Montefiore Medical Center Essay

1- Why does Elaine Brennan need to develop a new strategy now? A great manager will be the one who is able to examine the environment, determine opportunities and threats, plan accordingly, implement the plans and evaluate the results of his planning on frequent basis to add more value to what his/her organization is built to accomplish. Elaine Brennan needs to develop a new strategy now because according to the Systems Look at Healthcare, a merger has happened between two facilities each of which provide a different level of care. Each of these facilities was 4 miles away from each other, and both of these facilities’ staff members were operating in silos. Since Montefiore agreed to operate Einstein’s patient-care facility back in 1963, its scope of coverage increased to about 1.2 million residents, 65% of which are minority populations. Montefiore had 16+ competitors in the Bronx area, a condition that led to lower scores at the national level, together with lower compensation levels for employees, unsatisfied patients, amounting to a budget deficit of about $57 million dollars in 1995. Even with the consolidation of the two health care facilities, still there are certain disadvantages that need to be taken care of. There will be fewer workforces to provide for the desired level of care after downsizing. With that on hand, more responsibilities will be granted at the expense of enjoying the usual authority level granted to staff. One final challenge that will add to the necessity of formulating a new strategy for Montefiore medical center is related to the concept of organizational change and the leadership styles needed to support that organizational change. Level| Target Parameter| Pressing Matters (Needs)| D: Environment.| 1- Competition.2- Regulations.3- Demographics.4- Payer Policies.| 1- 16+ other hospitals in the Bronx area.2- Difficult reimbursement potential from payers.| C: Infrastructure.| 1- Infrastructure.2- Leadership.| 1- Separate administrative teams.2- leadership teams adaptation to change.| B: Microsystems.| 1- Teams.2- Tools.3- Logic.| 1- Downsizing.2- More stress and turnover.3- more span of control with less authority.4- Decreased quality.5- Cultural consolidation.| A: Patient.| 1- Coverage.| 1- Provision of services to 1.2 million residents.2- 65% minorities (Hispanics and African Americans).| 2- Does the GRIP strategy meet the needs of this organization? According to the Systems Thinking, Montefiore’s corporate strategy should be most influenced by the four key environmental factors (competition, governmental regulations, demographics, and payer policies), yet the current GRIP business strategy which was formulated by Brennan, is supposed to be specifically addressing the Acute Care Division as a business unit, not the entire organization. On the other hand, the case doesn’t indicate which levels of management participated in the meetings Brennan conducted for planning the new strategy for the Acute Care Division. Moreover, and as we go down the organizational hierarchy, strategic goals should be more constrained by corporate level strategies, more detailed with shorter life spans according to the plans provided, and finally, more action-oriented with more specific goals. Given all of the above, I think that what Brennan managed to create was a GRIP strategy that was tailored for the whole Montefiore organization. As regards whether it met the needs of Montefiore, I think it broadly addressed some unmet environmental needs that are provided in the following table: Also, the Systems Thinking model tells us that no system is ever completely stable. Per se, the GRIP strategy is beneficial but it will not guarantee the stability of the Montefiore medical center. There is no clear space for metrics that will measure success of the operations after implementing such strategies. Also there is expected delay in the performance of the organization if metrics were not identified to measure performance at the national level. If the Balance Scorecard (BSC) section was included as a way to implement the new strategy, then I would say that the new strategy will meet the needs of the organization. 3- Why was implementing the scorecard concept by the medical staff difficult? a- The scorecard concept requires data collection because these data will later on be reported to different levels of managers. Only then that managers will be able to judge if their goals are being met or not and then act accordingly. The data collection part of performance improvement is the most tedious and time consuming task in process improvement projects. b- In order to keep the patient flow within the Montefiore medical center, some subspecialties had to be accommodated by all hospital departments in order for revenues to keep coming out for the whole health care facility, except for that due to that each unit had its own revenues and expenses, which made it hard to create a new system for monitoring patients between departments and services in order to build revenues according to overall expenses. c- It was hard to involve some physicians into the suggested scorecard process maps. Physicians usually think that what they ordinarily do is best for the patient, especially when it leads to treatment or cure from disease or condition. They can’t embrace doing something different that is addressing unusual metrics from the ones they are used to use. They also look at learning about improvement as a first step towards undermining their authority and ego. d- From a human resource point of view, Lewin’s model of organizational change, and Kubler-Ross model for overcoming organizational resistance to change, take time to get results out of them. Kubler-Ross model for overcoming organizational resistance Source: www.movida.net78.net 4- What could Brennan have done better? a- Brennan could have done better to involve physicians into project teams in a more consistent and solid way. When physicians are involved in the value mapping process, they can provide valuable inputs to data gatherers, which – on the long run – can save a lot of data gathering time for the regular evaluation process. It also will increase the project team’s cohesiveness and collaboration towards attaining their goals. Otherwise, the deployment of the scorecard system into the newly designed health care centers will be much more difficult and time consuming which is not good in the face of the great competition lying ahead. b- Brennan also could have done better to spend more time on studying how the different staff members of the different care and support centers will respond to the new responsibilities in shaping improvement tools for Montefiore medical center, and then try to create feedback circuits that will both reward over-achievers and highlight reluct ant or incompetent workers. c- I think that Brennan should have done better to recommend that every department use only national-level strategies and not both national and local-level ones. Individual metrics tend to be too easy to accomplish, and its fulfillment may lead to a false belief of accomplishment, which is not good in the face of sustaining a competitive advantage. d- I don’t think that linking compensation to performance will be an obstacle in front of reducing budget deficits for the new system. I think that due to organizational change, there will be downsizing at all organizational levels, and may be some middle level active managers and medical staff will be promoted to high level or more operational-involved positions at a relatively lower salary. The bottom line is that there will be deficit reduction but at a much slower pace, together with a re-inforcing feedback for performance. e- I also think that Brennan has taken implementation of the GRIP strategy a little bit too fast. She might be tempted by the quick $15 million cost savings that she accomplished from downsizing on some managerial positions in 1996, but it is still a fact that if she wanted more solid environmental stability during the implementation of the new strategy, she has to allow time for unfreezing, moving, and freezing stages of the Lewin’s model of change.

Effects of Nationalism After French Revolution

After the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Era, people were brought together by the French army marching through their country. During the nineteenth century nationalism became a great aspect of life. Both writer and artist works were greatly influenced by nationalistic ideals and brought people together. Nationalism became a very popular thing after the Napoleonic Era, when people saw how the French carried themselves as a people of a nation. This is when other nations started to strive for links between their people.One major forerunner was language. People saw language as one way to unify as a nation, and create a brotherhood between its people. The whole idea of roots and back story also influenced the literature of the nineteenth century as well. Many writers works were influenced from the nineteenth century was influenced by Nationalistic ideals. One set of writers who showed the idea of nationalism were the Brothers Grimm in their Grimm’s Fairy Tales. Grimm’s Fairy Tales is a collection of German fairy tales all in one book.They used these collection of fairy tales to create a German identity, by saying these were the tales passed on from generation to generation in German culture. Another writer that shows nationalism is Aleksandr Pushkin in his work The Bronze Horseman. The Bronze Horseman tells the tale of Evgenii and how he ends up going mad and getting killed by the statue of Peter. This shows nationalism in the fact that in the introduction of the poem, he talks about the founding of St. Petersburg and how great Russia is. Artist also had many works that portrayed nationalistic ideals.One piece of art that without a doubt showed nationalism was La Liberte guidant le peuple by Eugene Delacroix. This painting depicts â€Å"Mother France† leading her people into battle during the French Revolution. It shows Mother France with torn clothes and a French flag above her head which show how she wanted to bring her people all under the French flag and join them together. Another painting that depicts nationalism is The Bard by John Martin. This painting shows a Welsh bard running from a massacre that had just happened in a town off in the background of the painting.This showed nationalism in the idea that no matter what the English would send upon the Welsh they would always stand strong as a people and never give in to the English repression. All these different works show different aspects of nationalism. The Brother Grimm with the Grimm’s Fairy Tales, showed German nationalism in the fact that it created German folklore for people to come around. Aleksandr Pushkin’s The Bronze Horseman showed nationalism in that it tells how great Russia is and no matter what happens it will forever keep its greatness.Eugene Delacroix’s painting La Liberte Guidant le people shows French nationalism in that it shows the French people all coming together under one flag to fight alongside Mother France and were willing to die for her. In The Bard by John Martin shows Welsh nationalism in that no matter what the English did to them they would never give in. In sum, nationalism became a major aspect of life in the nineteenth century. People came together and many new nations began to form in response to these new ideals of nationalism. Nationalism led to many great things, like the unification of Germany in 1871.

Media Deprivation Report

Nghia Le MCOM 1307 Mrs. Krissy Mailman 23 October 2012 Media Deprivation Report I just found out that I am addicted to the Internet and cell phone since I finished the media deprivation challenge. I did not use cell phone, TV, and Internet for a day. No TV is ok with me because I don’t watch TV a lot, but no cell phone and no internet was giving me a hard time. I started the challenge on Sunday, right after I finished all my homework and my exam, because those things really need the Internet to be done.At first I felt kind of weird because I used to connect with my friend by phone or Facebook. For example, I wanted to ask some of my friends to go out to eat, then I had to drive to their houses, knock their doors to ask them out for dinner. It would be much faster if I could use my phone. However, it was fun that I had a chance to see how my friends’ life are going on. We were not used to come home each other for a long time, calling each other to make appointment were a ll we did.In my opinion, technology is great for every one, because make people connect to each other and know information faster and easier. Nowadays, people are familiar with online news, watching news on TV, and connecting to each other by Internet or cell phone. I think that is a great way save time and money. We don’t need to buy newspaper every morning and read, we just only need too open the web browser or turn on the morning news in TV to know all the information that we need for a day.

