The aim of this study is to determine the use of the parables of the historical Jesus as transformative interpretive instruments of food shortage in urban townships. We will give much attention on the 12 theses critical reading of the parables espoused by Van Eck. In order to reach stated objectives, a sample of 360 township residents across the South Western Townships (Soweto) and Pretoria, comprising of teenagers, youth and adults were invited to participate in the study. Van Eck's methodology of the twelve theses as interpretative frameworks of the parables will be applied. In that regard the reading of ten parables by Van Eck will be undertaken. The ten parables to be covered will be the following: the parable of the Minas (Lk 19:12b-24, 27), the parable of the Sower (Mk 4:3b-8); the parable of Unmerciful Servant (Mt 18:23-33); the parable of the Mustard Seed (Lk 13:18-19); the parable of the Great Banquet (Lk 14:1b-23); parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk 15:4-6); the parable of the Richman and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-26); the parable of the Merchant (Mt 13:45-46); the parable of the Friend at Midnight (Lk 11:5-8) and the parable of the Tenants in the vineyard (Gospel of Thomas 65). We will apply specific parables in interpreting four major indicators that emerged in the study. The indicators covered the following issues: the impact of food shortage on self-respect, one's dignity, openness and good relations with others. To achieve the desired end we will use the following parables: the parable of the minas (Lk 19:12b-24, 27), the parable of the sower (Mk 4:3b-8); the parable of the merchant (Mt 13:45-46); and the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-26). Each selected indicator will be interrogated by a singular parable. The remaining aspects of the results of food study will be interpreted by eight parables namely: the parable of unmerciful servant (Mt 18:23-33); the parable of the mustard seed (Lk 13:18-19); the parable of the great banquet (Lk 14:1b-23); parable of the lost sheep (Lk 15:4-6); the parable of the rich man and Lazarus (Lk 16:19-26); the parable of the merchant (Mt 13:45-46); the parable of the friend at midnight (Lk 11:5-8) and the parable of the tenants in the vineyard (Gos. Thom. 65). We want to show that the given parables can serve as catalyst of transformation in the interpretation of the entire study of food insecurity in the townships. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2016. / New Testament Studies / PhD / Unrestricted

Masters in Public Administration - MPA / Mozambique has inherited from colonialism a backward agricultural sector based mainly in plantations of export crops, dominated by white settlers and a handful of foreign companies. Production of food crops, especially maize (which constitutes the main cereal food for the population), was mainly undertaken by the traditional agricultural sector. Combined events, from central planning of production to war and natural disasters, have made unsuccessful the governmental objectives of modernising the agricultural sector and making it more productive, in order to ensure a normal food supply, leading to a permanent situation of food shortage. The "free market" economy introduced in 1987 under the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), brought very little progress in terms of food crop production, leaving the country reliant on continued foreign food aid and imports. Recent studies of problems of low agricultural output in general and on the SAP performance in particular, have shown that the private sector, which is benefiting from SAP's investments, is biased towards cash crop production. The traditional agricultural sector, the biggest food producer in Mozambique, is facing integration problems into the new "free market" economy. This study has attempted to clarify the problems, which lie behind the difficulties in market integration of this sector of national agriculture. This is of particular importance, especially in this crucial moment of the ongoing regional food security project, within Southern African Development Community. The study has produced evidence of a lack of appropriate incentives within the traditional agricultural sector under SAP, mainly with regard to the marketing network and buyer of last resort in case of market failure. This includes absence of road facilities, rural shops and respective goods and commodities of interest to the peasantry. The study showed also that it is important to regulate commercialisation of food aid and food import, to ease the market for food crops locally produced. This could enable a gradual integration of rural markets. Conscious that the lack of the above-mentioned incentives may not be the only explanation for the persisting food shortage, I therefore suggest further research on the topic on appropriate incentives for the traditional agricultural sector, given its fragility and vulnerability within the free market economy.

