and Tensions in Youth Policies and Practices, edited by Brunila, K. and Lundahl, L.

Gaps and Opportunities for Strengthening In-School Support for Youth Living With HIV.

With optimized antiretroviral treatment youth living with HIV (YLH) now spend most of their time in schools, making schools an important venue to optimize outcomes. We evaluated school support for YLH. We conducted surveys with public secondary/high schools in 3 Kenyan counties (Nairobi, Homa Bay, and Kajiado) to determine policies and training related to HIV. Chi-squared tests and Poisson regression were used to compare policy availability and staff training by county HIV prevalence and school type. Of 512 schools in the 3 counties, we surveyed 100. The majority (60%) of schools surveyed had boarding facilities. The median student population was 406 (IQR: 200, 775). Only half (49%) of schools had medication use policies; more in boarding than day schools (65% vs 30%, p = .003). While most schools (82%) had clinic attendance policies; policy availability was higher in higher HIV prevalence counties (Homa Bay [100%], Nairobi [82%], Kajiado [56%], p < .05). Overall, 64% had confidentiality policies with higher policy availability in higher HIV prevalence regions (p < .05). Few schools had staff trained in HIV-related topics: HIV prevention (37%), HIV treatment (18%), HIV stigma reduction (36%). Few were trained in confidentiality (41%), psychosocial support (40%), or mental health (26%). Compared to day schools, boarding school were more likely to have staff trained in HIV prevention (prevalence ratio: 2.1 [95% confidence interval 1.0, 4.0], p = .037). In this survey of Kenyan schools, there were notable gaps in HIV care policy availability and training, despite high HIV burden. Development and implementation of national school HIV policies and staff training as well as strengthening clinic and family support may improve outcomes for YLH.

ENSURING TEACHING AND LEARNING AMIDST THE ECONOMIC CRISIS: STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY SCHOOL PRINCIPALS IN SRI LANKA

The economic crisis in Sri Lanka has significantly impacted the country's education system, with schools facing challenges in maintaining regular operations and providing quality education to students. This study examined the strategies employed by school principals to ensure teaching and learning amid the crisis. Twelve school principals were interviewed, representing 7 Sinhala medium and 5 Tamil medium schools. The findings highlighted the following challenges schools face: low attendance of students and teachers, learning loss, disruption of remote learning activities, malnutrition among students and psychological issues among students, teachers, and parents. Despite these challenges, the study found that school principals worked hard to ensure that teaching and learning continued during the economic crisis. They had implemented several strategies to address their challenges, including flexible attendance policies, temporary accommodation for teachers who travel far from school, and sharing meals with poor students. The study concludes that school principals have played a critical role in ensuring that teaching and learning continued during the economic crisis in Sri Lanka. Their strategies have helped mitigate the crisis's impact on students and teachers, but more support is needed from the government. The study recommends that the government should consider to provide the following support to schools: increasing public transport at low cost for the students and teachers for regular attendance; resuming Nutrition support for students; increasing salaries for teachers; Strengthening remote learning initiatives by reducing the price of digital devices and expanding internet access; providing psychological support for students and teachers; and prioritization of timely; and Long-term planning to build resilience in the education system. By implementing these recommendations, the government can help ensure that the education system in Sri Lanka can withstand future economic shocks.