INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a global crisis in higher education, where students were required to transition to emergency remote teaching (ERT). This study explored students' experiences of online assessments and feedback during the pandemic to inform future practice. METHODOLOGY: This study utilised a descriptive cross-sectional quantitative design with purposeful sampling to describe student's experiences of online assessments. Data were collected from occupational therapy students in 2022. The Assessment Experiences Questionnaire was sent to all eligible participants (n=166). Data were analysed using SPSS version 28. RESULTS: Students reported that 'tackling' assignments made them apply their learning more deeply (79.75%; n=63). More than half of the students learned more from doing assignments than studying course material (61.25%; n=49). Majority of students felt they did not receive timely feedback through online assessments (67.5%, n=54)( which impacted their learning. More than half of the students use feedback in preparation for assignments (56.25%; n=45), hence timely and quality feedback is needed. CONCLUSION: Occupational therapy students had a positive experience of online assessments; however, the transition was challenging. It is recommended for lecturers to consider the challenges of online assessments, the number of assessments and timely feedback for an effective online learning process. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE • For online learning to be effective, relevant and timely access to resources and support systems are required. These include internet access, resources like laptops and smartphones which facilitate engagement with remote learning. • The provision of institutional and academic support can positively influence students' experiences of online learning. • Timing and quality of feedback is essential to the online learning experience. Delayed feedback can negatively impact learning, emphasising the importance of timely feedback to aid student growth and improved learning outcomes. • Students' experiences and perceptions of how they receive feedback change over time. Thus, personalised feedback focusing on improvement rather than comparison to peers should be emphasised in the learning environments to which they are exposed. • The importance of effective time management in students is emphasised for online learning and students need to be equipped with these skills for this mode of learning.

Determining the death burden for prioritising public health interventions necessitates detailed data on the causal pathways to death. Postmortem minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS), incorporating histology, molecular and microbial culture diagnostics, enhances cause-of-death attribution, particularly for infectious deaths. MITS proves a valid alternative to full diagnostic autopsies, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Soweto, South Africa (SA), the Child Health and Mortality Prevention Surveillance (CHAMPS) programme has delineated over 1 000 child and stillbirth deaths since 2017. This SA CHAMPS site supports advocating for the use of postmortem MITS as routine practice, for more granular insights into under-5 mortality causes. This knowledge is crucial for SA's pursuit of Sustainable Development Goal 3.2, targeting reduced neonatal and under-5 mortality rates. This commentary explores the public health advantages and ethicolegal considerations surrounding implementing MITS as standard of care for stillbirths, neonatal and paediatric deaths in SA. Furthermore, based on the data from CHAMPS, we present three pragmatic algorithmic approaches to the wide array of testing options for cost-effectiveness and scalability of postmortem MITS in South African state facilities.

Abstract Background and aims The association of blood transfusion with an increase in medium- and short-term mortality in specific populations has been confirmed. However, the correlation between blood transfusion and long-term mortality in the general population remains unclear. This cohort study evaluated the correlation between blood transfusion and overall and cause-specific mortality in the general American adult population. Methods The authors utilized 10 sets of 2-year cycle data (1999-2018) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey on the outcomes of adults who did and did not receive blood transfusions. Propensity score-matching (1:1) was performed based on age, sex, race, education level, marital status, poverty-income ratio, arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cancer, anemia, hypertension, and diabetes status. After controlling for demographic characteristics and clinical risk factors, Cox regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlation between blood transfusion and all-cause and cause-specific mortality. Results The study included 48,004 adult participants. The risk of all-cause mortality increased by 101 % with blood transfusion, and the risk of cardiovascular mortality increased by 165 %. After propensity score-matching, 6,116 pairs of cases were retained, and the risk of all-cause mortality increased by 84 % with blood transfusion, and the risk of cardiovascular mortality increased by 137 %. The sensitivity analysis results were robust. Conclusions In the general American population, blood transfusion significantly impacts long-term all-cause and cardiovascular mortality and may be an unacknowledged risk factor for death. Thus, the effective management of blood transfusion in the general population may be beneficial. medium shortterm short term confirmed However longterm long unclear causespecific cause 1 2year year 2 19992018 1999 2018 (1999-2018 transfusions scorematching score matching 11 (1:1 age sex race level status povertyincome poverty income ratio disease cancer anemia hypertension factors allcause all 48004 48 004 48,00 participants 16 scorematching, matching, 6116 6 116 6,11 retained 8 13 robust death Thus beneficial 1999201 199 201 (1999-201 (1: 4800 4 00 48,0 611 6,1 199920 19 20 (1999-20 (1 480 0 48, 61 6, 19992 (1999-2 ( (1999- (1999 (199 (19

