Norfariza Mohd Radzi

Use of the internet by breast cancer patients

This article reports on the literature associated with Internet use by breast cancer patients. Reviewing the literature indicates that breast cancer patients can use the Internet as a source of information, social support, shared experience, empowerment, positive role models, professional support and patient advocacy. Also, studies reveal that a number of factors such as patients’ personal characteristics, computer competence, computer access, attitudes of patients toward Internet and trust influence patients’ decisions to use Internet to get cancer related information. It is suggested that health care providers should help patients to understand the role of Internet in their health care. Furthermore, they should encourage them to learn and use a credentialed website that is comprehensive and regularly updated by objective and unbiased experts to assist them in coping with their disease.

EDUCATIONAL EQUITY FOR MALAYSIAN URBAN POOR MUSLIM STUDENTS

This study aims at determining the contribution of zakat in improving educational equity of Muslim urban poor students in Malaysia. This research was carried out based on quantitative methodology using a survey questionnaire on a sample of 462 urban poor students. The students were recipients of full assistance from zakat institutions in the cities of Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and state of Selangor. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics of Spearman correlations and Kruskal-Wallis H test. Based on analysis, respondents were highly agreed that zakat funds had contributed to the input, process and output of their education. A moderately strong correlation was found between input from zakat and the education output of the poor students (r = 0.598, p < 0.05) similar with the correlation between education process provided by zakat and the education output of the poor students (r = 0.604, p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in education output of the poor students for five categories of family members’ highest level of education [χ2(4, N = 462) = 5.412, p = 0.05]. The study highlighted the contribution of zakat in improving educational equity among Muslim urban poor students. It is also emphasized the role of zakat institutions in assisting the government in implementing education policy and providing better opportunity for education of urban poor students

Development of an effective school-based financial management profile in Malaysia: The Delphi method application

The agenda for national development requires a persistent improvement in education as a tool for creating knowledgeable human capital, highly skilled labour, a high technology society and ultimately a highly civilized nation for the future challenging world. It requires considerable financial and technical investment as well as effective and efficient public administration to realize these aims. The persistent actions by the Federal Government and the Ministry of Education in Malaysia throughout the past decades to enhance the quality of school financial management were portrayed in the country’s national master plans such as the Education Development Master Plan (PIPP) 2006-2010, the Tenth Malaysia Plan 2010-2015 and the Malaysia Education Blueprint (PPPM) 2013-2025. Among the strategies focused on upgrading education and curriculum delivery is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of educational financial management as a vital part of educational administration. The latest Tenth Malaysia Plan 2010-2015 was formed with the objective of revamping the education system in order to significantly raise student outcomes. As an innovative approach to realize the effectiveness of knowledge delivery, public-private partnerships have been established for pre-school and primary and secondary education which allow for significant autonomy for school managers. Key words: Financial management, education, student outcomes, Malaysia.