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Implement the report
The probe panel has made a fine set of proposals to ensure quality medical education
– Kahar Singh Khadka
Feb 23, 2018- The Kathmandu Post
The Deuba administration stepped down shortly after receiving the report of the Medical Education Probe Commission (MEPC), and it remains to be seen whether the new government will implement the recommendations of a panel formed by its predecessor. People are also curious about what will happen to the National Medical Education Ordinance which needs to be approved by Parliament. The probe report has not been made public because it needs to be reviewed by the Health and Education ministries first. But as per media reports, it has recommended wide ranging reforms besides calling for action against 43 persons including the vice-chancellor, rector and registrar of Tribhuvan University (TU) for abuse of power to benefit the 'medical mafia'.
The probe panel has made a fine set of proposals to ensure quality education and regulate the medical education sector. The report contains 29 recommendations which include taking stern action against medical colleges which disregard the regulator's instructions. The university which has granted affiliation to a medical college can also withdraw it for failing to follow directions repeatedly. Likewise, the operation licence of medical colleges which charge exorbitant fees, admits more students than the enrolment quota and shows negligence in providing quality education can be revoked at any time.
The commission has also recommended establishing provincial medical universities in all seven provinces. They will have the authority to grant affiliation, but they cannot grant affiliation to more than three medical colleges. The report has called for allocation of seats by the university which issues the affiliation, inspection of medical colleges at least twice yearly by a committee consisting of experts from the university, Health and Education ministries and the Medical Council and payment of tuition fees through the bank. Likewise, students who get selected for reservation seats in the entrance examination are required to have at least 70 percent marks.
The probe commission, which also scrutinised the controversial affiliation issue of National Medical College (NMC), found a fake inspection report submitted by a committee led by a senior doctor. NMC had been recommended for affiliation by TU even though it did not fulfil the requirements. Following sustained criticism, TU cancelled its decision to grant affiliation to NMC.
The report of the commission, which was headed by Gauri Bahadur Karki, former chairman of the Special Court, can be taken as one step towards the betterment of health education and healthcare. This achievement is the result of the continuous efforts of medical education reform activist Dr Govinda KC, and the support of all the people and stakeholders who have supported his crusade. The Deuba-led government had been generally agreeable to the demands put forward by Dr KC. If Deuba had shown courage by taking action against the people accused by the Karki panel, he would definitely have received some credit. But he missed the opportunity.
Now a new administration has been sworn in, and it does not look like it will implement the commission's recommendations. It is common knowledge that the CPN-UML is not in favour of such an ordinance. A bill related to medical education was rejected by the previous Parliament due to lack of support from the UML and the CPN (Maoist Centre).
So there is very little chance that the new government will fully implement the report.
The process of reform in the medical education sector faces tough days ahead. Dr KC has warned of another round of protests if the government fails to implement the recommendations of the probe panel. The way will not be easy for Dr KC because a group of people who are unwilling to back up his efforts have come to power. They will not hesitate to use all the resources at their disposal to make sure that the reform process fails.
Considering the circumstances and the gravity of the current situation, another round of protests seems to be inevitable. To prevent the occurrence of such a state of affairs, the KP Oli government should take this matter seriously and implement the probe panel's report as soon as possible. MEPC chief Karki rightly said after submitting the report to the government, "I have done my job, now the responsibility lies with the government." Let's hope that the new government fulfils its duty by implementing the report.
– Khadka is chairperson of Prakriya Nepal, an NGO working in the field of health, education and consumer rights
Get insured
Recently-introduced health insurance scheme will not succeed without people's understanding and participation
Kahar Singh Khadka
Jul 6,2017 – The Kathmandu Post
These days we frequently come across advertisements for the health insurance scheme recently introduced by the Ministry of Health (MoH). The public promotional ad includes an appeal to the general public to register their names in the scheme, which was launched with the aim of providing health security coverage and ensuring access to quality health care at an affordable cost for all citizens.
The government aims to bring the entire national population under the insurance coverage within three years by covering at least an additional 25 districts every successive year. It seems a challenging task to achieve such an ambitious goal within that time frame. The progress of the programme currently running in eight districts is not satisfactory, mainly because the rate of participation is very low.
Better informed
Before we start to examine the various aspects of the insurance scheme including enrolment, benefit packages, sustainability and quality of health services, it is better to know about the scheme and the process of becoming a member because most people are unaware about them.
It is a community-based health insurance programme which involves prepayment and the pooling of resources to protect against the cost of illness. It operates within the scope of a family, so it can be viewed as a family-based insurance programme. All the members of the family need to get registered and make an Individual Identity Card. Registration assistants visit every household in the community for the promotion of the insurance scheme. A five-member family will have to pay an annual premium of Rs2,500. For a family with more than five members, an extra Rs425 will have to be paid for each additional member. In return, each family will receive a benefit package of up to Rs50,000 annually for medical treatment. An additional member will get a financial coverage of up to Rs10,000, but the package amount cannot exceed Rs100,000 in total.
As of now, medical treatment for insured families is only available at government-run health care centres. But the MoH has been trying to find a way to make services available at private hospitals, too. The insured members cannot go to any government hospital they choose, except in cases of emergency. This is because members must choose a specific health care provider while filling the registration form.
Prior to this, Nepalis did not have any experience of a community-based health insurance scheme. A few pilot projects were launched, but their reach was limited. There is no statute law relating to health insurance in the country. The MoH has drafted a bill, but it is yet to be endorsed. Even private insurance companies do not sell health insurance policies like this. They have only issued an accidental health insurance policy, which apply only in the case of accidents. Nepal obviously has a long way to go to reach the level of developed countries in terms of providing health insurance for its citizens.
Why low enrolment?
There are many reasons behind the low enrolment. An important one is the lack of knowledge about health insurance. Even those who are mindful of their health are not convinced that insurance helps them minimise their health care cost. Some people even say that if no family member falls sick within a year, then the family will lose their Rs2,500. It's a little strange that some people do not seem to understand there is always a possibility of them falling sick at any given time, and that by investing a little money, they can have access to a larger amount at their time of need.
It's true that there are many others for whom the insurance scheme is not financially viable. The government has allocated a monetary fund for the poor with the purpose of involving them in the insurance scheme, but that fund has not been fully utilised as the intended beneficiary has to show a Poor Identity Card. Many people who qualify haven't received the card. There are many disadvantaged, marginalised and differently-abled people who also need to be brought under the insurance scheme. So the MoH should come up with a plan to find an alternative source of finance for them.
The benefit package provided by the government is acceptable in the present context. It can offer financial protection for those who cannot afford the high cost of medical expenses. But people have doubts that the health service provided under this scheme will be of the same quality as the one provided to those who pay out of pocket. Such doubts are also responsible for low enrolment in the scheme. To dispel the doubts, a health insurance policy paper should be issued along with an ID card, clearly mentioning the contents of the services and their quality and potential benefits.
In conclusion, the health insurance programme shows the government's commitment to public health. But without people's informed understanding and active involvement, the health insurance scheme may not be utilised by the intended population. So the MoH should ramp up efforts to make people more aware of the benefits of health insurance. The government also needs support from various concerned stakeholders to make the programme successful.
Talking is easy
The greatest challenge in the health sector is making services available nationwide
By: Kahar Singh Khadka
April 20, 2017- The Kathmandu Post
People have been asking what improvements have occurred in the health sector after the many initiatives launched by Health Minister Gagan Thapa. Some say that they are just populist political gestures. The reason behind this perception is that people are not much hopeful about the implementation part, which is yet to be seen. At the same time, Minister Thapa has become a champion in the eyes of the populace. He may have come up with ambitious health programmes, but one thing we must say honestly is that he has been trying his best to bring changes.
Thapa has done a praiseworthy job after assuming office by creating rules regarding the amount of financial assistance the government can provide to political leaders and cadres for medical treatment. The guideline has capped medical aid at Rs1.5 million. Let's hope this ceiling will be strictly followed. The minister has also announced various health care facilities. A number of services have been made totally free of cost to all Nepali citizens. Provisions have been made to provide free treatment to certain groups of people who cannot afford expensive medical treatment.
Laudable initiative
Medical treatment like dialysis and valve transplantation for rheumatic heart patients have been made free for everybody. Now anyone can get free dialysis for life in the case of kidney failure. Likewise, kidney transplant will be done without charge if the patient's nearest relative is the donor. The minister has also extended free valve transplant service to rheumatic heart patients of all ages. Earlier, this service was free only for those below the age of 15 years.
The Health Ministry has also introduced a provision allocating 10 percent of hospital beds to the poor, disabled, underprivileged and old citizens. They will also receive free medical treatment. Potential beneficiaries have to produce a recommendation letter from the concerned village or municipal council and the District Health Post to obtain this facility. However, getting this paperwork can be a lengthy process for poor and illiterate people. Due to such technical difficulties, there is little chance of getting this facility at the time of need. Therefore, it is important to analyse whether the target people have really benefitted from the free coverage.
Minister Thapa has also instructed hospitals to provide OPD services during office hours, provided allowances to doctors, made arrangements for the government to procure medicines itself, sent doctors to remote areas and signed partnerships with varied agencies. In addition to the Health Ministry, another government agency has come forward with a very commendable decision to support cancer patients. The Ministry of Women, Children and Social Welfare has decided to bear all treatment costs of women suffering from uterine or breast cancer. If the ministry follows up on its promise, it will be a great relief to women who are suffering from such diseases.
It is not possible to achieve great results in a short period of time in the health sector which involves the entire population. So we should not expect drastic changes in the nine months since Minister Thapa assumed office. But this does not mean that he can shirk his responsibility to reform the health system in the country. This does not mean that there are no immediate needs that need to be dealt with in the health sector. This means that he needs to focus on finding out the social determinants of health instead of concentrating on short-term goals.
Inequality in health care
Thapa is a responsible youth political leader. He stood by Dr Govinda KC during his campaign to end malpractices in the health sector. People expect much more from him because they think that things will turn out well under his leadership. So he has to present himself as a result-oriented leader who cares about the people's concerns all the time. Has he been able to stand out from other ministers by showing good performance? Has he succeeded in bringing an outstanding plan for the betterment of public health?
If the truth be told, Thapa has not yet been able to address the concerns of people who lack access to health care services. Inequality in health care services prevails in the country. A large section of the population still has no access to basic health. There is a disparity between private and public health service providers in terms of service, quality and cost. So what has been really achieved so far? We need to find out a long-term solution to this problem.
Every year, the Health Ministry issues a strategic plan which is a long-standing tradition. And this year too, the health minister has unveiled a five-year plan entitled Nepal Health Sector Strategy Implementation Plan. After Thapa leaves office, the next health minister will repeat the same process next year. But just issuing health strategies is not enough; the targeted results can only be achieved by successful execution. The main problem we are facing is that there is a serious lack of implementation of the policies that are frequently issued. Giving an interview to a newspaper, Thapa said, "The first thing is political will, and I have that will." Of course, your actions have shown that. But Minister Thapa, please keep one thing in mind, "Well done is better than well said."
Consumers can claim compensation for damages caused by bad products or services
By, Kahar Singh Khadka
Mar 15, 2017- The Kathmandu Post
Consumer rights activists, organisations and government consumer agencies around the globe have been marking International Consumer Rights Day on March 15 even though it is not formally recognised by the United Nations (UN). In Nepal too, the international event has been observed for a few years, albeit on a small scale. The celebrations, unfortunately, have remained a formality and no tangible changes have been seen in terms of the protection and promotion of consumer rights. A majority of the people are unaware about their consumer rights which are protected by law. Very few have exercised their rights to safeguard their health and ensure protection from unfair trade practices.
History of consumer rights
The history of the consumer rights movement is not very long. It only gained momentum after the Second World War. On March 15, 1962, the then US president John F Kennedy declared four consumer rights while serving a directive to the US Consumer Advisory Council. They are now regarded as fundamental rights. Kennedy stated that consumers had the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose and the right to be heard. These rights were not universally recognised until the UN endorsed them.
The history of consumer rights in Nepal is not so long either. The movement has made much progress, but there's still a long way to go. After the political change in 1990, consumer rights issues came to the notice of rights activists and lawmakers. The turning point came when the government introduced the Consumer Protection Act 1998 and the regulation in 1999. Before the enactment of these statutes, there were some legal provisions in the Civil Code, but there was no specific law for the protection of consumers.
The Consumer Protection Act has established the right to be heard and compensated against exploitation and hardships resulting from trade irregularities and poor service quality. Compensation committees have been established in every district to hear complaints from consumers. However, these committees need to be replaced by consumer courts.
The constitution has also declared consumer right as a fundamental right of every citizen. The supreme law of the land states, "Each consumer shall have the right to quality foodstuffs and services. A person who has suffered from substandard object or service shall have the right to be compensated as provided for by law." This constitutional declaration has enabled consumers to fight if their rights are violated. Unfortunately, very few people have stood up for their rights. And very few cases have been filed against those who have sold and supplied substandard consumer goods and services.
Protection and education
We have frequently encountered news stories about shops being sealed by government inspection teams for selling bad products. But we have rarely come across reports about compensation being paid to consumers by offending companies and service providers for the damage caused by their products and services. This is simply because most consumers do not claim compensation for the loss they have suffered. There are two reasons behind this. One, many people do not know that their rights are protected by law. Two, those who are aware that their rights are protected do not bother to begin legal proceedings.
Most consumers in Nepal fall under the first category. This is the major challenge we are facing. As the concerned agencies have not been able to educate the masses about their rights, everyday people are being made to buy low quality goods and services. In order to avoid being cheated repeatedly and obtain redress in case of severe damage, it becomes necessary for consumers to be always aware.
Nepal is far behind other countries in the field of consumer protection. The main thing we lack is consumer rights education. If we want more and more people to know about consumer rights, we must generate and strengthen awareness programmes effectively. In a country like Nepal where people lack consumer rights awareness, only celebrating an international day is not sufficient to raise awareness and safeguard the rights of consumers. Much effort needs to be made by all stakeholders to promote consumer protection. The government can play a vital role in protecting the rights and interests of consumers by establishing proper mechanisms for their overall welfare.
Running out of patience
Unresolved medical malpractice claims have been piling up due to lack of judges
Jan 22, 2017- The Kathmandu Post
The hearing date for a medical compensation case, which has long been pending at the Supreme Court, has been deferred for the eighth time. The case began the legal journey at the District Compensation Committee Kathmandu in 2005, and it is still not sure how long the proceedings will last. A hospital patient filed a lawsuit claiming compensation from her doctor and the hospital for medical negligence. She was admitted to the hospital in Kathmandu for the treatment of a small tumour below her right knee. She underwent a surgical operation by an orthopaedic doctor to remove the lump.
Unfortunately, further complications arose after the operation, and the victim had to face an unexpected consequence which was very hard to believe. She had to have her leg amputated. What's more, her leg was amputated twice, the first time below the knee and again above the knee. She suffered terribly by losing her leg, and now she is desperately waiting for justice.
We regularly come across news reports about relatives of patients launching protests against hospitals for not providing proper treatment. Many times, such incidents, which were suspected to be cases of medical negligence, are not made public and settled privately. This is because health care providers do not want such incidents to be published in the media for fear of losing public credibility. It is also unfortunate that, on many occasions, victims do not declare that they have suffered due to the negligence of medical practitioners. Sometimes, they deal with the situation aggressively. Angry family members of patients have even vandalised hospital property and clashed with the staff.
It will definitely hurt when someone gets harmed unnaturally or a loved one is lost. Everything cannot always be under human control. Sometimes, unpleasant results will appear, even though care providers have skilfully performed their duty to cure the patient. It is normally understood that doctors treat patients to save their lives. That is why doctors are called saviours of human beings. They cannot be liable for all types of harm or injury, and they can be held responsible only when substandard treatment has resulted in injury or damage. Sometimes, a small mistake made by a doctor can be catastrophic for the patient. As a result, the patient undergoes severe physical damage including pain, injury, distress, disfigurement, financial burden and even death.
