Abstract The initial teacher training for basic education gained prominence on the Brazilian public agenda in the 2000s, leading to a series of public policies. One of these policies involved reserving 20 % of the seats in the newly created Federal Institutes for initial teacher training, in what were called undergraduate teaching courses. At the time, there was a growing shortage of teachers, both in quantitative terms (reflected in the lack of teachers) and qualitative terms (with many professionals in the classroom who did not have specific graduation in the subject they were teaching). This study specifically focuses on the Federal Institutes, with the aim of analyzing their impact on improving the educational indicator "teacher training adequacy," an instrument used by the Ministry of Education to monitor the progress of public policies designed to address issues related to teaching in basic education. Using a quantitative and descriptive correlational approach, the study uses three statistical databases from the Ministry of Education to explore the relationship between the availability of seats in teaching courses and the teacher training adequacy indicator. In the end, it confirms the hypothesis that the Federal Institutes contributed to raising the mentioned indicator: on average, the 336 Brazilian cities that have Federal Institutes showed a 5.2 % higher performance in teacher training adequacy when compared to cities without the presence of the institution.

Resumen La formación inicial de docentes para la enseñanza de la educación básica ganó protagonismo en la agenda pública brasileña en la década del 2000, generando una serie de políticas públicas. Una de estas políticas implicó reservar el 20 % de las plazas en los recién creados Institutos Federales para la formación inicial de docentes, en las llamadas carreras de licenciatura. En su momento se diagnosticó el agravamiento de la escasez de docentes, tanto en términos cuantitativos (traducidos en falta de docentes) como cualitativos (con muchos profesionales en las aulas que no contaban con una titulación específica en el componente curricular que impartían). Este estudio depende precisamente de los Institutos Federales y tiene como objetivo analizar su impacto en la mejora del indicador educativo “adecuación de la formación docente”, instrumento utilizado por el Ministerio de Educación en el seguimiento de los avances en las políticas públicas destinadas a enfrentar los problemas que orbitan alrededor de enseñanza en la educación básica. Con un enfoque cuantitativo y de carácter descriptivo y correlacional, el estudio utiliza tres bases de datos estadísticas del Ministerio de Educación para explorar la relación entre la oferta de plazas en carreras de licenciatura y el indicador de adecuación de la formación docente. Al final, se confirma la hipótesis de que los Institutos Federales colaboraron para elevar el indicador antes mencionado: en promedio, las 336 ciudades brasileñas que tienen Institutos Federales que ofrecen cursos de licenciaturas presentaron un desempeño 5,2 % mayor en la adecuación de la formación docente en comparación con las ciudades sin la presencia de la institución.

BACKGROUND. The occurrence of abortion-related morbidity indicates limited access to safe abortion. Globally, unsafe abortions remain a persistent, yet preventable, cause of maternal mortality. South Africa (SA) is internationally recognised for its progressive reproductive rights framework, supported by its Constitution and laws. However, evidence suggests that women encounter barriers to accessing safe abortions, including stigma, resistance from healthcare providers, a shortage of trained professionals and a lack of awareness of their rights. We hypothesised that, 20 years after the promulgation of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, the incidence of incomplete abortion (ICA) and the prevalence of abortion-related morbidity would change, influenced by access to safe abortion and the introduction of medication abortion. We wanted to compare our data with 2000 and 1994 survey results to assess change. OBJECTIVES. To estimate the incidence of incomplete abortion and describe the prevalence of abortion-related morbidity in SA public hospitals in 2018. METHODS. This was a cross-sectional, retrospective study. We selected a stratified random sample of public hospitals. We extracted data from medical records of women who presented with ICA during a predetermined 21-day period in 2018. Data were captured directly into a REDCap database. To estimate the national incidence of ICA, we used population estimates for 2018, comprising 17 199 227 women aged 12 - 49 years, and 1 200 436 live births. The prevalence of ICA morbidity is reported. We compared the rates in this study with those reported from similar studies in 2000 and 1994. RESULTS. We found 913 medical records of women presenting with ICA in the 56 public hospitals. ICA incidence was 367 (274 - 459) per 100 000 women aged 12 - 49 years. The average age of the women was 27 years, and the majority had a previous pregnancy before the ICA. A large proportion (73.9%) of women were in the first trimester. There was no sign of infection in 92.5% of records, no organ failure in 99.1% of records and there were no deaths. There was no change in the ICA incidence when compared with the 1994 and 2000 results. Women's mean age and having a previous pregnancy were similar in the three studies (1994, 2000 and 2018). The proportion of women presenting in the first trimester increased over time: 60.5% in 1994, 67.1% in 2000 and 73.9% in 2018. There has been a decline in the prevalence of abortion-related morbidity, demonstrated by lower levels of severity, no signs of infections and no organ failure. CONCLUSION. ICA incidence has not changed, but related morbidity is declining. Various factors could explain our findings, but the lack of change in ICA incidence indicates that access to formal abortion care has not improved over the past 20 years.

