Švietimas: politika, vadyba, kokybė /Education Policy, Management and Quality

1-2

Authors: Editorial Board

SPVK/EPMQ, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2020

4-7

Authors: Daiva Malinauskienė

Reviewing the significant changes that have taken place in the pre-school education sector in European countries and Lithuania in recent years, we notice that a lot has been achieved in implementing the goals and objectives set in the strategic education documents for the development of this sector. Of all levels of education, investment in education from birth to 5 years has been shown to provide the highest economic return. Pre-school education can also be defined as a professional institutional education and care service for a family raising a pre-school child. Pre-school education provides a basis for a child's early physical, social, cultural, emotional and cognitive abilities, increases social integration, and creates conditions for a child's successful education now and in the future. Pre-school education services are especially important for children growing up in conditions of social risk and social exclusion. European countries, including Lithuania, are intensively and purposefully striving to improve the quality of pre-school education. In Lithuania, pre-school education has been and is considered a priority area of education, and quality assurance of pre-school education is the most important strategic direction. There is also a need to place more emphasis on the role of parents as key partners in the context of quality pre-school education. Recently, the nature of the pre-school institution's relationship with the family has changed significantly. These two institutions become active participants in the pursuit of quality child education from an early age.

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Authors: Vaida Padgurskytė, Daiva Malinauskienė

Activity evaluation questions of education institution managers have been and are the focus of attention of education policy strategists not for one year already. Seeking concrete changes in Lithuanian education system, quite a lot of political decisions were legislated in the latter years, which became very important for the education institution managers’ activity and its evaluation. This increased not only delegated responsibilities for the managers, but also foresaw bigger accountability for every year cadence. A written survey was carried out for the data collection of the managerial activity evaluation of the managers. 11 education institution managers from Vilnius, Šiauliai, Panevėžys districts, who work in general education schools and pre-school education institutions, participated in the research. The respondents differ in the aspect of gender and age, have different managerial work experience according to length. Since every manager’s experience was analysed as an individual case, their demographic characteristics did not have influence on the results. A carried out qualitative data content analysis allows asserting that the respondents justify school community expectations, which are to see managers – leaders, who evaluate their managerial activity as successful. However, there happen to be difficulties in the activity of managers as well. Prior to becoming an education institution manager, many of them face competency assessment difficulties, which is a national problem in education sector, requiring clearer decisions for many years. Being an education institution manager, one has also to face internal, external and personal difficulties: lack of bilateral trust, lack of managerial experience, managerial stereotypes, community split and other mentoring activities, which are not the primary functions of a manager, however, become an inseparable part of manager’s activity.

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Authors: Editorial Board

SPVK/EPMQ, end page, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2020

51-52

Authors: Editorial Board

Cover, SPVK/EPMQ, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2019

54-63

Authors: Sergii Boltivets

The article launches a discussion regarding the evaluation of scientific activity or the evaluation of journals in the light of databases, and mainly with reference to the Leiden Manifesto. The foreseeable consequences of the totalitarian imposition of scientometric approaches leading to segregation in the scientific field and, as a consequence, its destruction, as happened with the science of the USSR, are given. Scientometry or bibliometry, which has recently been regarded as the apex achievement of the human mind, is represented as cytatometry or, more accurately, surname (special metometry). It is substantiated why such an approach has the opposite effect: a quantitative indicator obscures the absence of what is the essence of science. The question is, to what extent is the review of literary sources of scientific importance beyond performing the ethical ritual of honoring predecessors? What will change the scientific results if the respect for glorious ancestors is otherwise exercised? The article describes the definition of science as a sphere of human activity in a broader sense than it tries to impart to policy science (science as a force in new weapons), publishers (science as a factor of influence), or entrepreneurs (science as a new income). Science is presented as the embodiment of the cognitive needs and capabilities of all mankind, which is always an individual acquisition of the individual, including in the case of combining individual efforts in any of the groups of people united for a common purpose. The part of the population involved in the predominantly knowledge-intensive mode of production and maintenance of human viability will naturally grow. Within the bounds of lawlessness outlined in the title of the article, attention is drawn to the question of who is crossing the boundary between the known and the unknown. The overcoming person makes this sense of their own activity, which is commonly called scientific. But overcoming this boundary does not necessarily translate into the propaganda of what has come to light - the design of text that has been defined as scientific. Therefore, the review of the absurdities seen and recorded by Jonathan Swift in the 18th century is proposed to continue counting the names of 21st-century scholars called scientometry or bibliometry, which has nothing to do with evaluating science as a process and the consequence of bridging the line between knowledge and ignorance. Large-scale attempts to reduce all scientific knowledge to numbers gave rise to the conclusion in the article that mathematical calculations as a way of assessing science can be very accurate in detail, but wrong in general. It is argued that the assessment of science is the same science that can exist only in the form of research. The assessment of the value of science results to society belongs to all members of society, not just to members of a limited circle of scientists who, for the most part, happen to be the evaluators.

