of the diploma thesis The diploma thesis focuses on the analysis of historical development of system of education in a particular region in the context of historical influences. The thesis is formally divided into two parts. The first is descriptive and deals with the process of formation of elementary schools from their historical origins untill the first half of 19th century. Particular attention is devoted to essential education reforms and to socio- economical status of teachers. The second part of the thesis focuses on the history of local schools in Závratec and its surroundigs between 1820 and 1918. With the application of microanalytical method, there is a description of particular social situations and historical contexts of the establishment and development of one of the elementary schools.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-08-20T13:58:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 JOAO_LUIZ_DORNELLES_BASTOS_dissertacao.pdf: 531649 bytes, checksum: 5eec5d3096708d8b6c527a46ec07883c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2006-10-18 / The aim of this study was to estimate toothache prevalence and associated factors among adult residents in a Southern Brazilian city, named Pelotas. A cross-sectional population-based study was carried out with individuals aged 20 years and over (n=3353). A multi-stage sampling scheme was adopted, and data collection was performed at participants homes through standardised pre-tested questionnaires. Toothache in the past six months was regarded as the outcome. Socio-economic and demographic data as well as health related behaviours were collected. All analyses were undertaken with a Poisson regression model, following a hierarchical conceptual model. The response rate was 93.5% and toothache prevalence was 17.7% (CI95% 16.0-19.3). Multivariable analyses revealed that toothache was more likely to be reported by those with low educational attainment and low family income. Younger subjects, women and those with black skin colour were also more likely to report toothache. Current smokers and problem drinkers were at increased risk of experiencing toothache in the past six months. The toothache prevalence reported in the present study is not negligible and should stimulate preventive policies and support the planning of local oral health services. / Nos últimos seis meses, cerca de 20% dos pelotenses adultos tiveram dor de dente. Sabe-se que a dor de dente pode causar grande impacto na qualidade de vida, atrapalhando a alimentação, o sono, o convívio familiar e social e a realização de atividades diárias. Em trabalho recente, no qual foram entrevistados 2752 adultos com mais de vinte anos residentes na cidade de Pelotas, revelou-se que quase 20% deles, ou seja, um em cada cinco, apresentou dor de dente nos últimos seis meses. A dor de dente foi mais freqüente nas mulheres, entre os mais jovens, mais pobres e com menor escolaridade. Também as pessoas mais afetadas pela dor eram de cor/raça preta, fumantes, usuários problemáticos de álcool e que consideraram sua saúde bucal como ruim ou muito ruim . A elevada freqüência de dor de dente na população estudada reforça a necessidade de ações preventivas tanto em nível coletivo como individual, cabendo citar a fluoretação das águas de abastecimento e as campanhas e os programas de educação em saúde bucal. Medidas de combate ao tabagismo e ao uso abusivo de álcool também podem ajudar a reduzir a ocorrência de dor nos grupos mais afetados.

The purpose of this study was to describe the factors that determine the utilisation of VIA, and to investigate the socio-economic status of women who undergone VIA. A retrospective document analysis of 323 clinical records was conducted at a specific rural hospital in Zimbabwe. A retrospective, cross-sectional, non-experimental, descriptive, analysis of clinical records was conducted using a checklist to extract data from the records of women who have undergone VIA for cervical screening at the specific rural hospital. The results revealed that 70% (N=225) were from outside the catchment area, 73% (N=234) were poor, 54% (N=173) were of high parity, 85% (N=275) were ill with conditions that included lower back and abdominal pains, excessive vaginal discharge and vaginal bleeding after intercourse. The study further revealed that 72% (N=226) had no prior cervical cancer screening and 87% (N=277) were screened by chance. The conclusion drawn was that socio-economic and logistical constraints hinder cervical cancer screening among rural women. It is recommended that VIA screening and health education on cervical cancer be offered to all women visiting healthcare facilities. Furthermore, the government should consider funding in order to prioritise women’s health issues. / Health Studies / M.A. (Nursing Science)