Abstract The relationship between the environment and health has become a relevant topic on the public policy agenda since the 1990s. This study seeks to describe this relationship from the perspective of the National Policy for Comprehensive Health of Populations of the Countryside, Forest, and Waters in the community of São Pedro, in the Lower Amazon region of Pará. This is a descriptive study focused on conducting diagnoses that consider the environment-health relationship in the Community. A participatory Rural Diagnosis was used to construct conceptual maps and conversation circles. According to the results, issues, such as excess trash, shortage of medicines and deficiencies in basic education are some key conditions that can make the community vulnerable. Furthermore, it is clear that the health policy, despite being important, still faces challenges for its full implementation in regions where there is a strong presence of this group.

Resumo A relação entre ambiente e saúde tem se tornado um tema relevante na agenda das políticas públicas desde a década de 1990. Este estudo, busca descrever essa relação sob a ótica da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral das Populações do Campo, da Floresta e das Águas na comunidade de São Pedro, região da Baixo Amazonas, Pará. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo focado na realização de diagnósticos que consideram a relação ambiente-saúde na comunidade. O Diagnóstico Rural Participativo foi utilizado na construção de mapas conceituais e rodas de conversa. De acordo com os resultados, questões como excesso de lixo, falta de medicamentos e deficiências na educação básica são condicionantes que tornam a comunidade vulnerável. Além disso, é perceptível que a política de saúde, apesar de importante, ainda enfrenta desafios para sua plena implementação em regiões onde há a presença marcante deste coletivo.

Resumen La relación entre medio ambiente y salud se ha convertido en un tema relevante en la agenda de políticas públicas desde la década de 1990. Este estudio busca describir esa relación desde la perspectiva de la Política Nacional de Salud Integral de las Poblaciones del Campo, Bosque y Aguas en la comunidad de São Pedro, Región del Bajo Amazonas, Pará. Es un estudio descriptivo enfocado a realizar diagnósticos que consideren la relación ambiente-salud en la comunidad. Se utilizó el Diagnóstico Rural Participativo para la construcción de mapas conceptuales y círculos de conversación. Según los resultados, cuestiones como el exceso de basura, la escasez de medicamentos y las deficiencias en la educación básica son condiciones que hacen vulnerable a la comunidad. Además, se nota que la política de salud no ha logrado implementarse plenamente en regiones donde hay fuerte presencia de este grupo.

The Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 (CPA) seeks to advance the social and economic welfare of consumers in South Africa by protecting vulnerable consumers, amongst other things. Loadshedding, which is characterised by a chronic shortage in the supply of electricity, was introduced into South African society in 2007 as a mechanism to distribute the demand for electricity. Its purpose is to relieve the stress on the national power grid when the demand is high to prevent a national blackout. One of the impacts of the power surge when electricity is restored to the power grid is damage to consumer property such as electrical appliances. In section 61 the CPA makes provision for consumers to institute an action for liability flowing from damage caused by "goods". This paper argues that section 61 may be a good legal basis for collective redress by consumers in South Africa against power suppliers such as Eskom and the local municipalities.

