Bridging the gap: Curriculum practices in community language schools and their challenges

This study investigated curriculum practices in Queensland community language schools and how these practices are supported by government policy. The conceptual framework drew on theories of ethnolinguistic vitality and curriculum dimensions. The research design involved case studies of two community language schools of different sizes, using classroom observation and interviews. Cross–case analysis revealed contrasting curriculum practices determined by student enrolments, and different capacities to access and benefit from what policy support was available. This study offers some implications and possibilities to better support quality curriculum practices in community language schools.

Tibetan Market Participation in China

Since the Chinese government began implementing economic reforms in the late 1970s, China has experienced profound economic change and growth. Like other parts of China, Tibetan areas of China have also experienced wide-ranging economic change with growth even higher than the China-wide average in certain years. Though China s strategic policy of developing the West provided many opportunities for economic and business activities, Tibetans have proven poorly equipped to respond to and take advantage of these opportunities. This study is about people, about market participation and specifically about why Tibetans do not effectively participate in the market in the context of China s economic development process. Many political, social, cultural and environmental factors explain the difficulties met by Tibetan communities. However, this study focuses on three factors: the social and culture context, government policy and education. The Buddhistic nature of Tibetan communities, particularly the political and economic system in traditional Tibetan society, explains this, especially after implementation of new national economic policies. An inclusive economic development policy that promotes local people s participation in the market demands serious consideration of local conditions. Unfortunately, such considerations often ignore local Tibetan realities. The economic development policy in Tibetan areas in China is nearly always an attempt to replicate the inland model and open up markets, even though economic and sociopolitical conditions in Tibet are markedly unlike much of China. A consequence of these policies is increasing numbers of non-Tibetan migrants flowing into Tibetan areas with the ensuing marginalization of Tibetans in the marketplace. Poor quality education is another factor contributing to Tibetan inability to effectively participate in the market. Vocational and business education targeting Tibetans is of very low quality and reflective of government failing to consider local circumstances when implementing education policy. The relatively few Tibetans who do receive education are nearly always unable to compete with non-Tibetan migrants in commercial activity. Encouraging and promoting Tibetan participation in business development and access to quality education are crucial for a sustainable and prosperous society in the long term. Particularly, a localized development policy that considers local environmental conditions and production as well as local culture is crucial. Tibet s economic development should be based on local environmental and production conditions, while utilizing Tibetan culture for the benefit of creating a sustainable economy. Such a localized approach best promotes Tibetan market participation. Keywords: Tibet cultural policy education market participation

The phenomenon of oligarchy in Russia and its impact on Russian transition

Nowadays any analysis of Russian economy is incomplete without taking into account the phenomenon of oligarchy. Russian oligarchs appeared after the fall of the Soviet Union and are represented by wealthy businessmen who control a huge part of natural resources enterprises and have a big political influence. Oligarchs’ shares in some natural resources industries reach even 70-80%. Their role in Russian economy is big without any doubts, however there has been very little economic analysis done. The aim of this work is to examine Russian oligarchy on micro and macro levels, its role in Russia’s transition and the possible positive and negative outcomes from this phenomenon. For this purpose the work presents two theoretical models. The first part of this thesis work examines the role of oligarchs on micro level, concentrating on the question whether the oligarchs can be more productive owners than other types of owners. To answer the question this part presents a model based on the article “Are oligarchs productive? Theory and evidence” by Y. Gorodnichenko and Y. Grygorenko. It is followed by empirical test based on the works of S. Guriev and A. Rachinsky. The model predicts oligarchs to invest more in the productivity of their enterprises and have higher returns on capital, therefore be more productive owners. According to the empirical test, oligarchs were found to outperform other types of owners, however it is not defined whether the productivity gains offset losses in tax revenue. The second part of the work concentrates on the role of oligarchy on macro level. More precisely, it examines the assumption that the depression after 1998 crises in Russia was caused by the oligarchs’ behavior. This part presents a theoretical model based on the article “A macroeconomic model of Russian transition: The role of oligarchic property rights” by S. Braguinsky and R. Myerson, where the special type of property rights is introduced. After the 1998 crises oligarchs started to invest all their resources abroad to protect themselves from political risks, which resulted in the long depression phase. The macroeconomic model shows, that better protection of property rights (smaller political risk) or/and higher outside investing could reduce the depression. Taking into account this result, the government policy can change the oligarchs’ behavior to be more beneficial for the Russian economy and make the transition faster.

