Research suggests that there is an existing disparity among children starting compulsory education, many of whom struggle to meet its demands. This study explores the perceptions of parents of Grade One children in public schools in Oman on school readiness, addressing a context of a diverse early childhood education landscape, where access is predominantly private. A survey design using questionnaires is employed to explore school-readiness conceptualisation, influencing factors, challenges encountered, and the impact of early childhood education (ECE). The findings suggest that school readiness is a complex and multifaceted concept shaped by the interplay of various stakeholders in the research context. They emphasise the significance not only of ready children but also of ready parents, teachers and schools in shaping readiness. Additionally, the research stresses the importance of children starting compulsory education equipped with academic proficiency and familiarity with the schooling system. This indicates a pedagogical shift towards an academic-centric stance and the educationalisation of ECE in Oman, reflecting global trends. However, despite these expectations, this research suggests that children continue to face readiness challenges, including gaps in academic knowledge, school adjustment issues, and limited social skills. ECE emerges as a crucial factor in supporting school readiness, shaping academic knowledge, facilitating smooth transitions, and nurturing social-emotional well-being, despite the persistent disparities. Addressing these disparities necessitates ensuring equitable access to high quality ECE and addressing the multifaceted socioeconomic, cultural, and resource-related barriers to readiness.

This study examines fitness consumption through the lens of social discipline and embodied practices, analyzing how individuals construct their identity in relation to an ideal body. Using a mixed-methods approach that includes questionnaire surveys and interviews, the study finds that fitness consumption is shaped by geographical location, information access, and social circle dynamics. Women and highly educated individuals show a stronger preference for personal training services. Women’s engagement is largely driven by societal expectations of physical appearance, whereas highly educated individuals view personal training as a status symbol. Additionally, social circle influences significantly impact men’s fitness consumption, highlighting gendered expectations. The study reveals that fitness consumption extends beyond health pursuits, serving as an expression of social status and values.

Most urban centres in the sub-Sahara African countries have been experiencing a rapid increase in their population, Cameroon inclusive. It is partly explained by the presumed better living conditions and urban expectations. Once there, migrants are faced with different realities of high living cost, unemployment, increased house rents, poor sanitation amidst others. In an effort to cope with these prevailing conditions, the migrants becomes vulnerable to indecent lifestyles, and environmentally unsafe zones exposing them to all sorts of risks. Substantial literature exist on rural-urban migration but coping strategies to the social and environmental dilemma in the urban milieu remains elusive. This paper, therefore, sets out to fill this knowledge gap through an in depth investigation of the resilient measures adopted by the urban poor and the legal provisions for a safety and healthy living styles in urban Yaounde as prescribed by the law. To attain the objective, secondary data were collected from archival documents in the regional delegations of town planning and ministerial departments in charge of housing. Also, urban planning policies and Council Development Plans for the various councils in Yaounde were exploited including the exploration of relevant websites. Primary data were obtained via a sample of 200 inhabitants in the seven Sub-divisions in the town of Yaounde. This was achieved through the use of a purposely structured questionnaire. Interviews (N=10) Focus group discussions (N=5) and direct field observations were other relevant sources of primary data. Spatial data were collected with the use of a GPS for localisation and exploitation of GIS software for other relevant cartographic data. Content and quantitative analysis were used. Results indicated that poverty is the main driver to social and environmental vulnerability which is manifested in different forms. The non-respect of legal provisions and prolonged administrative tolerance expose the urban poor indecent socio-environmental conditions. The scenario in most cases have resulted to a significant and unexpected loss of lives and destruction of valuable property. Glaring examples include the most recent Mbankolo disaster in November 2023 that resulted to the loss of over 100 lives identified, homelessness, and loss of property with far reaching effects. This study strongly recommends urgent proactive disaster measures, such as the resettlement of the vulnerable population in risky neighbourhood, exploitation of relevant cartographic data provided by the National Institute for Cartography (NIC) especially the modelling of risk areas amongst others. In fact, such scenarios should be treated as a matter of urgency and should even become part of government’s emergency plan of action, not only for the city of Yaounde but for the country as a whole.

Politics is an essential element of a country. Bangladesh is no different. Politics must work in a way that the people can get benefits from it and help them to improve their quality of life, address their concerns, and contribute to the development of a fair and just society. This study explores the existing connection between politics and corruption in Bangladesh, focusing on their underlying motives and objectives. It explores the corrupt practices of politicians in Bangladesh and their influence in public sectors’ corruption. A qualitative research approach is implied to get secondary data from investigative reports, newspaper articles, and research articles. The article goes through extensive case study analysis and finds out how the corruption is intertwined with politics. The findings of this study reveal that politicians leverage their positions for monetary gain, creating patronage networks, and the exercise of power and influence. The study also highlights how corruption undermines governance, disrupt services, and create inequality among the people of the country. The insights of the findings put emphasize for systemic reforms in anti-corruption commission, judiciary as well as to form independent oversight bodies and build citizen engagement to restore public trust and promote accountability.

The three-year course of the Ukrainian war suggests one possibility. Mathematical models can be used to calculate or predict complex and large-scale coalition wars. A mathematical model created in 2022 suggests that the Ukrainian war will be a long-term struggle in the area between the L1 and the L2 line. This model also assumes a high-risk scenario. In the future of 2026, if there is a full-scale war between the US alliance and the Chinese alliance in East Asia, it will be difficult for the US alliance to win. If this model is verified again in 2026, the mathematical model can be used to predict a large-scale coalition war.

Students’ views on their assessment play a pivotal role in shaping their learning experiences and trajectories. This qualitative study aimed to explore the views of Greek university graduates regarding their assessment during their undergraduate studies. The sample consisted of 30 graduates, and data were collected through written narratives in response to a given prompt. Qualitative content analysis revealed key categories, including assessment methods and frequency, interpersonal relationships with professors and peers, advantages and disadvantages of assessment, feedback, and objectivity. The findings suggest that, although assessment was primarily traditional, graduates’ interpretations and expectations align with contemporary trends in higher education assessment, such as sustainable assessment and assessment for learning. Furthermore, there were indications that graduates’ views on assessment influenced their learning approaches.