BACKGROUND: Proficient reading skills are crucial for Foundation Phase learners to develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. The 2021 PIRLS assessment highlighted alarmingly low reading proficiency among ten-year-olds. Effective reading instruction, and a positive reading environment are essential for developing confident, skilled readers. OBJECTIVES: This research focused on the reading instruction challenges of selected Setswana-speaking Foundation Phase teachers in the Dr Kenneth Kaunda Education District in the North West Province in South Africa. METHOD: Using a qualitative approach, the study employed a multiple case study design, incorporating interviews and document analysis. RESULTS: The findings revealed significant challenges for Grade 3 teachers in teaching reading to Setswana-speaking students. A key issue was inadequate training in reading instruction methods, which hindered their effectiveness. Teachers also lacked sufficient subject knowledge of Setswana, complicating their ability to support reading development. Additional problems included a severe shortage of essential resources: textbooks, visual aids, and access to libraries were limited, depriving learners of necessary reading materials and opportunities CONCLUSION: The study highlighted the critical role of teacher training and sufficient resources in effective teaching and the impact of their absence on instructional challenges. It underscored the need for education authorities to address the difficulties rural schools and their staff face. CONTRIBUTION: Currently, there is no effective system in place for teachers in this district to enhance reading instruction and better support their learners. This research aimed to address this gap by establishing how the extent of these problems may help identify measures to address them.

BACKGROUND: Family involvement is crucial in a child's treatment; however, many professional nurses still neglect to involve families in their child's care. Studies have indicated that the perceived lack of family involvement in hospitalised children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a problem in many countries. Few studies have been conducted in Africa with none relating to family involvement, highlighting the need for further research. AIM: To develop in-depth insights into the challenges regarding family involvement in hospital nursing care of children with ASD, in the South African context. SETTING: Paediatric wards at selected private hospitals and family homes in the eThekwini District of KwaZulu-Natal. METHODS: An interpretative phenomenological analysis method was used. A sample of 10 professional nurses and 10 family members was achieved by purposive sampling. Data were collected from participants using semi-structured in-depth interviews. RESULTS: The following challenges were identified by the participants: the lack of knowledge of nurses regarding ASD, nurses not listening to family, uncaring attitude of nurses, nurses' lack of time and shortage of nursing staff. CONCLUSION: Nurses play a pivotal role in overcoming the challenges to family involvement, in the hospital nursing care, of a child with ASD. Making nurses aware of the challenges will help improve family involvement in hospitals nursing for the child with ASD. CONTRIBUTION: This study added to the body of knowledge by identifying the challenges to the involvement of families in the hospital nursing care of a child with ASD.

BACKGROUND: Health professionals must keep their knowledge, skills and ethics up to date to ensure competency and promote the public interest, safety and health of all Namibians. In Namibia, little research exists on the facilitators of, and barriers to, nurses' compliance with continuous professional development (CPD) requirements. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to explore and describe the facilitators of, and barriers to, nurses' compliance with CPD requirements at Intermediate Hospital Oshakati (IHO) in the Oshana region of Namibia. METHOD: Purposive sampling was used in this qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual research study to select participants who met the inclusion criteria. Data were collected via individual semi-structured interviews with 15 of the 550 nurses employed at the hospital, at which point data saturation was reached. The transcribed data were then analysed using thematic analysis. The collected data were analysed thematically using an inductive approach. RESULTS: The findings were synthesised under three themes: facilitators of nurses' participation in CPD, barriers to nurses' participation in CPD and recommendations for improvements. CONCLUSION: Time constraints, a shortage of nurses, limited access to digital technologies, a lack of funding for CPD training and a lack of accredited CPD service providers are major barriers to participation in CPD training. Strengthening communication and collaboration between health workers, CPD providers and management are specifically organisational factors seen as crucial to successful staff development. CONTRIBUTION: The findings from this study can be used to create some targeted interventions and ongoing strategies to enhance nurses' compliance with CPD requirements.

