Project Management Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Its Accomplishments, Constraints, and Current Reform In Relation To Project Management in the Nigerian Power Sector

Executive Summary This research work is designed to investigate energy industry in Nigeria, particularly the Power Holding Company of Nigeria’s dealings in terms of project management. Essentially, the study will focus on a variety of issues pertaining the company’s accomplishments, constraints, and current reforms in the power industry.Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Project Management: Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Its Accomplishments, Constraints, and Current Reform In Relation To Project Management in the Nigerian Power Sector specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The study will be titled â€Å"Project Management: Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Its Accomplishments, Constraints and Current Reform In Relation To Project Management in The Nigerian Power Sector†. It is of the idea of finding out how project management has been conducted, challenges involved, and eventually successes achieved. The objective of the study will be to highlight the importance of PHCN, its achievements since formation, investigate the growth or decline the power sector, investigate challenges faced, and study the current reforms being undertaken, as well as their benefits. Relevant data for this research topic will be sourced from a number of sources both primary and secondary sources. A descriptive method of study will be employed for this research. Questionnaires will be issued to the staff in the organization, where 210 people will participate. A sample of 140 will be drawn from this population. Chi-square test will be used to test the validity of the hypothesis. Background The inability of most of the countries in Africa to provide access to power to most of its citizens has been considered as the curse on development (Okoro, Chikuni 2007 p. 125). Energy is particularly crucial for any country that wants to achieve sustainable development. Many developed cities across the world have seen those kinds of tremendous growths because of availability and access to energy (Barnett Rolando, 2002, p. 177). The availability to a number of sectors of the country always determines the rate and level of development of that country. Energy is an indispensable element of transforming a subsidence economy to a service-oriented or production economy (Ekpo, Iyoha 2007, p.127). Energy has vast impact on education, manufacturing and production, service health, transport, housing and other demography. The need for safe and reliable source of energy has inspired countries to establish companies that would enable them to produce, and distribute energy. One of such companies is the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (Ekpo, Iyoha 2007, p.127).Advertising Looking for proposal on project management? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Lack of access to these energy sources can cause and increase in poverty. For instanc e, people would spend a lot of time seeking cheap and available sources like firewood and charcoal for cooking and lighting (Barnett Rolando, 2002, p. 177). These cause so much emission hence not friendly for the environment. Furthermore, cheap sources can cause health risks for instance use of paraffin and coal, as they require exceptionally large ventilation to burn. The best energy alternative has been electricity as it is clean and remarkably efficient. Its development in Nigeria goes back to the late 19th century. During that time, in 1898, the first electricity generating company was built in Lagos. According to Okoro and Chikuni (2007), â€Å"Distribution of power was a bit poor until 1950s since, the pattern of electricity lines was a few individual electricity power undertakings scattered across urban centres† (p.125). Few of those undertakings were public works departments, and municipal councils (Ekpo, Iyoha 2007, p.127). The power Holding company of Nigeria (PHC N) reserves the authority to produce and distribute electricity. The company has an installed capacity of 4,200 MW, a target it never reaches. At the best moments, the company produces 3,300 MW. Only 40% of the population has access to electricity, and it gets worse in rural areas where only 10% of people have access to electricity (Hall 2006, p. 7; Ariyo, Jerome 2004, p.5). Research Aims The goal of the research will be to investigate the accomplishments, challenges and the current reforms that PHCN faced during its project management endeavours. This case study helps in understanding how the organization has been performing since its inception in terms of power production and distribution in the country. Specific aims of the research included the following:Advertising We will write a custom proposal sample on Project Management: Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Its Accomplishments, Constraints, and Current Reform In Relation To Project Management in the Nigerian Powe r Sector specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More To investigate the importance, achievements or the benefits of PHCN formation To examine the growth and decline of the power production and distribution To investigate the current reforms in the power sector and recommend appropriate strategies that could better in the current power production and distribution Objectives The objective of the study was to analyze the project management of the PHCN in Nigeria. The other objectives of the research will be; To study the various regimes the power sector has gone through and the accomplishments achieved by each of these regimes To determining the impact of the formation and functioning of PHCN on the power sector in Nigeria To investigate the strengths and challenges of PHCN in