Control System for Indoor Safety Measures Using a Faster R-CNN Architecture

This paper presents a control system for indoor safety measures using a Faster R-CNN (Region-based Convolutional Neural Network) architecture. The proposed system aims to ensure the safety of occupants in indoor environments by detecting and recognizing potential safety hazards in real time, such as capacity control, social distancing, or mask use. Using deep learning techniques, the system detects these situations to be controlled, notifying the person in charge of the company if any of these are violated. The proposed system was tested in a real teaching environment at Rey Juan Carlos University, using Raspberry Pi 4 as a hardware platform together with an Intel Neural Stick board and a pair of PiCamera RGB (Red Green Blue) cameras to capture images of the environment and a Faster R-CNN architecture to detect and classify objects within the images. To evaluate the performance of the system, a dataset of indoor images was collected and annotated for object detection and classification. The system was trained using this dataset, and its performance was evaluated based on precision, recall, and F1 score. The results show that the proposed system achieved a high level of accuracy in detecting and classifying potential safety hazards in indoor environments. The proposed system includes an efficiently implemented software infrastructure to be launched on a low-cost hardware platform, which is affordable for any company, regardless of size or revenue, and it has the potential to be integrated into existing safety systems in indoor environments such as hospitals, warehouses, and factories, to provide real-time monitoring and alerts for safety hazards. Future work will focus on enhancing the system's robustness and scalability to larger indoor environments with more complex safety hazards.

The impact of COVID-19 on academic aeromobility practices: Hypocrisy or moral quandary?

Academics have long regarded air travel as vital to pursuing a successful career. Meanwhile, many academics are at the frontline of climate change science and advocate the urgency to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The conflict between combating global warming and high aeromobility practices traps academics in a loop of hypocrisy. However, COVID-19 presents an opportunity for academics to advance their research and careers with reduced aeromobility. This research investigates how academics have adapted to virtual working experiences during COVID-19 and the implications for establishing changes in aeromobility practices. Informed by the theory of practice change, this paper reports the findings of a comprehensive survey and interview programme in New Zealand. It provides insights into the prospects for reduced aeromobility and the institutional policy frameworks required to embed a new normal, considering the unique circumstances faced by academics working at geographically remote institutions. The findings reveal that instead of being trapped in a loop of hypocrisy, New Zealand academics face a moral quandary in being concerned about climate change and wishing to reduce aeromobility practices, while wanting to avoid compromising career success. Recommendations for academics to face this moral quandary and their institutions to support practice change are proposed. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Mobilities is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Customer experience management in themed amusement parks: the impact of safety measures on the physical, social and digital servicescape of Gardaland Park

Purpose: This study aims to examine the role of the servicescape in the customer experience management (CEM) of a themed amusement park following the COVID-19 pandemic. Considering the managers' and customers' perspectives, this study specifically addresses the following three research questions: first, What changes have occurred in the servicescape following the adoption of safety measures in the park in response to the COVID-19 pandemic? Second, What are the effects of these safety measures in relation to CEM? Third, What are the changes that could be maintained in the future to continue improving the customer experiential journey in the park? Design/methodology/approach: A single case study method was adopted. Gardaland Park was selected as the case for this study. Data were collected from several sources: in-depth interviews with managers of Gardaland Park, focus group interviews with customers, and the corporate website and documentary. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to examine the data. Findings: The findings reveal that safety measures affect the physical, social and digital (e- and smart) servicescape by influencing the aesthetic (reassurance), entertainment (relaxation), escapist (enjoyment and distraction) and educational (learning) experiences. Among the various changes implemented, the digital servicescape can be improved in the future when the pandemic is over by providing flexible solutions in relation to services at the park (e.g. virtual queuing) or on the website (e.g. dynamic booking). Practical implications: The findings provide park managers with practical advice about servicescape organization to facilitate offering safe and memorable customer experiences. Originality/value: To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to address the effects of safety measures on the servicescape and CEM in themed amusement parks after the COVID-19 pandemic. © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited.