The phenomenon of oligarchy in Russia and its impact on Russian transition

Nowadays any analysis of Russian economy is incomplete without taking into account the phenomenon of oligarchy. Russian oligarchs appeared after the fall of the Soviet Union and are represented by wealthy businessmen who control a huge part of natural resources enterprises and have a big political influence. Oligarchs’ shares in some natural resources industries reach even 70-80%. Their role in Russian economy is big without any doubts, however there has been very little economic analysis done. The aim of this work is to examine Russian oligarchy on micro and macro levels, its role in Russia’s transition and the possible positive and negative outcomes from this phenomenon. For this purpose the work presents two theoretical models. The first part of this thesis work examines the role of oligarchs on micro level, concentrating on the question whether the oligarchs can be more productive owners than other types of owners. To answer the question this part presents a model based on the article “Are oligarchs productive? Theory and evidence” by Y. Gorodnichenko and Y. Grygorenko. It is followed by empirical test based on the works of S. Guriev and A. Rachinsky. The model predicts oligarchs to invest more in the productivity of their enterprises and have higher returns on capital, therefore be more productive owners. According to the empirical test, oligarchs were found to outperform other types of owners, however it is not defined whether the productivity gains offset losses in tax revenue. The second part of the work concentrates on the role of oligarchy on macro level. More precisely, it examines the assumption that the depression after 1998 crises in Russia was caused by the oligarchs’ behavior. This part presents a theoretical model based on the article “A macroeconomic model of Russian transition: The role of oligarchic property rights” by S. Braguinsky and R. Myerson, where the special type of property rights is introduced. After the 1998 crises oligarchs started to invest all their resources abroad to protect themselves from political risks, which resulted in the long depression phase. The macroeconomic model shows, that better protection of property rights (smaller political risk) or/and higher outside investing could reduce the depression. Taking into account this result, the government policy can change the oligarchs’ behavior to be more beneficial for the Russian economy and make the transition faster.

Fiscal imbalances, inflation and sovereign default dynamics

Resumen: La cuestión central que este artículo busca responder es como la política monetaria puede afectar el comportamiento de equilibrio de primas por riesgo soberano y cesación de pagos. El artículo se basa en el modelo de “una-tasa-interés”. La deuda pública se hace riesgosa a causa de una política fiscal activa, como en Uribe (2006), reflejando la habilidad limitada de la autoridad fiscal para controlar el superávit primario. El problema de insolvencia es debido a una oleada de mala suerte (shocks negativos que afectan el superávit primario). Pero en contraste a los resultados de Uribe, a medida que aumenta el costo de la deuda soberana (que resulta de un excedente primario débil), la cesación de pagos se anticipa y es reflejada por una creciente prima de riesgo en el país y una probabilidad de cesación de pagos. La cesación de pagos se define como un incumplimiento de un acuerdo contractual y por ende la decisión es tomada por la autoridad fiscal. Mientras tanto, objetivos conflictivos entre la autoridad monetaria y fiscal juegan un rol importante en llevar a la autoridad fiscal a la cesación de pagos sobre sus pasivos. La característica de la política del gobierno necesaria para restaurar el equilibrio después de la cesación de pagos también es analizada.