all sectors of PHCN Questions Significance This research will be immensely beneficial to every sector in Nigeria’s economy particularly the PHCN and its management need to establish a policy, which will ensure efficient and effective power production and distribution (Ibitoye, Adenikinju 2007, p. 501). The study will help to highlight the challenges that plague PHCN. The state owned organization (PHCN) will be able to use this research to assess its efficiency and means of working so that it can make amendments in its project management strategies where necessary. This viewpoint will help managers to develop ideas and solution to the said challenges hence coming up with the best ways to manage its projects. The study hopes to arouse more study into the functional departments of the company by scholars hence broadening research resources. Therefore, the research will be of immense benefit to managers and researches as a point of reference for study and decision-making. Literature Review To be able to understand the position of Nigeria’s power sector in a practical context, it is pertinent to have a brief review of the PHCN developments to offer more insight in the industry since its inception (Ibitoye, Adenikinju 2007, p. 501). Brief History of PHCN Decree number 24 of April 1972 formed the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) formed following the merging of the Niger Dam Authority and the Electricity Corporation of Nigeria (ECN) (Hall 2006, p. 7). The 2005 unbinding of NEPA led to the formation of Power Holding Company of Nigeria. NEPA had been established to maintain efficient and coordinated power supply to every part of the country. Regardless of the problems that NEPA faced after its formation, the organization was able to make significant developments in the country’s socio-economic development. This saw Nigeria advance unusually fast into the industrial society.Advertising Looking for proposal on project management? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Importance of PHCN The power production and distribution industry in Nigeria is under the management of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria. The power sector has seen a number of transformation thought that has not been enough to increase its supply of power to the people and still the supply fall below 40% (Okoro, Chikuni 2007 p. 125). However, some few merits of PHCN have been identified as follows: The power holding company of Nigeria has significantly improved the electricity billing system and clients can now settle their bill conveniently and via a much easier process (PHCN 2004, p.1). As a result, bank revenue-collection system was introduced to complement the collection of cash from the PHCN counters. This program has enabled facilitation of prompt and regular settlement of the monthly power bills. This has been made possible by the fact that customers are no longer required to travel out of their residential areas to towns to pay electricity bills (PHCN 2004, p.1). Custom er service has improved due to institutionalization of the business. There is full and accurate settling of bills and the staff is more motivated to do their job (PHCN 2004, p.1). Company Background in Various Regimes and Achievements Supply of electricity commenced after formation of two small generating set to light up Lagos. By 1951, ECN was established by act of parliament to oversee the distribution. The Niger Dams Authority (NDA) was established after construction of a hydropower station of R. Niger in 1968, to distribute power (ESI 2004, p.18). The two bodies merged in 1972 to become NEPA. NEPA was unbundled to institute power reforms to be renamed Power Holding Company of Nigeria in 2005 (Ekpo 2008, p.78). NEPA was state owned organization vertically integrated power management firm. The organization has the authority to produce, transmit, and distribute electricity. As a public utility company, NEPA has been able to tap the country’s large water potentials to increas es power production (Anoruo 2004, p.2). The NDA was able to construct vital dams in Nigeria including Kainji, Afam, Delta, Jebba, Egbin Shiroro and Sapele power stations (ESI 2004, p.18). The Sapele and Afam thermal stations also add to the energy source in Nigeria. NEPA was able to fulfil its role of developing and maintaining an efficient and coordinated distribution of power through the federation (Anoruo 2004, p.2). NEPA enjoyed the quasi-commercialization status and building six main power stations increasing generation of power to 3,450 MW (Adoghe 2008, p.78). However, even with these achievements, the population and power needs grew exceptionally fast in Nigeria that the company could not meet the target. It hence needed more power stations to boost production (Anoruo 2004, p.2). Because of the unbundling process, NEPA became PHCN following the Power reform bill signed into law by President Olesugun Obasanjo (Jenide 2005, p.6). The policy decree provided the legal and regulat ory guideline for the new strategies of commercial power generation and distribution. Private companies were also allowed to be involved in the production, transmission, and distribution of power. PHCN made some advances even amidst myriads of problems (Ariyo, Jerome 2004, p.6). The organization saw more additional thermal stations constructed. As already highlighted in previous paragraphs, thus body saw the development of better billing system increasing collection and making billing more efficient. The PHCN is now separated into six power generation companies and eleven power distribution companies. All these firms will be privatized (Ikeme, Ebohon 2005, p.1214). Logistics and union problems are some of the huddles delaying the process. Reforms and Constraints The inability of the PHCN to achieve the target power target has inspired reforms. The law initiating these reforms was