Researchers at US-based Johns Hopkins have reported in BMJ Quality & Safety that "diagnostic errors are one of the most dangerous and expensive mistakes made by American doctors, estimated to cause between 80,000 and 160,000 deaths every year". Despite being a developed country where advanced medical equipment is used, diagnostic errors are still commonly noticed in US. What is the situation in an underdeveloped country like Nepal where there is no basic health equipment at many health posts, and where a number of quacks have been arrested? Nobody has the exact data.
Speedy justice
Every citizen has the right to have a standard degree of care and skills while receiving medical treatment.
In Nepal, most people do not know about medical malpractice. And they rarely go to court for legal action. Even in the Kathmandu Valley, very few people have taken legal action against wrongdoers and claimed compensation. Though there is no specific act to regulate and govern medical malpractice in Nepal, there are some legal provisions in the Civil Code and Consumer Protection Act 1998. These provisions are not sufficient, but they can help to make healthcare professionals accountable in case of medical negligence.
Clause 22 of the Consumer Protection Act says that any consumer who suffers a loss or damage of any kind as a result of the sale of any consumer goods or service contrary to the Consumer Act may file a complaint with the Compensation Committee for compensation. Not only that, when medical service providers cause harm to a patient by rendering service in a negligent manner, the victim can begin legal proceedings so that they are punished by a fine or confinement in jail and made to pay compensation.
Our judicial system suffers from lack of judges which have resulted in cases piling up. Recently, vacant judicial positions at the Supreme Court have been filled with new justices, but it is still overloaded with cases, and things have not been speeded up. Besides a backlog of cases related to medical malpractice, there are many other cases which have also been waiting for a final decision. Delays in delivering judgment in time have not only added pain to the innocent party. Victims have to endure hardship, waste of time, economic loss and other undesirable impacts. Justice cannot be established unless it is delivered in a timely manner. So our judicial system should focus on ensuring speedy justice as far as possible.
Khadka is chairperson of Prakriya Nepal, an NGO working in the field of health, education and consumer rights
Legal corruption
Politicians get millions for medical care while poor patients die for lack of money
Dec 15, 2016- The Kathmandu Post
Last month, there were two scandalous events that received uneven coverage in the media. The first one, which was highly publicised, was the government's decision to provide Rs5 million to former deputy prime minister and Nepali Congress leader Sujata Koirala for cancer treatment despite a huge public outcry. And the second, which was barely reported by the media, was a suicide committed by a patient named Anuj Bishwash at Birat Nursing Home. He had jumped out of a third-floor window for being unable to pay his hospital bills. These two instances are a true picture of how different social classes receive medical treatment. They not only illustrate the widening inequality between the elite and the general public in terms of access to health care, but highlight the exploitation and victimisation between the two social strata.
In Nepal, it appears that people are destined to be exploited by a few who are bent on taking advantage of every available resource. While our rich politicians have been receiving huge amounts of money from the state coffers for medical treatment in foreign countries, poor people are compelled to sell their meagre properties to pay their medical bills. Some even resort to killing themselves to free their family from financial burdens. Sometimes, it becomes the duty of the government to pay the medical expenses of people who have made a great contribution to the country. But this only applies to personages who cannot afford the costs. But the case here is different. Regardless of their fat bank balances and many other assets, our politicians never hesitate to dip into taxpayer money. They demand the money from the state as if it is their right. Such practices are a violation of the public's right to equal access to health care.
Millions of rupees have thus been allocated from the state treasury to political leaders and their cadres. Recently, the government had also provided Rs6 million to former president Ram Baran Yadav for cancer treatment abroad. While all kinds of medical services including cancer treatment are available in Nepal, the trend of going abroad for medical treatment by misusing taxpayer money has not stopped. In fact, it is on the rise. Political leaders have been zooming off to foreign countries for simple medical conditions that can be easily cured in Nepal. Nepali doctors have criticised such tendencies among politicians and said that different kinds of medical services are available in Nepal. Why do our leaders prefer to get medical treatment overseas? Everybody can easily answer the question. It is because they do not have to spend their own money and can get the treatment free of cost in foreign countries.
While the number of leaders travelling abroad to receive medical attention has been swelling, ordinary people who are suffering from cancer are forced to crowd into the few hospitals that offer radiotherapy service. Due to the negligence of the concerned department, radiotherapy services are not currently available at all the cancer hospitals. For the last few months, two radiotherapy machines at BP Koirala Memorial Cancer Hospital and one at Bir Hospital have lain inoperative. So there is an overflow of patients at Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital. People have to wait for weeks to get radiotherapy service at the government hospitals, and such delays in getting treatment will raise the chances of the cancer spreading. Recently, a private cancer hospital has started offering services in Kathmandu with many kinds of treatment facilities, but it is very expensive compared to government hospitals.
As there are no definite rules and criteria for the issuance of medical assistance, influential leaders have been trying to get all the money they can from the government. Treatment expenses are being distributed in a discriminatory way. Some have been given a lot while others have received very little. The process of allocating money has not been done in a transparent manner. The recipients of the largesse do not have to submit details of how they spent the money. How much do they actually need? And what if they have money left over? Do they refund it? Do not they need to get a recommendation from the concerned agencies? These questions remain unanswered.
The Health Ministry has recently made a praiseworthy move. It submitted a guideline setting a ceiling on the amount of aid that the government can give for medical treatment. But the Cabinet decided to give the money to Koirala by bypassing the Health Ministry's proposal. Many times in the past, the government has not followed instructions given by parliamentary committees to go through the Health Ministry while issuing cash gifts. As decisions made by the executive branch cannot be investigated by watchdog agencies, they are legally committing corruption in the guise of issuing medical assistance. This is abuse of power within the provisions of the law for private gain, especially for political leaders, their cadres and relatives. It is legal corruption. In order to stop this practice, the other two state organs should take up the matter seriously.
Old plan, new plan
Despite all its efforts, govt has not come even close to bridging the gap between private and public education
Nov 20, 2016- The Kathmandu Post
The Ministry of Education has recently endorsed the School Sector Development Plan (SSDP) for the development of school education as per the spirit of the new constitution. The ministry introduced this policy after its earlier School Sector Reform Plan (SSRP) expired in August. As mentioned in its recently approved SSDP, it is in a preliminary stage and a lot of work still needs to be done before it can come into force. First, the Core Document, which will identify the policies and strategies required to restructure school education, needs to be prepared. For that, the ministry will undertake a consultative process with professionals, experts and concerned stakeholders at district, regional and national levels. After collecting feedback from them, the ministry will come up with an Approach Paper, which will be developed as the fundamental document for the SSDP. After that, the ministry will start the implementation process.
Though some new objectives have been included in the SSDP, such as education under a federal set-up and reconstruction of school buildings damaged by the earthquake, there is not much difference between the SSDP and the SSRP. Most of the plans and programmes such as Education for All, Secondary Education Support Programme, Community School Support Programme and Teacher Education Project are the same as they were under the SSRP. Similarly, increasing access to and enrolment in schools, restructuring school education and improving the quality of education still remained topmost agendas as in the past. In fact, the SSDP is just the continuation of the unfinished work of the SSRP. So it is fair to argue that the SSRP could not achieve its goals, which gives reasons for donors to be sceptical about the new plan. Given the performance under the SSRP, it is doubtful if the newly formulated SSDP will meet its stated goals within a short period of seven years.
An underdeveloped country like Nepal, which has long been struggling to graduate from its status of Least Developed Country (LDC), does have to face huge challenges to attain development goals. With regard to the SSDP, political instability, prolonged political transition, lack of political determination, ineffectiveness of state mechanisms, inadequacy of government budget and absence of legal provisions in education are some of the major obstructions to the plan's success. Furthermore, dependence on the donors for the cost of the projects due to the government's limited funding is another factor that hinders the implementation of the plan.
It will be wrong to say that the country has not had any reforms in education since the introduction of the first National Education System Plan in 1973. The government has done substantial work in the past, and the country's increased literacy and enrolment rates are a result of that. When the literacy rate was low in the past, the government had only focused on quantity. But now that a lot of progress has been made towards that end, the focus now needs to shift to quality in education.
In the absence of quality education, we lose the whole purpose of education, which is to provide learners with capabilities they require to become economically productive, develop sustainable livelihoods, contribute to peaceful and democratic societies and enhance individual well-being. Unfortunately, in Nepal, there is a substantial difference in the quality of education provided in private and public education institutions. For instance, if you compare the SLC results of students studying in private and public schools, you can clearly see the blatant inequality. Government schools' performance in SLC has been miserable for years despite huge efforts made by the government to improve the quality of education in public schools. The government has not come even close to bridging the gap between private and public education systems over the years.
Why do the two education systems differ so much in the country? Why do the people in general prefer private education institutions to public education institutions? The SSDP should find the answer to these questions. To bring about the expected results as sought by the SSDP, the government must seriously focus on raising the quality, efficiency and effectiveness of the public education system.
Additional goals
With the promulgation of the constitution, and after last year's earthquake, new challenges have emerged. Ensuring the rights guaranteed by the constitution, making legal and structural arrangements in line with the federal structure, reconstructing school buildings and creating a conducive environment for the children affected by the earthquake to go to school are some additional goals incorporated into the SSDP. The feedback provided by the concerned stakeholders and the performance of the government will determine whether the the new plan will succeed. Work should be done scrupulously according to a well-defined framework to achieve the goals. Otherwise, the new plan will follow the trajectory of the old one.
Khadka is the chairperson of Prakriya Nepal, an NGO working in the field of health, education and consumer rights
Still a lot to learn
Reducing the disparity between public and private education should be the government's main concern.
June 14, 2016- The Kathmandu Post
After a long and intense debate over the education bill, Parliament has recently endorsed the eighth amendment to the 1972 Education Act. The major amendments to the act are the phasing out of the School Leaving Certificate (SLC) examination and the 'Golden Handshake' offer to the temporary teachers.
Although people are not very hopeful that the amendments will bring about overall development of the education sector, the amendment has at least succeeded in addressing a few issues that have long been pending. The issue of temporary teachers remained unresolved for a long time. And the teachers who were forced to quit their job during the Maoist insurgency feel relieved, as they are going to be reinstated in their previous position.
Terminating the SLC examination system, which existed over 80 years, and upgrading the high school level to grade 12 is another breakthrough. It is a positive step towards making our education system on a par with international standards. Questions had long been raised over the relevance of the SLC exams. Many people believe that SLC was one of the reasons behind the existing disparity between private and public education, as some private schools have used the SLC result of their students to lure more students. Additionally, from this year, the government has decided to adopt the grade system; students will receive grades instead of marks from this year on.
The recent amendment to the Education Act has also changed the registration process of schools. Until now, schools have been registered under the company act. When the bill was pending in the legislature, maximum efforts were made to bring all the schools under cooperatives. But such efforts did not succeed. As per the new amended law, schools now have to be registered under private and public 'Guthi'. A few other new provisions have also been made to the newly enacted law pertaining to school education.
There are divergent views on the recent amendment to the Education Act. Some argue that this amendment has only focused on technical aspects, as it has simply categorised the grade, level and testing process of students for school education. They claim that it has not been able to address the issue of how to improve the quality of education, especially in public schools. However, there are others who are fully supporting this new enactment, saying that it is a good initiative towards the betterment of the education sector.
Private vs public
We all know that we have two types of education system—private and public—but there is little similarity between them in terms of access, equity and quality. Reducing the disparity between the two types should be the main concern for the government. Public schools of the country have been struggling for years to provide quality education. The first National Education System Plan was introduced in the same year as the Education Act 1972. Still after 44 years, the country has not seen tangible changes in public education. Literacy rate has increased over the years but the dire state of public schools persists.
In Nepal, the performance of public schools is not satisfactory in comparion to private schools. That is why most parents who can afford it prefer to send their children to private schools. Thus, while the country has made significant progress in school enrolment, public schools are witnessing low enrolment. Many public schools are undergoing mergers due to lack of students. Poor infrastructure, limited financial sources, lack of trained and experienced teachers, irregularity of students, absenteeism among teachers are some of the problems plaguing the public schools in the country. Things are worse off in rural areas and earthquake affected-districts. And in many mountain districts, students have not yet received their textbooks even though the academic session has already begun.
Private schools are better in terms of infrastructure, facilities and competitive education. Every year, above 80 percent of the students from private schools passed the SLC exam with good results, while the results of public school students have generally been miserable.
Although private schools have been providing better education, they have been charging exorbitant fees. Most private schools of the country have not abided by the fee ceiling set by the government. All private schools are required to get their fee structure approved by the District Education Office. But this requirement is not strictly followed. Private schools in the country have usually focused on profit-making rather than being service-oriented. They look more like business houses than educational institutes.
Therefore, just amending the Education Act is not enough to bridge the gap between private and public education, which is the actual need of the hour. When it comes to the quality of education, drastic measures are needed to reform public schools. So the government must come up with concrete plans and implement them to make the community schools as competitive as private schools. Without this, the country's education system will continue to suffer.
Khadka is chairperson at Prakriya Nepal, an NGO working in health, education and consumer rights
Health inequality
Constitutional provisions do not mean much if they are not implemented
May 15, 2016- The Kathmandu Post
Nepalis have two choices before them to prevent or cure ill health, and one's choice depends on one's financial capability. There are two kinds of health service providers in the country—the private and the public. People who are financially well-off go to the well-equipped private nursing homes or hospitals. On the other hand, those who cannot afford such a costly treatment approach the public health care centres. Such public health service providers are the government's health posts and hospitals. Unfortunately, many of them are in a dire condition with poor services, facilities and equipment.
The services provided by the public health care centres in remote areas are even worse. There is not a single doctor at many public health care centres. In many circumstances, health assistants and other minimally trained staff members look after the patients who require medical care. But unavailability of doctors in the government hospitals is a big problem even in urban areas. Most of the doctors serving in the government hospitals spend a limited amount of time there, insufficient to meet people's needs. This is because most of them prefer working for private hospitals and spend more time there. The rule which prohibits the health professionals assigned to the government hospitals against working in private health centres has not been strictly enforced. But recently in Chitwan, a bold step was taken by the police. They arrested two health professionals of the BP Memorial Cancer Hospital on charges of working in a private clinic during duty hours.
Public versus private
There are many differences between private and public health centres in terms of services, facilities and costs. Private health care centres are established with a commercial mindset; they are therefore profit-oriented. As a result, services and facilities are comparatively better in private health care centres than in state-run hospitals.
But the benefits of going to a private health facility come with a price. It has become common practice in all private health centres to overcharge for their services. They levy a high service charge on a minor medical or surgical treatment, and their medicines and medical supplies are also quite expensive. Though it is beyond the financial capacity of many people to go to private health centres, they are compelled to do so.
Unlike private hospitals, government hospitals are inexpensive and are therefore overcrowded. People have to spend long hours in a queue for a medical checkup. The doctors serving in the government hospitals do not pay much attention to the patients; some of them even convince patients admitted in the government hospitals to shift to private institutions. It is really an unfortunate scenario to have such money-minded health professionals. A few months ago it was reported how private hospitals in the Capital were bribing ambulance drivers to bring in patients.
There is a clear disparity between the haves and the have-nots as far as receiving quality health services in Nepal is concerned. And this difference has prevailed in the country since the privatisation of health services. After the restoration of democracy in 1990, the government accepted a more liberal policy with a view to promote a competitive market in different sectors. As a result, a large number of private institutions in the health sector were established, creating a sharp division between the rich and the poor in the face of growing health concerns.
Right to health
The low quality of service in the public health care centres, lack of easy access to health services for a majority of the people and cartels in the private health care centres have widened health inequality in the country. This is a major concern that needs to be addressed. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure equal health access to its populace. The Constitution of Nepal has guaranteed the right to health. As per the article 35(3) of the constitution: 'Each person shall have equal access to health care'. But it is not enough to just write this in the constitution. It will only matter if the government takes solid actions to improve the ailing health sector of our country. While the government health facilities need to be strengthened, private institutions need to be strictly monitored for financial irregularities.