BACKGROUND: The Central Chronic Medicines Dispensing and Distribution (CCMDD) programme has good benefits for both patients with chronic conditions and nurses if it is effectively implemented. In most of the Sekhukhune Primary Health Care (PHC) facilities, the implementation of the CCMDD programme has been highly challenging but at the same time very beneficial AIM: The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences of nurses and patients following the implementation of the CCMDD programme in Sekhukhune clinics SETTING: Nine of the Sekhukhune district clinics in Limpopo province, South Africa, were used as study sites METHODS: The qualitative research approach with a descriptive and explorative research design was used in this study. Data were acquired through 45 one-on-one semi-structured interviews, with Sekhukhune PHC nurses managing the CCMDD programme and patients with chronic conditions who are enrolled in the programme, and then analysed thematically RESULTS: Positive experiences included overcrowding and workload reduction, saving of time and money for transport, improves medication adherence, reduction in incidents of file loss, reduction in patient waiting times, preservation of clinic drug supplies and easy and convenience. However, negative experiences such as shortage of staff, the lack of communication and information on the CCMDD programme hindered the effectiveness of the CCMDD programme CONCLUSION: Both nurses and patients of Sekhukhune PHC facilities had positive and negative experiences with regard to the implementation of the CCMDD programme; hence, strategies to improve the programme are needed to be developed CONTRIBUTION: The study contributes by providing recommendations for nurse training in the CCMDD programme, in order to improve service delivery processes of the implementation of the CCMDD programme in Sekhukhune PHC facilities

Groundwater is considered an important source of water aid for human consumption. However, this water can be contaminated by impurities, such contamination spots that might reach the water tables. The aim of this study was to investigate the quality of shallow groundwater in Flores neighborhood, located in the municipality of Benevides, within Belém metropolitan region, State of Pará, Brazil. Recommendations described in Standard Methods for Examination of Water and Wastewater were followed at the time to determine physical-chemical parameters such as potential hydrogen (pH), electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), apparent color, turbidity, total hardness (TH), ions and trace elements. Multivariate statistical analysis has shown that most predictive water-quality parameters set for human consumption are associated with natural events involving weathering and leaching processes. Nevertheless, parameters of nitrate, phosphate, EC, TDS and pH are also influenced by anthropic conditions in the surroundings, mainly phosphate and nitrate ions. Therefore, it can be concluded that shallow groundwaters in Flores neighborhood are unsuitable for human consumption, making it necessary for municipal public authorities to take action to solve the problem of water shortage in the borough, thus preventing the population from use those shallow groundwaters, as their consumption can bring health problems. However impurities tables Benevides region Pará Brazil physicalchemical physical chemical pH, , (pH) EC (EC) TDS, (TDS) color turbidity TH, TH (TH) elements waterquality processes Nevertheless surroundings Therefore borough problems (pH (EC (TDS (TH

Resumo A relação entre ambiente e saúde tem se tornado um tema relevante na agenda das políticas públicas desde a década de 1990. Este estudo, busca descrever essa relação sob a ótica da Política Nacional de Saúde Integral das Populações do Campo, da Floresta e das Águas na comunidade de São Pedro, região da Baixo Amazonas, Pará. Trata-se de um estudo descritivo focado na realização de diagnósticos que consideram a relação ambiente-saúde na comunidade. O Diagnóstico Rural Participativo foi utilizado na construção de mapas conceituais e rodas de conversa. De acordo com os resultados, questões como excesso de lixo, falta de medicamentos e deficiências na educação básica são condicionantes que tornam a comunidade vulnerável. Além disso, é perceptível que a política de saúde, apesar de importante, ainda enfrenta desafios para sua plena implementação em regiões onde há a presença marcante deste coletivo.