Post-covid Tourist Satisfaction in the Hospitality industry: Reflections from Jordan

This study sets out to investigate the effects of COVID-19 on the tourism industry in Jordan by studying the satisfaction of tourists after the lockdown. This study focuses on three main areas that may influence tourists' satisfaction. The tourist satisfaction study was conducted using a questionnaire designed and distributed among tourists who used the services. Other than that, all the tourist guides from the six travel agencies involved in this study were interviewed for cross-checking purposes. There was a shift in the satisfaction level after the pandemic's peak. The three main areas that determine satisfaction are services provided by travel agencies, facilities for tourists at their destinations, and accommodations. The findings suggested the tourists demanded proper COVID-19 standard operating procedures in addition to the basic requirements of the services provided. Data will inform stakeholders on the preparation of services provided for the post-COVID-19 tourism industry. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Technium Social Sciences Journal is the property of Technium Press Constanta and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Exploring the impact of the COVID-19 safety measures on learner-centred teaching in rural English FAL classrooms

AJOL : The Coronavirus (COVID-19) has disrupted the process of teaching and learning in unprecedented ways. There has been a shift in the way lesson presentation takes place in many classrooms. In particular, the COVID-19 safety measures (social distancing and wearing of masks) threaten learner-centred teaching in rural English First Additional Language (FAL) classrooms. As a result, there is a need to explore the impact of the COVID-19 safety measures on learner-centred teaching in rural English FAL classrooms. To achieve this aim, the study raises these questions: how do COVID- 19 safety measures disrupt learner-centred teaching in rural English FAL classrooms? How do rural English FAL teachers implement learner-centred teaching while adhering to the COVID-19 safety measures? The study adopts a qualitative research design and uses Document Analysis and Online interviews to generate data from eleven participants.Following thematic analysis, data revealed that the COVID-19 safety measures negatively impact learner-centred teaching in rural English FAL classrooms. The challenges include ineffective monitoring and scaffolding, difficulty engaging in concrete and cooperative learning, limited opportunities for creativity, and distorted communication.In response, the paper recommends various strategies to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 safety measures on learner-centred teaching in rural English FAL classrooms. These include: strengthening the home-school connection, creating a supportive classroom environment, incorporating fun activities in collaborative learning activities, and providing activities that encourage independent learning

Vaccine hesitancy and post-vaccination adherence to safety measures: A mixed-method study.

Background: Despite being recognized as one of the most successful public health measures, vaccination is still considered to be unnecessary and unreliable in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The current study utilized a two-pronged approach in analyzing vaccine hesitancy and health behaviors after vaccination by employing a mixed-method design. Phase 1 was aimed at identifying predictors of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among the Pakistani population using protection motivation theory (PMT), whereas Phase 2 was aimed at exploring the factors related to the vaccination of COVID-19. Method: A convenient sample of 1,736 individuals from the vaccine-eligible population (12 years and above) was selected to collect data on vaccine hesitancy and acceptance (Phase 1). Phase 2 of the study explored post-vaccination health behaviors, especially adherence to safety measures for COVID-19, through 23 in-depth interviews with the vaccinated population. Results: Multiple regression analyses showed that response cost is a major predictor of vaccine hesitancy (in Phase 1). In terms of the role of demographic variables, the results showed that being male (for severity: B = -0.481; threat appraisal: B = -0.737), old age (B = -0.044), not vaccinated, and not infected with COVID-19 (themselves and family members) are strongly associated with vaccination hesitancy. Results of thematic analysis in Phase 2 revealed that perceived individual experience and insensitivity toward the severity of the disease are strongly associated with a lack of adherence to safety measures of COVID-19. Faith and religious beliefs and reliance on traditional remedies are also key predictors of people's general non-compliance to health behaviors. One interesting aspect that was revealed in the analysis was the general financially and socially destabilized situation in the context of developing countries that contributed to general apathy in the pandemic situation. Conclusion: The findings of the current study may help in devising a health model for the public from the developing world to deal with future pandemic situations.