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DinDin posted a photo with Jung Chae Yeon on his Instagram
Su Jin Jang, April 12, 2017, 9:33 a.m.
Rapper DinDin posted a photo of himself and Jung Chae-yeon on his Instagram Tuesday. His agency, D.O Entertainment said, "Jung starred in DinDin's music video for his new track 'Dead from Loneliness' as the leading female figure."
DinDin explained that he wrote the track by himself out of extreme loneliness. His new track will be released Monday through online music websites. DinDin is a rapper who recently featured in various TV programs such as SBS "Fantastic Duo Season 2" and TvN "Empty the Convenience Store." He debuted in 2013 through Mnet's audition program "Show Me the Money Season 2.
Jung debuted through a competition TV program on Mnet "Produce 101" and became a member of project girl band I.O.I. She is now a member of DIA.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


ECU encourages members to make responsible financial decisions, but we also know there are times in life when making your monthly loan payment might be difficult due to certain situations or events, such as illness, car repairs, unplanned travel, etc.
ECU's Skip A Payment program provides a way to manage these special circumstances. Instead of cutting corners to make your monthly payment on your loan at ECU, you can skip your payment for a month and use those funds for other needs.
All ECU loans must be current and in good standing.
You may 'skip' each eligible loan one time per year.
Loan to be skipped must be current for six months prior to skipped payment per loan per calendar year (one skipped payment = one monthly payment, two consecutive bi-weekly payments, or four consecutive weekly payments).
Program does not apply to Mortgage loans, Home Equity loans, Revolving Line of Credit, Member Business Service loans, Visa credit cards, Salary Advance loans, Single Payment loans, or Certificate Secured and Share Secured loans.
To skip a Student Loan payment, the member must be making principal and interest payments, not just interest-only payments.
A $25.00 fee will be charged with each Skip A Payment. In some instances the fee may be waived due to regulatory requirements.
Once you are logged in, select the 'Compose' tab. You may then create your email. Please send the email to conloan@ecu.org.
The coupon can also be faxed to 423.578.7320 or you may bring the coupon to any ECU branch.