The Ways Of Competitive Advantage Development Assignment

The Ways Of Competitive Advantage Development - Assignment Example The government through its trade and finance departments play a significant role in making sure all SMEs obtain relevant information about the orientations. In addition, commercial banks, investment banks, and other financial institutions help the enterprises through the provision of credit facilities and guidance on feasible investment destinations (Reijonen 2012). The most significant aspect of orientation is developing a comprehensible understanding of how SMEs perceive and put the concept of marketing into practice. The practices of SMEs will determine their distinctive size, industry or even the crop of customers. Enterprises have adopted unique policies and practices that have to ensure their stability or growth. Bad decisions have resulted to decline in the performance of certain SMEs. However, the government plays important role in the process of ensuring all SMEs have equal opportunities to expand if they have attained all legal formalities. Market orientation is a business approach whose focus is to identify and meet the affirmed wants or needs of prospective customers. According to the philosophy of market orientation, all SMEs must create strategies and policies that are in consensus with the changing demands and expectations of consumers within its niche in the market. These enterprises are vital to the process of driving innovation and competition not only in the US but also in the world at large. They are arguably the backbone of major economies of the world, US included.... According to the philosophy of market orientation, all SMEs must create strategies and policies that are in consensus with the changing demands and expectations of consumers within its niche in the market (Porter & Kramer 62). These enterprises are vital to the process of driving innovation and competition not only in the US but also in the world at large. They are arguably the backbone of major economies of the world, US included. The enterprises provide the biggest chunk of employment opportunities to Americans (Porter & Kramer 2011). Besides, they account for the largest group of exporters in the US and largely rely on imported goods for production processes. The market outlook compliments the market orientation towards examining and resolving poor performance in the past, consumer demand, existing economic aspects, and business opinion. Interactions between market orientation and brand orientation will either promote or derail the competitive advantage of SMEs (Porter & Kramer 20 11). The brand orientation is identity-driven and always views the brand as the hub for a business organization together with its strategy. For enterprises whose major concern is brand orientation, it is inevitable to design brands that excel in the market against competitor’s which then appear less superior (Porter & Kramer 2011). Brand orientation is a costly process since it demands extensive and all-inclusive consultations. In contrast, market orientation is image-driven. The image of an organization will determine whether it is marketable and has incredible niche in the highly competitive market. Over the past few decades, brand orientation and market orientation appeared to have diverse strategic options. However, the perception has changed over the

Construction Procurement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Construction Procurement - Essay Example There are different approaches to procuring projects. These approaches are complicated since they lack clarity and particular description of particular procurement routes. The common types of procurement routes available are; For this type of procurement route, the client develops the idea of the project and comes up with a budget. A consultant prepares the design and tender documents for the scope of work to be executed. It is the work of the client to appoint a suitable contractor to execute the work according to the design. The contractor has to complete the work within the specified time frame after an agreement on the contract amount. The contractor remains in a position to sublet the work although he remains liable to the client. During the execution of works, the consultant remains as the administrator, advising the contractor in matters pertaining to design, the progress of work and payment certificates ought to be paid by the client. The contractor is therefore obliged to execute work according to the design, failure of which may lead to his disqualification. To minimize these risks, some refinements are made to this method. This refinement is called Two stage tender. The contractor’s tender relies on consultant’s design partially. This is the stage 1 tender. Thereafter, the contractor will assist in the development of the design and complete tender documents. These documents are then used to develop tenders for the work to be executed (stage 2 tender).the party involved in stage 1 tender has the opportunity to participate in the construction stage. This refinement adds risks to the final tender sum, uncertainty in date of completion of the project. The only variance that is involved in this route is called contractor design portion. This involves the consultant completing most of the work in design. The contractor completes the rest. This is only applicable when special design input is needed.  Ã‚  

No topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 49

No topic - Essay Example Refusing certain mutations we "play the role of God" to some extent. Another, essential from an ethical point of view, disadvantage lies in the fact that this type of diagnosis may be available only to people with high fortune. That means that poor people are unable to use these methods. Because this is unfair, it is necessary to develop state program that can provide an opportunity for low-income families to use this type of diagnosis. Finally, the worst thing in preimplantation diagnosis is that during selection of healthy embryos some of them can be killed. It is difficult bioethical issue. Concerning advantages of this diagnosis: firstly, and most important, in that way we can provide a high quality of life for our children and their parents. People should never forget that even given birth to a child with specific genetic disease, like Down syndrome, parents devote the child to suffer throughout all life. Second, we saturate our human population of healthy genes, which reduces the likelihood of recurrence of the disease. Second, we saturate our human population by healthy genes, which reduces probability recurrence of the disease. Overall, the use of genetics is becoming broader significance in our lives. This applies to medicine, agriculture and many other things around us. Heredity of certain physical properties, such as body type, composition of muscle fiber and type of sensorimotor reactions may affect the achievement in sport (Miah). The task of modern society is to prevent the parents to choose their children`s quality. This process should be natural and "playing God" it not possible from an ethical point of view. Thus, taken into consideration that progress cannot be stopped, we should pay more attention to bioethical

H.R.M Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

H.R.M - Essay Example â€Å"Thus, the HRM function positions itself in two ways: as the architect of new organizational structures and work systems, and as coach in management development processes and companion of employees in turnaround processes† (Van Marrewijk & Timmers, 2003, p.174) Organizational systems go through various changes over the years. A lot of factors trigger organizational leaders to come up with innovative strategies to keep their companies afloat especially in a sea of competition with others. Currently, the global financial crisis forces companies to re-think their operational systems as cost-cutting measures are being implemented for businesses to go on. As of yet, millions have been retrenched as unemployment rates continue to stagger. The once dynamic buzz in most offices has been replaced by occasional movement noises, frequent phone rings or for some, deadening silence. However, in some organizations, such is not the case. In an effort to save workers’ jobs, companies have come up with work alternatives that would cut costs while keeping their employees. Mostly it is the HR department that handles the job designs of employees. Instead of fully cutting the ties to employment, some workers have gone to work part time, flexitime, work from home or get into job sharing with some co-workers. These alternatives save the companies a lot of money on compensation and benefit expenses. Aside from that, many companies have adopted the â€Å"Hotdesking† arrangement which also cuts expenses for office space. Hotdesking has emerged as a new term for a work practice that started in the nineties. The term originated from old naval practices of â€Å"Hot bunking† where shifts of sailors share limited bunk space. It is also known as location independent working because workers are not assigned their own permanent work spaces and are just provided one as needed for the day (Gordano Knowledge Base, 2009). Hence, staff share work spaces on

Emaar Properties PJSC Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

Emaar Properties PJSC - Coursework Example Working Capital ratios 8 Investor performance 9 Conclusion 15 Bibliography 17 Executive Summary This report is a financial analysis of Emaar Properties PJSC which is one of the world’s largest and fastest growing real estate developers. Their performance is indicative of the huge rise in demand of living solutions for people around the globe. Emaar properties' has held a growing position in the industry as compared over the period of two years. The reports highlights on what financial effect the global financial crisis had on Emaar Properties’ performance. The continuous growth and expansion in various developments by Emaar Properties has played a vital role in its success. It has been competing well in its sector and industry within the geographical boundaries of Middle-East and has spread to international horizons as well. The leap to other countries has made Emaar Properties a global enterprise in the world of real-estate developers leading with innovations and state of the art facilities The report is clearly spread out in different sections according to financial results obtained while comparing Emaar from the year 2009 to 2010 and Emaar as compared to the industry average and its main competitors. This report is divided into parts and properly analyzed into different parts. The ratios have been calculated and analyzed as per the past record of Emaar properties. Other than that Emaar Properties figures have been compared to the Industry average too as well as other competitors. Emaar has been a leading real-estate developer and due to much expansion in its projects it has been retaining profits since 2007. It has been giving out zero dividends and all the money is invested back in the company. (Rasmala, 2010) Introduction Company Overview Emaar is one of the largest property investment organizations listed on the Dubai Financial Market (DFM) in the year 2000. It was started in 1997 and is currently known as Emaar Properties Public Joint Stock Limited Company (PJSC). Emaar offers high quality apartments to homebuyers with its full range to cater to their particular requirements. Emaar is innovating at a quick pace to provide premium lifestyle to its consumers globally. It is responsible for developing value-added, master planned communities along with homes. It has changed the concept of living lifestyle with its innovative designs and devel opment. Along with developing and expanding in the Dubai Market, it has reached out globally in various countries for future projects and has been active for quite some years now. It is expanding globally by spreading its vision of innovative lifestyle development and a new concept of ‘home’. Additionally Emaar is listed on two additional markets of Jones Arabia Titans Index and S&P IFCG Extended Frontier 150 Index. Emaar was also awarded the 462nd position in the world by 11th Financial Times Global 500 in 2007. (Emaar Properties, 2008) Financial Overview In June 2004, Emaar took the initiative of reducing the value of their shares from AED 10 to AED 1. It was done primarily to protect the interests of the shareholders and make their shares affordable for potential investors. Emaar further went on to do a 1:1 rights issue to double its capital in July 2005. (Emaar Properties, 2008) Ownership and Management Emaar is currently run by Mohamed Ali Alabbar who is the Direct or General of Dubai Department of Economics Development and also the Chairman of Emaar Properties. Emaar was privately held when it was established in 2007. After expanding into 60 different areas of development by its companies, it was listed in the Dubai Financial Markets. By 2007, the government of Dubai bought a 32% stake by giving the private investors AED28 billion worth of stock. The company also owns the Gold and Diamond Park in