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Authors: Ndihokubwayo Kizito, Mugabo Rugema Leon, Byusa Edwin, Habiyaremye Hashituky Telesphore

This research intends to explore the training strategies used by competence-based curriculum trainers during the training of future primary school teachers, teacher training college (TTC) tutors, and TTC demonstration schools’ teachers that took place from December 2018 to January 2019 in Rwanda. The researchers visited two training sites and observed different trainers’ practices for two weeks. The analysis of results found out that the trainers have different training strategies and practices. Some of them such as role-playing, learning at the circle, interactive trainers were observed to be good training strategies as when trainers used them, trainees were motivated and provided good feedback. On the other hand, some of the training strategies such as lecture, group work and one to one trainer have shown a little interest in trainees. Therefore, this research recommends the training organisers to think of encouraging trainers to use effective training strategies as the present study revealed.

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Authors: Editorial Board

End page, SPVK/EPMQ, Vol. 11, No. 2, 2019

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Authors: Editorial Board

Cover page, SPVK/EPMQ, Vol. 11, No. 1, 2019

4-8

Authors: Rita Makarskaitė-Petkevičienė

The topic of a journal editorial article is inspired by the radio programme and discussion in FB groups. Primary school teachers and student parents split into two groups. Some of them are for going back to primary school student achievement evaluation by marks. The others think that descriptive evaluation suits very well for this age students and shows real child’s achievements, individual progress. The latter are sure that Lithuania goes in the right way, the way that progressive Scandinavian countries have chosen. An interview with a primary school teacher-expert, reveals difficulties which primary school teachers encounter evaluating students’ progress. Also, descriptive evaluation necessity is emphasized both for the student and parents, and teacher.

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Authors: Michael Jesuarho Okagbare

The main aim of this research was to assess the management of Instructional Programmes in State universities in South-South Nigeria. The research employed a descriptive survey research design. One research question and one null hypothesis guided the research. The population consisted of 13,741 academic and senior administrative staff from 6 State Universities in South-South Nigeria. The Multi-stage sampling procedure was used to determine the sample size. In the second stage sampling, Proportionate Stratified Sampling Technique was used with each University serving as a stratum to obtain the number of staff members that is proportionate, which resulted in the sample size of 389 respondents. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire designed by the researcher. Cronbach Alpha statistic was used to determine the internal consistency of the items. The result of the research, among others, showed both academic and administrative staff perceived that State Universities manage their staff personnel to a high extent or relatively well and that there was a significant difference between the mean rating scores of academic and administrative staff on the extent to which staff personnel are managed in State universities of South-South Nigeria. Academic and administrative staff perceived that financial resources were managed in State universities in South-South Nigeria relatively well. This means that the relative difficulties perceived to have been encountered by the products of State Universities in South-South Nigeria are either environmental or a result of other variables or dynamics that require deciphering for further research. The result showed that State governments, university managements, parents, scholarship boards, etcetera may confidently send their wards to State universities of South-South Nigeria also called the Niger Delta, for inculcation of university goals. The Study recommended among others that governments, and managements of State universities should increase grants (capital and recurrent) to universities, as this would help the universities to acquire facilities that would ensure the attainment of the universities mandate and vision.

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Authors: Vincentas Lamanauskas

Two years after the second international BalticSTE symposium passed very quickly and here the third international science symposium is already a history too. On the 17th -20th of June this year, the 3rd International Baltic Symposium on Science and Technology Education BalticSTE2019 took place in Šiauliai. The topic of the Symposium was “Science and Technology Education: Current Challenges and Possible Solutions”. More than 50 scientists from 20 countries participated in the symposium. Comparing with the symposium which took place in 2017, the geographical distribution of the participants is significantly wider. Ukrainian, Serbian, Romanian, Malaysian researchers participated in the symposium for the first time. Natural science education requires constant researcher attention in the rapidly changing technological age, new educational methodologies and innovative educational approaches. The symposium reporter analysed topic spectrum is wide – from global warming of the climate, climate change to philosophical methodological and education evaluation questions.