signed in 2005 – the Nigerian Electric Power Sector reform act. The decree stipulates that ther e be a Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commissions (NERC) (Jenide 2005, p.7). The commission will function to regulate the energy system ensuring that there is efficient, fair, and organized competitive power market while at the same time shielding the public interest (Ikeme, Ebohon 2005, p.1214). NERC has been privatization of the utility company. This has been slow to take off since the public feels that; unguided privatization will cause skyrocketing prices making poor people more vulnerable (Chikwendu 2006, p.45). Something the organization should be seeking to increase. The famous power sector reform has been seen as an effort to propel the economy in some direction. The problem is, however, whether timing is correct (Jenide 2005, p.7). Some critics doubt whether the process was given adequate thought and scrutiny. The reforms are intended to improve the power sector to a level of attracting private sector participation, enlarge production capacity, improve service delivery ma king them more efficient, and encourage capital investors. However, even within the construction of new power stations, the reforms have not seen the expected results yet (Ezigbo 2004, p.104). Hypothesis Based on the research objective developed for this study, the following hypotheses will be used; Ho – the various regimes PHCN has gone through have not attained significant benefits Ha1 – the PHCN has had a positive impact on Nigeria’s power sector Ha 2 – the PHCN has had benefits to Power sector despite challenges Proposed Data Analysis Plan: Theoretical Framework For quite a long time, Nigeria has not seen the development and advances it expected to see in its energy sector even with several reforms it established. Theoretical frameworks will be used to investigate a number of topics that may have caused or resulted into the benefits seen with each regime of power management. The method is beneficial in that it will help in critical evaluation of the t heoretical assumption; it will connect the investigator with existing knowledge then guide him/her to a new discovery based on the hypothesis. The main questions of why and how are answered allowing the researcher a straightforward description of a phenomenon observed like poor power generation amidst reforms. Methodology Research design: The study shall employ a descriptive survey method for investigation. It is deemed paramount to determine the process and method of study, since it will offer better background information to the readers enabling them to do better evaluation and understand how conclusions were deduced. Both primary and secondary sources of data will be used for the study. Primary data will be collected via interviews of the PHCN employees while secondary data will include literature on PHCN from the library and the internet. Population of study will be employees of the company and some consumers of electricity. Data collection method will be a questionnaire. Antici pated Problems and Timetable (Gantt chart) The researcher anticipates few problems with regard to conducting the study. He anticipated lack of access to some important information from company employees as government utilities are cautious with giving out information. Financial and time constraints are likely to limit the study. Research Timeline Task Time Defining The Topic and Consulting Supervisors Mar 4 – Mar 6 2012 Developing Research Questions collection of literature Mar 5 – Mar 15, 2012 Preparation of the Research Proposal Mar 18 – Mar 25, 2012 Presentation of The Research Proposal Mar 26, 2012 Literature review or Secondary Research Mar 28 – Apr 4, 2012 Finalization Of Research Methods And Plan Apr 4 – Apr 8, 2012 Presentation of the Proposal to University Research Department for correction and approval Apr 10, 2012 Submission of Proposal To Ethical issues regulatory agency Apr 11, 2012 Organizing Travelling, Obtaini ng Contacts, and Making the Budget For Research Apr 12 – Apr 13, 2012 Receiving Authorization From Ethical issues agency Apr 15, 2012 Carrying Out Pilot Research and Writing Up the results Apr 16 – Apr 13, 2012 Revising Research Methodology In Light Of Pilot study Jun 14, 2012 Carrying Out of the Research Jun 15 – Jun 29, 2012 Analyzing the Findings And Mapping Out the Presentation And Thesis Jun 30 – Jul 6, 2012 Writing the First Draft and consulting with supervisor Jun 7 – Jun 10, 2012 Writing the Final Draft Jun 11 – Jun 13, 2012 Consulting with Examiners and time for the Supervisor And Research Office to Make Consultation with Examiners Jun 14 – Jun 18, 2012 Preparing the Final Thesis For Submission and time for the Supervisor to evaluate Readiness For Submission Jun 19 – Jun 21, 2012 Submission of the Thesis Jun 24, 2012 Conclusion Conclusion For a number of years, regardless of the consisted investm ent by the government into the power sector, the country has experienced power outages and the public is not convinced that this is normal there are complaints that the tariffs reduced compared to cost of power production. To end all these problems, the state instituted power reforms and the main one has been the privatization of the state owned PHCN. This measure is intended to curb production, stop financial losses, and make efficient power distribution. Reference List Adoghe, A. U., 2008. Power Sector Reforms in Nigeria – Likely Effects on Power Reliability and Stability in Nigeria. [Online] Web. Anoruo, C., 2004. Unbundling and Its Dynamics. NEPA News, March-May. Ariyo, A., Jerome, A., 2004. Utility Privatization and the Poor: Nigeria in Focus. In HBS Global Issues Papers NO.12. [Online] Available at Barnett, S., Rolando, O., 2002. Operational Aspects of Fiscal Policy in Oil-Producing Countries. Working Paper No. WP/02/177. Washington DC: International Monetary Fund. C hikwendu, C., 2006. Engendering Nigerian Energy Policy. Paper Prepared For The UN Commission On Sustainable Development. ENERGIA – International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy. Leusden. Ekpo, I. E., Iyoha, M.O., 2007. Nigeria’s Power Sector: Progress, Problems and Prospects. The International Journal on Hydropower and Dams, 14(6), pp. 127. Ekpo, I., 2008. Challenges of Hydropower Development in Nigeria. Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources paper No. 262, pp.76-80. ESI, 2004. Attracting Investment and Sustaining Development. Privatizing the Nigerian Electricity Sector. [Online] Web. Ezigbo, O., 2004. Nigeria: Expanding NEPA’s Generation Capacity: Dream or Reality? This Day Newspaper, pp. 104. Hall, D., 2006. Water and Electricity in Nigeria. [Online] Available at: http://www.psiru.org/index.html. Ibitoye, F. I., Adenikinju, A., 2007. Future Demand for Electricity in Nigeria, Applied Energy Journal, 84(5), pp. 492-504. Ikeme, J., Eboho n, O. J., 2005. Nigeria’s Electric Power Sector Reform: What Should Form the Key Objectives? Energy Policy, 33(9), pp. 1213-1221. Jenide, A., 2005. Understanding the Electric Power sector Reform Act. The Guardian, 6, pp. 6-9. Okoro, O. L., Chikuni, E., 2007. Power Sector Reforms in Nigeria: Opportunities and Challenges. Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, 18(3), pp. 123-132. PHCN, 2004. Customer Service Charter: PHCN Nigeria. [Online] Web. This proposal on Project Management: Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), Its Accomplishments, Constraints, and Current Reform In Relation To Project Management in the Nigerian Power Sector was written and submitted by user Kimber A. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on The Effects of Attachment Styles on Relationship Functioning

THE EFFECTS OF ATTACHMENT STYLES ON RELATIONSHIP FUNCTIONING Jeffry A. Simpson, in the article â€Å"Influence of attachment styles on romantic relationships† (1990) said, â€Å"Study of individual differences in attachment styles is likely to contribute significantly to our understanding of why close relationships vary in both their quality and interpersonal nature.† Recent research in the past few decades has proposed that the attachment style a person has which is developed by the childhood relationships with parents and important attachment figures is an important determinant in the experience of romantic love in later years. There has been increasing scientific support that attachment plays an important role in adult attachment and romantic relationships. In this respect, this paper will focus on the effects of attachment styles of adults in relationship functioning and satisfaction. In this respect the research question I will be focusing on will be â€Å"How do the attachment styles in adults affect relationship functioni ng and satisfaction?† I first see the need to form a conceptual background on the issue of attachment. The emotional bond between infants and their mothers can be seen in both humans as well as in many other animals. When an infant needs his mother and she is unavailable, such as in the case of separation, the infant is extremely distracted, he protests and searches for the mother. If such searching fails, the infant becomes depressed, and can even enter a state of disregard for and avoidance of the mother if she returns. Attachment is first introduced by Bowlby (1969, 1973, 1979, 1980) to explain how infants become emotionally attached to their primary caregivers and how stressful they become when separated. After Bowlby's theory, researchers began to investigate individual differences in attachment styles. Ainsworth and her colleagues (e.g., 1978, 1982) have identified three major attachment patterns based on ... Free Essays on The Effects of Attachment Styles on Relationship Functioning Free Essays on The Effects of Attachment Styles on Relationship Functioning THE EFFECTS OF ATTACHMENT STYLES ON RELATIONSHIP FUNCTIONING Jeffry A. Simpson, in the article â€Å"Influence of attachment styles on romantic relationships† (1990) said, â€Å"Study of individual differences in attachment styles is likely to contribute significantly to our understanding of why close relationships vary in both their quality and interpersonal nature.† Recent research in the past few decades has proposed that the attachment style a person has which is developed by the childhood relationships with parents and important attachment figures is an important determinant in the experience of romantic love in later years. There has been increasing scientific support that attachment plays an important role in adult attachment and romantic relationships. In this respect, this paper will focus on the effects of attachment styles of adults in relationship functioning and satisfaction. In this respect the research question I will be focusing on will be â€Å"How do the attachment styles in adults affect relationship functioni ng and satisfaction?† I first see the need to form a conceptual background on the issue of attachment. The emotional bond between infants and their mothers can be seen in both humans as well as in many other animals. When an infant needs his mother and she is unavailable, such as in the case of separation, the infant is extremely distracted, he protests and searches for the mother. If such searching fails, the infant becomes depressed, and can even enter a state of disregard for and avoidance of the mother if she returns. Attachment is first introduced by Bowlby (1969, 1973, 1979, 1980) to explain how infants become emotionally attached to their primary caregivers and how stressful they become when separated. After Bowlby's theory, researchers began to investigate individual differences in attachment styles. Ainsworth and her colleagues (e.g., 1978, 1982) have identified three major attachment patterns based on ...