Resumen La relación entre medio ambiente y salud se ha convertido en un tema relevante en la agenda de políticas públicas desde la década de 1990. Este estudio busca describir esa relación desde la perspectiva de la Política Nacional de Salud Integral de las Poblaciones del Campo, Bosque y Aguas en la comunidad de São Pedro, Región del Bajo Amazonas, Pará. Es un estudio descriptivo enfocado a realizar diagnósticos que consideren la relación ambiente-salud en la comunidad. Se utilizó el Diagnóstico Rural Participativo para la construcción de mapas conceptuales y círculos de conversación. Según los resultados, cuestiones como el exceso de basura, la escasez de medicamentos y las deficiencias en la educación básica son condiciones que hacen vulnerable a la comunidad. Además, se nota que la política de salud no ha logrado implementarse plenamente en regiones donde hay fuerte presencia de este grupo.

Abstract The relationship between the environment and health has become a relevant topic on the public policy agenda since the 1990s. This study seeks to describe this relationship from the perspective of the National Policy for Comprehensive Health of Populations of the Countryside, Forest, and Waters in the community of São Pedro, in the Lower Amazon region of Pará. This is a descriptive study focused on conducting diagnoses that consider the environment-health relationship in the Community. A participatory Rural Diagnosis was used to construct conceptual maps and conversation circles. According to the results, issues, such as excess trash, shortage of medicines and deficiencies in basic education are some key conditions that can make the community vulnerable. Furthermore, it is clear that the health policy, despite being important, still faces challenges for its full implementation in regions where there is a strong presence of this group.

RESUMO A demanda mundial por produtos madeireiros e a escassez de espécies de madeira de boa qualidade estão pressionando as florestas nativas. Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a eficiência do óleo de candeia (Eremanthus erythropappus) bruto para melhorar a resistência da madeira de Pinus taeda aos fungos apodrecedores Rhodonia (≈Postia) placenta, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Neolentinus lepideus (podridão parda) e Pycnoporus sanguineus (podridão branca) em ensaios de apodrecimento acelerado em laboratório. As amostras tinham dimensões nominais de 1,90 × 1,90 × 1,90 cm. O óleo foi aplicado nas superfícies da madeira com pincel, visando obter retenções nominais de 15; 30; 45 e 60 kg de óleo por m3 de madeira. As amostras após o tratamento atingiram retenções médias de 16,25; 28,75; 41,50; e 53,75 kg m-3, e foram submetidas ao teste solo-bloco (apodrecimento acelerado) durante 12 semanas. O aumento da retenção de óleo provocou redução na perda de massa da madeira de Pinus taeda submetida aos fungos testados. Observou-se que a retenção de 16,25 kg m-3 foi capaz de inibir a degradação do fungo Rhodonia (≈Postia) e prevenir o ataque de outros fungos xilófagos. Os maiores danos foram observados para Rhodonia (≈Postia) e os menores danos para Pycnoporus sanguineus. O óleo conferiu maior resistência à madeira de Pinus taeda aos fungos testados, indicando ser útil para o tratamento de madeiras que ficarão em contato com animais domésticos e seres humanos, uma vez que não é toxico a tais organismos. nativas Eremanthus erythropappus ≈Postia Postia (≈Postia placenta trabeum podridão parda branca laboratório 190 1 90 1,9 cm pincel 15 30 4 6 m 1625 16 25 28,75 2875 28 75 41,50 4150 41 50 5375 53 53,7 m3, 3, 3 solobloco solo bloco semanas testados Observouse Observou se 16,2 m- xilófagos humanos organismos 19 9 1, 162 2 28,7 287 7 41,5 415 5 537 53, 16, 28, 41,