Colonial Williamsburg marks America's birthday with a full day of fun this Fourth of July, culminating in an all-new celebration of "Light and Liberty," saluting the nation with a soundtrack of patriotic songs to accompany free fireworks over the Governor's Palace.
This year's fireworks display, "The Lights of Freedom," is the first led by Creative Director of Signature Events Bill Schermerhorn, who joined Colonial Williamsburg in 2016 from Macy's Inc. An alumnus of the College of William & Mary, Schermerhorn served as creative director for Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and 4th of July Fireworks, winning two Emmy awards during his tenure of more than three decades.
The new program kicks off at 9 p.m. and is inspired by the words of Thomas Jefferson, who wrote in 1795 that "Light and Liberty go together." It is accompanied musically by "The Lights of Freedom," a medley of 18th-century and popular Americana songs with the title selection co-written by Schermerhorn and Grammy award-winning composer Doug Katsaros. This year's recorded score features performances by Colonial Williamsburg musicians and by The Gentlemen of the College, a William & Mary a cappella group.
Independence Day festivities begin at 8 a.m. with the Shields Tavern Breakfast Celebration with Thomas Jefferson and Martha Jefferson, featuring a traditional Chesapeake Bay breakfast buffet. A special ticket is required; $38 and $76 for couples.
Historic Area sites open to ticketed guests at 9 a.m., with the special holiday program "Go Fourth and Explore" offered at the Wythe, Geddy and Randolph houses and at the Armoury.
A reading of the Declaration of Independence by Thomas Jefferson from the Capitol balcony begins at 9:30 a.m. Next for the public at 10 a.m. is Salute to the States, a special military muster on Market Square celebrating the original 13 colonies. A second reading of the Declaration of Independence by Patrick Henry begins at noon on the Courthouse steps.
At the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg, open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. to guests with Art Museums or Colonial Williamsburg admission, the exhibit "America's Folk Art," opening July 1, showcases selected items to celebrate this year's 60th anniversary of the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum.
From 1-3 p.m. the public is invited to bid on select and exclusive items during a live auction on the Market Square Stage. Throughout the day light sticks in red, white or blue are available to purchase for $2 each at the Market House and other Historic Area retail locations for illumination during the evening program.
The special hourlong program "Mr. Key's Poem: Our National Anthem" at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. in the Art Museums' Hennage Auditorium, features Colonial Williamsburg actor-interprer Bryan Austin as Francis Scott Key. Words from his "Defence of Fort M'Henry," set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven," form the "The Star Spangled Banner," which became the United States' official national anthem in 1931. Musicians Kelly Kennedy and John Turner share popular songs of the early 19th century. Tickets are $5 and $4 for students, seniors, children and members of the military.
For dinner, the Williamsburg Lodge Family Fourth of July Celebration begins at 4:30 p.m. with food, fun and entertainment for the whole family; special ticket required; $89.95, $50.95 for youths ages 3-10, children under three free. At Chowning's Tavern, a special Chowning's Independence Day Celebration event offers ticketed guests an indoor setting and runs from 6 to 9 p.m., with an all-you-can eat buffet, games, a beverage ticket and take-home engraved glass. A special ticket is required; $76. Also starting at 6 p.m. is the lavish four-course Thomas Jefferson Wine Dinner at King's Arms with the author of the Declaration of Independence. A special ticket is required; $145. The Williamsburg Lodge Family Fourth of July Celebration and the Thomas Jefferson Wine Dinner include special reserved fireworks seating on the Palace Green.
Tickets and additional information are available at Colonial Williamsburg ticketing locations, online at colonialwilliamsburg.com by calling 855-296-6627 and by following Colonial Williamsburg on Facebook and @colonialwmsburg on Twitter and Instagram.


