Journal of Advocacy, Research and Education

134-147

Authors: Joseph Reginard Milinga

The quest for equal access, participation and success in education for persons with disabilities is paramount in today’s global education context, and Tanzania is no exception. Since the ages of “denial” to “full inclusion”, educating students with disabilities in inclusive classrooms has had been responded differently by teachers and students alike across countries. Confronted by different challenges in their education, students with disabilities are to devise mechanisms to excel in such restrictive learning environments. Informed by interpretive research traditions with 59 purposefully selected participants, this paper explores challenges that students with disabilities are faced with and coping strategies used by these students in their schooling in two inclusive secondary schools in Tanzania. The findings indicate that, students with disabilities are faced with challenges which are teacher and environment-related. Consequently, the students with disabilities use complaints, assistance seeking, self-initiatives, isolation and despair, and assertiveness to cope with the challenges. The study concludes that; educational stakeholders should work collaboratively in order to lessen the impact of the restrictive nature of learning environments for students with disabilities. The paper recommends on improved teacher preparation and continued professional development in order to cater for the learning needs of students with disabilities in inclusive schools.

158-168

Authors: Olha Osova, Violetta Panchenko

The use of modern textbooks is currently affecting the growth and development of Ukrainian higher educational establishments. Keywords like; “teaching”, “foreign languages”, “textbook”, “training manual”, “electronic textbook”, and “electronic training manual” were used to search for scientific pedagogical and methodological literature. The review shows a convergence tendency among the different kinds of educational publications and redistribution of their functions. The article indicates that the limits imposed by textbooks are indistinct due to their integration into other educational training manuals and publications [such as workbooks, reference books, reading books, dictionaries]. The advantages of multimedia means can be realized in full, only if the perception of new information is accompanied by different kinds of cognitive activities: from motor functions to inductive, logical and creative thinking. These goals can be achieved using the complex of exercises presented in the contents of the analyzed electronic textbooks.

174-178

Authors: Elena V. Semenikhina, Artem A. Yurchenko

The training of teachers involves the formation of skills which are meant to be used in their future professional activities. Given the exponential increase in information content, there is a need to look into the levels and components of the professional readiness of teachers to use computer visualization tools. This article describes the four levels of teachers’ readiness [passive, basic, conscious, active] to use computer visualization tools. These levels are based on the proposed components of teachers’ readiness [motivational, cognitive, technological, reflexive] to use these tools.

62-65

Authors: Patience Fakornam Doe

Failure to take Maternal and Child Health Care (MCH) as a crucial issue has affected many developing countries in the world. Though MCH remains a priority for the government of Ghana since independence, there is still more room for improvement. The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the progress made by Ghana in MCH care and the available opportunities for improvement. The paper focuses on issues affecting MCH by providing a brief analysis of some current issues in the area, and the need for an expanded comprehensive coverage. As Ghana works harder to attain national growth and development, the delivery of MCH care as a component of health need to take a more multidisciplinary approach. This review has implications for innovations in MCH, education, research and policy.

71-78

Authors: Anastasiia Riabokrys, Olga Mishchenkob

The article is devoted to the actual problem of teaching creative writing at the English lessons. The value of writing in the process of teaching English language is revealed. The principles and peculiarities of evaluation of creative writing are analyzed. The strategy of choosing methods in teaching creative writing is identified. The benefits of creative writing for learner and teachers are considered.

87-92

Authors: Mariia Soter

The definition of the concepts of “communication”, “intercultural communication”, “model of communication” are analyzed in the article. The basic components of the communication process are singled out. The model of intercultural communication is developed. Communicative, behavioral and complex skills for optimal organization of intercultural communication, establishment of productive contact with a foreign partner to achieve mutual understanding, searching for acceptable ways of organizing interaction and cooperation for both communicants are highlighted in the article. It is noted that intercultural communication through interaction between people affects the development of different cultures’ aspects.

97-104

Authors: Isaac Acheampong Sarfo, Victoria A. Acquaye

This study sought to examine the relationship between health locus of control orientation and health seeking behaviour, using the Ghanaian experience as a case in point. The study used the general population in the new Juaben Municipality as respondents based on their multiethnic backgrounds. Findings revealed that health locus of control did not mediate significantly between their illnesses and respective health seeking behaviour. There were various sociocultural factors like the collectivist cultural system that made a categorization of locus of control of any individual quite difficult. It was concluded that the cultural practices of respondents were the major determinant of individual’s behavior. In addition, the health system as practiced over a long period of time did not allow enough room for patients to make choices in terms of illness behaviour, a situation that affected their health locus of control behaviour.