Abstract The relation between surgery and anesthesia safety in children and a country’sHuman Development Index (HDI) value has been described previously. The aim of this narrative review was to provide an update on the mechanisms and risk factors of Anesthesia-Related Cardiac Arrest (ARCA) in pediatric surgical patients in countries with different HDI values and over time (pre-2001 vs. 2001–2024). Electronic databases were searched up to March 2024 for studies reporting ARCA events in children. HDI values range from 0 to 1 (very-high-HDI countries: ≥ 0.800, high-HDI countries: 0.700–0.799, medium-HDI countries: 0.550–0.699, and low-HDI countries: < 0.550). Independent of time, the proportion of children who suffered perioperative Cardiac Arrest (CA) attributed to anesthesia-related causes was higher in very-high-HDI countries (50%) than in countries with HDI values less than 0.8 (15-36%), but ARCA rates were higher in countries with HDI values less than 0.8 than in very-high-HDI countries. Regardless of the HDI value, medication-related factors were the most common mechanism causing ARCA before 2001, while cardiovascular-related factors, mainly hypovolemia, and respiratory-related factors, including difficulty maintaining patent airways and adequate ventilation, were the major mechanisms in the present century. Independent of HDI value and time, a higher number of ARCA events occurred in children with heart disease and/or a history of cardiac surgery, those aged younger than one year, those with ASA physical status III-V, and those who underwent emergency surgery. Many ARCA events were determined to be preventable. The implementation of specialized pediatric anesthesiology and training programs is crucial for anesthesia safety in children. countrysHuman country sHuman (HDI previously AnesthesiaRelated Anesthesia Related (ARCA pre2001 pre 2001 (pre-200 vs 2001–2024. 20012024 2001–2024 . 2001–2024) 202 veryhighHDI very high 0800 800 0.800 highHDI 07000799 700 799 0.700–0.799 mediumHDI medium 05500699 550 699 0.550–0.699 lowHDI low 0.550. 0550 0.550 0.550) CA (CA anesthesiarelated related 50% 50 (50% 08 8 0. 1536%, 1536 15 36% , 36 (15-36%) medicationrelated medication cardiovascularrelated cardiovascular hypovolemia respiratoryrelated respiratory ventilation century andor or year IIIV, IIIV III V, V III-V preventable pre200 200 (pre-20 2001202 2001–202 20 080 80 0.80 0700079 70 79 0.700–0.79 0550069 55 69 0.550–0.69 055 0.55 5 (50 1536% 153 3 (15-36% pre20 (pre-2 200120 2001–20 2 070007 7 0.700–0.7 055006 6 0.550–0.6 05 0.5 (5 (15-36 pre2 (pre- 20012 2001–2 07000 0.700–0. 05500 0.550–0. ( (15-3 (pre 2001– 0700 0.700–0 0.550–0 (15- 070 0.700– 0.550– (15 07 0.700 (1 0.70 0.7

A literature review revealed that sexual grooming can be counteracted in public schools by focussing on educators' professional boundary violations. However, there is a scarcity of literature where sexual grooming behaviours are linked to professional boundary violations and on the handling of these behaviours from a legal perspective. Such information would be most valuable to school principals, departments of education, bodies overseeing the teaching profession and forums and courts that consider cases dealing with educator-on-learner sexual grooming. Following on an article titled "Sexual Grooming of Children in Teaching as a Trust Profession in South Africa" the author, in this article, concentrates on sexual grooming behaviours as professional boundary violations. She not only links typical grooming behaviours with professional boundary violations but also considers the law and policy that governs it, and which would apply when dealing with such as a breach of the South African Council for Educators Code of Professional Ethics, and or misconduct. Sexual grooming behaviours are associated with the violation of professional relationship boundaries which protect learners from the abuse of power and trust, inappropriate communication, educators exceeding their tasks and roles, educators physically abusing learners and educators invading learners' personal space and privacy. To allege that an educator has committed a professional boundary violation it is essential to distinguish between boundary violations which are acceptable and boundary violations that are inappropriate and part of sexual grooming. The author suggests a test that can be used to make this distinction and that would make it possible to deal with boundary violations before a sexual grooming pattern forms. The article is concluded with recommendations inter alia to rephrase section 17(1 )(f) of the Employment of Educators Act 76 of 1998 so that it would be unambiguous and be able to cover sexual grooming as a form of serious misconduct.

