Re-imaging support for beginner teachers in relation to initial teacher education policy in South Africa

Findings from a recent study highlight beginner teacher’s perceptions about the nature of support they had received to enhance their competencies (Esau, 2017). Against this backdrop, with this article we aim at problematising support for beginner teachers in relation to the National Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development in South Africa of 2006. This teacher education policy stipulates principles that require of a novice teacher to assume specific roles and responsibilities which they find difficult to fulfil. The findings reveal that compliance with this policy is inhibited by the fact that teachers feel ill-prepared and unsupported on entering the teaching profession. Investigating the nature of support of beginner teachers, therefore, provides an opportunity to re-imagine both teacher education and context. In this article we highlight the risk evaluations of beginner teachers using Amartye Sen’s Capability Approach (CA)

Exploring beginner teachers' perceptions of school support to enhance their capability sets in relation to teacher education policy

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD (Education)The National Policy Framework for Teacher Education and Development in South Africa of 2006 (NPF) outlines seven principles which underpin this policy as expressed in the Norms and Standards for Educators (2000). These principles require a teacher to be: a specialist in a particular learning area, subject or phase; a specialist in teaching, learning and assessment; a curriculum developer; a leader, administrator and manager; a scholar and lifelong learner; and a professional who plays a role in community development, citizenship education, and pastoral care. Beginner teachers have difficulty adapting to these new roles as they have not had efficient exposure to the actual, often harsh realities of the classroom situation as it unfolds on a daily basis. A qualitative research approach is employed in the research study to explore beginner teachers' perceptions of school support to enhance their capability sets in relation to teacher education policy. Generally, a qualitative study lends itself to developing an understanding of a particular phenomenon of interest without formulating a hypothesis. In this explorative study, the investigation was underpinned by the elements of Amartya Sen's Capability Approach which include "Freedoms", "Unfreedoms", "Capabilities" and "Functionings" (Sen 1992). These elements were used to understand the nature of beginner teachers' competences and the impact of policy on their performance. In this regard, the achievement of quality learning outcomes concerning the basic competences of beginner teachers could be linked to Sen's vision for reaching achieved functionings (those valuable activities and situations that make up a person's well-being, which is also referred to as that which a person ultimately manages "to be and to do")

Exploring infection prevention and control knowledge and beliefs in the Solomon Islands using Photovoice

Healthcare associated infections are the most common complication of a person’s hospital stay. Contemporary infection prevention and control programs are universally endorsed to prevent healthcare associated infections. However, western biomedical science on which contemporary infection prevention and control is based, is not the only way that staff and patients within healthcare settings understand disease causation and/or disease transmission. This results paper reports on one aspect of a study which ascertains perceptions of disease transmission and how these influence infection prevention and control practice at Atoifi Adventist Hospital Solomon Islands. Photovoice was used as the primary data collection method with staff and patients. The germ theory and hospital hygiene processes were only one of many explanations of disease transmission at the hospital. Many social, cultural and spiritual influences played an important role in how people understood disease to be transmitted. Although infection prevention and control models based on western science continue to form the premise of reducing healthcare associated infections in Solomon Islands and locations across the globe, local social, cultural and spiritual beliefs need to be considered when planning and implementing infection prevention and control programs to ensure success

Sink or swim: Exploring resilience of academics at an education faculty during Covid-19

There is a proliferation of local and international research focusing on COVID-19 and its impact on the practices of teaching and learning in higher education. However, a dearth of research exists that focuses on the resilience of academics in higher education during COVID-19 in South Africa. Considering this gap, a group of curriculum officers at an Education faculty based at a university of technology in the Western Cape set out to explore how resilient academics were during COVID-19. Thirteen academics who teach in and across the Foundation Phase, Intermediate Phase and Further Education and Training phase participated in a focus group interview. Data was analysed thematically using content analysis whereby three themes were identified: creativity through complexity, embracing challenge through resilience and connecting with self. The implications reveal that universities as a contextual environment for promoting resilience need to engage with the social and physical ecology of staff by providing support and resources to be resilient during times of crises. The dominant nature of the hierarchical dynamics of university’s management also needs to be considered as part of a social ecological perspective in valuing academics’ wellbeing during times of crises

Apparent absence of the amphibian chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) in frogs in Malaita Province, Solomon Islands