Write an essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Write an - Essay Example Black represents boldness while whi represents light. Indeed, this piece of art is a reflection of a traditional era but there is life in it. First impression: My first impression of this piece of art was hilarious and I was so fascinated about the way it looked liked. The piece of art was so gigantic and resembling a true image of a living human being. However, what impressed more about this piece of art was the size. Extended viewing: Even the biggest person I have ever imagined could not match the size of the person portrayed by this sculpture. My initial impression about this piece of art was positive since it shows a high degree of artistry skill where a true image of a living human being can be designed using different types of material such as metal and bronze. Line: line is emphasized in the form of height in this piece of art. Height entails that the sky is the limit and this implies that human beings can achieve anything they want in their lives if they commit themselves to that particular action. The human beings are endowed with the brains and they can achieve whatever they want in order to improve their lives. Space: The other element of art portrayed in this piece is related to space. It can be observed that the piece of art is proportionally presented meaning that it occupies adequate space to be in control of the surrounding environment. The space shows that the person represented has free movement and can control the environment around him. Balance: The principle of design that is emphasized in this piece of art is related to the aspect of balance. Apart from the enormous height of the piece of art, it can be seen that it is balanced and firmly upright. This reflects great skill of the artist to show that they can defy other natural elements that can otherwise make it impossible for such a huge feature to stand upright. The colors are also balanced in order to make the art attractive to the viewer. These

Strategic Management and Leadership Report on Apple Inc Essay

Strategic Management and Leadership Report on Apple Inc - Essay Example The researcher of this paper tells that the initial years of the company exhibited great prospects for Apple Computer, Inc., but soon the company had massive declining sales. This was primarily because of the technological failures more than any other reason. During this period Apple Computer produced microcomputers as a way forward from the computers that were produced by the IBM’s mainframe computers. Though the Apple I started off well, in the early years of 1980s, the sales for Apple Computers drastically reduced, as the platform (Macintosh) of the Apple was not compatible with the prevalent computers of the time. In the mid-1980s after continuing to experience declining, the sales company founder Steve Jobs was fired from his own organization. During Job’s absence the company was negatively affected by the introduction of competitor Microsoft’s DOS operating system. Soon, the market leadership of Apple was a thing of past, as Microsoft was more user friendly . Steve Jobs would eventually rejoin the company and call for a series of new ideas. The company placed new emphasis on innovation and produce items like the iPhone, iTunes, iPod and iPad, all of which became immensely popular across the globe. From Apple Computers, the company shifted to the name Apple, Inc. as it enabled buyers to understand that the company also produced other items apart from computers. ("Apple computer, inc.," 2011). Today Apple, Inc. is recognized as the world’s leading technology company and has a ubiquitous international presence. When one examines the financial figures from the time Jobs returned, the results are truly staggering. Essentially, he brought an organization from the brink of bankruptcy to one annually generating $25 billion dollars in net income and a stock valuation exceeding $400 ("Apple," 2011). Currently Apple competes in a variety of market sectors: mp3 players, smart phones, personal computers, tablets, and they are rumored to be e ntering into the television market (Elmer, 2011). It follows that the organization has a variety of competitors, including Microsoft operating systems, a glut of mp3 and

International Standards for Financial Reporting Case Study

International Standards for Financial Reporting - Case Study Example Looking first to Profit Ratios, the investment analyst would take interest in the return on invested capital that is a measure of profits earned on the capital that is invested in the company. The profit ratios would inform an investor about the reliability of the company in the use of its resources. The more reliable and efficient a company the more profitable it will be. ROIC is of value as a benchmark for Morrisons or other investors to compare the company to compete in the marketplace, as well as to compare subsidiary companies that Morrisons envelopes (Hill and Jones C3). Over time, profit ratios can show if a company’s performance is improving or declining. There are many types of profit ratios, for Morrisons, the Return on Investment Capital ratio (ROIC) will be analyzed: ROIC = Net profit/Invested capital   = â‚ ¤ 93.4 million (over 25 weeks)/ â‚ ¤ 3, 662.4 million Thus, profits were down, before tax being â‚ ¤ 61.5 million. Although the overall financial re sult was disappointing for Morrisons in 2006, achievements were made; so it was a period of dramatic changes. Benchmarking has had a strong focus at Morrisons over the past financial year, and a range of company labeled products has been adapted and extended to meet market demands. Also, the retraining of almost 90, 000 Safeway employees has led to progress in the contributions of experience, skills, competencies, and knowledge that are of deemed value to the Morrisons team (Morrisons’ Annual Report 5).  Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ Annual Report 5). It appears from the Annual Report published by Morrisons, that ROIC weaknesses are being buffered by a

Generational Welfare Essay Example for Free

Generational Welfare Essay Generational Welfare For most of America’s history, farmers, entrepreneurs or shop owners could live their entire lives without getting any assistance from the federal government except maybe mail. But those days are long gone. In 2012 the total number of Americans on government assistance or welfare reached 4,3000,000. Many of which are 4th or 5th generation Welfare recipients. For whatever the reason, we have become a culture of dependency in which poverty is a trap. Long-term recipients loose job skills, work habits as well as work contacts. For this reason the government should require recipients to work as much as they can. It could be called â€Å"workfare† and could help recipients increase potential long-term earnings. Generation poverty is defined as children of parents in poverty grow up to live in poverty themselves in a continuous cycle for at least two generations. All too often this is a result of a traumatic event-taking place such as a illness or divorce that alters the family structure Hard working, self-reliant men and women built this country, but these work ethics began to change during the great depression in the 1930’s. A federal welfare program was introduced, it granted monthly cash and food coupons to assist with basic living needs, it was established to assist those who were living below the poverty line. This system went virtually unchanged since 1930, and was due for a much-needed reform. In 1996 President Bill Clinton made great strides to give welfare a long overdue facelift. He gave the duties of welfare to the states by implementing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. This act restricted aid to most legal residents. The bill had a 5year lifetime maximum for cash assistance and, required recipients to search for employment among other requirements. This welfare reform law was very successful. More than 60% percent of recipients were able to get off the welfare program. However, the core of this program was done away with in 2012 by the Obama administration. A directive was issued stating that TANF (Temporary assistance for needy Families) work requirements could be waived or over ridden by section 1115 waiver authority under the Social Security law. This has fueled an ongoing debate over whether welfare dependency in one generation causes welfare dependency in the next generation. Psychologist, Albert Bandura is considered the pioneer  behind the Social Learning Theory. This theory states that people learn from their so cial contexts and much of social behavior is learned through observing and practiced through modeling. This observational learning can occur in three ways: live modeling, symbolic learning and instruction. This explains the cycle of generational welfare among our nations poor. Last year the Wall Street Journal reported that 49% of the population of the United States lives in a household where at least one person receives some type of government assistance. The Heritage Foundation’s annual Index of Dependence on Government, tracks government spending, and the score is adjusted for federal programs that contribute to government assistance dependency. In 2010 the foundation reported that nearly 67.3 million Americans received Social Security, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, educational support for higher learning, or some other assistance that was once considered to be the responsibility of families, individuals, churches, and neighborhoods. A culture has developed within families in which welfare is reinforced and sometimes even encouraged by parents who are also receiving benefits and their children. Children also become more accepting of the idea of assistance because their parents are currently receiving welfare benefits. The goal of public policy should be reducing poverty, not just the reduction of caseloads. The plan that was implemented by former President Clinton did just that. Jobs have to be created and av ailable before we can reduce the number of persons receiving government assistance. More often than not, when jobs are created they are low-skill jobs and do not pay enough to meet employees basic needs which results in many quitting and going back on government aid. We need more programs set up to provide training in work skills or a trade so that citizens will be able to receive wages that will easily sustain their families and encourage them to become self sufficient and non dependent on government assistance. It gives great satisfaction for a person to know that they are completely self-sufficient and can provide their family with at least its basic needs. It gives a sense of purpose and builds self-confidence that you do not have when you have to rely on the government or another person for financial help. It requires decision, determination, and discipline. Some may argue that generational poverty is determined by poor health across generations and not by observation or modeling of ones parents. However the statistics  from the changes made during the Clinton administration, give proof that the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, that works and should be reinstated. Most citizens have a desire to be successful but just don’t have the skills or self-esteem they need to accomplish these goals. Sometimes it takes a little push to get them headed in the right direction and this program seems to do just that. It provided nearly any means of assistance for individuals to become job ready. It provided assistance with transportation problems; self-esteem issues like dental work or even haircuts. Individuals were coached in interview skills and good work ethics. Many classes were provided to help assist in lifestyle and finance management changes. Individuals were encouraged to further their education and were given assistance with college enrollment applications as well. All of the qualities that are needed to preform a job to the fullest of ones ability were provided to wean recipients off of welfare. We have to reach the core understanding of why some people get stuck in a cycle of generational poverty and work on the core problem if we want long-term results. In which individuals receive jobs, perform their duties to the best of their ability and take pride in being self-sufficient. When individuals are proud of their accomplishments and are confident that they will be able to provide for themselves and their family, then we will begin to see a decline in numbers of generational welfare recipients and will be able to witness our economy grow and flourish. Works Cited Axelrod, Norman. Chicago Tribune: Chicago Breaking News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Weather and Traffic Chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune: Chicago Breaking News, Sports, Business, Entertainment, Weather and Traffic Chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2011. Web. 01 Aug. 2013. . Bowen, Barry D. 1996 Welfare Reform Facts. 1996 Welfare Reform Facts. N.p., 1996. Web. 01 Aug. 2013. . Gaiser, Elliot T. Obama Guts Welfare Reform. Heritage.org. N.p., 8 May 2013. Web. McLeod, Saul. Bandura Social Learning Theory. Albert Bandura. Simply Psychology, 2011. Web. 01 Aug. 2013. . Generational Welfare For most of America’s history, farmers, entrepreneurs or shop owners could live their entire lives without getting any assistance from the federal government except maybe mail. But those days are long gone. In 2012 the total number of Americans on government assistance or welfare reached 4,3000,000. Many of which are 4th or 5th generation Welfare recipients. For whatever the reason, we have become a culture of dependency in which poverty is a trap. Long-term recipients loose job skills, work habits as well as work contacts. For this reason the government should require recipients to work as much as they can. It could be called â€Å"workfare† and could help recipients increase potential long-term earnings. Generation poverty is defined as children of parents in poverty grow up to live in poverty themselves in a continuous cycle for at least two generations. All too often this is a result of a traumatic event-taking place such as a illness or divorce that alters the fami ly structure Hard working, self-reliant men and women built this country, but these work ethics began to change during the great depression in the 1930’s. A federal welfare program was introduced, it granted monthly cash and food coupons to assist with basic living needs, it was established to assist those who were living below the poverty line. This system went virtually unchanged since 1930, and was due for a much-needed reform. In 1996 President Bill Clinton made great strides to give welfare a long overdue facelift. He gave the duties of welfare to the states by implementing the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. This act restricted aid to most legal residents. The bill had a 5year lifetime maximum for cash assistance and, required recipients to search for employment among other requirements. This welfare reform law was very successful. More than 60% percent of recipients were able to get off the welfare program. However, the core of this program was done away with in 2012 by the Obama administration. A directive was issued stating that TANF (Temporary assistance for needy Families) work requirements could be waived or over ridden by section 1115 waiver authority under the Social Security law. This has fueled an ongoing debate over whether welfare dependency in one generation causes welfare dependency in the next generation. Psychologist, Albert Bandura is considered the pioneer  behind the Social Learning Theory. This theory states that people learn from their social contexts and much of social behavior is learned through observing and practiced through modeling. This observational learning can occur in three ways: live modeling, symbolic learning and instruction. This explains the cycle of generational welfare among our nations poor. Last year the Wall Street Journal reported that 49% of the population of the United States lives in a household where at least one person receives some type of government assistance. The Heritage Foundation’s annual Index of Dependence on Government, tracks government spending, and the score is adjusted for federal programs that contribute to government assistance dependency. In 2010 the foundation reported that nearly 67.3 million Americans received Social Security, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, educational support for higher learning, or some other assistance that was once considered to be the responsibility of families, individuals, ch urches, and neighborhoods. A culture has developed within families in which welfare is reinforced and sometimes even encouraged by parents who are also receiving benefits and their children. Children also become more accepting of the idea of assistance because their parents are currently receiving welfare benefits. The goal of public policy should be reducing poverty, not just the reduction of caseloads. The plan that was implemented by former President Clinton did just that. Jobs have to be created and available before we can reduce the number of persons receiving government assistance. More often than not, when jobs are created they are low-skill jobs and do not pay enough to meet employees basic needs which results in many quitting and going back on government aid. We need more programs set up to provide training in work skills or a trade so that citizens will be able to receive wages that will easily sustain their families and encourage them to become self sufficient and non dependent on government assistance. It gives great satisfaction for a person to know that they are completely self-sufficient and can provide their family with at least its basic needs. It gives a sense of purpose and builds self-confidence that you do not have when you have to rely on the government or another person for financial help. It requires decision, determination, and discipline. Some may argue that generational poverty is determined by poor health across generations and not by observation or modeling of ones parents. However the statistics  from the changes made during the Clinton administration, give proof that the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act, that works and should be reinstated. Most citizens have a desire to be successful but just don’t have the skills or self-esteem they need to accomplish these goals. Sometimes it takes a little push to get them headed in the right direction and this program seems to do just that. It provided nearly any means of assistance for individuals to become job ready. It provided assistance with transportation problems; self-esteem issues like dental work or even haircuts. Individuals were coached in interview skills and good work ethics. Many classes were provided to help assist in lifestyle and finance management changes. Individuals were encouraged to further their education and were given assistance with college enrollment applications as well. All of the qualities that are needed to preform a job to the fullest of one s ability were provided to wean recipients off of welfare. We have to reach the core understanding of why some people get stuck in a cycle of generational poverty and work on the core problem if we want long-term results. In which individuals receive jobs, perform their duties to the best of their ability and take pride in being self-sufficient. When individuals are proud of their accomplishments and are confident that they will be able to provide for themselves and their family, then we will begin to see a decline in numbers of generational welfare recipients and will be able to witness our economy grow and flourish.