Telling stories, understanding lives, working toward change

Stories are helping us learn more about the livelihoods of the fishers and farmers with whom we work in eastern India. We are engaged with these communities in processes and activities aimed at improving their lives and promoting changes in government policy and service delivery in aquaculture and fisheries. Stories are told in several languages by women and men who fish and farm, about their lives, their livelihoods and significant changes they have experienced. We also record stories as narrated to us by colleague-informants. The written and spoken word, photographs, drawings and films – all are used to document the stories of people’s lives, sometimes prompted by questions as simple as “What do people talk about in the village?” Through the power of language, stories can be an entry point into livelihoods programming, monitoring and evaluation, conflict transformation and ultimately a way of giving life to a rights-based approach to development. (PDF contains 10 pages).

O outro lado de uma política de governo na reprodução e perpetuação de desumanidades: o recolhimento de crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua na cidade do Rio de Janeiro

Esta dissertação de mestrado trata da prática do recolhimento de crianças e adolescentes em situação de rua, na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, como um tipo de política de governo que vem reproduzindo e perpetuando um estado de barbárie, intolerância e desumanidade junto a esse segmento da população. A contextualização deste fenômeno é feita durante o período que vai de 2001 a 2011 marco dos 10 anos de constituição da Rede Rio Criança na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, e das gestões do Prefeito César Maia (2001 a 2009), e os 02 primeiros anos da gestão de Eduardo Paes na Prefeitura do Rio (2010 -2011). Para uma análise mais aprofundada, é importante nos reportarmos à história recente para entendermos melhor o desenvolvimento deste fenômeno e o seu processo contraditório, que tem no sistema capitalista o aprofundamento das desigualdades e da intolerância, a produção de subjetividades sobre o jovem perigoso, e a perpetuação de práticas de controle e repressão direcionadas aos pobres. Nesse processo, observamos a manutenção de práticas retrógradas inspiradas no higienismo e eugenia. Procuro também trazer minha implicação com essa história, e dialogar com alguns autores, trabalhando certas categorias para ajudar na construção do objeto. Como estes fatos foram sendo histórica, social e culturalmente construídos e ainda nos constituem no presente, que tipo de racionalidade está presente, saber o que esses meninos e meninas, vítimas das operações de recolhimento, sentem, de que forma estas práticas os afeta e quais são as conseqüências em suas vidas, são questões importantes trabalhadas nesta pesquisa.

Educação Infantil-Ensino Fundamental: possibilidades de produções curriculares no entre-lugar

Este trabalho objetiva investigar os processos de produção de sentidos na construção de políticas curriculares no entre-lugar Educação Infantil - Ensino Fundamental, analisando as articulações/mediações/negociações firmadas nas arenas em que são produzidos os sentidos que se hegemonizam na construção do currículo, observando e compreendendo a Coordenação Pedagógica como instância de articulação/mediação/negociação. Para tanto, optei por observar no contexto amplo no Colégio de Aplicação do Instituto Superior do Rio de Janeiro (CAp-ISERJ) os encontros dos professores da Educação Infantil e Ensino Fundamental realizados como espaço de produção curricular, ancorando-se na perspectiva metodológica da abordagem do ciclo de políticas desenvolvido por Stephen J. Ball, que considera os contextos de influências, contextos da produção de textos e contextos da prática instâncias que não estão segmentadas, superando a ideia de que as políticas curriculares são produzidas pelos governos e a escola as implementa. Esse entendimento insere ainda a Coordenação Pedagógica no contexto que rompe com a perspectiva geralmente a ela associada, de esfera administrativa de onde emana ou representa as políticas governamentais, mas como esfera marcada pela ação de articulação por meio de mediação e negociação no processo de construção dos textos na escola. Introduzo as questões da pesquisa trazendo inicialmente os caminhos pelos quais a pesquisa foi se delineando e os objetivos. No primeiro capítulo situo a pesquisa, o cotidiano escolar e as situações provocadas pela Lei Estadual n 5.488/09 no espaço do CAp-ISERJ. Através dos textos das legislações e orientações curriculares sobre a ampliação do Ensino Fundamental para nove anos, observo seu processo de construção da legislação em vigor a partir do olhar para o lugar da criança com seis anos, em âmbito nacional e com seis/cinco no âmbito estadual. No segundo capítulo, proponho o diálogo a partir da abordagem metodológica do ciclo de políticas em Ball. As leituras de Bhabha e Bakhtin se configuram no horizonte de entendimento dos processos discursivos no espaço dos encontros dos professores como espaço pesquisado. A postura desconstrutivista perpassou a construção do terceiro capítulo; a análise foi desenvolvida a partir dos vieses da integração, como discurso na escola e a criança com cinco anos e como esses sentidos vêm sendo disputados na escola; essa leitura possibilitou o desdobramento das questões relativas a infância, escolarização e ludicidade no processo de negociação das produções de políticas curriculares no contexto da prática. Na impossibilidade da totalidade, as questões inerentes à construção da pesquisa e os fios que foram puxados como aberturas de reflexões não concluem ou não fixam as considerações apresentadas.