ABSTRACT World demand for wood products and the shortage of good quality lumber species are exerting pressure on native forests. This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of Eremanthus erythropappus crude oil in improving the resistance of Pinus taeda wood to Rhodonia (≈Postia) placenta, Gloeophyllum trabeum, Neolentinus lepideus (brown rot) and Pycnoporus sanguineus (white rot) in accelerated laboratory decay tests. Test samples measured 1.90 × 1.90 × 1.90 cm. Oil was applied to wood surfaces using a brush to obtain nominal retentions of 15, 30, 45, and 60 kg of oil per m3 of wood. After treatment, the samples reached average retentions of 16.25, 28.75, 41.50, and 53.75 kg m-3, respectively, and were submitted to a soil block decay test (accelerated decay test) for 12 weeks. Increased oil retention caused a decline in the mass loss of Pinus taeda wood exposed to the fungi tested. A retention of 16.25 kg m-3 inhibited Rhodonia placenta degradation and prevented other xylophagous fungi attacks. The most severe decay occurred with Rhodonia placenta and the least with Pycnoporus sanguineus. Oil improved Pinus taeda resistance to the decay fungi, indicating that it is useful for treating wood in contact with domestic animals and humans, since it is not toxic to them. forests ≈Postia Postia (≈Postia trabeum brown rot white tests 190 1 90 1.9 cm 15 30 45 6 m treatment 1625 16 25 2875 28 75 28.75 4150 41 50 41.50 5375 53 53.7 m3, 3, 3 respectively weeks tested 16.2 m- attacks humans them 19 9 1. 4 162 2 287 7 28.7 415 5 41.5 537 53. 16. 28. 41.

In Zimbabwe, decades of economic and political challenges have generated significant out-migration to neighboring countries including Namibia, perceived by many Zimbabweans as being more politically and economically stable than their home country. While numerous studies have documented these movements, few have interrogated the food security of migrants in host countries, where they are likely to face food security challenges. This study thus sought to investigate the changing dietary and food consumption patterns of recent Zimbabwean migrants in Namibia and the impact on household food security. The researcher collected data from 35 Zimbabwean migrant households in Windhoek through in-depth interviews. Study results show that deteriorating economic conditions and food insecurity were the major drivers of migration from Zimbabwe. The pre-migration diet of most migrants was mixed, consisting of both traditional and Westernized foods. The major food security challenges were: non-availability of foods that migrants consumed while still in Zimbabwe; poor quality of some substitute foods; increased food expenses through importing foods from the home country; and shortage of time to prepare some foods. While most migrant households reported improved household food security compared to the pre-migration period, numerous food challenges remained. Many worried that the changing diet and the consequent increase in the consumption of over-processed foods could have negative health outcomes, hence impacting on their food security as well.

The study provides insights into the implementation of Zimbabwe's 2015-2022 curriculum, particularly to determine the successful implementation of the Heritage Studies and History curriculum reforms in line with official guidelines. Although Zimbabwe's Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education issued a circular in January 2017 mandating the implementation of curriculum changes for secondary schools between 2017 and 2022, the directive alone may not have guaranteed successful adoption and implementation. While curriculum reform implementation is meant to ensure national goals, global evidence suggests various factors hinder successful curriculum implementation. The study used a qualitative approach, employing a case of secondary schools in Zimbabwe's Mutare district to generate data. The conceptual framework adopted a five-step cyclical model for curriculum implementation review. Data was generated through interviews, complemented by document and website analysis. Ten teachers from ten secondary schools in the Mutare district participated in the study. It was established that the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has made important efforts to enhance the successful implementation of the new curriculum through teacher workshops and instructional materials. However, the dissemination of curriculum information and the training of teachers through workshops were rushed. The education ministry failed to monitor or evaluate the implementation process at the grassroots level. The study identified challenges, including overloading teachers with work, restricting learners' choice of subjects, a shortage of instructional resources, and a lack of qualified teachers for the newly introduced subject, Heritage Studies. Based on these findings, recommendations have been made.