113-119

Authors: Michael Asiedu

Given that scholars in the subject area of innovation have not concentrated much on understanding how innovation is perceived and practiced among small and medium scale owner managers, this study seeks to offer insight to the SME owner- managers’ perception and practices of innovation. One hundred (100) SME owners were used as the unit of analysis. Quantitative explorative and non-experimental methods were used in this study (survey). The quantitative tool for the study was a questionnaire, which was used to elicit information from the research participants. In respect of SME owners’ perception of innovation, majority perceived changes in the current product as an innovation practice. Consequently, a bulk majority of them had practiced such innovations in the past three years. Here, knowledge/perception and innovation practice of the SMEs were adequately matched. In practice, very few SMEs had made changes to their manufacturing processes, yet a good majority of them perceive such activities as innovations, and could be as a result of the lack of access to credit. The current study recommends innovation education among SMEs to introduce to them to the various kinds of innovation they can adopt. Special emphasizes should be given to management innovation, as such innovation can adequately adopted by firms with limited financial resources.

13-18

Authors: Iuliia Kuzmenko

In this article, the influence of the process of modernization of Ukraine’s Education is exposed with respect to the development of human capital. Modernization of education is one of terms of development of economy of the state, and therefore requires changes and transformations according to the requirements of market, tastes of consumers, level of development of scientific and technical progress etc. It is certain that education is one of basic factors in nation building.

23-28

Authors: Goran Rajović, Jelisavka Bulatović

Dramatic demographic changes through which in recent decade’s passes Montenegrin society, the consequences arising from the new realities require a serious socio-political engagement. Process of population aging, that began the seventies of the 20th century, represents a significant problem. The process of demographic change was accompanied by an internal migration to major urban centers, primarily Podgorica and Montenegrin coast, leading to emptying the interior of Montenegro. Unfortunately, this development of the population structure of Montenegro opens a series of questions and challenges that would the creators of the future you should put high on the scale of its priorities. In this text we will point out on change of total number of citizens of Montenegro according to the base and chain indexes of 1921-2011 and population in Montenegro 2016–2091 (cohort model projections).

38-44

Authors: Oksana Zhernovnykova, Olga Mishchenko, Osova Olga

The essential characteristics and a structure of project competence of future teachers are revealed in the article. The authors notice that, to put into practice projection, that is, to have a project competence, certain skills such as analytical, gnostic, research, diagnostic, creative and reflective skills should be developed in a future teacher. Since project skills require a combination with other specific narrow methodological skills, the authors have carried to them also reflective, research, the ability to find multiple problem solutions, group, management, presentation and communication skills.

184-191

Authors: Elmond Bandauko, Gladys Mandisvika

This paper seeks to examine the criminalisation of informal sector operations in Harare. The responsible authorities have often viewed the informal sector as being atomistic to the formal economy, a development which has led to the harassment, arrests of informal sector operators in Harare. This phenomenon raises many questions which include, whose city is it anyway? Do informal sector workers have the right to the city? To answer some of these questions, the paper makes use of secondary sources of data such as newspapers, journal articles, magazines, research reports among others. The Government and local authorities should view the informal sector as an integral part of the urban economic system and should thus accommodate it for socially just cities to be created.

198-209

Authors: Gladys Mandisvika

The study assessed the role and importance of Local Economic Development as a means of enhancing urban development paying particular attention to the regulators of Local Economic Development in Harare. Local Economic Development is a process which encourages partners from the community, public sector, private sector and non-governmental sectors to work collectively to create better conditions for economic growth and employment generation with the aim of improving the locality economic future and the quality of life for all citizens. The study was premised on the theory of competitive advantage which puts up that prosperity and wealth creation is determined by microeconomic factors and that prosperity means increasing the standards of living for the local people and ultimately their quality of life. Primary data for the research was gathered through observation and key informant interviews. Data on key stakeholders understanding on the concept of Local Economic Development, how it is being practised and how the current regulatory framework enhance or impinge on local people’s participation in Local Economic Development was collected. Secondary data was also collected from Harare’s 2014 budget, census and existing forward plans. The study revealed that the practice of Local Economic Development in Harare is biased towards the setting aside of land zoned for industrial and commercial uses and implementation of development control parameters. Small to Medium Enterprises and the informal sector have also been identified as the major forms of Local Economic Development that citizens are involved in. However, the study revealed that proper policy frameworks which guide practice of Local Economic Development initiatives were missing.