Face Mask Detection using Single Shot Multibox Detector and Mobile Net

During the pandemic time government took many safety measures to protect the public at common gathering places. People are insisted on wearing a face mask to protect themselves from COVID. Even then many people were roaming without a mask in public places. The proposed technique to detect the face mask is to identify the person's face with mask and person's face without mask and reporting to the safety officers about the persons without mask for further action. The proposed Face mask detection is developed using the ML technique which can be used to classify the people wearing masks and not wearing masks with the input given to the model. The proposed face mask detector is a one-stage detector that focuses on detecting the face mask alone. This work is implemented using the Tensor flow and Computer vision libraries. NumPy is used for image processing. The data set used in MAFA dataset. The model is trained using this data set to get the accurate results. To enable multiple detection here the single shot with multi box detector is used. The base model used for this process is Mobile Net V2. The proposed model is simple and it can be integrated with several other technologies to provide high accuracy percentage of output in the minimum possible time. © 2022 IEEE.

Preventive wildlife strike strategy implemented at the airports operated by Fraport Greece during the COVID-19 pandemic

Any collision between wildlife (including birds) with an aircraft is known as a wildlife strike. Most of the time such a strike has no operational impact but occasionally it could result in delays because of a technical check or even cause damage to aircraft. The COVID-19 pandemic severely affected Europe's transport sector. Air connectivity collapsed worldwide and the demand on the airports operated by Fraport Greece (FG) decreased significantly during the pandemic years (2020–21). With less air traffic and more stay-home orders, a variety of bird species were attracted to the green, quieter areas of the airports. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) issued warnings concerning the increased presence of wildlife hazards in European airports. This case study aims to communicate to the aviation industry the wildlife strike prevention strategy implemented at the airports operated by FG during the pandemic years. The fundamentals of wildlife management, airport ecology, flight safety and sustainability are presented in a structured way to provide the reader with many relevant messages. The management implications, together with the best practices of this preventive wildlife strike strategy, are discussed for their possible wider use in the aviation industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Airport Management is the property of Henry Stewart Publications LLP and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Work-related SARS-CoV2 and Covid19

ObjectiveTo map the risk of work-related SARS-CoV-2 across occupations and pandemic waves and investigate its impact on morbidity and partner-risk.MethodsThe cohort includes 2,4 million employees aged 20–69 with follow-up from 2020 through 2021. During this period, 261,203 employees had a positive SARS-CoV-2 test and 4416 were admitted to hospital with Covid-19 (HA). At-risk occupations defined at the 4-digit DISCO-08 level were identified using a reference population of mainly office-workers defined a priory by a job-exposure matrix (JEM). Incidence rate ratios (IRR) and effect modification by pandemic wave were computed by Poisson regression. We adjusted for demographic, social and health characteristics including household size, completed Covid-19 vaccination and occupation-specific frequency of testing.ResultsIn addition to eight specific occupations in the healthcare sector, we found increased risk of Covid-19 related HA in bus drivers, kindergarten teachers, domestic helpers, and operators in food production (IRR from 1.5–3) and modestly increased risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection in numerous occupations outside the healthcare sector including police and security guards, supermarket attendants, receptionists, cooks, and waiters. After the first year of the pandemic, the risk fell to background levels among healthcare workers but not in other occupations. The risk of Covid-19 related HA was increased in spouses with partners in high-risk occupations (IRR 1.54, 95% CI 1.1–2.2). Employees born in low-income countries and male employees from Eastern Europe more often worked in at-risk occupations. Being foreign-born modified the risk of PCR test positivity, primarily because of higher risk among men born in Eastern Europe working in at-risk occupations (IRR 2.39, 95% CI 2.09–2.72 versus IRR 1.19 (95% CI 1.14–1.23) in native-born men).ConclusionSARS-Cov2 transmission at the workplace was common during the Covid-pandemic in spite of temporary lock-downs which emphasizes the need for improved safety measures during future epidemics.

A Novel Classification Technique for Safety Measures on Covid-19 Using Featured-Based Sentimental Analysis

Covid-19 is a term that has frightened the globe because it has broken beyond socioeconomic barriers in which people literally forgot the word social help because of this deadliest virus.The main goal of this study is to create a model that forecasts Covid-19 reviews based on coronavirus ratings from Kaggle repository. The World Health Organization(WHO) declared a pandemic of the coronavirus infection when it first appeared in 2019. People are worrying and concerned about their health as the number of instances rises throughout the world. People's physical and emotional health is inversely proportional to the pandemic scenario. As a result, in this case, a categorization model based on numerous metrics is required to rescue nations by analyzing facts and information about the outbreak. In this article to organise the reviews or opinions provided by people worldwide, we performed emotional or opinion classification using a Novel classifier. Then, the accuracy of the proposed model is compared with existing base classifiers like NB(Naive-Bayes) and Support Vector Machine(SVM), where Novel classifier gave the best accuracy compared to the other two classifiers, i.e., 95 © 2022 IEEE.

