Impact of Preschooling on Primary Enrollemnet Rate and School Performance Essay

Education is an undeniable tool for nation building. It is a process of orderly instruction and training to pass on knowledge, attitudes and aptitudes to people intended at nurturing them to play proactive roles in the development of their nation. But in Pakistan the condition of education is unsatisfactory. According to Secretary of State for International Development, Andrew Mitchell, ‘Pakistan is facing an education emergency. The facts are shocking. Half the adult population and two thirds of the [female] population is illiterate’ (Mitchell, 2012). Pakistan is significantly off track on MDG 2, achieving universal primary education by 2015. Furthermore, almost half of children enrolled do not complete their primary education this is an alarming figure. Similarly the literacy rate of Khyber Pakhtoon khwa (KPK) is very low it is 50%. For females, it is 30 % females while for males it is 70 %. It is a huge gender disparity where an important part of the society has such a low literacy rate. In 2010-11, 45% students have been dropped out at government primary schools level over a complete circle of 6 years. It includes 39% boys and 53% girls. Apart from economic and cultural factors the other reason for high dropout rate is that most of the students don’t academically score well in primary schools and hence fail to promote to higher classes. There base is not strong so there is a dire need to familiarize children of the age of 3 to 5 years with education which is done through Pre schooling, instead of directly enrolling them to primary schools Government of KPK, 2010. So the seed of education is sown by pre schooling. Pre schooling is a stepping stone and foundation for all the succeeding phases of further education. It is a tool which helps to acquaint and prepare children with schooling. A substantial body of research establishes that preschool education can improve the learning and cognitive development of young children. There is a positive impact of pre schooling on the cognitive and social development of a child this is discussed in detail by many researchers like Shonkoff and Philips (2000) and Gormley (2005). Furthermore it’s concluded that the academic performance of a child in primary schools is enhanced by enrollment in pre schools which includes their reading, mathematical performance and adjustment issues in primary schools. (Currie, 2002), Katherine et al. , 2006 and Entwisle, 2012). Parents play an important role in academic learning of children and in sending their children to preschools; this includes the education level of the parents, their perception of education and their income level which in other words drive them to send their children to preschools Fagbeminiyi (2011). In case of Pakistan there is little body of research available on pre schooling, which is on rudimentary basis and not very detailed, a lot of areas are still untouched as the concept is still new for Pakistan. Studies have been conducted but still there is a lot needed to be done. This turned out to be the focus of our study which is clearly discussed in the problem statement, i. e what are different forms of pre schooling and their impact on Primary school performance and enrollment. When broadly divided there are basically two types of pre schooling, Formal pre schooling and Informal pre schooling. Studies have been conducted on just formal pre schooling and its impact but partial or almost none of them are about informal pre schooling and its impact on enrollment and academic performance. As both are substantially different from each other. Informal pre schooling is learning that takes place informally at home mostly by Primary Group. A primary group is a typically small social group whose members share close, personal, enduring relationships and this includes, immediate family parents and siblings and relatives. In informal pre schooling learning aims are not pre-fixed. Medium used for education is also informal mostly done through tools like games, stories, rhymes. No specific scheduling is done or a specific syllabus is followed. Individual attention is given to the child its good but there is no spirit of competition and social skills of kids cannot be developed extensively. Whereas, Formal pre schooling is done in schools or madarassas, these are formal institutions. It is carried about by secondary group which interact on a less personal level then primary group and their contact is temporary. In formal pre schooling children belonging to same age group attend formalized classes, different books are followed, and they have rules, regulations and objectives. Students gain knowledge, skills and appropriate behavior by being in lessons of various subjects. Teachers follow schedule and lesson plan. Students are involved in various activities curricular and co-curricular, and from these activities their performance is assessed. Students performing to an expected level are promoted to next higher level grades. Medium of instruction and environment in both types of pre schooling is different hence their impact should be different as well. Because of which research will be conducted in KPK area to measure the academic performances and enrollment rate of the children who attended formal pre schooling and those who attended informal pre schooling. This will be done on the basis of in depth interviews and questionnaire survey of the primary teachers. The objective of this case study will be to find the answer of the following researchable questions: 1. What is the status of pre schooling in general and specifically formal and informal in particular and its impact on primary school enrolment in KPK? 2. How is formal different from informal pre schooling? 3. How does formal pre schooling effect the enrollment in primary schools? Formal pre schooling Informal pre schooling. Games Stories competition evaluation Social skills Rules and regulations Individual attention Primary school enrollment Academic Performance Reading skills Mathematical Social skills Unstructured References Currie, J and Thomas (1995) Does Head Start Make a Difference? American Economic Review, 85(3), p. 340-342. F. Fagbeminiyi. (2011) The Role of Parents in Early Childhood Education: A Case Study of Ikeja, Lagos State, Nigeria. Global Journal of Human Social Science, 11 (2), p. 3-5. Gormley, W. T, Philips, D. , and Dawson, B. (2005) The Effects of Universal Pre-k on Cognitive Development. Developmental Psychology, 41 (6), p. 872-873. Government of KPK, 2010. â€Å"Annual Education Statistical Report† (2010): 3-15. Government of KPK. Mitchell, 2012. â€Å"Education Key for Pakistan’s Future: Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell. † www. dfid. gov. uk/Media-Room/Press-releases/2010/Pakistan-visit/ Shonkoff, J. P. and Phillips, D. A. ( 2000) From Neurons to Neighborhood: The Science of Early Child Development. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. p. 2-4.