223-230

Authors: Michael Fuseini Wandusim

All across the world there is a growing interest in interfaith activities especially the one between Christians and Muslims. It has been argued that the nature of the relationship between these two faiths could determine the peace of the world in the future. This essay therefore gives a consideration to the youth of these faiths and contends for a recognition and involvement of these young people in interreligious relations. This contention finds credence in the light of current religious extremist activities especially from the Muslim quarters. These groups do not “view young people as an afterthought." This essay to some extent reflects my personal experience as a young person growing up in a Muslim-Christian family: my father being a Muslim and my mother and siblings being Christians; it also draws data from research I am currently conducting on youth and interfaith dialogue.

104-109

Authors: Elmond Bandauko

This paper provides a review on the role played by civil society organisations (CSOs) in urban planning advocacy in Zimbabwe. To demonstrate this, the article draws on the cases of the residents, associations and other CSOs from Zimbabwe’s major cities and towns namely Harare, Bulawayo, Gweru and Mutare. CSOs such as Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA), Harare Residents Trust (HRT), Gweru Residents Association, Bulawayo Progressive Residents Association, Mutare Resident and Ratepayers Association (MURA) and Zimbabwe Homeless People’s Federation and Dialogue on Shelter (ZHPFDS) are instrumental in championing the interests of the urban poor, so that their concerns are represented in the urban development discourse. CSOs are also critical in bringing good urban governance and social justice in cities. Other Civil Society Organisations such as ZHPFDS specialise solely on advocacy for housing land and, within their ambit, work towards ensuring that the housing poor and homeless have a roof over their head. This is an emphasis on the ‘hard infrastructure’ provision. On the other hand, there are CSOs concerned almost purely on the ‘soft infrastructure’ like public awareness campaigns on making city authorities account for their service provision and other related urban governance issues. These groups, like Harare Residents Trust (HRT) often use threat to organise protests and campaigns against bureaucratic injustices and making the resident empowered in informational terms. The paper suggests mutuality and close linkage between CSOs in development and CSOs in the advanced agendas for social justice towards urban sustainability and meaningful governance. Such an approach can be replicated within Zimbabwe, and ultimately across Africa and beyond.

121-127

Authors: Pavel N. Biriukov

The article deals with the enlargement of the European Communities (hereinafter EC). Author outlines key questions of the accession of Spain to the EC. Main attention is paid to the characteristics of the conditions of the accession of Spain to the EC. The article explores the role of public authorities of Spain in the implementation of EC documents in Spain. Author investigates the doctrine of relationship between EC norms and Spanish national law.

135-145

Authors: Jacob Owusu Sarfo, Josephine Cudjoe, Alexander Fosu, Melanie C. Schlatter

One hundred participants, comprising of 50 individuals with Type 2 diabetes (DM2) and 50 control group members were matched on both age and education. Using a battery of behavioural measures, data collection was done at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. The results showed that, depression, anxiety, negative health beliefs, cognitive failures, interpersonal sensitivity, hostility and number of complications / clinical manifestations predicted health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among the overall sample. In addition, depression and negative health beliefs predicted HRQOL among individuals with DM2, while cognitive failures predicted HRQOL among HCG. Findings have implications for clinical management and future studies.

156-165

Authors: Evgeniya V. Vidishcheva, Dmitriy S. Ageenko

This article features an analysis of the world experience and of the characteristics of transport servicing of large-scale world soccer tournaments, conducted with a view to identifying potential bottlenecks in transport infrastructure, determining the necessary amount and types of transport vehicles engaged in transporting World Cup visitors and participants, proposing recommendations on transport servicing, and helping to take timely measures to make relevant adjustments as part of staging a portion of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in the city of Sochi. The experience of staging the Sochi Winter Olympics will help use the city’s existing transport infrastructure as effectively as possible. Among some of the most crucial conditions for the success of staging a large-scale event are the availability of sufficient territorial space for the unimpeded and safe movement of large masses of people around the stadium and the stadium’s proximity to the key elements of transport infrastructure, as well as to hotels and the heart of the city’s social and commercial life. What complicates the transport planning of major soccer events is the tough-to-predict nature of transport traffic due to the movement of both the national teams and the fans and the highly uneven volumes of passenger and freight traffic during the event. This provides a rationale for instituting additional requirements for the traffic capacity of transport infrastructure, its reliability, safety, and efficiency on the whole.