Purpose: The study examined the impact of teacher pedagogical skills and teacher attendance on students' foundational literacy and numeracy performance in eight sampled basic schools across four districts in Northern Ghana. Methodology/approach: Using a mixed-methods approach, a total of 216 school visits were conducted, with 120 lessons observed. Results/findings: Results from the study revealed that most teachers in the Kumbungu district were rated either distinguishable or proficient, and the majority in Nanton, Savelugu, and Tolon were rated proficient. The mean scores showed that teachers in Tolon were lagging in some pedagogical skills. Regression analyses revealed that both teacher attendance and teacher pedagogical skills were significant determinants of students’ academic performance, especially in facilitating learners to achieve excellent grades. The qualitative findings also revealed that teacher attendance influenced students’ academic performance and attendance, which may eventually lead to a high rate of school dropout in the long run. Conclusion: Teacher attendance and teacher pedagogical skills play significant roles in student academic performance in literacy and numeracy even though there may be other contributing factors. Essentially, all stakeholders in education should adopt holistic approaches in addressing identified obstacles to improving learning outcomes. Limitations: The study considered only grades 1 to 3 teachers in eight schools and hence extending to other grades in these schools could have revealed diverse findings. Contribution: The study advances knowledge on the impact of teachers’ pedagogical skills and attendance on the academic performance of students and also inform policy makers to implement policies to address associated challenges.

Purpose: This research aims to examine the impact of academic stress on the psychological well-being of international students at Northeast Normal University. By analyzing stressors such as academic workload, language barriers, and cultural adjustments, the research seeks to understand how these factors contribute to anxiety and overall mental health. Methods: A quantitative correlational design was employed focusing on international students at Northeast Normal University, China. Using the Perception of Academic Stress (PAS) Scale and the Psychological Well-Being (PWB) Scale, data were collected from 80 respondents (40 males and 40 females) through a Google Form questionnaire. SPSS was used for descriptive, correlation, and regression analyses to determine the relationship between academic stress dimensions—academic expectation, examination, and self-perception—and psychological well-being. Results: The findings reveal that both academic stress and psychological well-being are moderately high among international students, with academic stress explaining 43.1% of the variance in psychological well-being. Self-perception emerged as the most significant predictor, emphasizing its critical role in stress management and mental health. No significant gender differences were found, but age showed a significant relationship with academic stress. Conclusion: Academic stress significantly affects the mental health of international students, with self-perception playing a vital role in coping. Institutions should prioritize interventions that enhance self-awareness and psychological resilience. Limitations: The study focuses on one institution with a limited sample, restricting generalizability. Contribution: The study offers empirical insights into academic stress predictors and supports universities in designing culturally sensitive mental health and academic support programs for international students.

Purpose: This study investigates digital silence as a pragmatic strategy in online group chats during crisis situations, focusing on its cross-cultural functions and interpretations. Research methodology: Using a qualitative discourse-pragmatic framework, data were collected from 30 online group chats across Arabic-speaking, Western, and East Asian groups, and analyzed for patterns of silence. Results: Findings reveal that digital silence is universally used but culturally interpreted. In Arabic-speaking groups, silence often conveys politeness or emotional overwhelm; in Western contexts, it may suggest avoidance; and in East Asian cultures, it can indicate deference or restraint. Conclusions: Digital silence operates as a strategic communicative act shaped by cultural expectations. This study addressed three research questions. First, digital silence is used pragmatically in online group chats during crises to convey politeness, emotional regulation, resistance, and ambiguity. Second, it serves functions such as mourning, face-saving, strategic withdrawal, and deference. Third, these functions vary culturally: in Arabic-speaking contexts, silence often reflects solidarity and emotion; in Western groups, it can imply resistance or discomfort; and in East Asian settings, it demonstrates restraint and hierarchy. Limitations: The research is limited to group chats during specific types of crises, and findings may not generalize to all online interactions. Contribution: This study contributes to digital pragmatics and intercultural communication by illuminating the nuanced role of silence in crisis discourse.

Purpose: This study analyzes the implementation of community school policies within the framework of critical education, based on Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2025 on the eradication of extreme poverty. Research Methodology: This research uses qualitative methods based on policy studies to evaluate the effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities of community school programs in supporting poverty reduction through education. Results: “Sekolah Rakyat” can build critical awareness in poor communities, strengthen local participation, and integrate education with local wisdom. However, the success of this program still faces the challenges of inter-agency coordination, limited human resources, and inadequate facilities. Therefore, sustainable policy support, cross-sector collaboration, and community engagement are essential to strengthen the impact of Community Schools as a tool of social transformation and inclusive education. Conclusions: The implementation of "Sekolah Rakyat" as an alternative education policy in Indonesia has great potential to reduce social and economic disparities, especially for the poor and marginal communities. Paulo Freire's critical education approach provides not only practical knowledge but also critical thinking skills and social awareness to play a role in social change. Education based on local wisdom is considered relevant to the needs of the community. Limitations: This research shows that the "people's school" policy has great potential as a strategy to reduce extreme poverty through education. The government needs to push the mainstream of alternative education policies based on social empowerment into national policies. Contribution: The study emphasizes that "Sekolah rakyat" are not only Centers for academic learning, but also for life skills, character development, and social awareness.