Next brand Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Next brand - Essay Example Having being on the listing of London Stock Exchange where it is among the top 100 companies in the FTSE 100 Index, NEXT Brand is the best clothing retailer in UK in terms of sales. The NEXT brand company offers affordable and appealing products that depict immense value, style, and quality (Next Plc., 2014). Moreover, the company offers a wide range of products, which include original clothing and marketing material, jewelry, womens and mens and clothes, accessories, and beauty products (Next, 2014). Various external factors affect the operations and success of NEXT brand. Most of these factors are economic. NEXT brand participates in a monopolistic competition market structure. Indeed, there are many sellers in this industry since the fashion industry falls under perfect competition. However, companies in this industry do not sell identical products. In fact, NEXT brand sells differentiated products although they serve the same purpose. For instance, all clothing from NEXT brand depicts high value, style, and quality, which derives a competitive advantage (Next Plc., 2014). Moreover, the NEXT brand’s products are convenient since they are accessible online. The location and brand name of NEXT brand is different from that of other competing companies in this industry, which defines monopolistic competition market structure. The company abhors television campaigns and online marketing which promotes the NEXT brand’s products over other companies’ products. As such, under this market structure, NEXT brand have only limited control over price. Notably, there are various competitors in this industry where NEXT brand always seeks to achieve a competitive advantage over other serious competitors. Indeed, other companies in the fashion and clothing industry include Marks & Spencer, Debenhams, New Look, TK Maxx, Tesco, River Island, Dorothy Perkins, and Top Shop. Most of these companies sell the same products, which include original clothing, and

Conflict Management Styles Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Conflict Management Styles - Term Paper Example Additionally, this paper explains how conflict management relates to my effectiveness as a leader. An example of a conflict I have handled effectively involved a disagreement between two nurses. The two nurse had different views on how a certain case involving a patient could be handled. As each one of the nurse considered their contribution as superior, a verbal exchange arose. In handling this conflict, I encouraged the two nurses to collaborate in this case. In other words, I advised the two nurses to set their original suggestion regarding how the case would be handled aside and subsequently directed them to work together to decide on a common objective. The results to this approach were positive and in fact led to the overall improvement and advancement of the process of care within the health care institution. This collaboration ensured teamwork, encouraged communication, and hence nurses were overly motivated in their work. If such a conflict would arise for a second time, I would opt for the same approach to conflict management. However, there are ways or steps I would take in a bid to improve my comfort level and skill for managing in the future. One of the steps in engaging in dialogue or discussions with employees. Johansen (2012) brings forward the fact that "Nursing leaders and direct care nurses need to engage in dialogues that address conflict management behavior as a first step in creating a healthy work environment" (p. 52). Effective dialogues ensures conflicts are handled effectively as avoiding them would elevate stress levels among nurses as well as among other stakeholders. Secondly, I would ensure regular trainings and seminars where all employees would be trained on how to effectively manage conflicts within the workplace. Subsequently, it would also be important to identify potential conflict areas and implement strategies that would avert any conflicts from