The school psychologist shortage has been a persistent problem in education, and there is a lack of research on what current administrative supervisors are doing to address shortages. This study examined the perceptions of district leaders regarding the recruitment and retention of school psychologists. Participants included 19 administrative supervisors in public school districts in Colorado (CO), Utah (UT), Nevada (NV), and Wyoming (WY). Data for this qualitative study were collected by conducting semi-structured interviews with administrative supervisors of school psychologists. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed for common themes. A total of 10 themes were identified, and the first theme reflected concerns about school psychology graduate programs not producing enough school psychologists. Additionally, being farther away from a graduate program creates recruiting difficulties. Another related theme revealed that close relationships with graduate programs contributes to successful recruiting. Administrative supervisors noted the role that the surrounding community plays in retaining current school psychologists. They also expressed the importance of creating appealing workloads that matched salaries, being responsive, matching school psychologists’ preferences, and offering job flexibility. Other key themes included the challenges of finding school psychologists to hire and competing with neighboring local education administration (LEAs). Finally, administrative supervisors believe that they are in a worker’s market that favors the school psychologist. Overall, there appeared to be a theme of administrative supervisors feeling a lack of control over their current situation. Limitations for the study include collecting data across several months that may have influenced participants responses due to the demands of hiring during certain times of year. The sample included participants from states in the western United States, which may reflect limited perspectives based on geographic needs and trends. Directions for future research may include a larger sample size that reflects national demographic characteristics. Further research could also investigate the effectiveness of current efforts to address shortages on a systemic level. This could include researching how state and national associations advocate for school psychologists and how graduate programs grow and adapt to match current needs.

On February 2010, in a conference on the future of cities in London, United Nation‟s head of housing agency Anna Tibaijuka proclaimed that "After HIV and Aids, the biggest threat to sustainable development in Africa is rapid and chaotic urbanisation, because it is a recipe for disaster for increased tensions and pressure" (MacLellan, 2010). It is truly unfortunate that a word like urbanization that for centuries has represented better living standards and growth is now viewed as a threat to sustainable growth and likened to an incurable disease. When people move to urban cities in search of a better life, they deserve to find something better than what they left behind and that is what justifies this research. The purpose of this paper is to find ways on how best to direct rapid urbanization in Ethiopia towards becoming a resource rather than a source of chaos. A comprehensive literature review complemented by a questionnaire survey distributed to real estate developers in Ethiopia was conducted as part of the qualitative research method adapted. The finding of the research show that Ethiopia has one of the highest proportions of urban population living in slums and housing deficit is at an all-time high. The government has introduced a number of policies and is trying to provide housing for low-income people while the private sector in the real estate industry is mainly meeting the needs of high-income people. The study found that this division in task will eventually lead to the segregation of the city into rich and poor neighborhoods that will ultimately make matters worse. The study also showed that with the adaption of policies that allow for the integration and collaboration of the government, the private sector and the people; opportunities of creating a conducive living environment for all income groups exist.

Climate change is a growing problem for those living in the Himalayas, threatening water availability and livelihoods. This research seeks to explore the various factors contributing to water shortage and the factors leading to perceptions of water shortage in Himachal Pradesh, India. This thesis explores data collected from 50 interviews conducted in summer 2019 and seeks to understand why participants of these interviews indicated that they do not experience water shortage. The research highlights the importance of further research and needed action in terms of addressing and mitigating the impacts of climate change in the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh.

Existing literature on boarding and rooming establishes the important role of boarding in the housing market. Boarding and rooming have traditionally provided temporary, inexpensive accommodation for those who have come to the city to seek employment. The first half of the twentieth century was a period of dramatic economic and social change and yet there is no study of boarding during this period. This is a study of the declining incidence of boarding and rooming in Hamilton during the period 1900 to 1948. There is a dramatic decline in boarding and rooming during the first fifteen years of the twentieth century. Rates remain low during the 1920's with a slight resurgence seen during the Great Depression and the Second World War. There is a substantial decline in boarding and rooming over the entire period of study 1900 to 1948. Also, there is a decline in the percentage of boarders and roomers that were boarders during the period of study. Changing social tastes demonstrate an increasing preference for the nuclear family. Therefore, individuals residing with the family are no longer encouraged to live as one of the family. The relationship that exists between boarding and rooming and periods of economic prosperity and recession are found to be complex and contradictory in nature. Although periods of prosperity allow individuals to find their own accommodation, this same prosperity attracts increasing numbers of people to the city creating a housing shortage and causing people to have to double up. Similarly, periods of recession create a need for inexpensive accommodation but also, many individuals return to farming during these periods. Finally, the decline that took place in boarding and rooming during this period cannot be explained exclusively by economic changes but also by dramatic social changes that were also taking place during this period. / Thesis / Bachelor of Science (BSc)