Teenage Pregnancy: Health and Social Issue Analysis

Teenage Pregnancy: Health and Social Issue Analysis Today teenage pregnancy is evolving as a serious problem all over the world. It defines as getting pregnant below eighteen years. Researches reveal that almost fifteen million teen pregnancies occur every year. These teen pregnancies are mostly common in developing countries where teenagers lack parental monitoring and they are unaware of modern birth control methods. Many teenagers plan to get pregnant, but mostly do not. Unplanned pregnancies occur at all levels of age, creed, and race with a particular negative impact among teenage population. Teen pregnancy is an important social problem and as well as a major health issue, that need to reduce because of the negative consequences that it bears on teenagers. They are at risk of conception and many sexually transmitted infections. On fearing the medical procedures and parental responses, they hide the fact of pregnancy and therefore are at more risk of its severe consequences. They did not receive parental care on time. Moreover, studies shows that teenagers are psychologically immature and unstable and the additional stress of pregnancy on them brings up negative results. In 2000, â€Å"The Health of Nation† failed to reduce the rate of teen pregnancies. Another policy set the target to halve the rate by 2010. In order to achieve the target, many other policies were set based on researches especially on focusing the importance of parental monitoring and use of contraception. Recent literature on teen pregnancy prevention mostly focuses on parental monitoring. Role of parents in this issue is crucial. They are responsible for educating their children and providing them enough knowledge about the negative consequences of teen pregnancies. The rate of teen pregnancies is high especially among those who suffer from poor education in their childhood. Another interest that lies on the parent’s role in reducing the unplanned teen pregnancies is by talking openly with the teens about this issue through several controversies exist on whether it increases the sexual activity or vice versa (DiClemente, 2001). The studies mainly focus on parental monitoring in order to prevent teen pregnancies because the effectiveness of the parental influence in attitude, knowledge, and behavior among their children lower the teen’s risk of adolescent pregnancy. Research shows that higher parental monitoring decreases the sexual activity and avoids unplanned pregnancies in teens. Parental monitoring has a positive effect on healthy adolescent development. Influence of parental role and relation between parenthood and teen pregnancy is clear in this issue. In order to have an effect or successful outcome of parental monitoring, not only teenagers but parents also need education to monitor effectively without being overprotective. They need education to talk efficiently to their children about birth control methods, safe sex, and sexually transmitted diseases. The parents need to focus on their views and concepts about sex education and find out if they are comfortable and know how to talk to their children. Identification of adolescent females who are usually at high risk of getting unplanned pregnancies is the key to prevention. Parents require education no matter the setting of teen is at the primary care office, clinic, school, or emergency rooms. Further research needs to be done for improving parental skills and their outcomes. Nationally, the teen pregnancies are increasing at a staggering rate. However, some appropriate programs help in preventing these pregnancies among the teenagers. There are federal laws for promoting abstinence only education and providing funding for these programs based on abstinence. Such programs not only help to prevent the teen pregnancies but they positively correlate with decrease in the amount of unplanned pregnancies and births among teenagers. The recent literature study of Stanger-Hall and Hall in 2011 reveals that the most effective approach is the ‘level 1 style’ that provides comprehensive safe sex education and STD education. It covers the use of birth control methods and abstinence. The Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are confident in educating parents about the positive impacts of these programs in preventing teen pregnancies (Stanger-Hall, 2011). Several intervention based programs need to help prevent the unplanned pregnancies in the adolescent. Some of the interventions require coming from the parents at home or office of primary care provider. It is the job of NPs to identify those adolescents, who show high-risk behavior in these pregnancies. The NPs need to ensure the confidentiality of their patients and develop the trusting relationship with them. They need to give education to the parents efficiently and refer them to the websites or groups regarding teen pregnancy prevention. Contraception or the use of contraceptive methods is another way of preventing teen pregnancies. Research shows that most of the unplanned pregnancies among the teenagers are due the fact that they are either unaware of using contraceptive methods or they do not use contraception consistently. Free contraceptives available and provided for high and middle school students within schools around the world help in preventing the great amount of teen pregnancies. However, these schools preferred to give contraceptives to only those children who have their parents’ permission (Shoupe, 2007). A comprehensive education on safe sex has successful effects on the use of contraception. The Family Growth National Survey reveals that teenagers who receive safe sex education that includes contraception and prevention from sexually transmitted diseases, are less likely to have unplanned pregnancies. Contraception such as birth controls and condoms offered at affordable or discounted prices may help to reduce teen pregnancies. The effective and appropriate use of contraception will contract sexually transmitted diseases. It will not encourage the teenagers to have sex but will lower the risk of unplanned teen pregnancies. School-based health centers or SBHCs is a great community resource for adolescents to provide friendly primary care services to this population. More SBHCs need across the nation to open in order to release their restrictions of providing contraceptive services. Intervention based programs are changing the sexual education standards which means to change some of the laws at the federal, state, and local level. The new standards of National Sexuality Education released in 2001 focus on changing the federal, state, and local laws. Social programs started with the purpose of preventing teen pregnancies began to disappear slowly. US administration provides some limited financial investment only for evidence based programs. Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Programs and other programs like Planned Parenthood help to prevent the teen pregnancies by providing low cost or free birth control and contraception to teenagers (Bennett, 2005). In this way, service providers implement these programs effectively and successfully. They are developing new strategies and polices that will prevent unplanned teen pregnancies. In conclusion, teen pregnancy is preventable that is a major social and health issue burdening many communities around the world. Early comprehensive and effective safe sex education including parental monitoring and contraceptive prevention is the important key that needs to start by the parents at home and reinforced continually at school and primary care office.

