This paper determined the effectiveness of Science Teachers Academy for the Regions (STAR) trainings on the teaching practice of participants in Region 6 – Western Visayas. The research participants of this study were STAR trainees who attended the STAR Trainings from 2014-2017. The researchers employed an explanatory sequential mixed methods design. Quantitative data were collected through an online survey with regards to the effectiveness of their teaching practice. The extent and quality of adaptation of STAR training content and skills in their practice through focus group discussions consisting of 8 participants each in Science and Mathematics were determined. The methods of data collection were online survey, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), classroom observation, and interview guide questions for In-depth interview. The findings of the study showed that Science and Mathematics teachers showed a great change in their teaching experiences after undergoing Project STAR training. Moreover, the participants insights about the STAR trainings were the different inquiry-based activities that they applied in their classroom, application of the 7Es in the lesson plan, improvement of the learning pedagogy, concepts and skills were easily learn through interdisciplinary contextualization of teachers in preparing a lesson plan was effective in ensuring the appropriate strategies in the lesson. Furthermore, students developed and enhanced their science process skills from the participant’s learnings in the STAR trainings. The quality of the adaptation of STAR trainings revealed that trainees had a great transformation from the traditional method of teaching to the inquiry-based method of teaching. The STAR trainings were unique in such a way that participants did not feel that they are bored, it is interactive and less stressful, it is specific and lots of hands-on activities, and it focus more in the content on how to apply it in the classroom.  The  STAR trainings made a great impact to the STAR trainees in their professional growth by giving them an opportunity to become speakers in their respective institutions and by living the expectations of other people and enabling them to study more.

Keywords: Evaluation, Science, Mathematics, Teachers, Trainings.

Views (52)

A well-structured education system in a country aims to build up a well-informed and knowledgeable community fully equipped with 21st-century skills, which in return will contribute positively towards the development of the country. In this context, mathematics education is vital in enhancing a person’s analytical and problem-solving abilities. A new competency-based education system was introduced in Sri Lanka in 2007 to create individuals who can think mathematically and apply mathematical knowledge effectively and responsibly in problem-solving and decision-making. This study aims to explore the level of preparation the teachers received in applying competency-based education (CBE) in the teaching-learning process of mathematics in Sri Lanka. In this quantitative study, the data was collected from 276 teachers of mathematics who teach middle school in the Western Province of Sri Lanka, using a well-structured questionnaire. The results revealed that teachers need more training to apply CBE in the teaching-learning process of mathematics. Also, insufficient monitoring and continuous professional development hinder the application of CBE in the teaching-learning process of mathematics. The findings suggest continuous professional development exercises such as lesson study be offered by experts in CBE to the teachers with ample hands-on tasks. Also, to monitor the ongoing teaching-learning process to ensure the competency of the teachers in applying the CBE effectively in the mathematics classrooms in Sri Lanka. The aspects discussed here would benefit the administrators and teachers to enhance the mathematics teaching-learning process. Also, it would benefit researchers to identify approaches to enhance the quality of mathematics education in Sri Lanka.

Keywords: Competency-Based Education; Traditional Methods of Education; Continuous Professional Development; Lesson Study.

Views (31)

This paper delves into the multifaceted dimensions of Gandhi’s leadership, emphasizing the underlying principles and philosophies that drove his movement and examining their lasting impact on both India and global movements for justice and peace. Gandhi’s leadership was marked by an unwavering commitment to nonviolence (Ahimsa), truth (Satyagraha), and ethical governance, serving as a guiding light during India’s struggle for independence. The integration of moral values with strategic actions created a model of leadership that transcended political goals and touched on deeper social and cultural transformation. This research also explores how Gandhi’s leadership influenced subsequent global leaders and movements, inspiring civil rights and freedom struggles around the world. The findings underscore the relevance of Gandhi’s approach in modern leadership frameworks, particularly in advocating for change through peaceful means.

Keywords: Gandhi, Leadership, Non-Violence, Ahimsa, Satyagraha, Philosophy, Independence.

Views (129)

This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and access to educational resources, focusing on how economic disparities affect students’ educational opportunities and outcomes. By analyzing facts from various educational institutions and communities, the research highlights the differences in resource availability, such as technology, qualified teachers, and extracurricular activities, among students from varying socioeconomic backgrounds. The study also suggests that students from lower SES families face significant challenges in accessing quality educational resources, which in turn impacts their academic performance and future opportunities. The study emphasizes the need for targeted interventions and policies aimed at reducing educational inequalities to promote equity and inclusivity in the education system.

Keywords: Socioeconomic Status, Educational Resources, Educational Inequality, Academic Performance, Resource Disparity, Educational Equity, Policy Interventions.

Views (85)

The Partition of India in 1947 was not merely a geographical division but a significant psychological and societal upheaval that profoundly impacted the lives of millions. This research paper delves into the representation of psychological displacement and societal change in Indian novels that depict the Partition experience. By analyzing key literary works, this paper explores how Indian authors have portrayed the trauma, identity crises, and societal transformations that ensued from the Partition. The study also examines the broader implications of these narratives in understanding the collective memory and historical consciousness of the Partition.

