Teachers ́ Perception of Coherence in High School Biology Textbooks in Zambia

Textbook coherence is an important aspect of effective teacher ́s instruction and performanceof students. However, the subject has not been explored regarding school textbooks inZambia. This study involved assessing coherence of senior biology high school textbooks(MK Biology10, Longman Biology11 and Pupil ́s Biology12) and the extent to which thesebooks are aligned with the biology course syllabus. Using quantitative research design,coherence was conceptualized as a unit of three constructs: alignment and organization, rigor,focus and relevance of contents and connections among ideas. A questionnaire instrumentwas developed which teachers in Mufulira and certain other districts in Zambia (n = 82) usedto assess textbook and textbook-syllabus coherence. Data was analyzed using statisticalmethods, independent t-tests and One-way ANOVA. Results show that teachers weregenerally uncertain about coherence levels in the textbooks. Concerning textbook-syllabusalignment, Pupil ́s Biology12 was viewed as most coherent with the course syllabus and MKBiology10 as the least. Assessment of coherence is a complex process but it focuses on fewcommon elements. Identifying these elements may help teachers improve teaching practice,curriculum developers design coherent curricula and educational activities, and authorsproduce coherent textbooks. Further research studies are recommended that would extend thescope of this study to include teachers in all provinces in Zambia, include a mixed method toexplore perceptions about coherence, compare coherence of same grade level textbooks, orevaluate coherence of the syllabus and that of other science or non-science textbooks

Harnessing the power of intellectual property - Strategy and programs of the WIPO Worldwide Academy

The WIPO Worldwide Academy's strategy aims to achieve four "Is," namely to be international, interdisciplinary, interactive and in-depth in its five programs; Policy Development Program, Professional Development Program, Education Degree/Diploma Program, Research and Executive Program, and Distance Learning. Building upon its eight years of existence and initial achievements, the WIPO Worldwide Academy will continue to strengthen its programs and partnerships with academic institutions all over the world. The Academy's objectives, target audiences, content, initial achievements and future challenges are discussed.WIPO Worldwide Academy International Interdisciplinary Interactive In-depth Policy development Professional development Education Degree Research Executive program Distance learning Academic institutions Objectives Target audiences

Teaching of intellectual property : principles and methods

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Exploring for-profit healthcare providers’ perceptions of inclusion in the Zambia National Health Insurance Scheme : A qualitative content analysis

Background In 2019, Zambia introduced the national health insurance (NHI) as a healthcare financing strategy to increase universal access to health care services. The private health sector can complement public sector providers as service providers under the NHI. As such, the NHI Management Authority seeks to accredit for-profit private healthcare facilities in the NHI. Ascertaining factors that influence private-for-profit health providers to participate in the NHI is essential, but the evidence is lacking. In this study, we aimed to explore and characterize perceptions and experiences of for-profit private hospitals, dental clinics, eye clinics, diagnostic centres, and pharmacies regarding their inclusion in the NHI. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with owners or management officers of purposively sampled private health care providers in Lusaka, Zambia (n = 22) between May and June 2020. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse data. Results The findings highlight low awareness of the NHI among providers and a need to understand the NHI. Providers revealed their positions and views on the accreditation process and payment arrangements and stated that their participation would complement the NHI. They also cited conditions to participate in the NHI, highlighted opportunities and challenges of engaging in the NHI, and expressed a need for sustainable ways of governing the scheme. Conclusion The assessment of health providers’ inclusion in the NHI scheme is multifaceted. The results of this study surfaced factors such as raising awareness on the NHI among providers and how their concerns on aspects such as payments can be considered as inputs to enlighten consensual agreements between the NHI authority and health providers in leveraging the private health sector. Private providers’ concerns must be further understood and considered as the NHI strives to include this group as health care providers in the scheme