Biography of Dorothy Johnson Vaughan

Biography of Dorothy Johnson Vaughan Abstract This research paper explores the life and journey of how Dorothy Johnson Vaughan became a female African-American mathematician who worked for the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics(NACA) in 1940-1970. A woman who excelled at the facility in many ways despite the fact that she was an African-American and a woman in the era of segregation between race and gender. Her excellence along with other African-Americans such as Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson are the reason for the achievements in the Space Race and bringing confidence back to Americas space program. She along with these two women are subject in the 2016 film Hidden Figures. Dorothy Johnson Vaughan was a mathematics teacher in the early 1940s. As an African-American and a woman, this was a significant role in American history considering both parts were put down in this era. She was the first of her kind to be promoted as a supervisor in NACAs (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) program, which is now called NASA. She became one of the most memorable figures along with other female African-American mathematicians who are the subject to a 2016 film Hidden Figures. On September 20,1910, Dorothy was born in Kansas City, Missouri; however, she also was raised in Morgantown, West Virginia. Her parents were Leonard and Anne Johnson. In 1925, she graduated from Beechurst High school and went straight to Wilberforce University in Ohio where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics. After college, she was accepted a position as a math teacher at Robert Russa Moton High School in Farmville, Virginia. In 1932, she married Howard Vaughan whom she had six children with. Their names areAnn, Maida, Leonard, Kenneth, Michael and Donald (Biography). This was her life for eleven years until she and her family moved to Newport News, Virginia to be employed as a mathematician at the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. This was placed at the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory in Hampton, Virginia where she thought would be just a temporary position. She was assigned to a segregated group that consisted of all African-Americans, called West Area Computers (Shetterly). This is where she also met Mary Jackson and Katherine Johnson (the other subjects to the film Hidden Figures). She underwent working beneath the conditions of segregation with these women and many other African-Americans. Dorothy was appointed acting supervisor of the program in 1949, after the death of her manager and thus become the first African American woman to be promoted in the agency. It took two years for her to achieve permanent status in that position. After NACA became NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1958, she continued her work there. NASA, at the time, worked as a part in ending racial segregation at the facility. She also had to prepare for the introduction of machine computers in the early 1960s by teaching herself and her staff the programming language of FORTRAN (Melfi). In the last decade of her employment with NASA, she worked with Mary and Katherine on the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, which brought confidence back to Americas space program. She remained at NACA for twenty-eight years until such time as her retirement in 1971 at age 60. Dorothy died of natural causes at the age of ninety-eight on November 10, 2008, in her hometown of Hampton, Virginia (Biography). References Biography.com Editiors. (2016, November 14). Dorothy Johnson Vaughan. Retrieved fromhttp://www.biography.com/people/dorothy-johnson-vaughan-111416 Melfi, T. (Director). (2016). Hidden Figures [Motion picture]. USA: Fox 2000 Pictures, CherniEntertainment, Levantine Films,TSG Entertainment. Shetterly, M. L. (2016, December 1). Dorothy Vaughan Biography | NASA. Retrieved fromhttps://www.nasa.gov/content/dorothy-vaughan-biography

English Coursework: Frankenstein doesn’t have any heroes or villains, E

English Coursework: Frankenstein doesn’t have any heroes or villains, only victims. Do you agree with this statement? Frankenstein, by Mary Shelley, started being written in 1814 and was finally completed in the summer of 1816, at a time when gothic genre was extremely popular. It was then released in 1818, but Shelley decided to release it anonymously. It is a gothic horror novel that concentrates on isolation and ambition. The idea for the novel was supposedly first invented when Shelley was at a friend’s house when a competition was created as to whom could create the best â€Å"tale of terror† story. It is about a man, Victor Frankenstein, who tries to â€Å"play god† and creates a living â€Å"creature† that is then ostracised and consequently commits a series of murders throughout the novel. The characters involved can be viewed as heroes, or as villains, depending on the different perspectives of the reader. Frankenstein’s creation of the creature can be viewed as heroic, as he is seen to push the boundaries of science further than ever before: â€Å"A new species would bless me as its creator and source; many happy and excellent natures would owe their beings to me.† Frankenstein also sacrificed the safety of those he loved to prevent the risk of the creatures killing others when he destroyed the female creature, which angered the male creature. He was also very ambitious in the way that he chased the creature to the North Pole to put a stop to his reckless behaviour, where he met the explorer Walton, who is a hero as far as leadership and ambition are concerned, by trying to travel as far North as possible. Walton’s ambitious attitude is made clear when he says â€Å"My life might have been passed in ease and luxury, ... ...rought on himself. The novel shows the shallowness of people in society by showing what the monster had to endure because of his appearance, as well as the moral irresponsibility of Frankenstein as a scientist. Frankenstein was always the villain deep down as he attempted to play God, which I don’t think should be attempted by any human being. He was obsessed with the fact that he could create life, but never once to considered if it was the right thing to do. I think Shelley is basing the whole novel on, not what Frankenstein actually did, but what he fails to do. The way the creature is portrayed in 3rd person narrative allows us to see the creature as a hero, villain and a victim. I believe that the creature viewed Frankenstein as a father figure and was mentally tortured when his own creator neglected him. He had nothing to live for, except revenge.

My Favourite Vacation Spot is St. Martin Essay -- Personal Narrative,

I got dazzled once again by the beauty of St. Martin. St. Martin is undoubted a special place for vacation and one of the most beautiful islands in the world. Among all the places I have visited, it is the most unique. If anybody asks me about a vacation spot, the first thing that comes up in my mind is St. Martin. This is not for it is in my country but for its explicit natural beauty, social environment and the facilities available there. Natural has its own world in St. Martin. The island is about two kilometres long and the deep blue water all around it is outstanding to watch. Rocks of different sizes and types are all around the beach, some of which are with razor sharp spikes that can cut your foot into pieces if you step on them. Moreover, different coloured sea weeds and live corals can be seen on the rocks which are submerged in the water. St. Martin is the only Island in the world with live corals. There are more than thousands of different types of coral in this island. Scientists say that this island actually grew from this coral by the metamorphosis of different c...

Bodegas Caballe – an International Recruitment Excersise

Case Study 2: Bodegas Caballe – An International Recruitment Exercise Bodegas Caballe – An International Recruitment Exercise Dear Mr. Caballe, Dear Bodegas Caballe Selection Committee, First of all we would like to thank you for putting trustfulness in our work as newcomers in your company Bodegas Caballe. After considering the commissioning letter and the four reports we have analysed them carefully to make a reasonable choice, who is the most suitable applicant. We established the following criteria to select the best applicant for your company: Nationality, marital status, current employer and position, reason for leaving, expected salary, educational background, language skills, professional background, further information and interview assessment. We have ranked each applicant from 1 to 4 in all criteria. On top of that we have evaluated the importance of each criterion for your company. Based on this we have multiplied the ranking with the quantifier. So in the end the best possible result is 1, while 4 is the worst case. In the following section you will find the explanations for the weighting of the criteria. We evaluated the nationality and the marital status as least important, because these criteria have no significance about an applicant’s qualities. The criterion â€Å"Reason for leaving† has more importance, due to the fact that based on this point general working attitudes can be assessed early and possible problems in business relationships can be foreseen. However this should not be the most decisive factor in comparison to other criteria. Your company proposes a yearly salary of $45000 – $60000. Therefore we quantified this criterion less important, because no applicant exceeds this limit significantly. The educational background has more relevance because it offers a first sight on the applicant’s knowledge. Hence, this criterion has middle weight importance for the assessment of the applicants. The further given information and the applicants’ interview outcome are of equal importance, because they indicate more information about the applicants’ personalities and characteristics. The language skills are of crucial importance. In consequence of your expansion to Central Europe and especially Poland, we expect good communication qualities in English and Polish. The current employer and position of the applicant is weighted as a significant factor. With the aid of this information you can tell if the applicants are able to represent the company and if they have sufficient abilities in the fields of coordination and management. The most essential criterion is â€Å"Professional background†. It describes working experience, market knowledge and external relationships that are of high relevance for the applicant’s position at Bodegas Caballe. Ranking chart The chart below shows the above mentioned criteria and their weighting-quantifier. Furthermore you can see the applicants ranking for each criterion in detail. The lowest row â€Å"Total result† shows the overall ranking. Criterion |Quantifier |Boleslaw |Maria |Sergei |Stanislaw | |Nationality |2,50% |1 |2 |4 |3 | |Marital status |2,50% |4 |2 |3 |1 | |Employer & position |15,00% |2 |4 |3 |1 | |Reason for leaving |5,00% |4 |2 |3 |1 | |Salary |7,50% |4 |2 |1 |3 | |Education |10,00% |3 |2 |1 |4 | |Language skills 12,50% |1 |2 |3 |4 | |Professional background |25,00% |4 |2 |3 |1 | |Further information |10,00% |3 |2 |4 |1 | |Interview assessment |10,00% |1 |3 |4 |2 | |Total result |100,00% |2,75 |2,4 |2,875 |1,975 | Discussion of applicants The results of our assessment show a great tendency towards Stanislaw Michalski. Maria de la Garriga is ranked second with an average score of 2. 4. The third position is held by Boleslaw Piasecki with a total result of 2. 75. The least qualified applicant with a score of 2. 875 is Sergei Nikitin. In the following sections each applicant will be discussed separately. We have an overall negative impression of Sergei Nikitin. He seems to be very dissatisfied with his current employer and showed unsuitable behaviour during the interview. Although he has a good educational background and experience as a sales representative that should qualify him to realize the expansion plans in Central Europe, his company does not want him as the manager of the sales team. So there must be a reason in his attitude or work that makes him less suitable for such an important position. He has the lowest expectations of salary with $45000, however his plans to move to the United States and his American working mentality do not fit into your company. Furthermore, his language skills are not optimal for a position in Central Europe and Poland. The third ranked applicant Boleslaw Piasecki has the best language skills among the four applicants and he made a good impression during the interview your company held with him. His current employer Torum Hotel and Restaurant and his position as the Manager of Catering Services and Purchasing seem to be rather fitting for Bodegas Caballe at first sight. But his rankings in the other criteria are mostly 3s and 4s. His reason for leaving indicates that he has very high expectations of compensations from his company. Therefore he wants to earn $65000 per year, which is above your limit of $60000. On top of that he demands commission, car and expenses from Bodegas Caballe. Especially his previous education and professional background as a priest and Ph. D. in history do not lead to choosing him, because it is rather unusual for the business world. The further information given on Boleslaw shows that he has overbearing manners and irregular working attitude. Maria de la Garriga is ranked second in almost every criterion, which would be a generally good choice. Her experience and position at the University of Cracow show that she did not work in the sales of wine and spirits for the last 10 years. But during the interview she made clear that she wants move into selling, because she is tired of the academic world. Her nervousness and little signs of arrogance appear as character weaknesses that may result in problems when entering a new market and establishing business relationships. Apart from that she has good qualities in various fields. She is capable of leading projects and has achieved great management skills in her position. For example she provided other universities with training programs. Her language skills of Spanish, Russian, English and Polish and her degree in Foreign Literature and Languages are suitable for the central European region. She expects a salary of $55000 per year, which is in your proposed range of $45000 – $60000. Moreover, she established good contacts with major retailers during her activities at the University. As stated above our preferred applicant for the position as the Sales Representative is Stanislaw Michalski. Although his educational background (High-school leaving certificate) as well as his language skills are not impressive, he has reached a high position on the career ladder and seems to enjoy a quite good reputation in the market. He started with merchandising, stocking and ordering, moved into buying as Assistant Buyer and is currently the Head Buyer of alcoholic beverages. This implicates that he has been always loyal towards his company. His reason for leaving Intersection Hypermarkets is perfect for Bodegas Caballe. He wants to move to Poland together with his wife and his four kids, which indicates that family is of high importance for him. His expected salary of $60000 for this position is also your proposed limit, which should definitely not be a reason for refusal. The extended information you provided on Stanislaw makes a great impression of his character and personality. He is involved into different cultural, ethic and public organisations, which shows that he can take over responsibility and reliability. He has great knowledge of and interest in Poland, so he will have no problems communicating and working in Poland. The evaluations and recommendations stated above should only be regarded as an advice for your final decision. Depending on how the different criteria are weighted, some deviations may occur. Nevertheless we think that either Stanislaw Michalski or Maria de la Garriga are the most suitable applicants for your company and the position offered, because both applicants convince due to their skills and attitude.