Keywords: Psychological, Societal, Indian Novels.

Views (36)

This study looks into how important it is for athletes to practice mindfulness, stress management, & emotional resilience in order to improve their overall health and performance. Athletes frequently have serious psychological difficulties as a result of the growing expectations, & pressures in competitive sports, which can have an adverse effect on their performance & mental health. This study investigates the ways in which mindfulness techniques can promote increased awareness and presence, helping athletes better control their stress and stay focused under duress. By conducting an extensive literature review and conducting an empirical analysis, this study seeks to offer significant insights into the relationship between these psychological aspects and how they affect athletic performance as a whole. In order to support athletes’ overall growth, the study will offer information on how to create focused therapies and training regimens that incorporate emotional resilience, stress reduction, and mindfulness.

Keywords: Emotional Resilience, Stress Management, Athletes, Performance.

Views (43)

The patterns of urbanisation have a significant impact on contemporary communities, which calls for an in-depth comprehension of the complex dynamics that they entail. With the help of geospatial analysis techniques, this study is able to deconstruct and comprehend the many different components that are associated with urban expansion. Using satellite imagery, geographic information system (GIS) databases, and remote sensing technologies, this study investigates the development of urban landscapes. This is accomplished by integrating a variety of geographic data sources. The alterations of land use, the dynamics of population, the evaluation of infrastructure, and the environmental repercussions that occur inside urban regions are key focal topics. Through the utilisation of these geospatial information, the research endeavours to reveal patterns of urban expansion, locate regions that are vulnerable to environmental stressors, and estimate future growth trajectories. The findings of the study have significance for informed policymaking, which is a process in which judgements based on evidence contribute to the formulation of policies for sustainable urban development. In addition, the research is enhanced by predictive modelling that makes use of machine learning algorithms, which makes it possible to anticipate future urbanisation trends. In the end, the purpose of this research is to make a significant contribution to the field of urban planning by providing a methodology for the development of cities that are resilient, inclusive, and sustainable. These cities are able to accommodate the ever-changing requirements of societies while maintaining a harmonious relationship with the environment.

Keywords: Geospatial, Urban, Development, Cities.

Views (28)

A form of religious discourse of Roman Catholics, a homily, through the wholeness of its message, serves the purpose of challenging, enlightening, directing, and conveying Scripture’s inspiration to believers. How these homiletic purposes are delivered during the onslaught of the cataclysmic COVID-19 pandemic ideates research interest, particularly in linguistics. This study aimed to examine cohesion through the use of cohesive devices in the pandemic homilies of Pope Francis in an attempt to foster discourse wholeness and connection with his audience. Following a qualitative-discourse analysis, this study delved into 10 randomly selected homilies. Based on the findings, Pope Francis’ homilies manifest using cohesive devices: grammatical cohesion (reference, substitution ellipsis, and conjunction); and lexical cohesion (reiteration and collocation). These devices played crucial roles in the pope’s homilies, weaving together seemingly disparate clauses, sentences, and paragraphs to reveal a unified whole and highlight the progression of his ideas amid a global health crisis. On the whole, the study argues that cohesive devices, brought together to form a unified whole discourse,  may shape how homilies are perceived by the audience and the manner through which they would accordingly show response and action. Implications to homiletics and further linguistic studies on the present study’s corpora have been put forward by this study.

Keywords: Cohesion, Pandemic Homilies, Pope Francis.

Views (28)

This research study examines several literary methods in order to examine the complex interaction between aesthetics and language in literature. Language is a potent medium through which writers produce art and arouse emotions, not just a means of communication. This study tries to provide light on how literary elements like metaphor, simile, imagery, symbolism, and rhythm are applied in order to enhance the aesthetic experience of literary works. The research study also examines how language’s rhythmic components – such as metre, rhyme, and repetition – affect our perception of beauty. It looks into how rhythm can add musicality to writing and poetry, increasing reader engagement and conjuring up particular feelings or ambiances.

Keywords: Literary Device, Language, English Proficiency.

Views (51)

This study investigates the emergent features of the English Proficiency Index and Human Development Index of countries across the globe using a complex adaptive system. By using the descriptive and quantitative methodologies of the 87 countries across the globe that had the English Proficiency Index (EPI) and Human Development Index (HDI) in 2018, the study identified two distinct clusters. The first cluster shows a negative correlation between the EPI and HDI, while the second cluster has a positive correlation. Hence, the findings of the study have resulted in several lessons. First, it appears that the human development of countries in the first cluster is not necessarily correlated with their English proficiency, whereas countries in the second cluster are most likely to use English as the foundation for their human development; second, regardless of how much effort has been exerted to learn English, there are countries that can only learn up to a maximum proficiency level of 60 percent; third, the results shed a great deal of light on the teaching of students, particularly when it comes to understanding the differences in English language learning.

Keywords: Complex Adaptive System, Human Development Index, English Proficiency Index.

Views (28)