Face Mask Detection Based Entery

The Covid-19 pandemic has introduced several challenges to the society and safety measures are of utmost importance. Hence, to contain and reduce the spread, mask detection-based entry has emerged as a very fascinating topic in the domains of image processing, computer vision, and the Internet of Things (IoT). Convolutional architectures are being used to develop a number of new algorithms that will improve the accuracy of the algorithm. Such convolutional architectures have also made possible the extraction of pixel details. The project aims to build a binary face classifier which can detect the presence of a mask and accordingly people will be granted entry. The classifier is created by using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN), Region based CNN (R-CNN), ThingSpeak. © 2022 IEEE.

Are we there yet? A guide to achieving endemic status for COVID-19 and variants.

AIM: To clarify factors that support a policy change from pandemic to endemic status and to examine options for non-medical responses to reduce COVID-19 transmission. BACKGROUND: Critical factors to be considered in pandemic response decisions are not limited to medical options or public health orders, although these are important. SOURCES OF EVIDENCE: All evidence drawn from publicly available sources is presented through the lens of the authors' nursing, management, education, policy and research experience. DISCUSSION: As COVID-19 variants cause infections to surge nurses and other health practitioners, who are the de facto implementers of public and health policy, need to consider the evidence supporting a pandemic policy change to endemic status. Non-medical options for reducing transmission and variant mutations are needed to enable at-risk populations to avoid infection. CONCLUSION: Public policy that shifts infection risks onto the general population requires close scrutiny of the evidence base for such decisions and warrants open debate and review. If people are to manage risks arising from policy decisions, they need access to non-medical virus detection options as well as access to effective medicines and treatment. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses have an extension to their advocacy role when policy changes about infectious disease status are declared. Evaluation of policy in terms of validity, equity and scientific basis is part of nursing's public responsibility. Policies that fail to reflect what is happening at the patient care level need to be questioned and modified where necessary. Only policies deemed 'good' policy by nurses should be implemented without challenge. Access to devices for environmental detection of the virus would enable real-time estimation of infection risks and inform individual decisions about the real risk of participating in work or other activities. IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH AND SOCIAL POLICY: Policy decisions to transition from pandemic to endemic status must be evidence based. Clear messaging about risks and options assists policy implementation. Terminologies describing stages of infectious disease spread from 'outbreak, epidemic, endemic and pandemic' are not interchangeable, although they will expand and contract across the range in response to interventions such as public health safety measures (PHSM), quarantine, vaccinations, antivirals and fatalities that alter the case count in defined locations for those who avoid or survive an infection.

Electronic self-assessment of COVID-19 symptoms among healthcare workers.

Purpose: Daily monitoring of COVID-19 symptoms/history of contact in hospital staff is useful for ensuring safety in the hospital. An electronic self- assessment tool could be used to monitor staff without using excessive resources and resulting in unnecessary contact. The objective of our study was to describe the results of a self-assessment COVID-19 daily monitor log in hospital employees. Methods: A description of characteristics of staff who filled the log and follow-up of those who reported symptoms/history of contact was collected. An online self-assessment of COVID-19 symptoms/contact history was developed and used at a hospital in Bahrain. All staff completed the daily COVID-19 log. Data were collected during the month of June 2020. Results: Out of 47,388 responses, 853 (2%) of staff reported either COVID-19 symptoms/history of contact with diagnosed COVID-19 case. The most frequently reported symptom was sore throat (23%), followed by muscle pain (12.6%). The highest frequency of staff who reported symptoms and/or contact was in nurses. Of those who reported symptoms/contact, 18 were diagnosed with COVID-19. The majority (83.3%) of the infected staff obtained the virus through community transmission, and only 16.7% obtained the virus through hospital transmission. Conclusion: The electronic self-assessment log for staff during COVID-19 could be used as a safety measure in hospitals. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of targeting community transmission in an effort to increase hospital safety.

