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
Coal-tar pitch(CP)is a promising carbon raw material for producing needle coke,carbon fiber etc.During processing,the H/C ratio,ash content,and quinoline insoluble(QI)in the CP are the key factors that influence the m...Coal-tar pitch(CP)is a promising carbon raw material for producing needle coke,carbon fiber etc.During processing,the H/C ratio,ash content,and quinoline insoluble(QI)in the CP are the key factors that influence the material preparation.In this study,NMP was selected to extract CP first;then[BMIM]Cl/NMP mixed solvent was used;and finally a series of ionic liquids(ILs)mixtures with NMP were developed for the extraction of CP to obtain the refined pitch.The extracts were analyzed via elemental analysis,TGA,FT-IR,and 13C-NMR.Results indicate that different NMP/IL mass ratios or different kinds of ILs have impact on the extraction yield.The relationship of the hydrogen to carbon(H/C)ratio changed with different solvents and QI extracts were obtained.Results showed that the H/C ratios changed little between NMP extracts and could be adjusted by changing the NMP/ILs mass ratio or using different ILs.The extracts are suitable for preparation mesophase pitch because of no ash content,low QI,and appropriate H/C ratios.As a result,NMP can be used to refine pitch.In addition,[BMIM]Cl is good mixed with NMP for CP extraction,because it can obtain a relatively high yield under the same extraction conditions.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.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(2012CB214905)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21076113)
文摘Coal-tar pitch(CP)is a promising carbon raw material for producing needle coke,carbon fiber etc.During processing,the H/C ratio,ash content,and quinoline insoluble(QI)in the CP are the key factors that influence the material preparation.In this study,NMP was selected to extract CP first;then[BMIM]Cl/NMP mixed solvent was used;and finally a series of ionic liquids(ILs)mixtures with NMP were developed for the extraction of CP to obtain the refined pitch.The extracts were analyzed via elemental analysis,TGA,FT-IR,and 13C-NMR.Results indicate that different NMP/IL mass ratios or different kinds of ILs have impact on the extraction yield.The relationship of the hydrogen to carbon(H/C)ratio changed with different solvents and QI extracts were obtained.Results showed that the H/C ratios changed little between NMP extracts and could be adjusted by changing the NMP/ILs mass ratio or using different ILs.The extracts are suitable for preparation mesophase pitch because of no ash content,low QI,and appropriate H/C ratios.As a result,NMP can be used to refine pitch.In addition,[BMIM]Cl is good mixed with NMP for CP extraction,because it can obtain a relatively high yield under the same extraction conditions.