(we toss out about 7 million heaters yearly in the U.S.).
Water heater manufactures explain in their maintenance manuals that periodic replacement of the anode rod and draining sediment from the water heater are the two most important factors in extending tank life.
The TANK SAVER KIT TM was designed to address these concerns and others.
To protect your water heater's inner steel wall from corroding an anode rod made of magnesium or aluminum is installed in all tank type water heaters.
This anode rod sets up a chemical reaction between the two dissimilar metals allowing the anode rod to corrode instead of the inner steel wall. Once this anode is depleted, the tank faces certain death.
Installing a TANK SAVER KIT TM now and replacing anodes on a regular maintenance schedule can make the water heater you own now the last one you'll ever need.
Sediment in the bottom of your tank keeps the anode from protecting it.
The TANK SAVER KIT TM includes a special cold water inlet tube that is longer than standard and designed with a curve on the end.
This longer and curved dip tube moves cold water closer to the bottom of the tank pushing up more useable hot water and creates a swirling current that keeps sediment moving reducing build-up.
To enhance sediment removal the TANK SAVER KIT TM provides you with an all brass 3/4″ full port drain valve assembly that provides 8x more volume than the standard 1/4″ drain provided by most manufacturers.
The curved dip tube and larger valve opening are the integral parts of our TURBO FLUSH TM system.