Understand Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Research Paper

Understand Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder - Research Paper Example At school, teachers may find it hard to control ADHD students, since they may not be in a position to adhere to the rules of the institution. In addition, ADHD children are bound to fail academically despite the teachers’ effort to assist them; this is influenced by low self-esteem and rejection from their peers (Harpins, 2005). Therefore, teachers should be trained by professional psychologists on how to deal with psychiatric disorders in children. In addition, parents with ADHD children should inform the teachers about a child’s condition beforehand. This will enable a teacher to offer additional assistance to the child, for instance, in reading, mathematics, spelling, and speech therapy among others (Bupa health information, 2011). Families ADHD in children affects their families as well, especially parents; this is due to the uniqueness of the child’s behavior, which differs from that of normal children. As a result, parents may be in a dilemma on how to deal with the situation. Needless to say, ADHD is usually an added cost to the family due to healthcare expenses. In addition, parents of ADHD children may get frustrated when other family members refuse to care for the child. Moreover, their ADHD child may be stigmatized, which is evident when peers do not invite them for parties or play (Harpins, 2005). ADHD children have poor sleep behavior, and as a result, parents’ rest is affected, leaving little time for themselves. Family relationships are affected by this financially and socially strenuous task (Harpins, 2005). In addition, siblings of children with ADHD suffer from emotional disorders due to unwilling care taking and victimization... Understand Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder Attention Deficient Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) is a common disorder related to the mental health, which is prevalent among children. Such children often struggle to fit in the social life, and as a result, they suffer from low self-esteem, perform poorly at school, and have difficulties maintaining relationships. Apparently, ADHD cases are being regulated, since awareness has been created over the years; as a result, the condition is becoming acceptable in the society. This research paper will focus on understanding children with ADHD and the impact ADHD has on a child’s social, family, and school life. In addition, the special attention related to ADHD process will be analyzed. ADHD impact on the Family Life, School Life, and the Child's Social Life Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder can affect all dimensions of a child’s life, as well as his parents, siblings, and friends. According to Harpin, this disorder becomes more prominent at different staged in their li ves; in some cases, ADHD can persist even in adulthood, and as a result, disrupting their personal and professional lives. According to Carey, the environment surroundings such as school, family, and society influence the ADHD symptoms in a child. ADHD children’s social life is affected as well. In school, other children may not want to be associated with the children suffering from ADHD, leaving them out from games and other social activities.

How Gas Laws Apply In the Health Care Industry Research Paper

How Gas Laws Apply In the Health Care Industry - Research Paper Example Most of the arms and ammunition works utilizing the principles of the gas laws. A bullet utilized the gas pressure to be shot from the bullet. This high pressure is attained by igniting the gunpowder present in the bullet. Rockets also have the same principle but a rocket requires a lot more fuel to attain such a pressure due to its weight as compared to a bullet. In this way, the significance of the gas laws is in every aspect of life. Gas laws are applicable to most of the industries to provide goods and services to the customers. Gas Gas is a state of matter in which the molecules of the matter remains apart from each other, in this way, the volume of the gas remains higher as compared to its weight. Gas may be colorless and odorless but gases have odor and slightly light color like chlorine has a stingy smell while oxygen is colorless and odorless (West 2008). Difference between Gas and Other Type of Matter The other two states of matter are solid and liquid. The molecules of the solids are such liked to each other that the molecules can only vibrate maintaining their position because of external force. In liquids, the molecules are liked to each other but in relatively loose bond than that of the solids. In this way, the molecules can more from one place to remains contacted with the other molecules. In gases, the moles are free to move, there exists no bondage between the molecules of the gas. ... Pressure Pressure is a term, which is utilized when the freely moving particles of the gas collide with the walls of the container and collide with each other to make a force exerting against the wall of the container. The more the dimensions of the container, the lesser will be the pressure and the container with less dimensions has the more pressure for the same amount of gas. In the similar way, if the amount of gas is increases the pressure will be increased in the container with similar dimensions. The units of the pressure are Atmospheres (atm), Pounds per square inch (PSI), Inches of mercury (in.Hg) and millimeters of mercury (mm.Hg). While the SI unit of pressure is Pascal (Pa) or Newton per square meter (N/m2) while non SI units are Bar and dyne per square centimeter (barye). Standard pressure is considered as one atm (Halzner 2011). Temperature Temperature intensely affects a gas. Temperature is an external effect that affects the molecular motion of the gas particles. As t he temperature increases the random molecular motion of the particles, increases as the gas molecules take the heat energy and convert it to kinetic energy. In this way, the volume of the gas increases and thus the pressure increases. Similarly, if a container filled with an amount of gas is exposed to extreme lower temperature, the gas in the container contracts and creates a vacuum in the container, the container may sucker external gas to fill the vacuum. The standard value of temperature is 273K or 0oC. The units of temperature are Kelvin (K), Celsius (C) (Halliday, Resnick and Walker 2005). Chemical amount The chemical amount of gas is represented as the no of grams or no of moles. The amount in grams is calculated using the