It is important that the views of children be considered during the process of their parents' divorce. Parental divorce mediation informed by the needs of children is more likely to produce better outcomes. The ways in which divorce mediators in South Africa, Australia and Kenya consider views of the children of marriages in the process of dissolution are compared. The extent to which these three countries have domesticated and implemented relevant international law and policies is compared. Recommendations are provided for Kenya, where empirical research was undertaken to establish the practices and attitudes of Kenyan divorce mediators. The outcome of this empirical research indicates that - prior to mediating between their parents - most of Kenya's divorce mediators fail to elicit the views and wishes of the children who will be affected by the divorce. Proposals are put forward on how this may be rectified. In formulating these proposals, practices in South Africa and Australia are examined for the purpose of comparative analysis. The recommendations for Kenya include the formulation of appropriate laws and policies; the establishment of cost-effective mechanisms for hearing the voices of children prior to their parents' divorce mediation; and the education of the general public on the importance of considering the views and wishes of children when their parents are divorcing.

ABSTRACT Herbal medicine is widely used as an integrative complementary treatment for common chronic diseases, yet potential risks include adverse effects and coprescription Aim This exploratory survey assessed Brazilian dentists’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding phytotherapy Material and Method This study used a consecutive sample of registered dentists who were active in clinical practice and attending advanced training for complex oral rehabilitation at a leading dental school in Latin America. Participants responded to a semi-structured 38-item instrument designed to collect data on sociodemographic, professional and health variables, and on their knowledge, use, prescription and opinions of phytotherapy. Quantitative data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data were described and analyzed with a thematic approach Results A total 53 dentists responded the survey (88.3% response rate). Six dentists reported formal education in phytotherapy and 33 had informal knowledge. Twenty-one dentists (39.6%) reported using herbal medicine, and 17 (32.1%) prescribed phytotherapy to their patients, mostly traditional medicinal plants. A logistic regression model showed that post-graduate degree and personal use of phytotherapy were associated with phytotherapy prescription. Opinions on how to improve the rational use of phytotherapy included the need for research evidence, specific academic education, and knowledge dissemination to clinicians. As a clinical recommendation, it was proposed that questions on herbal medicine should be asked during the dental patient’s anamnesis Conclusions Dentists with post-graduate degrees and personal use of phytotherapy prescribe herbal medicines for their patients in real-world clinics, regardless of formal education on the subject. Qualitative findings indicate the need to implement scientific initiatives.

RESUMO A fitoterapia é amplamente utilizada como um tratamento integrativo e complementar para doenças crônicas comuns, mas os riscos potenciais incluem efeitos adversos e co-prescrição Objetivo Esta pesquisa exploratória avaliou o conhecimento, as atitudes e as práticas de cirurgiões-dentistas brasileiros sobre fitoterapia Materiais e Método Uma amostra consecutiva foi composta por dentistas com registro profissional, que eram ativos em prática clínica e frequentavam treinamento avançado para reabilitação oral complexa em uma das principais escolas de odontologia da América Latina. Os participantes responderam a um instrumento semiestruturado de 38 itens para coletar dados sobre variáveis sociodemográficas, profissionais e de saúde, bem como conhecimento, uso, prescrição e opiniões sobre fitoterapia. Os dados quantitativos foram analisados com estatística descritiva e inferencial. Os dados qualitativos foram descritos e analisados com abordagem temática Resultados Um total de 53 dentistas respondeu à pesquisa (taxa de resposta de 88,3%). Seis cirurgiões-dentistas relataram formação em fitoterapia e 33 possuíam conhecimento informal. Vinte e um dentistas (39,6%) relataram o uso de fitoterápicos e 17 (32,1%) prescreveram fitoterapia para seus pacientes, principalmente plantas medicinais tradicionais. Um modelo de regressão logística mostrou que pós-graduação e uso pessoal de fitoterapia estiveram associados à prescrição de fitoterapia. As opiniões para melhorar o uso racional da fitoterapia incluíram a necessidade de evidências de pesquisa, formação acadêmica específica e disseminação do conhecimento para os clínicos. Como recomendação clínica, foram propostas questões sobre fitoterapia para a anamnese odontológica do paciente Conclusões Cirurgiões-dentistas com pós-graduação e uso pessoal de fitoterapia prescrevem mais medicamentos fitoterápicos para seus pacientes em clínicas do mundo real, independentemente da educação formal sobre o assunto. Os resultados qualitativos indicam a necessidade de iniciativas de implementação científica.