Free Primary Education in Kenya Essay

Acknowledgement I acknowledge my God for provision of good health, sound mind and in tender caring. I also express the same to my lecturer Mr. Malel for his diligent and industrious work he did to me in the process of writing up the project. I also acknowledge the contributions of my colleagues and my family for the patience and encouragement that they have given me since I begun the project. I also acknowledge the free access to the Kenya National Library Service in Kericho. Dedication I dedicate this report to my Almighty Father for His countless Mercies and Eternal Providence. I also dedicate it to my family, my parents and my children. Abstract The study investigated the statistical relationship between the introduction of FPE and the enrolment of kids in ECD centers. The paper begins by assessing the changes in enrolment prior and after the introduction of FPE in 2002. It then delves into the question of why this happens. The covered Mogogosiek Zone although the findings is relevant for the whole country. The researcher sampled six schools as the sample to represent twenty schools in the zone. The random sample technique was used since all schools are homogeneous. The researcher used questionnaires and observation to collect data in the field. The project is useful for the stakeholders in the ECD sector ranging from school heads to government administrators involved with ECD work. Table of Contents DECLARATION BY CANDIDATEii DECLARATION BY THE SUPERVISORii Acknowledgementiii Dedicationiv Abstractv Abbreviations and Acronymsviii CHAPTER ONE1 Introduction1 1. 1Background of the Problem1 1. 2 Statement of the Problem3 1. 3Objectives of the Study4 1. 4 Purpose of the Study5 1. 5 Justification of the Project6 1. 6 Significance of the Study7 1. 7 Limitations8 1. 8 Delimitations9 CHAPTER TWO10 Literature Review10 2. 1 The effects of the introduction of FPE on enrollment10 2. 2 Factors that have led to low enrolment as a result of introduction of FPE in Kenya13 2. 3 Impact of FPE on enrolment in ECDs16 CHAPTER THREE18 Methodology18 3. 1 Research Design18 3. 2 Location of the Study19 3. 3 Target Population20 3. 4 Sample Population21 3. 5 Sampling Method22 3. 6 Research Instruments23 CHAPTER FOUR24 Data Representation24 4. 1 The Extent to Which ECD Enrolment Declined as a Result Of Introduction of Fpe in the ten Sampled Institutions24. 4. 2 Reasons for the Decline Of ECD Enrolment as a Result Of Introduction Of FPE26 4. 3 Impact of FPE on ECD Enrolment per Economic Class27 CHAPTER FIVE28 Conclusions28 5. 1 The Relationship between the Introduction of FPE and Enrolment in ECDS Attached to Public Primary schools28 5. 2 The Effects of Introduction of FPE on Enrolment in ECDS in Private Primary Schools28 5. 3 Causes for the Low Enrolment of Pupils in Public Primary School ECDS as A Result of Introduction Of FPE. 28 5. 4 Effects of Introduction of FPES on ECD per Economic Class29 APPENDIX A30 QUESTIONNAIRE FOR ECD TEACHERS30. APPENDIX B35 BIBLIOGRAPHY35 APPENDIX C36 Work Schedule36 APPENDIX D37 Budget37 APPENDIX D38 Introduction letter38 Abbreviations and Acronyms ECD = Early Childhood Development ECDE = Early Childhood Development and Education. MDG = Millennium Development Goals. UN = United Nations FPE = Free Primary Education. GER=Gross Enrolment Rate is calculated by dividing the number of children of whatever age enrolled in preschool by the estimated number of 3-5 year olds. UNESCO= United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural organization. OECD=Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. MOEST=Ministry of Education, Science and Technology CHAPTER ONE Introduction This chapter introduces the research topic. It begins with an introduction followed by a statement of the problem and finally the purpose of the study. 1. 1Background of the Problem As part of his campaign manifesto, President Kibaki introduced the Free Primary Education program in Primary schools. The program was meant to lead to high enrollment of pupils in both primary school and ECD centers in Kenya. The natural corollary was that the ECD enrollment would rise as a result of the introduction of FPE. However, statistics show the contrary. The rate of enrolment in ECD centers has reduced following the introduction of FPE. This shows a negative correlation between enrolment and FPE. This project sought to establish the fact that indeed enrollment in FPE has declined since the introduction of FPE in schools. Paper also sought to give reasons why the rate of enrolment in ECD bears a negative correlation with the FPE funding. This has been a surprise finding given that the aim of the government is to develop education in Kenya holistically. The project also assessed the likely statistical relationship between enrolment in primary and ECD It showed that . the higher the enrolment rate in primary school the lower the enrolment in ECD. This project sought to give reasons for that relationship and provide for suggestions on how the problem can be solved. 1. 2 Statement of the Problem The problem was to study the effects that FPE has had on enrollment in ECDCs. The project also studied the causes of the negative relationship between FPE funding and low enrollment in ECDCs. The problem is that due to the introduction of FPE, pupils have been joining class one without going through the ECD classes. This is a worrying trend as it suggests a low level of preparedness of the pupils in lower primary school. It also points to the need to consider ECD in public funding 1. 3Objectives of the Study The project studied the following objectives: [a] To establish the effect of the introduction of FPE on enrolment in ECDS attached to public primary schools. [b]To establish the effects of the introduction of FPE on enrolment of pupils in ECDS attached to private primary schools. [c] To determine the extent to which enrollment in ECDCs have declined in Mogogosiek zone as a result of the introduction of FPE. [d] To determine the effects of introduction of FPEs on enrolment in ECDS per economic class. 1. 4 Purpose of the Study The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of the introduction of Free Primary Education on enrolment in ECDs in primary schools in Kenya. 1. 5 Justification of the Project This project is justified on the following grounds. First, little attempt has been made to determine the relationship between the introduction of FPE nationally and enrollment of pupils in ECDs locally. There is also need to determine the causes of the decline in enrolment in ECDs as a result of introduction of FPE. The decline has mostly affected the poor who consist of the most vulnerable group. That the introduction of FPE has negatively affected the poor in terms of taking their children to the ECD has great implications to fighting poverty in the country. It shows that the children of the poor have poor foundation and will most likely perform poorly later in life thereby widening the poverty gap wider still 1. 6 Significance of the Study This study is important because of a number of reasons. First, the government must know the impacts of its funding primary schools or other institutions. The FPE is an integrated development program and it should lead to a holistic development of the education sector in general and not a lopsided development of the country. Secondly, the government will get information on the level of foundational education in rural areas and design effective policies that will aid the state in ensuring high standards of education in ECD and ensure effective transition from ECD to primary school. Thirdly, there is an ongoing pressure on the government to fund the ECD sector in Kenya. This paper is meant to ensure that this goal is attained. Lastly, educational practitioners particularly ECD teachers and administrators will be reminded of the need to ensure a high level of enrolment in ECDs and effective transition to primary schools 1. 7 Limitations During the study, the researchers were limited by the following factors. First and foremost, rural ECD managers were not willing to talk about the low enrolment in ECD centers. They feared that releasing the information would lead to negative publicity. Secondly, most residents were not very open to give information on where their children were learning to outsiders. Thirdly, the county is very large and expansive. It was not very easy for the researchers to travel from one location to another due to poor and rugged terrain. Fourth, most residents have just recovered from the post electoral violence that affected most of the Republic. They are very suspicious of new comers and more so even residents asking questions. They easily take such gestures as police investigations. Fifth, though not least, the researcher was affected by lack of enough funds to carry out an in depth analysis covering the entire zone. Even if funds were availed, there was still the need for more time to carry out the work. The researchers were affected by lack of sufficient time since they are full time teachers who need time to run their institutions apart from conducting research work. The project was also be affected by low literacy rate since most parents are not literate enough to interpret and respond to questionnaires. 1. 8 Delimitations The delimiting factor is that the researchers come from the study location and are highly familiar with the area. Secondly, the researchers being ECD and Primary teachers, have long and extensive experience and contact with ECD and primary school children. They are also conversant the running of ECD centers in the country. Thirdly, the researchers used written questionnaires distributed to schools. This minimized the time needed to move from one institution to another and effectively reduce the time needed to talk with an interviewee. CHAPTER TWO Literature Review 2. 