The paper sought to explore issues of access, equity, and quality in the early childhood development (ECD) sub-sector in Zimbabwe. The massive expansion of ECD services prompted the author to undertake the study. Da...The paper sought to explore issues of access, equity, and quality in the early childhood development (ECD) sub-sector in Zimbabwe. The massive expansion of ECD services prompted the author to undertake the study. Data were collected using focus group discussions, individual interviews, document analysis, and observations. Information from literature, research reports, policies, and practices was also analyzed in order to establish the state of affairs in the provision of ECD. The data were analyzed using theme identification methods to solicit emerging issues. Generally, it was found that on issues of access, equity, and quality in ECD in Zimbabwe, there is a quality-quantity dilemma with qualitative progress less conspicuous than quantitative progress. The resultant specific challenges include: large teacher-child ratio; lack of parental involvement, lack of trained ECD specialists with expertise in using a play-based curriculum; and shortage of equipment, material resources, and age appropriate infrastructure. In most ECD settings, there were inadequate health and nutrition provisions. Water, sanitation and health (WASH) facilities were found to be insufficient in most centres. The study recommended that there is need for: equal access to quality early childhood education; provision of infrastructure, provision of ability and age appropriate resources; and health, sanitation, and nutrition services especially in rural settings. Overall, ECD programmes in Zimbabwe should strive to attain quality more than quantity services. The need to train more early childhood specialists who would drive the ECD sub-sector is emphasized.展开更多
Suicide is one of the leading causes of teenagers' deaths. Even whether it is preventable, most of the time, there are still very few projects or actions of the local authorities and/or organisations in Romania, due ...Suicide is one of the leading causes of teenagers' deaths. Even whether it is preventable, most of the time, there are still very few projects or actions of the local authorities and/or organisations in Romania, due to the lack of information and resources. The suicide prevention line for children and teenagers in Bucharest is presented and evaluated after five years of activity. It may be considered as one example of good practice, since it managed to put together local knowledge, human resources, and social actors. The suicide prevention line for children and teenagers in Bucharest has been established in 2009 by the General Directorate of Social Welfare of Bucharest Municipality, in partnership with the Psychiatric Hospital "Prof. dr. Alexandru Obregia". The finances are provided by the Welfare Department, the location belongs to the Psychiatric Hospital, and the mental health services are coordinated by a neuro-psychiatrist. There are about 30 volunteers taking the phone calls 24/7. Since 2011, they established the Association of Suicidology.展开更多
This paper analyzes the current situation of the aging population and low fertility rate.lt is found that the aging process is accelerated, the population growth potential is decreased, and the elderly dependency rati...This paper analyzes the current situation of the aging population and low fertility rate.lt is found that the aging process is accelerated, the population growth potential is decreased, and the elderly dependency ratio is higher.Secondly, this paper mainly analyzes the impact of the new two-child policy on family pension security from three aspects: population policy, family support and social security.There are two aspects of the effects, the positive effects are:improve fertility, reduce elderly dependency ratio, relieve population aging,enhance the family development: the negative effects are: tremendous pressure on public resources, further inequality in birth right, heavy economic pressure on the family.At last. this paper puts forward the constructive countermeasures against the problems of the policy and the was out of the family old-age security.展开更多
文摘The paper sought to explore issues of access, equity, and quality in the early childhood development (ECD) sub-sector in Zimbabwe. The massive expansion of ECD services prompted the author to undertake the study. Data were collected using focus group discussions, individual interviews, document analysis, and observations. Information from literature, research reports, policies, and practices was also analyzed in order to establish the state of affairs in the provision of ECD. The data were analyzed using theme identification methods to solicit emerging issues. Generally, it was found that on issues of access, equity, and quality in ECD in Zimbabwe, there is a quality-quantity dilemma with qualitative progress less conspicuous than quantitative progress. The resultant specific challenges include: large teacher-child ratio; lack of parental involvement, lack of trained ECD specialists with expertise in using a play-based curriculum; and shortage of equipment, material resources, and age appropriate infrastructure. In most ECD settings, there were inadequate health and nutrition provisions. Water, sanitation and health (WASH) facilities were found to be insufficient in most centres. The study recommended that there is need for: equal access to quality early childhood education; provision of infrastructure, provision of ability and age appropriate resources; and health, sanitation, and nutrition services especially in rural settings. Overall, ECD programmes in Zimbabwe should strive to attain quality more than quantity services. The need to train more early childhood specialists who would drive the ECD sub-sector is emphasized.
文摘Suicide is one of the leading causes of teenagers' deaths. Even whether it is preventable, most of the time, there are still very few projects or actions of the local authorities and/or organisations in Romania, due to the lack of information and resources. The suicide prevention line for children and teenagers in Bucharest is presented and evaluated after five years of activity. It may be considered as one example of good practice, since it managed to put together local knowledge, human resources, and social actors. The suicide prevention line for children and teenagers in Bucharest has been established in 2009 by the General Directorate of Social Welfare of Bucharest Municipality, in partnership with the Psychiatric Hospital "Prof. dr. Alexandru Obregia". The finances are provided by the Welfare Department, the location belongs to the Psychiatric Hospital, and the mental health services are coordinated by a neuro-psychiatrist. There are about 30 volunteers taking the phone calls 24/7. Since 2011, they established the Association of Suicidology.
文摘This paper analyzes the current situation of the aging population and low fertility rate.lt is found that the aging process is accelerated, the population growth potential is decreased, and the elderly dependency ratio is higher.Secondly, this paper mainly analyzes the impact of the new two-child policy on family pension security from three aspects: population policy, family support and social security.There are two aspects of the effects, the positive effects are:improve fertility, reduce elderly dependency ratio, relieve population aging,enhance the family development: the negative effects are: tremendous pressure on public resources, further inequality in birth right, heavy economic pressure on the family.At last. this paper puts forward the constructive countermeasures against the problems of the policy and the was out of the family old-age security.