Objective: To analyze and identify in the scientific literature how remote teaching is being used and how it was evaluated in postgraduate health courses. Methods: Systematic review with a search in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), with the descriptors distance education, remote learning, residency, graduate studies and health in Portuguese and English, between 2017 and 2021, in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Results: From 750 initial results, 19 articles were included. The United States leads with the largest number of publications on the subject. The evaluation of students who studied through remote teaching is positive. Conclusion: Remote teaching was introduced very quickly for a large number of specialties in the world, with this, even showing positive aspects in this type of teaching, some negative points were evident and that future improvements must be made

Objetivo: Analizar e identificar en la literatura científica el uso de la enseñanza a distancia y su evaluación en los cursos de posgrado en salud. Métodos: Revisión sistemática en las bases de datos Medline, Lilacs, BDEnf, IBECS, BBO y BDENF con los descriptores educación a distancia, aprendizaje a distancia, residencia, estudios de posgrado y salud entre 2017 y 2021, en portugués, inglés y español. Resultados: La búsqueda inicial identificó 750 resultados. En la fase de análisis de títulos y resúmenes quedaron 66 estudios. Finalmente, se incluyeron 19 artículos. Estados Unidos lidera con el mayor número de publicaciones sobre el tema. La valoración de los alumnos que estudiaron a través de la docencia a distancia es positiva. Conclusión: La enseñanza a distancia se implementó muy rápidamente para una gran cantidad de especialidades en el mundo, con lo que, aun mostrando aspectos positivos en este tipo de enseñanza, se evidenciaron algunos puntos negativos y que se deben realizar mejoras futuras

Objetivo: Analisar e identificar na literatura científica a utilização do ensino remoto e sua avaliação em cursos de pós-graduação em saúde. Métodos: Revisão sistemática nas bases de dados Medline, Lilacs, BDEnf, IBECS, BBO e BDENF com os descritores educação a distância, ensino remoto, residência, pós-graduação e saúde entre 2017 a 2021, nos idiomas português, inglês e espanhol. Resultados: A busca inicial identificou 750 resultados. Na fase de análise dos títulos e resumos sobraram 66 estudos. Por fim foram incluídos 19 artigos. Os Estados Unidos lideram com o maior número de publicações acerca do tema. A avaliação dos discentes que estudaram através do ensino remoto é positiva. Conclusão: O ensino remoto foi colocado de forma muito rápida para uma grande quantidade de especialidades no mundo, com isso, mesmo evidenciando-se aspectos positivos nesse tipo de ensino, ficou evidente alguns pontos negativos e que se deve fazer melhorias futuras.

It is important that the views of children be considered during the process of their parents' divorce. Parental divorce mediation informed by the needs of children is more likely to produce better outcomes. The ways in which divorce mediators in South Africa, Australia and Kenya consider views of the children of marriages in the process of dissolution are compared. The extent to which these three countries have domesticated and implemented relevant international law and policies is compared. Recommendations are provided for Kenya, where empirical research was undertaken to establish the practices and attitudes of Kenyan divorce mediators. The outcome of this empirical research indicates that - prior to mediating between their parents - most of Kenya's divorce mediators fail to elicit the views and wishes of the children who will be affected by the divorce. Proposals are put forward on how this may be rectified. In formulating these proposals, practices in South Africa and Australia are examined for the purpose of comparative analysis. The recommendations for Kenya include the formulation of appropriate laws and policies; the establishment of cost-effective mechanisms for hearing the voices of children prior to their parents' divorce mediation; and the education of the general public on the importance of considering the views and wishes of children when their parents are divorcing.