A higher level of education increases the chances of getting work, therefore, this can improve the socio-economic status and social position. Besides, higher education ensures improved health by providing fundamental health knowledge. Completing high school even with low grades increases the chances of getting a job, whereas, unemployment is three times more common among the students with incomplete high school education which leads to low socio-economic status and an unhealthy lifestyle in the long run. This study aims to gain a better understanding of high school students’ perspectives living in Västerås and Eskilstuna regarding meaningful leisure activities and perceived quality of education from their school which may lead to complete high school education. This study will also investigate whether there are any associations between membership in sports and perceived quality of education by adolescents at different gender and socio-economic levels. A cross-sectional study design was applied in this study. The result shows there are many available outdoor activities where the adolescents live to spend their leisure, among them parks are the most reported (314, 58%); walking and cycling paths, running track, outdoor gym and soccer field are the second most reported available opportunity (309, 56.8%) followed by the free sports activities (295, 55.9%). The most popular activities to adolescents are free sports (71, 13.2%) together with homework help at school (70, 13.1%); and more adolescents have membership in sports associations compared to other associations. Also, the study finds that adolescents who either have membership in sports or not do not make any change to the perceived quality of education by students whether they get a very good education, good education, and less than good education in high schools at different gender and self-reported socioeconomic levels. / ACTION: Actions for sustainable education and health among youth

This study has focused on the schoolyard and how the social interaction between children plays out in the schoolyard-play from a socio-economic perspective. The reason for this is to highlight some major differences in children's social skills depending on where they go to school. We have reported on relevant previous research that shows that play that takes place in the schoolyard are an incredibly important part of children's lives but also in their development of social skills. Our analysis has been linked to key concepts in sociological and sociocultural theory. For the purpose of the study, it has utilized qualitative method in the form of observation at two different schools in southern Stockholm but at two different municipalities. The result shows that there is quite a difference in the social interaction between children in the schoolyard, depending on how the schoolyard looks and what kind of plays it offers. Based on the socio-economic status of the schools, we were able to conclude that an attractive schoolyard offers more opportunities for children to develop their social skills. The overall conclusion from the study is that children who attend school where the socioeconomic status is high have an easier time for the social interaction between the children. While in a school where the status is lower, it appears that the conditions for social interaction do not develop in the same way. The conclusion we have reached is that students' social skills do not develop in the same way because of the socio-economic background. / Denna studie fokuserar på skolgården och hur det sociala samspelet mellan barn utspelar sig i leken utifrån ett socioekonomiskt perspektiv, för att kunna undersöka hur barns sociala kompetenser villkoras det av var de går i skola. Vi har redogjort för relevant tidigare forskning som visar att lekar som utspelar sig på skolgården är en otroligt viktig del i barnens liv men också i deras utveckling av sociala kompetenser. Vår analys har kopplats till centrala begrepp inom sociologisk och sociokulturell teori. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ metod i form av observation på två olika skolor i två av Stockholms södra kommuner. Resultatet visar att det skiljer sig ganska mycket i det sociala samspelet mellan barn på skolgården beroende på hur skolgården ser ut samt vad den erbjuder för lekar. Utifrån skolornas socioekonomiska status kunde vi dra en slutsats om att en attraktiv skolgård erbjuder fler möjligheter för barn att utveckla sina sociala kompetenser. Den övergripande slutsatsen från studien är att det sociala samspelet mellan eleverna är lättare att åstadkomma i en skola där den socioekonomiska statusen är hög. På en skola där statusen är lägre visar det sig att förutsättningarna för det sociala samspelet inte utvecklas på samma sätt. Den slutsats vi kommit fram till är att elevers sociala kompetens inte utvecklas på samma sätt just på grund av den socioekonomiska bakgrunden.

PhD (African Studies) / Department of African Studies / This study sought to investigate self-efficacy in vocational development of women in low socio-economic communities. The main aim of the study was to investigate the sociocontextual factors influencing self-efficacy of women. The objectives were fourfold: to examine the levels of self-efficacy of these women; to ascertain the extent to which selfefficacy influences vocational development of women and to propose a pragmatic women developmental model for acceleration of access to vocational development. The study utilised Self-Efficacy Theory (SET) as its theoretical frame-work which originated from Bandura’s (1986) Social Cognitive Theory (SCT). The study employed the qualitative phenomenological approach which is concerned about the everyday experiences of individuals and how human beings experienced a certain phenomenon. The population of the study comprised of women in low socio-economic communities, traditional leaders; Community leaders; health workers and religious leaders. The sample for this study was 60 participants. Data were collected through interviews; participant observation; and focus group discussions. The study recommended the pragmatic Partnership of the Family, Church and the Society (F.C.S) Women Developmental Mode. The model emphasizes the importance of teamwork between all the community structures to help in building up the confidence of women in low socio-economic communities. / NRF

