Educational Inequality in Elementary Schools: The Influence of Socioeconomic Status and School Factors | Chapter 3 | Language, Literature and Education: Research Updates Vol. 4

Elementary education plays a pivotal role in promoting socioeconomic and cultural development, particularly in developing countries like Pakistan. This sector presents an interesting scenario that is diverse and scattered in scope and faces complex social, cultural, political and economic bottlenecks. Stratification is deeply rooted in the networks of educational institutions at both the macro and micro levels. It leads to a difference in the accumulation of educational capital. Since the role of equal primary education in development cannot be denied, one of the key skills for success is the “linguistic key”; the English language skill. This paper aims to highlight aspects that lead to disparity among educational institutes and explore differences among Socioeconomically Divided School Systems at the elementary level. Specifically, this work examines trends in school factors to compare how these factors accumulate to a specific kind of linguistic exposure across socioeconomically divided school systems in Pakistan. In this ethnographic study, the cumulative inequality theory of advantage and disadvantage is used as a theoretical framework, and data is gathered from 30 elementary schools in Rawalpindi through demographics, teacher interviews and test scores. The schools were categorised as low-paid, middle-paid paid and high-paid schools in line with the socioeconomic classes which have access to specific schools. The European framework of reference (CEFR) as a measuring criterion for foreign language learners was used to measure the language achievement. The results of the research show which factors play a significant role in cumulative advantage or disadvantage. Findings reveal that children in elite private schools receive greater English language exposure, while those in low-income public schools face systemic barriers that hinder language acquisition. These early inequalities compound over time, reinforcing educational and social disadvantage. The research offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and stakeholders aiming to address linguistic inequities and promote a more equitable primary education system. The results are significant for policymakers, educationists, teachers and the larger society.

 

Author (s) Details

Afia Kanwal
Department of English, College of Science and Humanities, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University (PSAU), KSA.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/lleru/v4/5225

Impact of Synergestic Approach on Rural Livelihoods: A Case Study of Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme | Chapter 1 | Business, Management and Economics: Research Progress Vol. 10

In South Africa, smallholder irrigation schemes were developed to improve rural livelihoods through sustainable food production for food security and poverty alleviation. However, the high cost of running an irrigation scheme results in low productivity. Access to finance and production inputs are some of the challenges that dominate the small-scale farming sector in South Africa. Public Private Partnerships (PPP) are among some of the alternatives that could be utilised to assist small-scale farmers. An informal partnership was initiated between the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR), Rance Rural Development (RRD), and the farmers of Sidalukukhanya Agriculture Co-op (SAC) for pepper production at the Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme (ZIS). This study seeks to evaluate the impact of this partnership on the rural livelihood and socioeconomic status of the farming community at ZIS. A questionnaire was administered to the members of SAC for data collection. Results showed that this PPP significantly improved the livelihood and socioeconomic status of SAC members farming at the Zanyokwe Irrigations Scheme. Through this partnership, approximately 13% of jobs are created in the field for the co-op members, while 6% are permanently employed in the processing factory. Similarly, 56% of seasonal employment intake occurred during planting and harvestings in the cropping fields at Zanyokwe Irrigation Scheme in Keiskammahoek. A further 25% of seasonal jobs were created through the processing of produce at the agro-processing factory in Stutterheim. The results of the study indicated that partnership played a pivotal role in creating both permanent and seasonal jobs. Through this partnership, employment opportunities for unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled labour in the rural communities of Amahlathi Local Municipality have been realised. Moreover, farmers participating in the partnership were capacitated with various skills such as management, record keeping, financial, and technical skills to improve their socioeconomic status. Most farmers increased their business by 20% and production skills by 80%. Therefore, this partnership has shown the potential to improve the livelihood and socioeconomic Status of Zanyokwe farmers. Partnerships of this nature are recommended to expand to other irrigation schemes in the province to ensure food security and improve rural livelihoods throughout the Eastern Cape province.

 

Author (s) Details

Dumani, A.
Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne Agricultural Research Institute, Private Bag x15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa.

 

Mbangcolo, M.M.
Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Independence Avenue, Private Bag X0040 Bhisho, South Africa.

 

Mpambani, B.
Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne Agricultural Research Institute, Private Bag x15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa.

 

Silwana, T.T.
Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Dohne Agricultural Research Institute, Private Bag x15, Stutterheim, 4930, South Africa.

 

Dumani, A.P
Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform, Independence Avenue, Private Bag X0040 Bhisho, South Africa.

 

Please see the book here:- https://doi.org/10.9734/bpi/bmerp/v10/2070

 

Study on Pattern and Prevalence of Dyslipidemia and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors among the Various Ethnic Groups of Trinidad and Tobago | Chapter 10 | Issues and Development in Health Research Vol. 8

 Background: Dyslipidemia is a crucial component of the metabolic syndrome and has long been linked to the development of issues such as cardiovascular disease (CVD). In addition, there have been reports of differences in the pattern of lipid derangements, particularly between people of African heritage and their South Asian counterparts.

The goal of this study is to highlight the pattern and prevalence of dyslipidemia and other cardiovascular risk factors among Trinidad and Tobago's various ethnic groups.

Materials and Methods: Each of the 968 participants in this study had 10 mL of blood drawn after an overnight fast of 10–12 hours. Plasma and sera were tested for glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density cholesterol (HDL-c), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL), and low density lipoprotein (LDL) (LDL). Height, weight, waist circumference, age, gender, education, occupation, ethnicity, and medical history, including medications, were all measured in each subject.

Results: Hypertriglyceridemia was found in 33.88 percent of the patients in our study, with the highest prevalence of 46.69 percent seen in South Asians. Body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure, blood glucose, triglycerides, and very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were all different (p 0.05) amongst ethnic groups. However, HDL-c levels were similar across ethnic groups, with the exception that patients of South Asian descent have a trend toward non-significantly greater HDL-c levels than other ethnic groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion: The study highlighted the well-known considerable discrepancy in lipid profiles amongst people of different ethnic groups in Trinidad and Tobago, particularly among patients with chronic noncommunicable disease (CNCD).

Author(S) Details

Idris Saleh
Department of Chemical Pathology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria.

B. Shivananda Nayak
Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago.

View Book:- https://stm.bookpi.org/IDHR-V8/article/view/5279