scholarly journals Corruption in a Comprehensive School: Sociological Diagnosis and Educational Providence

2011 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 75-93
Author(s):  
Valdas Pruskus
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Empirical Research ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Comprehensive School ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Official Position ◽  
Questions And Answers

The article is about the phenomenon of corruption in a comprehensive school. It analyses the expression forms of corruption and their peculiarities and disputes the main reasons stimulating educators to take part in corrupt interchanges thus tolerate it. On the ground of empirical research in Vilnius secondary schools it discloses attitudes of teachers, schoolchildren and parents towards corruption. The research was carried out in Vilnius Salomėja Nėris gymnasium, Vilnius Mikalojus Daukša secondary school, Mindaugas secondary school, Užupys gymnasium, Antakalnis gymnasium, Naujamiestis secondary school and Stanevičius secondary school. Overall 500 respondents were questioned: 300 pupils of ninth – twelfth forms, 100 teachers and 100 parents of schoolchildren. Difficult financial circumstances were pointed out as the main reason stimulating teachers to take part in corrupt interchanges. This answer was chosen by 42 per cent of respondents. Most of them think that raising wages would reduce corruption crimes. The research data show it is an important problem in schools though 70 per cent of respondents state it is not the biggest problem in their school. Only 15 per cent of questioned schoolchildren, 4 per cent of parents and 14 percent of teachers safely state that corruption is the main problem in their school. About 20 per cent of respondents (21.4 per cent of schoolchildren, 19 per cent of parents and 21 per cent of teachers) acknowledge of making a payoff or receiving an offer to take it. Respondents state that 30 per cent of their friends and relatives made a payoff to school staff. 26.7 percent of schoolchildren and 27 per cent of parents’ acquaintances made a payoff to school staff. Only the answers of teachers did not change – 21 per cent of their colleagues were offered a payoff. These results do not let affirm that corruption is very widely spread in schools and therefore could be named as the biggest problem here. Though corruption rate at school can not be named as high but it is clear corruption does exist there and it requires operative solutions. As the research shows the mostly spread form of a payoff at school is a present such as sweets, coffee, alcohol. 90 per cent of respondents point namely such form of presents. Money is also sometimes paid as a payoff, but not so often. Huge sums of money are seldom paid and they are assigned to administrational staff but not a private teacher. The analysis of schoolchildren, their parents and teachers’ attitude towards corruption in general shows that it is condemned. More than 70 per cent of respondents agree with an opinion that corruption at school is a crime. Most respondents (more than 80 per cent) qualify corruption as “taking of a payoff” and “graft”. Defining corruption respondents mostly described it as “bribery” (30 per cent). Parents (25 per cent) and teachers (23 per cent) understand corruption as exercising of an official position. Schoolchildren (17 per cent) rate corruption as malpractice. Respondents in secondary schools attribute “a payoff and direct payout”, “presents seeking benefit” and “buying of tests and examinations’ questions and answers which are distributed by teachers” to corrupt actions. In the light of these research data particular measures reducing corruption are offered.

scholarly journals The Metaphors of Secondary School Teachers Towards the Concept of “Multiculturalism”

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (5) ◽  
pp. 179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emine Karasu Avcı ◽  
Melike Faiz
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Secondary School Teachers ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Jigsaw Puzzle ◽  
School Teachers ◽  
Phenomenological Design ◽  
Academic Year

In this research, it is aimed to reveal the perceptions which teachers from various branches and performing duty in secondary schools have, concerning the concept of multiculturalism, through metaphors. As one of the qualitative research methods, phenomenological design has been used in the research. The study group of the research is composed of 70 teachers who worked in the secondary schools located in Kastamonu Province and its districts in the academic year 2016-2017, and voluntarily accepted to participate in the research. Within the scope of the research, data has been obtained by asking teachers to complete the statement: Multiculturalism is like …; because …. The collected data has been analyzed by means of descriptive analysis. In the research, it has been concluded that teachers generally have positive perceptions related to the multiculturalism concept. Teachers consider the concept of multiculturalism mostly as a sense embracing differences and riches, with the metaphors which they have already enhanced. Besides, in the research, a negative result regarding multiculturalism as a divisive factor has been also received. As for the metaphors that the teachers have mainly developed, these are the metaphors of rainbow, forest, riches, jigsaw puzzle, food, garden, Noah’s pudding, synthesis and change.

