Art education: a case of mistaken identity?

This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from the University of KwaZulu-Natal via http://joe.ukzn.ac.za/download/joe59.aspxThis paper begins by identifying two fundamental problems in contemporary British and American secondary art curriculum: epistemological confusion and the absence of any aesthetic component. This paper proposes a reformulation of art as an aesthetic cultural accomplishment drawing on Kant’s theory of the aesthetic and symbolic representation as discussed by Cassirer and Langer. This is followed by a comparative epistemological analysis of art with Social Realist models of scientific knowledge. A case is made for art as a unique form of knowledge, possessing both a subjective aesthetic basis and an objective basis in its expressive form. The final section of this paper discusses the implications of the proposed conceptualisation of art for the art curriculum, and proposes a model for art education in schools that has the potential to solve the problems identified at the beginning

Response to Michael Merry\u27s Citizenship, structural inequality and the political elite

Michael Merry makes some insightful criticisms of Citizenship Education (CE) and its claims to promote deliberative reasoning and critical thinking which are associated with liberal democracies. However, he extends the scope of his criticism to include schooling and education in general. While the author agrees with his criticisms of CE specifically, he disagrees with his more generalised criticisms of education. (DIPF/Orig.

Decolonising discourses as symptoms of morbidity

The central argument in this paper is that the claims of decolonising discourses are a morbid symptom of a theoretical and political impasse. By decolonising discourses in education, the author refers to those theories and practices that are premised on the idea that political decolonisation in the post-war era has been insufficient to establish equality or justice. The socio-political power relationships from the past are, it is claimed, imprinted in the knowledge and knowledge practices of the West and, as such, strategies of reparative purification need to be constructed and implemented. Intellectually, the roots of decolonising theories can be traced at least to the disenchantment with western liberalism and modernity, eloquently voiced by Marcuse in Repressive Tolerance (1965), and in the subsequent development of southern/global/post-colonial theories that seek to establish contemporary effects of colonialism in former colonized societies. (DIPF/Orig.

Art education: a case of mistaken identity?

This paper begins by identifying two fundamental problems in contemporary British andAmerican secondary art curriculum: epistemological confusion and the absence of anyaesthetic component. This paper proposes a reformulation of art as an aesthetic culturalaccomplishment drawing on Kant’s theory of the aesthetic and symbolic representation asdiscussed by Cassirer and Langer. This is followed by a comparative epistemologicalanalysis of art with Social Realist models of scientific knowledge. A case is made for art asa unique form of knowledge, possessing both a subjective aesthetic basis and an objectivebasis in its expressive form. The final section of this paper discusses the implications of theproposed conceptualisation of art for the art curriculum, and proposes a model for arteducation in schools that has the potential to solve the problems identified at the beginning

Malaria in Pregnancy

Malaria infection during pregnancy is an important public health problem with substantial risks to both the mother and foetus. Pregnant women are the most vulnerable group of malaria‐associated morbidity and mortality. A pregnant woman has an increased risk (up to four times) of getting malaria and twice the chances of dying from malaria, compared to a non‐pregnant adult, becuase the immune system is partially suppressed during pregnancy. Malaria in pregnancy not only affects the mother but also has a dangerous sequel for the developing foetus, resulting in premature delivery or intrauterine growth retardation. Diagnosis of malaria in pregnancy remains a challenge due to the low parasite density and placental sequestration of Plasmodium falciparum. Thus, there is an urgent need for new diagnostic methods to detect malarial parasites in the pregnant women. Though antimalarial drugs are available, which can be safely given in the pregnancy, increasing drug resistance of malarial parasite may pose a big problem in the future. In this chapter, we review the burden of pregnancy‐associated malaria (PAM), its pathogenesis, diagnostic issues during pregnancy and recent guidelines for chemoprophylaxsis and treatment

Pregnancy following re-stenosis of complete transverse vaginal septum

We report a case of 23 year woman who came to us with 6 weeks pregnancy and complete transverse vaginal septum. Cesarean section along with resection of septum was done. Restenosis of vagina was observed during puerperium. No surgical intervention was done. Spontaneous pregnancy with well- formed vagina was noted after 3 years

Neglected vaginal pessary

Vaginal pessary may be opted for management of uterine prolapse as a safe option, but to avoid complications regular follow-up is a must. We are reporting a case of neglected vaginal pessary in a 72 year old female which got embedded in vaginal mucosa and required excision of vaginal band for its removal

Direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mortality at tertiary care institute of north India

Background: During COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare services and infrastructures have been utilized primarily in screening and management of COVID-19 infected patients that might have compromised routine antenatal health care services especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study was planned to know impact of COVID-19 pandemic on antenatal care and maternal mortality at our institute. Methods: This retrospective cohort study compared labour room and maternal mortality statistics before (group ‘A’) and after declaration of COVID-19 pandemic in our country (group ‘B’). One year data (from 1st April, 2019 to 31st March, 2020) before declaration of lockdown in India on 24th March, 2020 was compared with (group ‘B’) data of 1 year after first nation wise lockdown (from 1st April, 2020 to 31st March 2021). Outcomes which were studied included impact on Institutional delivery, cesarean section and still birth rate along with maternal mortality ratio and its causes in both the groups. Modifiable factors such as level-I, level-II, and level-III delay were also considered. Results: There was 66% decline (fall from 5867 before to 1985 during pandemic) observed in institutional delivery, statistically significant rise observed in still birth (p=0.0030) and cesarean section rate (p=0.0007) during pandemic. Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) increased from 649 to 1786 per one lac live birth (64% rise, p=0.0001) during COVID-19 pandemic. Demographic profiles of deceased women were comparable between both the groups. Hypertensive disorder of pregnancy remained the leading direct cause of maternal mortality. COVID-19 associated maternal mortality observed during second wave of pandemic. Delay in seeking care remains the leading indirect cause of maternal mortality like before (23/38,61% versus 21/35,60%, p=1 before and during pandemic). Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic resulted in fall in institutional delivery and rise still birth rate and maternal mortality ratio. Gestational hypertension remained the leading cause of maternal mortality during COVID-19 pandemic. Type 1 delay was the leading modifiable factor of maternal mortality before and during pandemic. Hence, it is recommended to strengthen health care services at primary health centers and redeployment of staff involved in obstetrical care should be strictly abandoned for timely care and referrals of complicated cases from peripheral health center