Historical Documentary of Civil War Movie Review

Historical Documentary of Civil War - Movie Review Example The films show the war in different manners and applying different methods, and it is rather interesting to compare some of them. The aim of this paper is to compare such memorable documentaries about the Civil War as The Civil War of Ken Burns, Gettysburg Stories of Valor - CIVIL WAR MINUTESTM III by Keith Carradine and The Last Days of the Civil War. The paper will compare and contrast these films and show the importance of the documentaries for our understanding of American history and its main features, characters and events, as well as explain and evaluate how they are useful and not useful in their representation of history through television. 2. The Civil War of Ken Burns is a significant example of historical documentary. The filmmakers showed the Civil War with photos, voices of people who lived through the war and informative narration that helped spectators to feel the sense of epoch and time. In addition to that, Ken Burns "often gives life to still photographs by slowly zooming-in on subjects of interest and panning from one subject to another" (Ken Burns, From Wikipedia). This effect gives spectators a good opportunity to trace the main features of the film objects and events. The film consists of nine episodes and also includes about sixteen thousand photos, images, newspaper paintings, anecdotes and insights of different historians. It covers the period from the beginning of the war with the explanations of its causes till the end of the Civil War in 1865. Ken Burns underlined that "It was something that also became a kind of 'emotional archaeology,' trying to unearth the very heart of the American experience" ( Why I decided to make The Civil War). The film photos, as well as the narration give a good notion of the Civil War events and characters - so, the film is rather useful in its representation of the Civil war and American history in general. While watching the film, people can get a vivid understanding of real war characters and events - it is very important for those who are interested in American history. Such documentaries have in general very positive significance - they develop young people's historical knowledge and induce them to be proud of their country and their heroes, and television can play one of the main roles in this process. The Ken Burns' film The Civil War proves this statement - people have an opportunity to understand the historical process, find appropriate parallels with contemporary history events and analyze the events from the historical point of view. Television is a great instrument for people's education (especially for youth), and such documentaries whe re real pictures and impressions of real people are clearly shown can promote our interest for history. Documentary films (such as Ken Burns' The Civil War) can give an evident picture of the Civil War, and from this point of view documentary films differ from historical books. In addition to that, television and media technology play growing role in our understanding of historical and as follows world problems and

How Critical and Cultural perspectives influenced a specific Music Essay

How Critical and Cultural perspectives influenced a specific Music artistgenre of the 1960's - Essay Example Ray Charles was enrolled at the Saint Augustine School for the Blind in Florida, where he learnt Braille. He also learnt to play the piano and clarinet/saxophone. He had to rely heavily on his excellent memory for music as he did not have the advantage of sight. Ray Charles also had a gift of perfect pitch, which greatly aided his musicianship. At only 15, he lost his mother and after two years, his father also passed on. His suffering inspired him to greater heights. He graduated from St. Augustine School an started traveling with country music road bands. This enriched his quality of music when he later added western music to his repertoire. He also toured with rhythm and blues bands as an instrumentalist. Among the instruments he played are the piano, clarinet and saxophone. He also an arranger and composer. His early influences as a singer were: blues singers, Guitar Slim and Parcy Mayfield. Lloyd Glenn influenced his piano. Eventually, it was his mixed styles, his voice texture and his versatile falsetto range and his emotional appeal that combined to bring out a unique vocal artistry. (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003) In the late 2005, John Burk, Concord Records A & R chief and producer of Ray Charles Grammy Award wining blockbuster album "Genius Lovers Company" came upon some tapes recorded in the 70s, apparently concert tapes. The tapes were made by the legendary impresario producer Norman Granz. (All About Jazz, 2006). Though the tapes recovered were not the greatest quality, the music was recorded to produce a beautiful, authentic and irreplaceable work of music. His music from the 60s combines with the latest technology to bring about yet another astounding performance from Ray Charles. Whatever beauty the technology in the 60s couldn't capture, the new technology has been able to capture and in the process, still manage to show the uniqueness of Ray Charles' genius. Ray Charles once said that in music, there's only either good or bad music. That also, in music you just can't escape when something is good (Ray Charles Biography 2004). Ray Charles set the aesthetic standards for more than 50 years across the board; Blues, R&B, Country. He has inspired many in the music industry as no other can. Indeed he has fans even out of the entertainment industry inspired by him. In an answer to those who thought that his being influenced by both secular and gospel music was sacrilegious, Ray said that one could not run away from themselves. He was brought up in the church, but at the same time, he would listen to secular music from jukeboxes. It was this open mindedness in music that led him to pioneer a new style in music hence opening the door for many young performers to follow. He has inspired many new stars in the music industry who admired his talent and independent spirit. Growing up in the south in the 50s and 60s where racism was deeply rooted, Ray fought racism and against its divisions. Once he was booked to perform in a concert. He had no idea it was going to be segregated. The white members of the audience were downstairs while the black fans sat upstairs. He told the music promoter he didn't mind performing, as long the black people sat downstairs, closer to him. (Ray Charles: A giant of American Music 2004). In his efforts against