AnyMP4 DVD Copy for Mac is a practical DVD Copier for Mac users, which enables you to copy DVD disc to a blank DVD disc/folder/ISO files with perfect 1:1 ratio and compress DVD-9 to DVD-5 for your need. Check this tutorial and learn how to use AnyMP4 DVD Copy for Mac.
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Black Panther 2018 Movie Still Full Hd Wallpaper is proof that a tightly-shot movie will always find attention and become a favorite for millions. As a result, I want to say that the film by Ryan Krugler reveals wonderful beauties before us, reveals a serious layer of history, is not afraid of bold artistic decisions and at the same time gives Marvel audience a pleasant feeling of comfort.
Black Panther (2018) Movie Photos And Stills. View Black Panther (2018) photos, movie images, film stills and cast and crew photos on Fandango.
Black Panther (2018). T'Challa, heir to the hidden but advanced kingdom of Wakanda, must step forward to lead his people into a new future and must confront a challenger from his country's past.


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A Plant-Based Ground "Beef" Recipe Filled With Gut-Healthy Fiber
Eliza Sullivan
mbg Nutrition & Health Writer
By Eliza Sullivan
Eliza Sullivan is a food writer and SEO editor at mindbodygreen. She writes about food, recipes, and nutrition—among other things. She studied journalism at Boston University.
Image by Eva Kolenko
While there are a number of vegan meat substitutes on the market these days, we're all for finding recipes that use whole foods (like mushrooms or jackfruit), to make the swap.
That's exactly why this recipe for gluten-free, homemade meatless "ground beef" caught our eye in The Vegan Meat Cookbook by Miyoko Schinner. Made with a mix of a few vegan pantry staples—mushrooms, walnuts, chickpeas, and oats—it's meant to mimic the feel of ground meat, specifically beef. The texture is largely thanks to using a food processor to chop up—but not puree—the ingredients.
All these component parts add up to a mixture that's packed with fiber: Oats offer a whopping 8 to 16 grams per cup, and mushrooms, walnuts, and chickpeas are all modestly good sources, as well. And all that fiber can help promote better gut health and digestion. What's more, king trumpet mushrooms have a number of health-supporting antioxidants. Plus, with so many different plant-based foods coming together to make the basic mix, there's a good range of vitamins and nutrients, too.
One of the best things about this mix, other than the fact that it's largely made up of things you're likely to have on hand, is that it keeps in the fridge for up to a week. So after prepping the crumbles, you can have them ready for everything from tacos to a vegan Bolognese sauce.
Ground "Beef" Crumbles
Makes 12 ounces
Olive oil for oiling the sheet pan
10 ounces king trumpet mushrooms
1 cup raw walnuts
1 cup cooked chickpeas, rinsed
½ cup rolled oats or steel-cut oats
2 tablespoons soy sauce, tamari, or Bragg Liquid Aminos
1 tablespoon vegan beef base, such as Better Than Bouillon
Pulse the mushrooms in a food processor until chopped into little bits, but do not process too long or it will turn to a puree. Transfer to a large bowl and set aside.
Next, put the walnuts into the food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped. Transfer them to the bowl with the mushrooms.
Next, pulse the chickpeas in the food processor until they are finely chopped but not completely puréed, and add them to the bowl with the mushrooms and walnuts.
Finally, pulse the oats to break them down and add them to the bowl. Add the soy sauce, vegan beef base, and garlic powder to the bowl and mix everything well.
Spread out on the prepared sheet pan and bake for 20 minutes. Take the pan out of the oven and break up the mixture with a wooden spoon or spatula into crumbles. Put it back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes or until chewy but not dry. You can use it right away, refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for up to 3 months (thaw before using).
Reprinted from The Vegan Meat Cookbook. Copyright © 2021 by Miyoko Schinner. Photographs copyright © 2021 by Eva Kolenko. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of Random House.
Want to turn your passion for wellbeing into a fulfilling career? Become a Certified Health Coach! Learn more here.
Eliza Sullivan is an SEO Editor at mindbodygreen, where she writes about food, recipes, and nutrition—among other things. She received a B.S. in journalism and B.A. in english literature with honors from Boston University, and she has previously written for Boston Magazine, TheTaste.ie, and SUITCASE magazine.


Recently vacated and ready for occupation in the superb location that is Freemans Bay, is this desirable office tenancy comprising 150sqm.
Strategically placed at the base of College Hill, across from Victoria Park, this leasing opportunity lends itself well to the variety of businesses that will enjoy the close proximity to the city centre, without needing or wanting to be set in the heart of the rat race. Any tenant will enjoy the flexibility the location provides, being minutes to the CBD, as well as the ever popular Ponsonby just up the road providing all the cafes and eateries the area in renowned for. The tenancy also boasts very pleasant views of Victoria Park, a lovely bonus that is just another reason this tenancy will be very popular.
The internal tenancy comprises 150sqm of office split between three main areas, the mix of which provide an effective balance between private office, open plan, and meeting rooms. The largest of the three spaces can also be split in two by a sliding door, adding additional flexibility to suit a range of office uses. Add to this the exclusive use of the kitchen and bathroom facilities, and this is the total package compacted into 150sqm. This office also provides a considerable amount of dedicated car parking onsite for the tenant, an enormous bonus in this part of town that is very much sought after.
To enquire about this tenancy availability, or to find out how Bayleys can assist with your own corporate leasing requirements, do not hesitate to get in touch.


Gloria is a creative who aspires to delight people through art, design, and storytelling.
Gloria started out as an artist but later on discovered user experience design–she has fallen in love with UI/UX design ever since. Aside from art and design, she has been studying animation (specifically in visual development) after completing a short film while she was in the Animation Capstone Programme at the University of Washington.
Gloria has also developed her interests in travelling, taking photos, and fashion. She enjoys spending time curating fashion photoshoots both for herself and others. On top of that, she is always taking photos wherever she goes using her 35mm film camera, Fujifilm DSLR, polaroid, or mobile phone.
Read more about Gloria's experiences on LINKEDIN.