ABSTRACT The aim of present study was to investigate the effect of phytase supplementation on growth performance, mineral digestibility, and tibia calcium and phosphorous in broilers fed low phosphorus diets. Three hundred broiler chicks were allotted to six different treatments with five replicates each (10 chicks/replicate). T1: Control, 0.5% available phosphorus (Av.P); T2: 0.35P, 0.35% Av.P; T3: 0.20P, 0.20% Av.P; T4: 0.35P-1Phy, diet 0.35P + 1000FTU/kg phytase; T5: 0.20P-2Phy, diet 0.20P + 2000 ftu/kg phytase; T6: 0.20P-3Phy, diet 0.20P + 3000 ftu/kg phytase. Feed intake and weight gain were higher (p=0.001) in broilers fed phytase supplemented diets. Feed conversion ratio was better (p<0.01) in the 0.35P-1Phy than in the others. Calcium and P digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in the 0.35P-1Phy than the 0.35P, 0.20P and 0.20P-2Phy, groups. The highest (p<0.05) tibia ash was observed in the 0.35P and 0.35P-1Phy groups rather than the 0.20P at 21st day, while at 33rd day it was higher (p<0.05) in the control than in 0.20P. At 21st day, tibia Ca content was higher (p<0.05) in the 0.35P-1Phy group as compared to 0.20P and 0.35P, while at 33rd day, tibia Ca content in the control and 0.20P-2Phy groups was higher (p<0.05) than that of 0.20P and 0.35P. Furthermore, tibia P content was higher (p<0.05) in all phytase supplemented groups. It could be concluded that dietary available phosphorus at 0.35% with phytase addition at 1000 FTU/kg reduces the cost per unit weight gain by 9.17%, with positive effects on growth performance. performance diets 10 (1 chicks/replicate. chicksreplicate chicks/replicate . replicate chicks/replicate) T1 T Control 05 0 5 0.5 Av.P AvP Av (Av.P) T2 035P 35P 035 35 0.35 T3 020P 20P 020 20 0.20 T4 0.35P1Phy, 035P1Phy PPhy 1Phy, 1Phy Phy 1000FTUkg FTUkg 1000FTU kg FTU T5 0.20P2Phy, 020P2Phy 2Phy, 2Phy 200 ftukg ftu T6 0.20P3Phy, 020P3Phy 3Phy, 3Phy 0.20P-3Phy 300 p=0.001 p0001 p 001 (p=0.001 p<0.01 p001 01 (p<0.01 0.35P1Phy others p<0.05 p005 (p<0.05 st rd 0.20P2Phy Furthermore 100 917 9 17 9.17% 1 ( 0. (Av.P 03 3 0.3 02 2 0.2 35P1Phy 20P2Phy 20P3Phy 0.20P3Phy 30 p=0.00 p000 00 (p=0.00 p<0.0 p00 (p<0.0 91 9.17 p=0.0 (p=0.0 p<0. p0 (p<0. 9.1 p=0. (p=0. p<0 (p<0 9. p=0 (p=0 p< (p< p= (p= (p

ABSTRACT Soybean cultivation requires herbicide application in the off-season, before emergence for weed desiccation, and after emergence. It is believed that the use of preand post-emergent herbicides combined with preharvest application may negatively affect the quality of soybean seeds. As such, the present study aimed to assess the effect of preand post-emergent herbicides on soybean seed quality. Five field experiments were conducted during the 2018/2019 and 2019/2020 growing seasons to investigate the effects of synthetic auxins and pre-emergents, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitors, broadleaf herbicides, and s-metolachlor or clomazone on the quality of soybean seeds. Dicamba application combined with the pre-emergent herbicides imazethapyr/flumioxazin before soybean planting reduced seed vigor and germination. ACCase inhibitors in association with broadleaf herbicides before planting had no effect on seed quality. Applying s-metolachlor (up to 2,880 g of active ingredient [ai] ha-1) or clomazone (up to 1,800 g ai ha-1) was safe for seed germination, even when used after soybean emergence. offseason, offseason off season, season off-season desiccation postemergent post emergent seeds such 20182019 2018 2019 2018/201 20192020 2020 2019/202 preemergents, preemergents pre emergents, emergents pre-emergents acetylCoA acetyl CoA (ACCase smetolachlor s metolachlor preemergent imazethapyrflumioxazin imazethapyr flumioxazin germination up 2880 2 880 2,88 [ai ha1 ha 1 ha-1 1800 800 1,80 2018201 201 2018/20 2019202 202 2019/20 288 88 2,8 ha- 180 80 1,8 201820 20 2018/2 201920 2019/2 28 8 2, 18 1, 20182 2018/ 20192 2019/