scholarly journals Implementation of COVID-19 Preventive Measures in Primary and Secondary Schools Following Reopening of Schools in Autumn 2020; A Cross-Sectional Study of Parents' and Teachers' Experiences in England

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zahin Amin-Chowdhury ◽  
Marta Bertran ◽  
Meaghan Kall ◽  
Georgina Ireland ◽  
Felicity Aiano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Primary Schools ◽  
Preventive Measures ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Returning To School

Objective The main objective was to assess implementation of and ease of implementation of control measures in schools as reported by staff and parents. Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Staff and parents/guardian participants in the 132 primary schools and 20 secondary schools participating in sKIDs and sKIDsPLUS surveillances. Main outcome measure Prevalence of control measures implemented in Autumn 2020, parental and staff perception of ease of implementation and acceptability of conducting school surveillance studies. Results In total, 56/152 (37%) schools participating in Public Health England's sKIDs study of COVID in schools accepted the invitation to participate in the survey. By 28 December 2020, 1,953 parent and 986 staff respondents had completed the online questionnaire. While more than half the parents were positive about their children returning to school, roughly a third reported being a little anxious. 90% and 82% of primary and secondary school parents were either completely or partly reassured by the preventive measures implemented in their schools. Among staff, 80% of primary staff and 87% of secondary school staff felt that they were at higher risk of COVID-19 because of their profession; only 52% of primary school staff and 38% of secondary school staff reportedly felt safe. According to the teaching staff, most preventive measures were well-implemented apart from requiring 2-metre distancing between staff. For students, maintaining the 2-metre distance was reported to be particularly difficult. By extension, secondary schools also struggled to maintain small groups at all times or ensuring that the same staff were assigned to each student group (a problem also commonly reported by parents). Conclusions Variable implementation of infection control measures was reported by staff and parents. Whilst the majority were not worried about returning to school, some parents and staff, were concerned about returning to school and the risks posed to children, staff and household members.

scholarly journals Influence of boarding secondary school environment on HIV positive students in South Western Uganda

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raymond Bernard Kihumuro ◽  
David Jolly Muganzi ◽  
Elton George Wandira ◽  
Racheal Alinaiswe ◽  
Jovitah Joselyne Nanyunja ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
School Environment ◽  
Coping Mechanisms ◽  
Hiv Positive ◽  
Key Informants ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Negative Coping ◽  
Depth Interviews

Abstract Background The number of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive adolescents in secondary school has increased over the years. Little is known on how the students cope to the pressures and demands of their academic and health lives in the boarding secondary schools. This study explored the factors surrounding their anti-retroviral therapy adherence as well as their experiences. Methods We did a qualitative study that employed in-depth interviews amongst purposively selected 19 HIV positive adolescent students in boarding secondary school and seven key informants. Key informants were members of boarding secondary school staff directly taking care of the adolescents living with human immune virus and had spent at least two academic terms in that school. The study participants were recruited from four health facilities in Bushenyi district, southwestern Uganda, and key informants from five boarding secondary schools in Bushenyi. These were engaged in in-depth interviews using an interview guide. Data was transcribed, coded and the content analyzed thematically. Results Adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus in boarding secondary school face challenges similar to adolescents outside boarding school settings. However, some challenges are unique to them. Students faced numerous barriers which made it difficult to adhere to their medication. Stigmatization in its different forms was also a major challenge amongst students. Willingness disclosure of serostatus was beneficial to the students since it guaranteed support while at school; facilitating adherence and better living. However, students were uneasy to disclose their status. Some students adopted negative coping mechanisms such as telling lies, escaping from school, and class to access medication. Conclusions Adolescents in boarding secondary schools face similar challenges as compared to their counterparts with some being unique to them. Few school mechanisms help these students to cope while at school. Limited disclosure has proven useful but some adolescents have opted not to disclose their status and hence used negative coping mechanisms. These challenges need to be addressed and a safe environment to encourage limited disclosure should be made.