1 The effects of the introduction of FPE on enrollment Many studies have been conducted to ascertain the actual effect of FPE on ECD enrolment. Most of the studies have been conducted by International development Agencies such as USAID and DANIDA. The most comprehensive overview, however, are the studies conducted by UNESCO and approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. A UNESCO Policy Review Report, UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Project, 2005, hereafter to be referred simply to as the UNESCO report 2005, reports that, ‘A 1969 survey counted about 200,000 children enrolled in 4800 ECD centers with about 5,000 teachers. The number of ECD Centers and teachers have been growing steadily and, after a stalled increase of only 15% between 1993 and 2000, the enrolment ratio leaped by 50% over the next three years. The current (2001/02) GER in preschool is officially 35%, although the Government’s own statistics appear to show a GER of 48% in 1998, falling to 41% in 2002. † Such a report shows a decline in GER in ECD. The year in which the FPE was introduced is 2002. Therefore, changes occurring between 2001 and 2002 truly indicate effects of FPE on enrolment. A UNESCO Policy brief on Early Childhood entitled the Impacts of Free Primary Education on Early Childhood Development in Kenya, Jan. to Feb. 2006, by Yoshie Kaga, claims that the overall effect of FPE has been the reduction of enrollment in ECD. Here is an excerpt from the report, â€Å"Studies have been conducted to assess the effects of FPE on ECD centers. Some report on negative effects, while others note no major draw backs. While the overall impact of the policy is yet to be determined, the UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Mission, which took place in September 2004, observed that the policy did have a negative impact of FPE on ECD in Kenya and outline two major options that may mitigate possible negative impact. † EFA Global Monitoring report, 2005, UNESCO Publishing reports that the gross enrollment rate for the age group 3 to 5 was 44. 4% in 2001. However, the theory that enrollment rates declined as a result of the introduction of FPEs is not automatically to be accepted. Some reports indicate that the GER increased as a result of the introduction of FPE. The UNESCO/OECD Report, 2005, reports in item number 3. 4. 1, â€Å"The Background Report of Kenya shows that, while enrollment increased substantially from 1,076,606 to 1,281,846 between 1998 and 2002. A closer look at the figures, however, suggests two rather disturbing trends. First, GER’s in preschool have clearly declined since 1998 from 48% to 41%, and the major overall decline took place between 1998 and 1999 before the FPE option arose. In fact, a small increase occurred from 2002 to 2003, after FPE was introduced in January 2003. Second, while he 1998 GER was about the same for boys and girls, a gap of about 4% in favor of boys opened up in 2001 and grew to 6% in 2002. â€Å" The figures in the above report are not the same as other documents. According to the Quantitative Study of the Early Childhood Development Project : Final report to MOEST statistics, the 2002 figure is 1,416,048 and not 1,281,846. These dissenting views and conflicting figures show that the inverse relationship between FPE and ECD needs to be verified by qualified actuarial review. The extent of the relationship may need other factors to explain other than the factors stated above. 2. 2 Factors that have led to low enrolment as a result of introduction of FPE in Kenya Many workers have tried to give reasons for the decline in ECD enrolment as a result of the introduction of FPE. However, these are not in the form of complex scientific theories. The UNESCO Policy Brief on Early Childhood is one such document. It explains the phenomenon in the following terms, â€Å"The main reason for this phenomenon is that since the implementation of FPE, poor parents are choosing to withdraw their children from ECD centers and/or keep them at home until they reach the age of primary school entry. They refuse to pay the fees for ECD on the grounds that ECD, lie primary education, should be free. † However, this assertion needs to be corroborated by more extensive scientific studies on the causes of the inverse relationship. Economic theories may help to describe the situation better. According to Ricardian analysis, low cost items such as table salt are already sold cheaply and are therefore associated with poor sections of the population. If the price of salt, for example is reduced further, it becomes too cheap and the buyers may shift for more costly brand of salt. This theory seems to hold true for the ECDs in rural areas of Kenya. They are considered very cheap. Due to government subsidy, the parents may actually feel that the quality of primary education in public primary schools will decline. They see children who have been idle at home, such as street children being brought to school. This makes them to hate public school education and instead opt for the costly private schools. As a basic strategy, they decide to enrol their children in private ECDs with the reasoning that by the time the child enters primary school, he or she will have laid a strong foundation in ECDE. The UNESCO/OECD Report in section 3. 3. 5. Reports that, â€Å"Meanwhile, an assessment study of FPE on ECD carried out jointly by the MOEST and UNESCO in February 2004 found that ECD programmes had almost collapsed because children’s enrolment had decreased after the introduction of FPE. The study found that parents opted to send their children straight to standard one, which became free, without having them go through ECD, which was still fees paying. Moreover, Standard one teacher reported that children who skipped ECD had difficulty coping with lessons in primary school and poorly performed. † Section 3. 3. 4 reports that, â€Å"The Review Team found widespread anecdotal evidence of drops in enrolment at ECD centres, especially in poor provinces such as North Eastern†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦ many parents have by passed ECD altogether ; many others send their children only to pre-unit class of ECD to prepare them for primary school. In some areas, parents are keeping their children at home until they reach the age of 6 entitling them to free education. † Yet other factors have been suggested by the UNESCO Policy Briefs on ECD. Calling it the unintended consequence on ECD, the report went on to report that, â€Å"ECD classrooms set up on the premises of public primary schools have been shut down in order to accommodate the surge of enrolment in primary schools sparked by FPE. In some cases, ECD children and teachers must put up with reduced space; in others, they have been moved to the worst classrooms in the premises. At the district level, inspection and supervision of ECD centres some of which is carried out by the district based Zonal Inspector of schools, have reportedly become less frequent. † The UNESCO/OECD report presents a critique of the situation thus: ‘Despite these observations, the impact of FPE on ECD is still subject to dispute. For example, it is unclear whether FPE has been the main cause of falling ECD enrolments, given the evidence that the decline may well have begun well before the introduction of the policy. Also, it is yet to be determined how many of the unprepared pupils newly flowing into standard one would have gone to ECD centres if FPE had not been in place. The influx could simply be explained by a rising enrolment of at risk children who would not have been able to afford primary education when it was fee paying, let alone ECD centres. 2. 3 Impact of FPE on enrolment in ECDs There is an indication that poverty may be a great factor determining patterns of enrolment in ECDs. The UNESCO/OECD Report 2005, reports in section 3. 3. 8. Suggest that there is no direct relationship between FPE and ECD. Otherwise, such relationship could exist between FPE and other factors that mitigate leading to low enrolment. The paper points at poverty as one of the factors that lead to low enrolment as a result of the introduction of FPE. Section 3. 4. 3 on inequalities in the same report shows that, â€Å"There are obvious geographical inequalities. In Nairobi, for instance, far more children are likely to be enrolled in ECD than in other provinces with similar poverty levels. Meanwhile, North Eastern Province has the highest poverty level and the lowest enrolment rates. There are also gender disparities. In Nairobi, girls are more likely to be enrolled whereas in North Eastern province, the reverse is observed. ‘The report claims that the poor are generally not able to access ECD services. â€Å"Even within Nairobi, middle and upper class children benefit most from preschool experiences. Overall, those lacking access to preschool services tend to be children from disadvantages communities such as semi arid and arid areas and urban slums. This observation is reinforced by the findings of the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. (UNICEF/Government Survey, 2000) showing that 29. 5% of children whose mothers had secondary education were enrolled in some form of ECD compared to 10. 7% of those whose mothers had only completed primary school and 12. 4% of 2002 of those whose mothers had no schooling. There is also a clear association between GERs in 1998 and 2002 and the absolute poverty index (1997) at the district level, with eight of the ten correlations being negative and statistically significant though not very large. ’ The table below was meant to encapsulate the correlation between poverty index and Ger at district level. If these reports are anything to go by, the researcher expects to find the decline in ECD enrolment to affect mainly the public ECD centres as opposed to the private ECD units. | 1998| 1999| 2000| 2001| 2002| Boys| -0. 355| -0. 252| +0. 145| -0. 096| -0. 271| Girls| +0. 007| -0. 287| -0. 272| -0. 048| -0. 290| Correlations between poverty index (1997) and GERs at District Level Ref: Kenya Human development report (2001). UNDP/Background Report of Kenya for the UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Project (2005). MOEST , Govt of Kenya. Statistically significant p is less than 0. 05. The researcher will therefore study the impacts of socio economic status on enrolment in ECD centres. CHAPTER THREE Methodology 3. 1 Research Design The researcher adopted the diagnostic research design. According to Kothari, diagnostic research studies are necessary to establish causality and causal nexus of two or three phenomena. The diagnostic research design was be inevitable as the researcher was needed to establish causality among variables: school enrolment and enrolment. 3. 2 Location of the Study. The study was carried out in Konoin District, Mogogosiek Zone. It targeted three schoo 3. 3 Target Population The study targeted ECD children, ECD teachers and primary school Head Teachers in Early Childhood Development centres. 