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2021 Bus schedules on the Amalfi Coast
Here you'll find all the Sita bus schedule for routes between the towns along the Amalfi Coast, and between the coast and Sorrento, Salerno, and Naples.
Intermediate stops are indicated for each route.
The schedule refers to the current season and are updated based on the timetables published by the Sita bus company.
Below you'll find all the information you need!
The best option for a stress free arrival: book a private transfer.
Due to anti-COVID-19 measures, public transportation schedules may change without prior notice and posted schedules will not always be updated minute-by-minute.
Choose the route: Amalfi - Positano - Sorrento Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi Amalfi - Maiori - Salerno Salerno - Maiori - Amalfi Amalfi - Naples Naples - Amalfi Amalfi - Agerola (Paths of Gods) - Naples Naples - Agerola (Paths of Gods) - Amalfi Amalfi - Pogerola (Valley of the MIlls) Pogerola (Valley of the Mills) - Amalfi Amalfi - Ravello Ravello - Amalfi Sorrento - Nerano Nerano - Sorrento Sorrento - Massa Lubrense - S. Agata (Torca) S. Agata (Torca) - Massa Lubrense - Sorrento
Route: Amalfi - Positano - Sorrento
See return times
SITA SUD BUS SCHEDULE - Schedule valid from 12 Oct 2020
Conca - Grotta Smaraldo
Positano (Sponda)
Positano (Chiesa Nuova)
Colli S. Pietro
Piano Sorrento
S. Agnello
Colli Fontanelle
BS. Agata (N. Verde)
G S - G F G S H G G S F F G F G F F H F G G
6:20 - 7:15 8:05 9:00 9:30 10:30 10:30 11:30 12:15 13:00 13:30 14:05 14:30 15:30 16:00 16:30 17:00 17:00 17:30 18:00 19:00
7:00 7:15 7:55 8:45 9:40 10:10 11:10 11:10 12:10 12:55 13:40 14:10 14:45 15:10 16:10 16:40 17:10 17:40 17:40 18:10 18:40 19:40
7:25 7:40 8:20 9:10 10:05 10:35 11:35 11:35 12:35 13:20 14:05 14:35 15:10 15:35 16:35 17:05 17:35 18:05 18:05 18:35 19:05 20:05
7:35 7:55 - 9:20 - - - - - - - - - 15:45 - 17:15 17:45 - 18:15 - - -
- - 8:25 - 10:10 10:40 11:40 11:40 12:40 13:25 14:10 14:40 15:15 - 16:40 - - 18:10 - 18:40 19:10 -
- - 8:35 - 10:20 10:50 11:50 11:50 12:50 13:35 14:20 14:50 15:25 - 16:50 - - 18:20 - 18:50 19:20 20:20-
8:00 8:15 8:55 9:45 10:40 11:10 12:10 12:10 13:10 13.55 14:40 15:10 15:45 16:10 17:10 17:40 18:10 18:40 18:40 19:10 19:40 20:40
Download the schedule PDF
F Weekday route (Monday - Saturday)
H Sunday and Holidays
G Daily
L Monday to Friday
S School bus
FAQ - Amalfi Coast Buses
Where do I purchase bus tickets?
Bus tickets are sold at "tabaccherie" (cigarette shops), newspaper stands, and bars and caffés in all the towns along the Amalfi Coast. In Sorrento, there is a ticket booth at the Circumvesuviana station. Tickets CANNOT be purchased on board the bus.
How much does a ticket cost?
There are different types of tickets, prices of which vary according to the geographic area and duration of validity:
COSTIERASITA 24 hours: EUR 10 with unlimited rides on SITA SUD buses between: Agerola, Amalfi, Atrani, Cetara, Conca dei Marini, Furore, Maiori, Massa Lubrense, Meta di Sorrento, Minori, Positano, Piano di Sorrento, Praiano, Ravello, Salerno, Sant'Agnello, Scala, Sorrento, Tramonti, and Vietri sul Mare. You must validate your ticket on your first ride. Tickets are per person and cannot be used by other riders. You must fill in your name and date of birth in the spaces indicated on the ticket.
COSTIERASITA 24 hours: EUR 12 with unlimited rides on SITA SUD buses between the towns listed above and also valid for local buses running in the Comune di Positano via Mobility Amalfi Coast.
For routes to and from other towns and destinations in the region of Campania (Naples, Caserta, Benevento, and Avellino), travellers can use tickets issued by each single bus or transport company, or a combination ticket combining connections with more than one bus or transport company. Request detailed information and prices at the ticket office.
When you purchase your ticket, you can ask for information regarding which ticket is best suited to your travel plans.
Is there always seating on the bus?
Unfortunately, no. During the crowded summer months, the buses are often standing room only.
How will I know which stop to get off at?
The bus drivers announce the main stops; you can ask the driver to announce your stop when you board the bus.
Is there a bus route which runs along the entire length of the Amalfi Coast?
No, the two main routes are Sorrento - Positano - Amalfi and Amalfi - Salerno. So if you would like to ride ride between Positano and Salerno, you will need to change buses in Amalfi.
Is there an alternative public transportation to the bus?
There is no train route which runs along the Amalfi Coast, so the only public transportation by land is the bus. There are also ferry routes which run in the summer, stopping at Sorrento, Positano, Amalfi and Salerno. Ferry tickets are more expensive than bus tickets, but ferries are a very pleasant way to travel the coast.
Where should I sit on the bus to enjoy the view?
From Sorrento south to Positano and Amalfi, sit on the right side of the bus to look over the Mediterranean. When traveling north, sit on the left side.
Can I take my child's stroller or pram on the bus?
Strollers and prams cannot be transported open on the bus; you will need to fold it and store it in the luggage compartment before boarding.
Is there space for luggage on the bus?
Yes, all buses have an ample storage compartment.
Is there a direct bus route from Naples to Positano?
Unfortunately, no. You will need to take the Circumvesuviana train to Sorrento, and then catch the bus to Positano.
Do buses run at night?
No, buses stop running at 10pm.
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text:
Their cases would then be handled by military tribunals, not the traditional court system.
"We are at war. Homegrown radicalization has the enemy inside our borders," Clarke writes. "Islamist radicalized Americans are not criminals; they are enemy combatants."
RELATED: Bice: Clarke downplays talk of Trump cabinet post
One local law professor said Clarke's plan is very "troubling" because of its disregard of due process protections and other constitutional protections for those on U.S. soil.
"You can call his plan 'extreme' because it falls well outside of Supreme Court precedent and mainstream academic thought," said Edward Fallone, a left-leaning associate professor at Marquette University Law School and a constitutional law expert.
A candidate to run the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Clarke says in the book, "Cop Under Fire," that he is not calling for a new federal agency to track down terrorist suspects on American soil. But he writes that he favors "a wholly independent structure entity, which reports directly to the White House."
"This organization does not exist here as of yet, but it needs to, and quick," Clarke writes. "A new entity focused on protection, not prosecution, is the only way to protect Americans."
Bice: Clarke account called 'complete fiction'
The Journal Sentinel received an advanced readers copy of Clarke's 272-page memoir, which is set for release on March 7.
A spokesman for the publisher, Worthy Publishing Group, emphasized this week that the final version of the book may be different from the uncorrected proof, especially if there are stories or anecdotes that cannot be confirmed. She was responding to a statement from Gov. Scott Walker's top campaign strategist that Clarke fabricated a 2014 conversation between the two of them in the book.
"As you know, Sheriff Clarke is on vacation, so I haven't had contact with him about this particular conversation in the book," said Nicole Pavlas, director of publicity for Worthy Publishing, which focuses on books by evangelical Christian authors. "However, as with every book we publish, we're working to verify all facts prior to final publication, and it will be removed if it can't be verified."
Clarke, who is on a cruise to the Bahamas, has not defended his account but instead released a statement likening me to would-be presidential assassin John Hinckley Jr.
In his chapter on homeland security, Clarke focuses on the case of Samy Mohamed Hamzeh, a Muslim extremist accused of plotting a terrorist-style mass killing at a Milwaukee masonic center. Undercover FBI officials arrested Hamzeh after he bought two automatic rifles and a silencer from them.
Clarke writes that federal authorities waited too long to act.
"As soon as the FBI realized this guy was planning an attack, a prevention mindset demands that the would-be-terrorist should be picked up and held indefinitely," the sheriff writes. "Under a war time model, we would have had enough to snatch this guy up, charge him with treason, and hold him as an enemy combatant."
Clarke, who was first appointed in 2002, is repeatedly critical of the FBI, saying the federal agency is too focused on prosecuting suspected terrorists and not on preventing terrorist attacks on American soil. He notes that FBI officials report to the Department of Justice, which he calls a "highly politicized entity," and must establish a standard of "probable cause" in pursuing a case.
"That is inefficient, ineffective and proven dangerous in its inability to stop terrorism on our home soil," Clarke writes. In making these criticisms, the sheriff describes himself "as a law-enforcement leader who deals with domestic terrorism and attacks on our population on the front lines."
Clarke isn't the first to suggest that American terror suspects be treated as enemy combatants.
TRANSCRIPT: Daniel Bice political chat
In September, U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, suggested putting New York bombing suspect Ahmad Khan Rahami in indefinite military custody as an enemy combatant, meaning he could be questioned without a lawyer or a Miranda warning that he had the right to remain silent. His suggestion was backed by Sebastian Gorka, Breitbart News' national security editor.
But Fallone, the Marquette University professor, said there are major constitutional problems with Clarke's plan.
Fallone, who ran unsuccessfully for state Supreme Court in 2013, acknowledged that America's armed forces and security agencies engage in aggressive detention and surveillance activities abroad, but he said it would be "manifestly unconstitutional" to do that on U.S. soil. Under the Constitution, he noted, every person in the country is guaranteed due process, a jury trial for felony charges, access to federal courts to challenge unlawful detentions and protection against warrantless searches.
"Sheriff Clarke's apparent disregard for the U.S. Constitution is extremely troubling," Fallone said. He added the the sheriff didn't realize that these constitutional freedoms are more important than "his unobtainable desire for absolute safety."
Clarke does discuss the Bill of Rights and Constitution in detail in other sections of his memoir, including a chapter on gun rights and another on a proposed Convention of the States — though he dates the writing of the Constitution, incorrectly, to 1776 instead of 1787.
Contact Daniel Bice at (414) 224-2135 or dbice@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter @ DanielBice or on Facebook at fb.me/daniel.bice.