Características sociodemográficas e ocupacional dos egressos do curso de graduação em enfermagem

Trata-se de um estudo cujo objeto foi a caracterização sociodemográfica e ocupacional dos egressos da Faculdade de Enfermagem da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (ENF/UERJ). Objetivos: a) Caracterizar os egressos do curso de graduação em enfermagem da ENF/UERJ com relação às situações sociodemográfica e ocupacional e b) analisar os resultados acerca das caracterizações sociodemográfica e ocupacional dos egressos de enfermagem da ENF/UERJ. Método: Pesquisa quantitativa, transversal e observacional, cujo projeto foi aprovado pelo Comitê de Ética e Pesquisa sob o número 360.021. A coleta de dados ocorreu no período de dezembro de 2013 a maio de 2014 e foi realizada com egressos das turmas graduadas entre o primeiro semestre de 2000 e o segundo semestre de 2010. Para coleta de dados foram utilizadas as estratégias presencial e on-line, através de um questionário autoaplicável. Após aplicação do questionário, no formato impresso ou por meio do envio aos e-mails dos egressos, obtiveram-se 147 questionários respondidos. Para análise dos dados, aplicou-se o teste exato de Fisher, considerando valor de p significativo ≤ 0,05. A população foi dividida em dois grupos (G1 e G2), tomando-se por base a divisão equilibrada das 22 turmas pesquisadas (11 turmas no G1 e 11 no G2). Resultados: População com o predomínio do sexo feminino (88,4%), média de idade de 32 anos ( 1), maioria residindo no Estado do Rio de Janeiro (96,6%), com renda familiar ≥ 3 salários mínimos (96,6%) e até três dependentes da renda (81%). A maioria possuía mais de um emprego (53,7%) e cumpria carga horária de trabalho semanal superior a 30 horas (80,3%). Não houve diferença quantitativa entre os grupos em relação às escalas de trabalho diurna e noturna. Sobre as diferenças entre os grupos G1 e G2, verificou-se aumento significativo dos egressos com vínculos laborais não celetista e não estatutário (p = 0,0244) no G2; redução do salário dos enfermeiros que constituíram o G2 (p = 0,0015); e aumento da atuação na área hospitalar dos egressos inseridos no G2 (p = 0,0018) quando comparados à saúde pública, à pesquisa e ao ensino. Conclusão: A área hospitalar ainda é o grande empregador de enfermeiros, apesar de haver uma política governamental para aquecer a área de enfermagem em Atenção Básica. Os efeitos do neoliberalismo e a consequente precarização das condições de trabalho impactaram negativamente nos participantes do estudo. Isso porque houve aumento de vínculos não convencionais entre os grupos, no decorrer do tempo, e, apesar da multiplicidade de vínculos, a renda como enfermeiro, entre os grupos de egressos, foi reduzida. Verificou-se ainda um absentismo significativa nos grupos (24%), em especial por motivo de doença, fato que preocupa, considerando que os egressos investigados eram jovens, em plena fase produtiva e com expectativa de pouca ou nenhuma morbidade.