Comparison between Country Lovers and The Proposal Essay

Comparison between Country Lovers and The Proposal - Essay Example Then we will analyze the similarities and differences between a short story and play. Whether a literary piece is a short story or play, as long as they are categorized in the same theme there will always be similarities, with that being said regardless of similarities when comparing two literary works differences can always be found as well. The short story, Country Lovers by Nadine Gordimer, is story about two children from different ethnicities who formed a relationship that later turned sexual. This story takes place on a South African farm, where ethnicity had a major influence on how people were classified. Being a person with white skin, one automatically had superiority over a person with black skin. The boy, Paulus Eysendyck, was fond of Thebedi, the daughter of the help. For years, Paulus went back and forth to school and every time he was home, he engaged in secret activities with Thebedi. As they grew older, their relationship turned sexual and eventually a child was crea ted. Paulus was unaware of the child until after birth. Thebedi had married Njabulo, even though Njabulo knew that the child was not his. When Paulus returned for the holidays from veterinary school, he was surprised to hear Thebedi had a child and rushed to her home to see the child. The next day he returned and poisoned the child. Paulus was charged with murder and a trial began. Thebedi appeared at the court date with a new child in hand by her husband Njabulo, only to find out that he was a free man. The evidence was circumstantial to the courts and another white man gets away with murder. The objective of this story was to express the issues racial relationships faced in the South Africa from 1949-1994 (Driver, 1994). The Proposal by Anton Chekhov is a play that displayed how one word or sentence can send an ordinary conversation down a path of no return. The play is a one act comic farce set during Chekhov’s Russia, a time when marriage was seen as a way of gaining econ omic wealth for a majority of the people. In this play, the marriage concept is satirized to show the real purpose of marriage, which is for materialistic gain as opposed to true love. Ivan VassilevitchLomov was the neighbor of Stephan StepanovitchChubukov, and his daughter Natalya Stephanovna. Ivan came to Stephan’s home one day to ask for Natalya’s hand in marriage. Stephan was overjoyed and agreed to the marriage. Stephan went and got Natalya so Ivan and her can talk. Before Ivan could ask the question they began to argue about a small area of land and who it belonged to. That went on for a little while, until Ivan left. Once Stephan found out Ivan left, he told Natalya why Ivan came. Natalya begged her father to return Ivan. Once he returned the father brought up marriage, Ivan and Natalya agreed and then they kissed. The content of both stories is similar but different. They both involve a male and female engaged in some sort of relationship. In the Country Lovers , the two grew up together and gradually built a relationship. Whereas in The Proposal, Ivan and Natalya were long time neighbors and Ivan felt he was getting old so he asked a woman who he knew for a long time hand in marriage. Paulus and Thebedi’s relationship was forbidden because of race, but Ivan and Natalya’

Comparison of Islamic and State Schools

Comparison of Islamic and State Schools How Muslim parents make their decision of sending their children to Islamic schools or to State schools. The study of how Muslim parents decide to send their children to either Islamic Schools or public has now been studied for some time and it has provided different answers for different questions. This study has mainly been carried out because of the now increasing evidence if the cultural and political differences being seen as a result of the diverse cultures and religion in existence amongst people of different ethnicities in the world. For one to understand the strong differences that occur in peoples cultures and beliefs, it is critical to look at the origin of the process of acculturation in a particular community or society. Acculturation is the process whereby there is exchange of certain aspects of a culture between two different cultural societies. The acculturation process usually begins at childhood. This is because children are easily socialized in the norms that are involved in their culture and this affects their social outlook as they grow up. Education on the other hand is the transmission of information and knowledge from one generation to the next. Education is a basic of every person today to gain education. The Islamic culture encourages its members to seek knowledge. This is viewed to be one of the most precious things that one can acquire in life because it enhances intellectual growth. Education is an individual asset which no one can take away from another and which is necessary in going through life. In life and in Islam the greatest value of education is to enable one to provide good leadership mostly amongst the youth. The major objective of Islam is to enable the development of ones character and also ones Islamic personality and this is what is emphasized in many Islamic schools. Parents play a major role in educating their children. The initial education provided to children under the guidance of their parents is very important and shows the parents role. As children grow the society they grow around has a great impact in influencing the character of every individual child. However, the bad news is that Muslims have been evidenced to be the most illiterate in the world in a study conducted in all Muslim nations. This has led to many parents who value more unlimited education for their children to