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Authors: Editorial Board

Cover page, SPVK/EPMQ, Vol. 10, No. 3, 2018

102-104

Authors: Dalia Augienė

In Lithuanian context, professional consultation, information and career education is considered one of the most important factors, encouraging occupation, labour force adaptation to market conditions, entrepreneurship and equal possibilities. Lately, it is more and more related to social and economic policy. General education school and the subjects functioning in it: the students themselves, class teachers, subject teachers, administration play the main role in career education process. A special role in students’ career education have career specialists. School career specialist helps the student to cognise his professional calling, personal abilities, interests, to acquire career planning and its management abilities, to accumulate necessary knowledge and skills, general competencies for career goal implementation, to learn flexibly react to changes, to be able to make appropriate decisions, to acquire lifelong learning motivation, to solve personal life questions. School has to assure effective development of career competencies, which are necessary to consciously and successfully create and manage your career, and respecting student’s inclinations, values and abilities, to help him cognise himself, the activity world, and to choose future career.

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Authors: Renata Vaitulionienė, Dalia Augienė

The National Programme for the Development of Studies, Scientific Research and Experimental (Social and Cultural) Development for 2013–2022 claims that the society has become active, unanimous and lifelong learning, what is more, each person is open to changes, responsible and creative. The laws highlight that an educational institution has to ensure that every student attending it knows where, when and how to get the service of career education and vocational counselling. The research aimed at revealing functions of education specialists working in five biggest municipalities in Marijampole county, as well as guiding the implementation of career education in gymnasiums within Marijampole region. In order to find education specialists‘ opinion, a structured interview was carried out. The research data revealed that the service of career education is available in educational institutions. However, according to the position of the respondents, the service is not adequate to satisfy students` needs. The service of career education is not consistent, furthermore, career education specialists do not have an opportunity to achieve high quality in service provision since it lacks adequate financial support.

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Authors: Editorial Board

3rd INTERNATIONAL BALTIC SYMPOSIUM ON SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION „SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION: CURRENT CHALLENGES AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS“ Dear Colleagues, On behalf of the organizing committee, we are delighted to welcome you to Šiauliai, Lithuania, for the III International Baltic Symposium on Science and Technology Education, BalticSTE 2019. The Symposium will be held in Šiauliai (Lithuania) in June 2019 during days 17-20.

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Authors: Editorial Board

Cover page, SPVK/EPMQ, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2018

60-62

Authors: Rita Makarskaitė – Petkevičienė

In this introductory article it is spoken about preschool education, having a discussion with the preschool education expert Ona Monkevičienė. In the conversation with the professor it is discussed: how preschool education in Lithuania differs from preschool education in other countries; what the performed research “Advanced pedagogical practice and pedagogical innovations in the kindergarten” showed; what is expected from the new project “Innovations in the kindergarten” and so on.

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Authors: Rita Makarskaitė-Petkevičienė

Educational environments – both natural, and internal, and virtual, digital – help to implement education content, motivate education process participants. Lithuanian students’ non-formal education centre has been working purposefully for eight years seeking for the outburst in the country schools creating educational environments and using them for educational needs. In this article impressions and discoveries are generalised, experienced participating in the national evaluation commission work of the Republic school educational environment contest of 2018 and recommendations are presented for the school outdoor educational environment creation and activity development. Corresponding to the aim, it was sought to answer the following questions: 1) Why is Republic school educational environment contest so important and what is its mission? 2) What are the tendencies of fostering and use of Lithuanian school outdoor educational environments for education? 3) What should be recommended for schools, willing to maximally use outdoor educational environments for educational purposes? Positive 33 school experience is discussed, creating outdoor educational environments and applying them for education. It is examined, why it is useful to have an outdoor educational environment plan; why outdoor classes are necessary and what they could be; what environments meant for games, languages, artistic education the researched schools have established; how outdoor educational environments are used for natural science education and so on. It is discussed, what else the visited schools lack in outdoor educational environments, how one should supplement them. Recommendations are given, what direction school communities should go, so that outdoor educational environments are maximally employed in the child’s education.

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Authors: Editorial Board

End page, SPVK, Vol. 10, No. 2, 2018