An empirical examination of risk equalisation in a regulated community rated health insurance market

Despite universal access entitlements to the public healthcare system in Ireland, over half the population is covered by voluntary private health insurance. The market operates on the basis of community rating, open enrolment and lifetime cover. A set of minimum benefits also exists, and two risk equalisation schemes have been put in place but neither was implemented. These schemes have proved highly controversial. To date, the debate has primarily consisted of qualitative arguments. This study adds a quantitative element by analysing a number of pertinent issues. A model of a community rated insurance market is developed, which shows that community rating can only be maintained in a competitive market if all insurers in the market have the same risk profile as the market overall. This has relevance to the Irish market in the aftermath of a Supreme Court decision to set aside risk equalisation. Two reasons why insurers’ risk profiles might differ are adverse selection and risk selection. Evidence is found of the existence of both forms of selection in the Irish market. A move from single rate community rating to lifetime community rating in Australia had significant consequences for take-up rates and the age profile of the insured population. A similar move has been proposed in Ireland. It is found that, although this might improve the stability of community rating in the short term, it would not negate the need for risk equalisation. If community rating were to collapse then risk rating might result. A comparison of the Irish, Australian and UK health insurance markets suggests that community rating encourages higher take-up among older consumers than risk rating. Analysis of Irish hospital discharge figures suggests that this yields significant savings for the Irish public healthcare system. This thesis has implications for government policy towards private health insurance in Ireland.

The transformation of Ireland 1958 - 93: the role of ideas in punctuating institutional path dependency at critical junctures

Ireland experienced two critical junctures when its economic survival was threatened: 1958/9 and 1986/7. Common to both crises was the supplanting of long established practices, that had become an integral part of the political culture of the state, by new ideas that ensured eventual economic recovery. In their adoption and implementation these ideas also fundamentally changed the institutions of state – how politics was done, how it was organised and regulated. The end result was the transformation of the Irish state. The main hypothesis of this thesis is that at those critical junctures the political and administrative elites who enabled economic recovery were not just making pragmatic decisions, their actions were influenced by ideas. Systematic content analysis of the published works of the main ideational actors, together with primary interviews with those actors still alive, reveals how their ideas were formed, what influenced them, and how they set about implementing their ideas. As the hypothesis assumes institutional change over time historical institutionalism serves as the theoretical framework. Central to this theory is the idea that choices made when a policy is being initiated or an institution formed will have a continuing influence long into the future. Institutions of state become ‘path dependent’ and impervious to change – the forces of inertia take over. That path dependency is broken at critical junctures. At those moments ideas play a major role as they offer a set of ready-made solutions. Historical institutionalism serves as a robust framework for proving that in the transformation of Ireland the role of ideas in punctuating institutional path dependency at critical junctures was central.

Optimisation of the food dairy coop supply chain

In the European Union under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) milk production was restricted by milk quotas since 1984. However, due to recent changes in the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), milk quotas will be abolished by 2015. Therefore, the European dairy sector will soon face an opportunity, for the first time in a generation, to expand. Numerous studies have shown that milk production in Ireland will increase significantly post quotas (Laepple and Hennessy (2010), Donnellan and Hennessy (2007) and Lips and Reider (2005)). The research in this thesis explored milk transport and dairy product processing in the Irish dairy processing sector in the context of milk quota removal and expansion by 2020. In this study a national milk transport model was developed for the Irish dairy industry, the model was used to examine different efficiency factors in milk transport and to estimate milk transport costs post milk quota abolition. Secondly, the impact of different milk supply profiles on milk transport costs was investigated using the milk transport model. Current processing capacity in Ireland was compared against future supply, it was concluded that additional milk processing capacity would not be sufficient to process the additional milk. Thirdly, the milk transport model was used to identify the least cost locations (based on transport costs) to process the additional milk supply in 2020. Finally, an optimisation model was developed to identify the optimum configuration for the Irish dairy processing sector in 2020 taking cognisance of increasing transport costs and decreasing processing costs.