Resumo Os europeus da Idade Média sempre valorizaram o pão dentro do seu sistema alimentar, sobretudo à medida que a carne, outro alimento altamente valorizado, se ia tornando mais escassa. Mas, por tradição mais que milenar, na Europa e no Mediterrâneo, o pão era o alimento por excelência, o único que os fiéis pediam a Deus nas suas orações por ser aquele cuja falta era sinónimo da fome. O cereal cultivava-se por toda a parte, sem que isso impedisse as épocas de escassez e de carestia, tanto no campo, como nas cidades. Se estas últimas tinham outros meios para responder a essas crises e estes fenómenos foram aí mais estudados, mal se conhece o modo como os homens dos campos reagiam a tais adversidades. A partir de um livro com a contabilidade do mosteiro de Alcobaça dos anos de 1437-1440, analisa-se a resposta do mundo rural à crise cerealífera de 1438-1440. Mais clara no que respeita ao mosteiro, já que as reacções dos camponeses são mais difíceis de sondar, por estarem filtradas pelo olhar do senhorio. Em 1439, a redução em dois terços das receitas de cereal da abadia foi compensada pelo cultivo do milho-alvo, um cereal de primavera que podia substituir o trigo e a cevada. Mas a crise teve outros efeitos, como a espiral dos preços do cereal, o aumento das taxas de extração de farinha e a diminuição da qualidade do pão de cada dia, ou o recurso a alimentos de substituição. Dos monges aos camponeses, todos sentiram as consequências desta crise, embora em escalas e em modos muito diferentes.

Abstract The Europeans of the Middle Ages have always valued bread within their food system, especially as meat, another highly valued food, became scarcer. But by tradition, more than a thousand years old, in Europe and the Mediterranean, bread was the food par excellence, the only one that the faithful asked God for in their prayers because it was the one whose lack meant hunger. Grain was grown everywhere, but this didn't stop times of scarcity and famine, both in the countryside and in the cities. While the latter had other means of responding to these crises and these phenomena have been better studied there, we barely know how rural people reacted to such adversities. The response of the rural world to the cereal crisis of 1438-1440 is analyzed through a book containing the accounts of the monastery of Alcobaça for the years 1437-1440. This is clearer for the monastery, since the peasants' reactions are more difficult to discern, as they are filtered through the eyes of the landlord. In 1439, the reduction of two-thirds in the abbey's cereal revenues was countered by the cultivation of target maize, a spring cereal that could replace wheat and barley. But the crisis had other effects, such as spiraling grain prices, rising flour extraction rates and a decline in the quality of daily bread, or the resort to substitute foods. From monks to peasants, everyone felt the consequences of this crisis, albeit on very different scales and in very dissimilar ways.

Inclusion of learners with mild hearing impairments in mainstream classes contributes to their language, social and academic development. These learners require adequate support from the teachers to succeed in the classroom. However, such an endeavour requires that teachers are appropriately prepared and supported. With this study we investigated teachers' strategies for inclusion that enhance the language, social and academic development of learners with hearing impairments in mainstream classes. This was a qualitative case study. Data were collected from 2 purposefully selected female teachers at a mainstream school that admits learners with mild hearing impairments. The school is in Soweto, South Africa. Data were collected primarily through individual interviews and analysed thematically for content. Teachers held positive views about the inclusion of learners with mild hearing impairments in mainstream schools. They highlighted the use of 2 inclusive strategies, namely, repeated reading, and peer-assisted reading as strategies for facilitating inclusion. Such strategies enhance learners' language and social development, and ultimately contribute to academic success. Furthermore, they mentioned that a shortage of facilities, a lack of support through teacher-parent collaboration and a lack of training in inclusion were hindrances to inclusion of learners with mild hearing impairments. The conclusion is that inclusive teaching strategies should be learner-centred and allow full participation for all learners. Thus, regarding the teaching of semantics, it is recommended that more emphasis is placed on listening, speaking and constant reading.