send them to schools abroad to the western countries. This has proved to be advantageous to their children but has also led to the introduction of unseen challenges to both the parents and the children. For example in Britain, the Muslims send their children to government schools and then they teach them at home or in the mosques. Consequently, like any other normal school in the world, in state schools children would often face problems like discriminating or bullying based upon their religious orientation. The damage whether it is psychological or physical can impact the behavior and can influence the Muslim students performance in the classroom. From the Muslim parents perspective, the knowledge that their children would receive is going to be through a secular perspective and this often will be open and unbiased towards any particular religion. As a result, there emerged two choices for Islamic parents to choose in educating their children. This is whether to send them to Islamic schools or to state schools. This problem started in the advent of the twentieth century and due to mainly Western influence and sometimes colonialism, Muslim parents sometimes preferred imparting only secular knowledge to their children. The weak students were mainly sent to religious schools known as Madrasas within their countries. However those who migrated to the west chose to take their children to both public and religious schools for a number of reasons. These reasons applied both to those in the west and those in the middle-east. One of the best and most popular reasons among Muslim parents for the reason as to why they send their children to Islamic schools is that it provides the perfect surrounding to learn the Muslim culture because of an Islamic surrounding and environment. For example, children in Muslim schools socialize with other children of the Islamic following and pray together in the Islamic way. They are more importantly exposed to modern vices that exist in urban and westernized schools such as fornication, alcohol and drugs. Moreover, Muslim schools are ideal centers to provide identity in the society for children. To prove this, some interviewed Muslim children attest that their parents would most likely send them to an Islamic school if there is the presence of one in their locality. This shows the preference of many Muslim parents. According to one Islamic based teacher in New York by the name of Yahiya Emerick states that Islamic Schools provide the children with the opportunity to be able to identify themselves with the Islamic community and its values and thus it provides a sense of belonging to the children and they feel that they belong to a certain community and proud to be identified with it. To support this view, the president of the Muslim Education Council in Virginia points out that these Islamic schools provide a sense of self-worth, pride and cultural identity that the children cannot acquire in a public or State school. His organization teaches mostly administrators and educators about Islam and the Middle Eastern culture. He also adds that the sense of identity comes from not only socializing with other Muslim children and praying together but also from memories of praying and reciting Islamic scriptures, listening to the Adhan and talking about the problems facing the Islamic society and this pr oved to be priceless for an Islamic individual in the future. However, there are many other reasons why parents sometimes prefer taking their children to Islamic school. For example is that for example if a parent realizes that his child is turning into being rude and unruly, the parent may result in looking for a quick solution to the situation at hand and decide to send his child to an Islamic school and this is estimated to be the case that has led about one third of the children in Islamic schools to be admitted there. This however has proved to be highly disadvantageous to Islamic schools because some of the children expelled from public schools because of gross misconduct are being dumped in Muslim schools. This is said to be the result of the attitude of most Muslim parents that the Muslim institutions are effective correction centers for their children instead of public schools which they see as having a higher probability of being a catalyst for their childrens bad behavior. This has sometimes led to some parents complaining sometimes that Islamic schools are being a bad influence on their childrens behavior at times but Islamic institutions have been quick to point out that the children didnt all come a being of good conduct in the society and some had come from public school. Another good reason why Muslim parent take their children to Muslim school is because they are more exposed to Islamic knowledge in Muslim schools. The former president of the young Muslims of Canada which is an organization based in Ontario, Taha Ghayyur says that a lot of Canadian born Muslim children have a lot of difficulty in studying Arabic writings and the Quran and because of their interaction with other cultures, they tend to have a little difference in their view to Islam in comparison to their Middle-Eastern brothers and sisters. However, there are a number of Islamic followers who also believe that the information mainly acquired in Islamic schools is much more limited as compared to that gained in Public schools. One of the people who support this view is Shabbir Mansuri who is the founding director if the institute of Fountain Valley which is a Council on Islamic Education based in California. Taking his example, he has three daughters of which only the youngest attends an Islamic school because Islamic schools were not available before when his two other daughters were growing up. He points out that in the case of his younger daughter, she has been able to recite the Surahs and scriptures from the Quran but he also sees that the Islamic schools have not made a difference in the understanding of the Quranic scriptures. This is considered to be one advantage of State schools because they help the children understand what they are studying, This and many other reasons give cause to the decision of enrolling their children in state schools. One reason for