Impact of the smoke-free workplace legislation on smoking behaviour, risk perception & stigmatisation

The Republic of Ireland became the first European country to implement nationwide smoke-free workplace legislation. Aims: To determine prevalence of smoking among bar workers and estimate the impact of the smoke-free workplace legislation on their smoking behaviour to that of a comparable general population sample. To approximate the influence of tobacco control measures on risk perception of second-hand smoke (SHS) among the general population. To explore the de-normalisation of smoking behaviour and the potential increased stigmatisation of smokers and their smoking. Methods: Prevalence estimates and behavioural changes were examined among a random sample of bar workers before and 1 year after the smoke-free legislation; comparisons made with a general population sub-sample. Changes in risk knowledge related to SHS exposure were based on general population data. Qualitative interviews were conducted among a purposive sample of smokers and non-smokers four years after the implementation of the legislation. Results: Smoking prevalence was extremely high among bar workers. Smoking prevalence dropped in bar workers and significantly among the general population 1 year post ban while cigarette consumption dropped significantly among bar workers. Disparity in knowledge between smokers and non-smoker of risk associated with SHS exposure reduced. Lack of understanding of the risk of ear infections in children posed by SHS exposure was notable. Evidence for advanced de-normalisation of smoking behaviour and intensification of stigma because of the introduction of the legislation was dependent on many factors, quality of smoking facilities played a key role. Conclusions: Ireland’s smoke-free legislation was associated with a drop in prevalence and cigarette consumption. Disparity in knowledge between smokers and non-smokers of the risk posed by SHS exposure reduced however the risk of ear infections in children needs to be effectively disseminated. The proliferation of ‘good’ smoking areas may diminish the potential to reduce smoking behaviour and de-normalise smoking.

Valuing maternity care: a comparison of stated preference methods with an application to cost-benefit analysis

This research investigates whether a reconfiguration of maternity services, which collocates consultant- and midwifery-led care, reflects demand and value for money in Ireland. Qualitative and quantitative research is undertaken to investigate demand and an economic evaluation is performed to evaluate the costs and benefits of the different models of care. Qualitative research is undertaken to identify women’s motivations when choosing place of delivery. These data are further used to inform two stated preference techniques: a discrete choice experiment (DCE) and contingent valuation method (CVM). These are employed to identify women’s strengths of preferences for different features of care (DCE) and estimate women’s willingness to pay for maternity care (CVM), which is used to inform a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) on consultant- and midwifery-led care. The qualitative research suggests women do not have a clear preference for consultant or midwifery-led care, but rather a hybrid model of care which closely resembles the Domiciliary Care In and Out of Hospital (DOMINO) scheme. Women’s primary concern during care is safety, meaning women would only utilise midwifery-led care when co-located with consultant-led care. The DCE also finds women’s preferred package of care closely mirrors the DOMINO scheme with 39% of women expected to utilise this service. Consultant- and midwifery-led care would then be utilised by 34% and 27% of women, respectively. The CVM supports this hierarchy of preferences where consultant-led care is consistently valued more than midwifery-led care – women are willing to pay €956.03 for consultant-led care and €808.33 for midwifery-led care. A package of care for a woman availing of consultant- and midwifery-led care is estimated to cost €1,102.72 and €682.49, respectively. The CBA suggests both models of care are cost-beneficial and should be pursued in Ireland. This reconfiguration of maternity services would maximise women’s utility, while fulfilling important objectives of key government policy.

The Entrepreneurial Facets as Precursor to Vietnam’s Economic Renovation in 1986

In this research, we aim to develop a conceptual framework to assess the entrepreneurial properties of the Vietnamese reform, known as Doi Moi, even before the kickoff of Doi Moi policy itself. We argued that unlike many other scholars’ assertion, economic crisis and harsh realities were neither necessary nor sufficient conditions for the reform to take place, but the entrepreurial elements and undertaking were, at least for case of Vietnam’s reform. Entrepreneurial process on the one hand sought for structural changes, kicked off innovation, and on the other its induced outcome further invited changes and associated opportunities. The paper also concludes that an assessment of possibility for the next stage of Doi Moi in should take into account the entrepreneurial factors of the economy, and by predicting the emergence of new entrepreneurial facets in the next phase of economic development.