Service Workers' Experience and Perceptions of Workplace Protective Measures During the Onset of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: The Coronavirus-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presents a unique burden specifically for workers in service industries. However, limited research on service worker's experience during the onset of COVID-19 exists. We aimed to describe the experiences and concerns of service industry workers during the pandemic's onset. METHODS: This is a mixed-method study. Participants were recruited through social media and completed either a survey or a phone interview during May and June 2020. The survey and transcribed interview data were analyzed using the SPSS software and content analysis, respectively. RESULTS: Twenty-seven individuals completed audio-recorded phone interviews and 28 completed the survey. Participants were mostly women between 19 and 65 years old. Participants worked in food retail (n = 23), restaurant (n = 25), and hospitality (n = 7) industries. There was discordance in perceived threat level of COVID-19. Most participants reported that their workplace complied with their state's mandates for protection measures, while others reported lacking basic supplies such as soap, hand sanitizer, and masks. Job insecurity, change of job tasks, and work hours were the most common ways that COVID-19 affected the workers. Worker's assertiveness to self-protect while at work was influenced by their perceived severity of the pandemic. CONCLUSION/APPLICATION TO PRACTICE: This study highlights the vulnerability of service workers relating to job security and job tasks during the pandemic. Organizational processes are needed to promote safe work environments and facilitate access to resources for these workers. In addition, occupational health practitioners need to be aware of and address the emerging health risks and worker needs.

Transforming construction health and safety management during COVID-19 pandemic using innovative technologies: PLS-SEM approach

Purpose: This study aims to investigate technology-based health and safety (H&S) management to control the spread of disease on construction sites using a partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach. Design/methodology/approach: An extensive literature review is conducted to develop a conceptual framework. The variables identified from the literature review are included in a cross-sectional survey which gathered a total of 203 valid feedback. The variables for challenges are grouped under their relevant construct using exploratory factor analysis. Then, a hypothesized model is developed for PLS-SEM analysis using Smart PLS software. Later, the outcome of the model is further validated by nine construction experts using a semi-structured questionnaire survey. Findings: The results rationalized the relationships between the COVID-19 H&S measures, challenges in implementing COVID-19 H&S measures on construction sites and the innovative technologies in transforming construction H&S management during the COVID-19 pandemic. The possible challenges that obstruct the implementation of H&S measures are highlighted. The potential technologies which can significantly transform H&S management by reducing the impact of challenges are presented. Practical implications: The findings benefited the industry practitioners who are suffering disruption in construction operations due to the pneumonic plague. Originality/value: By developing a conceptual model, this study reveals the contribution of technology-based H&S management for construction projects during the COVID-19 pandemic, which remains under-studied, especially in the context of the developing world. © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited.

The relationship between formative assessment and reading achievement: A multilevel analysis of students in 19 countries/regions

Despite the general consensus on the positive impact of formative assessment on student learning, researchers have not shown the underlying mechanisms between specific formative assessment strategies and academic performance on an international sample. This study examines the link between student and teacher reports of teachers' formative assessment strategies (i.e. clarifying goals and monitoring progress, providing feedback, and instructional adjustments) and students' reading achievement, based on data from 151,969 fifteen‐year‐olds in 5,225 schools in 19 countries/regions in PISA 2018 via multilevel analysis of plausible values. The results show that clarifying goals and monitoring progress, and instruction adjustments are positively linked to reading achievement, but providing feedback alone has no significant impact. These findings highlight the complexity of formative assessment as a multifaceted concept and the different impacts of formative assessment strategies on student learning. Implications for researchers and practitioners are discussed. [ FROM AUTHOR]

The Politics of Prevention: Polarization in How Workplace COVID-19 Safety Practices Shaped the Well-Being of Frontline Service Sector Workers

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reshaped the labor market, especially for service sector workers. Frontline service sector workers, already coping with precarious working conditions, faced proximate risks of COVID-19 transmission on the job and navigated new workplace safety measures, including masking, social distancing, and staying home while sick, all in a polarized political environment. We examine polarization in the effects of COVID-19 workplace safety measures on workers' feelings of safety and well-being. Specifically, we examine how support for former President Trump moderates the relationship between COVID-19 safety practices (masking, social distancing, staying home while sick) and workers' feelings of safety and well-being. To do so, we draw on novel data collected by The Shift Project from 2,039 service sector workers at 89 large firms during the COVID-19 pandemic. We find that workplace safety measures are positively associated with workers' self-assessments of feeling safe and with mental health, but only for Biden voters.