example is that in most public schools mostly in the west, state school education is usually provided free by the government. This is an economic consideration by most parents in the world. for example in the situation of Islamic parents living in the west, it is only when they grew in numbers and acquired more resources that they opened more Islamic schools starting from kindergarten to high school. As a result, it is estimated that in places like in Northern America alone, there are presently about three hundred Islamic schools which provide integrated education. In cases of where there were lower resources, the children were taken to state schools during the weekdays and to Islamic schools during the weekends. Another factor is that due to the high enrolment rates to public schools, there are a higher number of individuals from different social and economic backgrounds and this is not always a bad factor as and enables children to embrace people of different backgrounds. This is a point supported by many liberal Islamic families living in the West. Other factors which give an advantage to state schools over Islamic schools are that have sometimes better qualified and trained and certified teachers who provide standard teaching to the children. The teachers are mainly objective in impacting the required knowledge on the students and monitoring the students progress. This is the main reason that many Islamic parents sometimes send their children from the middle-east to the western schools. This can be evidenced by the children of the monarchs of Saudi Arabia and Dubai. In conclusion, it can be observed that the boundaries of knowledge are expanding on a daily basis and in the western world; Muslim parents are facing an ever-increasing challenge of deciding the right school for their children. It overall clear that the every parent would like to enroll his or her child in a school that provides academic excellence and spiritual growth but it is mostly the role of the parents to weigh the better option between Islamic schools and public schools. This is by putting their disadvantages and disadvantages together and considering what is best for their children. References Lawrence D., (2005). A Concise History of the Middle East . London; Westview Press Levy, Reuben (1969). The Social Structure of Islam. UK: Cambridge University Press. Ridgeon, L (2003). Major World Religions (1st ed.). London. Routledge Curzon publishers. Shahid A. (1998). Sex Education : An Islamic Perspective .London. Oxford University Press. Hamsa Y. (2002). Understanding Islamic Education and Elements of Success. Cairo: Alhambra Productions

To His Coy Mistress: Beneath The Romance Essay -- essays research pape

Few would argue that on the surface level of Marvel's "To His Coy Mistress" the speaker is a lover advancing a conventional 'carpe diem' line of thought. He systematically reasons with his desired object about the futility of delaying their interlude when the hours available to them are limited, but the lyric may simultaneously function as a metaphor for Marvel's endeavors as a metaphysical poet. Metaphysical writers view poetry as an intellectual exercise, an opportunity to develop ideas in a logical, argumentative structure; for them, the object of poetry is not to serve as an outlet for an effusion of emotional sentiments. If one approaches "To a Coy Mistress" as a discussion of the pressures which time places upon a writer, Marvel's apostrophe takes on an ironic twist. He uses his analytical skills to coax his writing to manifest his intended desires, providing a playful look at the connection between a man and his work. Complicating this relationship is the necessity of negotiating under the terms and constraints of an outside third party: time. Marvel battles to balance his time between his public occupation as a member of the British Parliament, the Hull, and his more private pursuits as a writer. The superficially apparent pleas of a lover seeking a relationship serve as a mirror to Marvel's struggle to conquer his artistic prowess.The poem itself contains three distinct components of argumentation, all which occur within a syllogistic framework. The argumentation of each division begins with an acknowledged impossibility, represented by the conditional tenses of "Had we," "But," and "Now, therefore." Marvel comprehends his incapacity to master absolutely the antagonist of time, but in this poem, he achieves a victory through the creation of an interpretation of time unbounded by a linear backdrop. He uses a three tiered progression of argumentation: 1) a reflection of the writing process removed from traditional conceptions of time; 2) discourse on the urgency of creating written material wi thin human time frames; and 3) the presentation of written material as a celebration of life.In the first division, Marvel creates a world ideally conducive to his endeavors as a writer by distorting human measurement of time. In the beginning line, the vast and illimitable capacity of the backdrop blurs the re... ...al games, is advancing a more complex message. One of the hallmarks of metaphysical poets is the practice of metaphysical conceit, which is a figure of speech that employs unconventional and paradoxical images. Marvel engages in the challenging task of relating the struggles of a writer trying to direct his energy and ideas into a concrete format to the attempts of a lover trying to convince another to engage in sexual relations. The syllogistic framework of the poem seems to support the implausibility of such a relationship, but Marvel succeeds with his logical progression in formulating a unique perspective of a writer's plight. By constantly shifting its pace, the poem redefines the conception of time, asking one to consider how an artist must control his medium within time's constraints. The audience feels itself being gently introduced to the endless possibilities of the exploration of ideas just before entering a race against time to understand the frustration, fear and the ultimate explosion of excitement accompanying the writing experience. Marvel succeeds in validating the metaphysical tenets of prose, but only if the audience is clever enough to read beneath the romance.