RESUMO No cultivo da soja, faz-se necessário a aplicação de herbicidas na entressafra, com a associação de herbicidas para a dessecação das plantas-daninhas com pré-emergentes, bem como com aplicações em pós-emergência da soja. Acredita-se que herbicidas aplicados na dessecação pré-semeadura soja, em associação com herbicidas pré-emergentes, bem como herbicidas pré-emergentes aplicados em pós-emergência da soja, possam afetar negativamente a qualidade de sementes da cultura. Assim, objetivouse com este estudo avaliar o efeito de herbicidas, aplicados em pré ou pós-emergência da soja, na qualidade de sementes produzidas. Foram conduzidos cinco experimentos no campo, durante as safras 2018/2019 e 2019/2020. Foram investigados os efeitos de auxinas sintéticas e pré-emergentes, inibidores da ACCase e latifolicidas, e smetolachlor ou clomazone sobre a qualidade de sementes produzidas. A aplicação de dicamba em associações com os herbicidas préemergentes imazethapyr/flumioxazin, em pré-semeadura da soja, diminuiu o vigor e germinação das sementes. A aplicação de herbicidas inibidores da ACCase em associação com latifolicidas, em pré-semeadura, não teve impacto sobre a qualidade das sementes. A aplicação de s-metolachlor (até 2.880 g de ingrediente ativo [ia] ha-1) ou de clomazone (até 1.800 g ia ha-1) foi segura para a germinação das sementes, mesmo para a aplicação em pós-emergência da cultura. soja fazse faz se entressafra plantasdaninhas plantas daninhas préemergentes, emergentes, emergentes pósemergência pós emergência Acreditase Acredita présemeadura semeadura cultura Assim produzidas campo 20182019 2018 2019 2018/201 20192020 2020 2019/2020 latifolicidas imazethapyrflumioxazin imazethapyr flumioxazin imazethapyr/flumioxazin présemeadura, semeadura, s metolachlor até 2880 2 880 2.88 [ia ha1 ha 1 ha-1 1800 800 1.80 2018201 201 2018/20 2019202 202 2019/202 288 88 2.8 ha- 180 80 1.8 201820 20 2018/2 201920 2019/20 28 8 2. 18 1. 20182 2018/ 20192 2019/2 2019/

Abstract KDELR2 has been reported as a promotive factor for the genesis and progression of several malignancies. However, it is uncertain how it affects bladder urothelial carcinoma (BLCA). Using data extracted from online databases, an enhanced expression of KDELR2 in BLCA tissues was verified. Overexpression of KDELR2 was correlated with advanced clinicopathologic characteristics and unfavourable prognosis of BLCA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis highlighted the potential diagnostic value of KDELR2. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses further revealed the predictive effect of KDELR2 for the prognosis of BLCA. KDELR2 was primarily enriched in biological functions related to organization of the extracellular matrix. TIMER, ssGSEA and GEPIA analyses suggested that KDELR2 expression is positively related to the infiltration of macrophages, Th2 cells and neutrophils. Finally, knocking-down of KDELR2 in T24 cells resulted in reduced proliferation, migration and macrophages recruitment. These results suggest that KDELR2 overexpression is an indicator for poor prognosis of BLCA and it has the potential to be employed as an immunotherapy target for BLCA. KDELR malignancies However . (BLCA) databases verified matrix TIMER Th neutrophils Finally knockingdown knocking down T T2 proliferation recruitment (BLCA

The aim with this article is to put the sexual grooming of children in teaching as a trust profession in perspective. Because sexual grooming frequently precedes other sexual offences, targeting it can help prevent such offences. However, the author contends it should not be targeted as a preparatory offence but as an independent offence and form of sexual misconduct. This argument is supported by the fact that the institutional context and distinguishing features of schools make them unique hunting grounds for sexual groomers looking to sexually groom children. This risk is heightened by instances in which a school's institutional values, culture, traditions and practices facilitate sexual grooming. Furthermore, sexual grooming causes severe harm to a child, especially when it occurs within a trust relationship. Following a brief conceptual analysis of the offence of sexual grooming of children as set out in section 18 of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Act 32 of 2007 and some reflection on dilemmas in this regard, the author deliberates on the harmfulness of sexual grooming, focussing on teaching as a trust profession. The author then addresses schools as breeding grounds for sexual grooming before discussing the institutional facilitation of sexual grooming. The author concludes with recommendations on how sexual grooming in schools could be approached.