Influence of Family, Peers, and School on Senegalese Adolescents

1981 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 807-810 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel Vandewiele
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary School Students ◽  
School Staff ◽  
School Students ◽  
Teacher Student ◽  
Item Questionnaire

From responses to a 6-item questionnaire, given to 815 secondary school students, were inferred interactions of authority exerted by parents, school staff, and friends on students. Generally the influence of teachers on decisions made by students outside school is as important as that exerted by peers, while parents' authority remains strongest. Scarcity of affective teacher-student contacts led to less reliance on them for advice than on parents and friends.

scholarly journals How Education Can Be Used to Improve Sustainability Knowledge and Thinking Among Teenagers

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 280-282
Author(s):  
Randolph James Brazier
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
United Kingdom ◽  
Young People ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Role Play ◽  
Curriculum Review ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Short Course ◽  
Survey Results

AbstractSignificant progress has been made with respect to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) in tertiary education institutions, particularly universities. There are also examples of ways in which sustainability has been incorporated into secondary schools and curricula, but with varying levels of success. ESD that has been incorporated in secondary schools has been shown to engage students and give more context to the curriculum, as well as enable students to develop the critical thinking required to tackle the big issues that face the planet now and into the future.In the United Kingdom, while some aspects of sustainability have been introduced into the secondary school curriculum, they are often merged into other subjects and do not attract as much attention as traditional subjects. Furthermore, sustainability emphasis varies between schools, exam boards and teachers, leading to differing levels of understanding among teenagers. As a result, it could be argued that some young people fail to engage with global issues, which could be contributing towards the lower rates of young people voting in the United Kingdom. Promoting sustainable development, and how engineering can contribute towards it, could also potentially help reverse the decline in engineering student entries at universities, by attracting more interest to the engineering field. Thus, the question is raised as to how sustainability knowledge can be improved among teenagers.The research investigated the scale and quality of ESD at secondary schools in the United Kingdom and recommended a range of solutions to improve sustainability teaching and thinking among teenagers. A range of research tools were used, including a literature and curriculum review, interviews and surveys with teachers and students, and a role-play case study.The research involved a survey being conducted with 475 UK secondary school students aged 12–18 years. The survey was conducted to determine the current level of sustainability understanding of the students, where they learned about it, their preferences relating to issues facing the Earth, and how they think sustainability teaching could be improved. Surveys were purposely open ended, and teachers were instructed not to give prompts prior to the survey, to enable an accurate reflection of students’ knowledge. Results of the surveys varied across age group, school, overall attainment levels of students and exam boards. In general, results showed that while students are interested and knowledgeable about current issues, their level of understanding of sustainability is poor to moderate, and they want it to be taught in more subjects.A gap analysis was then conducted with a curriculum review, survey results and interviews with teachers as inputs. The aim of the analysis was to determine the difference between a desirable level of knowledge and teaching of sustainability, and current practice. Among other things, the analysis indicated that interactive learning would be beneficial, and thus a role play, set in Cambridge and covering environmental, social and economic aspects, was designed and run at two schools in Cambridge. An element of competition was included, as well as a relatively open set of rules, to invoke creative solutions. Observation during the game indicated engaged students. Feedback from students indicated that the game was a fun and useful learning tool. Feedback from teachers was also positive, indicating that interactive teaching tools, like role plays, class debates and field experiments, can be very valuable towards teaching students about the complexities of sustainability.After the role plays, the students were surveyed with identical questions to the initial survey. Results were compared, and sustainability knowledge and the ability to identify environmental issues was seen to increase significantly, far more so than originally expected. This increase in knowledge was highlighted by the students themselves in subsequent feedback sessions.Finally, steps were proposed to improve sustainability education that could be implemented by schools and teachers or at the UK National Curriculum level: •a ‘Sustainability Week’ or sustainability short course to be run at early secondary school, with the aim to give students a holistic overview of sustainability;•aspects of sustainability, including real-world examples, to be included in all subjects and lead on from the short course;•interactive learning tools to be strongly encouraged and made available to all teachers;•training and support to be provided to teachers to improve understanding and ability to teach sustainability;•extra-curricular sustainability activities to be offered at all schools. These steps, along with continual lines of communication and feedback between politicians, the public, industry, students and educators, will ensure that students understand sustainability and develop critical ways of thinking, leading to a more engaged generation.