A major driver of global biodiversity loss is disease. One of the most devastating wildlife diseases known is chytridiomycosis, which is caused by the amphibian chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, and is implicated in population declines in over 500 frog species. Thought to originate in Asia, B. dendrobatidis now has a global distribution, likely due to human movement and trade. The pathogen has yet to be detected in Melanesia, but there have been few surveys for B. dendrobatidis in the region, and none in the Solomon Islands archipelago, a biogeographic region with a unique and culturally important frog fauna. We swabbed 200 frogs of eight species in three genera in lowland and highland sites in East Kwaio on the island of Malaita in the Solomon Islands. All frogs tested negative for the pathogen but it is possible that the pathogen is present despite non-detection, so further surveys for the pathogen are needed throughout the country. Despite this, it is safest to take a precautionary approach and assume that B. dendrobatidis has not yet been introduced to the Solomon Islands, and that naïve native amphibian populations may be at risk of decline if the pathogen is introduced. Protocols are needed to prevent the accidental import of infected frogs via tourism or in logging or mining equipment. Monitoring of frog populations near areas of high risk such as ports is also recommended. The frogs of the Solomon Islands archipelago are biologically unique and culturally significant, and protecting them from the potentially devastating impacts of B. dendrobatidis is vital

High prevalence of ascariasis on two coral atolls in the Solomon Islands

Background: There is a deficiency in up-to-date soil-transmitted helminth (STH) prevalence data for many regions, including Oceania. This study investigated the prevalence of STH in two closely associated coral atoll communities in East Kwaio, Solomon Islands, reflective of many similar island communities throughout the Oceania region. Methods: An STH survey, using the Kato-Katz technique, was conducted on human subjects Living on two coral atolls in the Eastern Solomon Islands. The capacity of Ascaris lumbricoides eggs to float in seawater was also evaluated by passive flotation. Results: Of 583 people tested on both islands, 311 (53.3%) harboured A. lumbricoides, with 51.7% (n=161) of those having moderate to high-intensity infections. Hookworm was detected in 139 (23.7%) participants and Trichuris trichiura infection in 18 (3.1%). A. lumbricoides eggs were not found to float in seawater. Discussion: The high prevalence and intensity of ascariasis on these two atolls was contrasted with previously described STH studies in mainland East Kwaio villages, where hookworm predominates and ascariasis is almost absent. This Led to a preliminary consideration that transmission of A. lumbricoides on densely populated coral atolls might be associated with defecation into the sea and transmission in seawater, although further work is required to investigate this hypothesis

Grassroots action for improved menstrual health and educational justice with girls in East Kwaio, Solomon Islands

Menstrual health and hygiene are critical health, gender equality and well-being issues for rural girls in most Pacific island nations. Educational opportunities for girls are negatively impacted by cultural taboos and limited school sanitation or menstrual hygiene options. In East Kwaio, Solomon Islands, religion and spirituality determine daily life. Biological, socio-cultural and spiritual processes of menstruation determine the layout of mountain hamlets. In coastal villages, menstruation is not discussed openly and women and girls typically manage menstruation alone. In both Kwaio settings, menstruation can restrict girls’ access to formal education. Our story tells how one determined Kwaio woman used a chance encounter with a young girl as the impetus for her, and our, work to improve menstrual health for schoolgirls, other women and girls. Women leaders from a local conservation group, two local schools and a local health service initiated culturally-appropriate solutions with girls at the schools. A pad-making initiative and a parallel awareness-raising programme promoted sexual and reproductive health, and gender equality, for girls in this remote Pacific setting. We describe how partnerships, led by those closest to the issue, can effect local transformation to encourage reproductive and educational justice for girls in Solomon Islands, and other Pacific contexts

Women’s understanding and experiences of menopause in low-income and middle-income countries in the Asia Pacific region: a scoping review protocol

Introduction Menopause denotes the end of a woman’s reproductive life. A woman’s experiences of menopause are shaped by her individual circumstances and may vary between social and cultural contexts. Evidence is needed to inform research and programme delivery that supports women’s health and well-being throughout the menopausal transition. This scoping review will map evidence of women’s experiences of menopause in Asia Pacific countries, where limited research exists.Methods and analysis We will follow the five-stage framework of Arksey and O’Malley, further developed by Levac et al and the Joanna Briggs Institute. MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus databases will be systematically searched between February 2022 and May 2022 using subject headings and keywords. The title–abstract and full text of retrieved studies will be assessed against eligibility criteria. The review will focus on studies with a qualitative research component. Citation searching of selected articles will supplement database searching. Data will be extracted, charted, synthesised and summarised. Findings will be presented in narrative format and implications for research and practice reported.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required for this scoping review of selected studies from peer-reviewed journals. Ethical approval has been granted from relevant ethics committees for community consultation. Findings will be shared in peer-reviewed publications, presented at conferences and disseminated with communities, health workers and researchers

SNP02 (Same hand towel, more hands, more infection).

SNP02 (Same hand towel, more hands, more infection).</p

PhP4 (The potato and the rats).

PhP4 (The potato and the rats).</p