Memorable dining experiences amidst the COVID-19 pandemic

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the effects of memorable dining experiences (MDEs) in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic.Design/methodology/approachA total of 530 valid survey responses were collected in the USA. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM) was used to estimate inner and outer models. A two-stage approach was applied to test the moderating effects of restaurant safety measures. Additional analyses were conducted to compare electronic word of mouth (eWOM) intention and actual eWOM behavior.FindingsAll five dimensions contributed to the overall memorability of a dining experience, with affect being the primary factor. Overall memorability was positively related to subjective well-being and actual eWOM behavior. Restaurant safety measures were positively related to the overall experience but did not moderate the relationship between any dimension and overall memorability.Research limitations/implicationsFindings provide empirical support for the conceptualization of MDEs during a pandemic and underscore the importance of actual eWOM behavior in restaurant research.Practical implicationsResults offer guidance for restaurant managers in designing MDEs.Originality/valueThe restaurant industry is evolving from simply providing products and services to creating experiences. Yet the impacts of crafting MDEs are not well understood, especially during a pandemic. This study filled this gap by investigating MDEs and their effects on subjective well-being and eWOM behavior.

Social violence and the trivialising effects of youth in school bullying: Extended listening to South Australian young people on bullying and violence

School bullying attracts significant research and resources globally, yet critical questions are being raised about the long‐term impact of these efforts. There is a disconnect between young people's perspectives and the long‐established psychology‐based technical definitions of school bullying dominating practice and policy in Australia. This dominant paradigm has recently been described as the first paradigm of school bullying. In contrast, this paper explores the potential for reorienting school bullying research towards the concerns of young people and away from adult‐derived technical definitions. Borrowing from paradigm two, which emphasises the social, cultural and philosophical (among others) elements of school bullying, in this paper, I approach bullying under the broad banner of 'social violence'. This approach addresses some of the inherent limitations of the first paradigm to conceptualise social and cultural dynamics. I argue that a 'social violence' approach reveals that the exclusionary effects of the social phenomenon of youth continue to be overlooked. Furthermore, the term 'violence' in bullying research could benefit from integrating contemporary sociological insights on this phenomenon. This paper draws on qualitative insights from a small group of young people in secondary schooling in South Australia gained through prolonged listening to peer conversations in a series of focus groups. In addition, 1:1 interviews were conducted pre and post the focus group series. I argue that these participants' insights reveal the exclusionary effects of youth and the employment of bullying to trivialise young people's experiences and concern for harm. There is a need to reprioritise young people's knowledge in school bullying research and the exclusionary effects of youth alongside other social forces. [ FROM AUTHOR]

Cultural capital, curriculum policy and teaching Latin

Latin is currently being trialled as a subject in 40 state secondary schools in England. This paper focuses on one of the justifications of this trial: that teaching Latin in state secondary schools provides students with cultural capital which in turn counters social injustice. By taking the example of Latin as a starting point, I reach two conclusions about cultural capital. The first is that providing students with cultural capital can be good for some individuals, and so justified on a case‐by‐case basis depending on context. However, this justification does not hold for curriculum policy making. My second conclusion is that in the long term, pursuing cultural capital as part of curriculum policy exacerbates the social injustices it purports to address. Wherever an activity is introduced for the sake of cultural capital rather than its educational value, educationally valuable activities risk being pushed off the curriculum, potentially degrading the educational value of the curriculum. In the case of teaching Latin, it may provide benefits to particular students, but as part of curriculum policy it risks exacerbating social injustices and undermining the educational value of school curricula. Going beyond the place of Latin on the curriculum, I argue that all appeals to cultural capital provide a poor basis for curriculum policy making. [ FROM AUTHOR]