3. 4 Sample Population The study sampled ten schools from a total of twenty two in Mogogosiek Zone, Konoin District, Bomet County. 3. 5 Sampling Method The researcher used simple stratified sampling. The listed schools were classified as boarding and day schools. Two schools were picked from private and three schools will be picked from day public schools category. The proportion was used since there are only 1 out of 5 boarding schools in the zone 3. 6 Research Instruments The researcher used questionnaires and study schedules as the basic research instruments. The questionnaires will be designed and tested on a school that is not part of the samples. The test will enable the researchers to determine the efficacy of the questionnaire. The researcher then wrote to the heads of the sampled schools seeking permission to conduct research in their institutions. The researcher sampled three schools representing all types of primary schools in the study locale. CHAPTER FOUR Data Representation 4. 1 The Extent to Which ECD Enrolment Declined as a Result Of Introduction of Fpe in the ten Sampled Institutions The researcher studied the data from ten schools relating to the rate of enrolment just before and after the introduction of FPE. The results were as under: SCHOOL| ECD ENROLMENT IN 2000| ECD ENRLMENT IN 2001| ECD ENROLMENT IN 2002| ECD ENROLMENT IN 2003| 1| 51| 50| 53| 43| 2| 48| 47| 53| 44| 3| 67| 69| 71| 58| A| 41| 43| 44| 61| B| 47| 52| 51| 58| The graph below depicts these data. The results show that there was a general trend for the enrolment in ECD in public primary schools to decline in the year following the introduction of FPE in 2002. There was increase of the number of pupils enrolling in ECDs manned by private schools following the introduction of FPE. 4. 2 Reasons for the Decline Of ECD Enrolment as a Result Of Introduction Of FPE The researcher sought to establish the causes of declined enrolment in public ECDs following the introduction of FPE in 2002. The following responses were established. REASON GIVEN| % OF RESPONDENTS| | Fear of low quality due to high enrolment in class| 44%| | Fear of poor foundation in public ECDs| 23%| | Need to give children good ECD foundation before joining private ECDs| 76%| | Decline in the status of public ECDs| 39%| | Demand for free education in class one | 17%| | These data show that most parents preferred private school ECDs to public school ECDs due to the reasons above: fear that the free primary education would lead to high enrolment hence low quality of education; the fear that the public school ECDs were not preparing pupils adequately for primary  school education; need to children good ECD foundation and the decline of the status of public school ECD. This was aggravated by the introduction of street boys enrolling in public primary schools. 17% wished to get free education in class one hence skips the ECD class in order to achieve this. 4. 3 Impact of FPE on ECD Enrolment per Economic Class The researcher sought to establish the effects that the introduction of FPE has led to decreased enrolment in ECD by economic class. She studied the composition of ten pupils in each sampled school to determine their economic class. It is found that most of the high class parents of course send their children to schools A to D. However, the following statistics relate to the composition of the pupils in the ECDs attached to public primary schools. The parents were classified as either poor [earning less than 3000 per month] or average [earning between 3001 and 6000] per month. The statistics below show the effect that the introduction of FPE affected the composition of pupils enrolling in public school ECDs. SCHOOL| POOR| AVERAGE| LOWER MIDDLE| 1| 88%| 8%| 4%| 2| 78%| 9%| 13%| 3| 91%| 5%| 4%| CHAPTER FIVE. Conclusions 5. 1 The Relationship between the Introduction of FPE and Enrolment in ECDS Attached to Public Primary schools The study established that there is a negative relationship between the introduction of FPE and the enrolment in ECD centres in ECDs attached to public primary schools. The introduction of FPE led to reduced enrolment in primary schools in these schools. 5. 2 The Effects of Introduction of FPE on Enrolment in ECDS in Private Primary Schools The study established that the introduction of FPE in 2002 led to increased enrolment in ECDS in private primary school 5. 3 Causes for the Low Enrolment of Pupils in Public Primary School ECDS as A Result of Introduction Of FPE. The study established that the introduction of FPEs led to low enrolment in ECDS in public primary schools due to the following reasons: First, most parents feared that the admission of many pupils in primary schools will lead to low quality of education. They therefore sought to enrol their children in private institutions to escape from the low quality education to be experienced in public primary schools. Secondly, the parents associated the introduction of FPE in public primary schools to low prestige. The poor class could now take their children to school. This was not possible before. Those in the average class sought to take their children to better schools in order to maintain their status ahead of the poor class. Thirdly, the introduction of free education in primary school led to the poor class parents taking their children direct to class one in order to escape the fees paid in ECD and directly benefit from the FPE program 5. 4 Effects of Introduction of FPES on ECD per Economic Class. The introduction of FPE led to decline in the number of the children of the economically poor members of the community as compared to the middle class and the rich who continued to take their children to private school ECDs. APPENDIX A Questionnaire for ECD Teachers This questionnaire is part of a research project carried out by the researcher in partial fulfilment for award of the Diploma in ECD. The information obtained will be used for academic purposes only and will not be divulged to third parties. PART ONE General Information 1. Number of Years You have worked in the station:____________________ Current position held:_______________ 2. Kindly give the pupils enrolment in your class by filling the form below: YEAR| BOYS| GIRLS| TOTAL| STREAMS| 2002| | | | | 2003| | | | | 2004| | | | | 2005| | | | | 2006| | | | | 2007| | | | | 2008| | | | | 2009| | | | | 2010| | | | | 2011| | | | | 3. Who pays for your wages? Parents NGO County Council 4. Who collects the fees? Heat Teacher Pre-School Teacher 5. How is the fee collected if parents fail to pay? Sending pupils Teachers visiting parents 6. How are you paid your wages? Monthly Quarterly 7. Are parents willing to pay school fees? Yes No 8. Is the fees paid enough for your wages? Yes No 9. Are defaulters of fees common? Yes No 10. If yes, what reason do they give for defaulting? ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 11. Are head teachers supportive in dealing with defaulters? Yes No 12. ————————————————- What is your suggestion to the government in relation to free primary education and the way it affects preschool parents? ————————————————- ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________ 13. Briefly give the age range of the pupils in your current class. SEX| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| BOYS| | | | | | | | GIRLS| | | | | | | | TOTAL| | | | | | | | 14. Briefly give the range of pupils in 2003 class. SEX| 3| 4| 5| 6| 7| 8| 9| BOYS| | | | | | | | GIRLS| | | | | | | | TOTAL| | | | | | | | 15. In your opinion, has the entry age changed since introduction of FPE? Yes No 16. Do your pre school classes have a committee? Yes No 17. How often are parents meetings held? Once a term. Once a year. 18. Do you keep financial records of fees collected? Yes No 19. If yes, how many pupils failed to complete fees in the previous year ? _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ Thank you very much for responding to questionnaire truthfully and for being mindful of our research. God bless you. APPENDIX B. Bibliography 1. Economics Simplified, 2009, Saleemi Publications, Kenya. 2. EFA Global Monitoring Report(2004). New York: UNDP. S 3. MOEST, Government of Kenya,2005, Background report of Kenya for the UNESCO/OECD Early Chidhood Policy Review Project, Government of Kenya. 4. Ngwere M. W. et al (2004). Quantitative Study of the Kenya Early Childhood Development Project, final report to the MOEST, June 2004. Nakuru: Sermon educational Consultants. 5. UNESCO/OECD Early Childhood Policy Review Project, Policy Review Report: Early Childhood Care and Education in Kenya, by UNESCO, Paris, February, 2005. 6. Yoshie Kaga, 2006,UNESCO Policy Brief on Early Childhood, Impacts of Free Primary Education o Early Childhood development in Kenya, Paris. APPENDIX C Work Schedule MONTH | YEAR| ACTIVITY TO BE DONE| December | 2010| Preparation for the research proposal and budgeting| January-March| 2011| Writing of the proposal| April| 2011| Approval for the proposal| May| 2011| Compiling and revising of the research proposal| June-July| 2011| Collection of the data| August| 2011| Analyzing of the data| September-December| 2011| Compiling and presenting the final project. | APPENDIX D Budget. ACTIVITY| PLACE/ITEM/USE| AMOUNT KSH| Travelling | For Literature review during data collection while typing and compiling the project. | 5001,5002,000| Stationery| Papers, pens, ruler, books, foolscaps, stapler, paper bunches | 2,000| Typing/photocopying | Research proposal and final project. | 3,500| Food| Lunch, tea break, snacks| 1,500| Miscellaneous Expenses| Emergencies| 2,500| TOTAL| | 13,500| APPENDIX D Introduction letter CHEBET JOYCE, KIRIMOSE PRIMARY SCHOOL, P. O BOX 174 , LITEIN. 25TH JUNE 2011. TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN Dear Sir/Madam, REF: PERMISSION TO CONDUCT RESEARCH IN MOGOGOSIEK ZONE. I wish to seek for permission to conduct a research in your pre-school centre on THE EFFECTS OF INTRODUCTION OF FREE PRIMARY EDUCATION PROGRAM ON ENROLMENT IN ECD CENTERS in MOGOGOSIEK zone. I am a Diploma Student at Valley Teachers Training College The Kenya National Examination Council is requiring a research as part of examination from me. I am therefore required to collect data from your E. C. D. E teachers, parents, and head teachers of the selected school. I look forward for your positive respond. Thanks in advance Yours Faithfully Chebet Joyce.