Attending to data: Exploring the use of attendance data within the datafied school

2021 ◽  
pp. 003452372098420
Author(s):  
Neil Selwyn ◽  
Luci Pangrazio ◽  
Bronwyn Cumbo
Keyword(s):  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Empirical Data ◽  
Qualitative Studies ◽  
Digital Data ◽  
Data Driven ◽  
School Staff ◽  
Digital Form ◽  
Student Attendance ◽  
Contemporary Schooling

Contemporary schooling is seen to be altering significantly in light of a combined ‘digitisation’ and ‘datafication’ of key processes. This paper examines the nature and conditions of the datafied school by exploring how a relatively prosaic and longstanding school metric (student attendance data) is being produced and used in digital form. Drawing on empirical data taken from in-depth qualitative studies in three contrasting Australian secondary schools, the paper considers ‘anticipatory’, ‘analytical’ and ‘administrative’ aspects of how digitally-mediated attendance data is produced, used and imagined by school staff. Our findings foreground a number of constraints, compromises and inconsistencies that are usually glossed-over in enthusiasms for ‘data-driven’ education. It is argued that these findings highlight the messy realities of schools’ current relationships with digital data, and the broader logics of school datafications.

IT IS NECESSARY TO IMPROVE THE KAZAKH LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

2020 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-51
Author(s):  
B. Kapalbek ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Language Program ◽  
Younger Generation ◽  
New Generation

We have developed programs for new-generation textbooks and 12-year-old school textbooks in our secondary school up to now. They were never completed and now began to implement textbooks written according to the updated program. That is, since independence, we have seen many different reforms in secondary schools. In this regard, it is necessary to develop a program that meets modern requirements and promotes progressive, intellectual education of the younger generation. The article describes the requirements of the program aimed at educating a literate, educated, working generation in the interests of the nation, and shows the work on their implementation.

Quality Management Practices and Performance of Public Secondary School Heads in Pangasinan, Philippines

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 6-13
Author(s):  
Jeger P. Paragas
Keyword(s):  
Quality Management ◽  
Secondary School ◽  
Secondary Schools ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Department Of Education ◽  
The Public ◽  
Quality Management Practices ◽  
Public Secondary School ◽  
And Performance ◽  
School Heads

This is a descriptive study which determined and analyzed the quality management practices of public secondary school heads. The study included the school heads and teachers in all Schools Division in Pangasinan. The identified quality management practicesare based on the parameters of APPES Manual. Kendall’s tau correlation coefficient was utilized to identify the significant relationship in the quality management practices of public secondary school heads to the performance of their respective schools. The researcher used questionnaire, interview and google form to gather the needed data. Same set of questionnaire was utilized for the teachers and school heads as respondents of this study. Findings of the study revealed that stakeholders were truly a great agent in improving the public secondary schools. Therefore, school heads must be eager to do this to have a strong partnership and participation of the stakeholders in the school. They contribute a lot for the direction leading to greater learning outcomes. Also, it was found out that weak correlation was hardly related to the quality management practices of the school heads with regard to the performance of their respective schools. Further, a proposed plan of action with regard to the indicators that were found out moderate would be presented to public secondary schools for them to better identify the risk and opportunities so to attain and maintain quality management practices of school heads and school perfomance in the Department of Education.

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