The purpose of this research study was to gather data on a sample of technology teacher candidates in order to determine how many graduates with a technology teaching endorsement actually entered the teaching profession. In addition, data were collected to investigate the attrition rate of the same pool of candidates. For those who left the education profession, the study also examined how long these individuals taught before leaving as well as investigated the reasons these individuals decided to leave the technology teaching profession. For those who have remained in the teaching profession this study also explored their reasons for remaining in education. In addition, data were collected regarding how many technology teaching candidates remained within the state of Utah as well as how many have accepted positions outside of the state of Utah. To accomplish these tasks, a survey instrument was designed to gather employment data from Technology Teacher Education (TTE) graduates of Brigham Young University over the last 14 years. There were 189 technology teacher education graduates from 1994-07. Contact information was located and compiled for 148 of the 189 graduates; therefore, the results of this survey were calculated using the 148 graduates with current contact information. Of the 148 potential participants in this study, 110 (74%) of the TTE graduates responded. From the responses of the 110 TTE graduates the following was determined. There were 85 of those who responded that entered the teaching profession; 84 of those graduates entered within two years of graduation. Of the 85 graduates entering education, 54 stayed in the state of Utah and 31 left the state to teach. There were 67 of 110 responders to the survey (60%) that reported they entered education within two years and have remained in education since graduation. One teacher out of the 85 entered education after attending graduate school. The survey indicated that 17 of the 85 teachers exited education which is equal to 20% of the responding educators leaving education. Of the 17 educators who left the profession six left the first year, and 13 of the 17 left sometime during the first three years. Of the 17 educators that left education, four returned to the profession.

Housing shortage is an issue many young adults have to face when moving to Umeå as students, as well as the never ending queues to rent a below average apartment or dorm in the outskirts of the city. Anyone who moves to Umeå to study, should be able to find a safe and adequate place to live in proximity to the university and city center; not only because students in themselves are a diverse and valuable part of the population and the city’s growth, but because housing is a basic necessity that needs to be fulfilled. How can architecture improve students’ lives in Umeå? This project is located at Hamrinsberget, an underused hill that functions as a powerful tool for students to gain restitution as they rise above the city. The nature surrounding the apartment building provides a peaceful and calm environment for studying. As this young population is put in a vulnerable social position when moving to a new city, possibly all by their lonesome, a strong community has been prioritized during the design process. Shared spaces consisting of study areas on each floor have been implemented, as well as central social areas where parties and dinners can take place. This was intended to make the residents not only feel welcome and safe, but to learn and develop under ideal conditions. This is how the future way of living as a student is introduced.

There is currently a shortage of African American vocational teachers. If the shortage is to be averted, vocational professionals must find ways to increase the number of African American teachers in vocational education (Arnold & Levesque, 1992; Martinez, 1991; Young, 1989). The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that influenced African Americans to become vocational teachers and to identify experiences related to their progress in vocational teacher licensure programs. Factors identified as influencing African Americans to select vocational teaching careers were linked with factors found in the O'Neil, Meeker, and Borger (1978) Sex Role Socialization and Career Decision-Making model. This qualitative study consisted of structured interviews with 12 college students who were preparing to become vocational teachers. Students were interviewed at 6 campuses in 2 southeastern states. Students represented vocational programs in (a) agriculture education, (b) business education, (c) family and consumer sciences education, (d) marketing education, (e) trade and industrial education, and (f) technology education. Six of the students were from predominantly white universities and 6 students were from Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The findings of the study revealed that the most significant influences behind respondents choosing vocational teaching careers related to teacher role models, family support, altruism, the intangible benefits of teaching, and love for vocational professions. Most of the factors identified related to factors found in the O'Neil et al. (1978) model. A factor, entitled the Spritual Factor, emerged in addition to those identified in the original O'Neil et al. model. Positive relationships with knowledgeable faculty, supportive peers, active participation in vocational organizations, and confidence in academic preparation, enhanced the progress of students in vocational licensure programs. All universities selected in the study shared similar elements. Students and faculty at HBCUs, however, tended to lean toward a student-centered focus while students and faculty at predominantly white universities tended to lean toward an academically-oriented focus. / Ph. D.

The purpose of this quantitative study was to further explore pedagogical balance using multidimensional scaling and epistemic network analysis. Teacher shortages and attrition remain a critical issue for the future, and simulated classroom environments like simSchool can provide teachers additional training to help improve teaching confidence and teaching experience. Two different data sets were analyzed at various time before and after simSchool use to see how pre-service teachers rate themselves in 8 areas of teaching as defined by the Survey of Teaching Skills. Multidimensional scaling was utilized to see how teaching confidence and teaching experience align with no simSchool use, 90 minutes of use, and 8 hours of use. Epistemic network analysis was utilized to look at the cognitive structures of different groups to determine any differences. The findings are discussed with future research directions provided.