This dissertation describes the decision-making process of parents in the field of postponing the compulsory school attendance or starting it on schedule. The qualitative research is based on an aggregate of 41 semi-structured interviews with parents and two focus groups, completed by subsequent observations and interviews with parents and teachers. The research goal consisted in illuminating the background of the high number of postponements in the Czech Republic, where every year about 20 % of children start in the first class a year later. The dissertation also provides insight on this topic in a comparative perspective and analyzes the initiation of compulsory education in selected European countries. The research results presented in the form of an established theory document that parents' decisions are based primarily on the needs of the family and especially of the need to be a good parent. The decision making is influenced also by the parents' attitude to the delay which has also impact on the weight being attached to other factors of the decision-making process, such as school maturity and individual areas of school readiness as well as the month of birth. During the decision-making process the experience of parents with enrolment in the first grade plays an important role as well. The...

A Five-pillar conceptual framework -good social environment, focused instruction, well-trained and regularly supervised teachers, family background and language of learning and teaching- is used in this dissertation as a theoretical construct through which to make sense of persistent learner performance disparities between former white and former black schools in the South African public education system. This is a largely qualitative research project which employs a case study approach within a study area comprised of four purposive sample schools. The study is exploratory in nature in that it seeks to investigate why former white schools continue to perform better than former black schools despite massive educational changes made since 1994. I argue in this dissertation that teaching and learning processes between former white and former black schools are still fraught with huge inequalities, hence learner performance disparities. In other words, despite the investment, inputs and strategies since 1994, the education system in historically black schools is not working largely because of issues of classroom practice. A multi-method approach for data collection purposes was used in this study: testing, interviews, observations, intensive literature review and documentary analysis. Learner focus groups, maths teachers, teacher union representatives and school principals formed the backbone of research respondents in this project. The results show immense and unrelenting prevalence of inequalities and variations between former white and former black schools in terms of almost all aspects of teaching and learning processes. The essence of the results is that for the South African education system to achieve equitable learner performance across all schools, it must first achieve equity in terms of teaching and learning processes and needs.

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This report examines the risk and protective factors that the students who live and attend school in a particularly vulnerable area have, according to the “school personnel”, that are linked to antisocial and norm-breaking behavior. A particular targeting has been made for the girl’s risk- and protective factors. Semi-structured interviews have been conducted at a school for children between 6-12 years old, which is presented and analyzed using a thematic analysis and literature. The report uses the ecological explanatory model as a theoretical background. The conditions are different for children living and attending school in a particularly vulnerable area, where the students risk factors significantly outnumber their protective factors, that increase the student’s risk of developing anti-social and/or norm-breaking behavior such as drug use, violence and criminality. School personnel are positive about their own work and the school's role as a protective factor but illustrate several challenges for their work. In the discussion, the student’s risk- and protective factors are problematized, and the Swedish language is presented to be the factor that has the greatest impact on the student’s future without antisocial and/or norm breaking behavior. / Denna rapport undersöker risk- och skyddsfaktorer, kopplade till antisocialt och normbrytande beteende, som skolpersonal identifierar hos sina elever, som bor och går i skolan i ett särskilt utsatt område. En särskild fördjupning görs gällande flickornas risk- och skyddsfaktorer. Detta görs genom semistrukturerade intervjuer på en låg- och mellanstadieskola, som redovisas och analyseras med hjälp av en tematisk analys och befintlig litteratur/forskning. Rapporten har den ekologiska förklaringsmodellen som teoretisk bakgrund. Förutsättningarna är annorlunda för de barn som bor och går i skolan i ett särskilt utsatt område. Dessa elever exponeras för betydligt fler riskfaktorer än skyddsfaktorer, vilket ökar risken för eleven att utveckla antisocialt och/eller normbrytande beteende såsom droganvändning, våld och kriminalitet. Skolpersonalen förhåller sig positiva till sitt eget arbete och skolans roll som skyddsfaktor men belyser även ett flertal utmaningar i sitt arbete. I diskussionen problematiserats elevens risk- och skyddsfaktorer och det svenska språket redovisas vara den faktor som har störst betydelse för elevens framtid utan ett antisocialt och/eller normbrytande beteende.