What is Customer Service Quality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

What is Customer Service Quality - Essay Example For Lucas (2005, p.4), customer service means the employees’ capacity to provide both their external and internal clients such satisfactory products and services. Once customers are satisfied by the products and services of the company, Lucas (2005, p.4) added that it leads to convincing word – of – mouth which then causes a good business return. In terms of having a customer service of quality, quality of service is defined by Parasuraman et al. (1985) as a satisfaction outcome between the actual service rendered by a certain organization and the expected desired service of the customer from the company. In the event of assessment of the quality of service, Parasuraman et al. (1985) added that this is subjected not only on the final outcomes of actual service but it also depends during various operations of the company’s service. Meanwhile, from the point of view of the customers, the service quality is shaped by five elements namely service delivery, phy sical aspects of service, service delivery system, service product or primary service, and social responsibility (Sureshchandar et al., 2001, p 113). 2.2 Examining the Notion of Service Quality The important outcome of different elements like customer retention, performance as well as cost – effectiveness is what we know as quality of service. According to Parasuraman et al. (1988), the quality of service is one among the different mechanisms applied by a lot of institutions to achieve success. Given the satisfaction of the customer with the company, it is more likely that that particular customer will transact with that specific company once more. In particular, it is the case that companies may possibly apply the parameter of quality of service as a defensive marketing scheme through lowering costs which results to customer retention (Parasuman & Grewal, 2000, p14). Apart from that, service quality can also be used by businesses as an offensive marketing approach through ga ining bigger market share (Parasuman & Grewal, 2000, p14). Service quality is the end product of competition among companies to fulfill customers’ needs successfully. It is suggested that how quality of service is perceived by customers is more often that the not, the major cause for his or her return (Lucas, 2005 p. 342). Given this, companies should create a quality system to attend the needs of customers in order to yield success in the market competition (Berry & Parasuraman, 1997, p.66). Meanwhile, in terms of quality of service, there are three kinds of customers which are internal, external and competitors’ customers (Berry & Parasuraman, 1997). They have engaged in a debate that an integrated information system based on all three customer categories helps in achieving high quality service and facilitates decision - making activities of different organizations. On the one hand, Berry and Parasuraman (1997, p.66) claimed that measuring the expected service, empha sis on the quality of information, describing the words of clients, connecting the performance of services to the business results, and also reaching all staff members of the company are the parameters to meet the prerequisites of quality of service. On the one hand, Parasuraman et al. (1985, p.7) stated that goods are easier to evaluate than the service quality because it is heterogeneous and intangible and same with the fact that product and consumption are two inseparable entities. Berry (1980) agreed with Parasuraman et al. (1985). As Berry (1980) pointed out, the difficulty of measuring services is due to work environment that renders service like building and office decor. Meanwhile, the most significant key determining factors of quality of service are identified by Parasuraman et al

BP (British Petroleum) Refining Strategy in Europe Essay

BP (British Petroleum) Refining Strategy in Europe - Essay Example Many companies that deal in oil refinery use different processes and strategies in order to produce high quality products that can be used in different factory processes and automobiles. In the process of refining (Krippendorff 2013, 82), an oil depot or tank farm has to be located near the oil refinery plant so that storage of the incoming crude stocks can be persevered before being refined as well as the products arising from the refinery process. BP utilises one of the most efficient technology in the refinery field known as Fischer-Tropsch (FT) technology (Singh & Harvey 2010; Hicks &Nelder 2008, 45). According to BP (2013), the technology is crucial in helping the company to convert various feedstocks such as crude residues, heavy crude residues, coal and biomass into clean and quality fuels such as jet fuel, diesel and naphtha. Fischer-Tropsch technology makes refining process efficient and reliable while ensuring production of superior products that passes all performance-related tests used in respective industries (Maitlis & Klerk 2013; Klerk 2011, 17). According to BP (2013), the company is committed to minimising its contribution to greenhouse gases that emanate from its refinery processes. By adopting Fischer-Tropsch technology, the company has greatly minimised pollution arising from poor refining processes (Johansson 1993, 27; Maczulak 2010, 36). The Fischer-Tropsch technology has often been used with much success at BP Refinery in many of the countries that it has been used. The strategy involves various processes like the multi tubular fixed bed reactor. This reactor has various types of tubes that have small diameters with special catalysts surrounded by boiling water that removes the heat of the reaction (Great Britain 2010, 29). This reactor is very suitable when operating at low temperatures with upper limits reaching up to 530 K. The excess temperature arising from the system results in carbon deposition and can block