Ooops, I lied; I'd forgotten Rob took some snaps with his phone before our ENT presentation. They're shuffling about uncertainly here. The quality's hampered by the poor lighting, but they're actually relatively good photos otherwise – especially given they were on a timer, so we had to guess as to the frame.


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"To Love and Die in Dixie" (em português, "Amar e Morrer no Sul") é o décimo segundo episódio da terceira temporada da série de comédia animada Uma Família da Pesada. O cantor de música country, Waylon Jennings, que morreu três meses após a exibição do episódio nos Estados Unidos, participa como sua última aparição na série. Dakota Fanning também participou do episódio. O título é uma referência à frase de uma música tradicional do sul, "Dixie".

Foi escrito pelo futuro colaborador rotineiro Steve Callaghan, e dirigido por Dan Povenmire. Mostra o personagem secundário, Sr. Herbert, pela primeira vez.

Enredo

Precisando de dinheiro extra, Chris decide trabalhar como entregador de jornal para pagar o presente de aniversário da garota que gosta. No trabalho, conhece um velho chamado Herbert, que se sente sexualmente atraído pelo garoto. O garoto dá o presente para sua amada, mas ela se assusta com sua falta de jeito e ânsia. Mesmo não precisando mais, decide continuar no seu emprego. Um pouco depois, no entanto, Chris testemunha um roubo na loja de conveniência, e sua bicicleta acaba sendo levada pelo assaltante, como um veículo de fuga (embora leve a bicicleta, ele foge a pé). Depois, quando Joe leva Chris até a polícia, ele consegue identificar o ladrão fora do local. No entanto, Peter se mostra e diz ao ladrão (sem saber quem ele era) que estava lá para pegar Chris, o qual estava indo "dedurar o cara que roubou a loja de conveniência", e procede dando a ele uma foto do filho, juntamente com uma lista de seus horários escolares e seus maiores medos. Quando o ladrão escapa e promete vingança, a família é colocada no Programa de Proteção à Vítimas e Testemunhas. Os Griffins se mudam para Bumblescum, uma pequena cidade localizada no sul. Quando chegam e observam a nova casa, Meg critica e Lois diz que "Se concertarmos um pouco, seria um pedaço de droga." Enquanto isso, Peter se torna xerife e Brian se torna seu deputado. Stewie entra em uma jug band, Meg se torna popular entre os colegas de classe e Chris conhece um novo amigo, chamado Sam.

Depois, quando Peter interfere em uma encenação sobre a Guerra Civil, afirmando que o norte foi o vencedor, contrariando o que está sendo mostrado, o pai de Sam diz que Chris e Sam não podem mais ser amigos. Sem saber disso, Sam beija Chris inesperadamente, e Chris chega a conclusão de que o amigo é gay. Enquanto escreve sobre o acontecido com o amigo, Brian escuta a históia (já que Chris falava ao mesmo tempo que escrevia), e explica que, aparentemente, não há nenhum problema nisto.

Quando ambos se encontram novamente, Chris diz a Sam que gosta dele somente como amigo. Sam aceita, e quando eles vão nadar, Chris percebe (através do sutiã, roupa íntima e o cabelo longo de Sam coberto pelo boné) que seu amigo, na verdade, é uma garota. Devido ao fato de que Chris sempre teve más experiências com meninas (como visto no começo do episódio), agora ele se sente envergonhado com Sam. Na festa da noite, Sam explica que Chris não teve problemas em falar com ele quando pensava que era um garoto, então diz a ele para pensar nela como um garoto com quem pode se relacionar.

Depois que os Agentes de Serviço Secreto, contratados para vigiar a casa dos Griffins em Quahog, revelam acidentalmente a localização da família (dizendo ao criminoso onde Meg estava, e não Chris), o ladrão procura-os em Bumblescum, e tenta matar o menino. Durante o confronto, porém, o criminoso leva um tiro dado pelo pai de Sam.

Sem o criminoso, os Griffins retornam para Quahog e Chris precisa deixar Sam. Uma vez em casa, eles percebem que alguém deixou 113 mensagens na secretária eletrônica, todos de Herbert, que procurava por Chris.

Produção

Dan Povenmire, que dirigiu o episódio, teve liberdade substancial para criar, concedida pelo criador da série e produtor executivo, Seth MacFarlane. Povenmire reafirmou que MacFarlane disse a ele "Temos dois minutos para preencher. Coloque algumas piadas visuais. Faça o que quiser. Eu confio em você." Povenmire destacou o estilo de administração, que deixou-o "se divertir." Dan trouze realismo e material de suas próprias experiências, para a direção visual de Uma Família da Pesada.

Para este episódio, Povenmire se inspirou na sua própria infância, vivida no extremo sul, para um sequência de cenas de fundo onde um personagem  "redneck" chuta um cadáver para o rio próximo sem ter medo. Também, houve uma piada na qual guaxinins saltam e coçam o rosto de Peter.

Referências culturais
O título do episódio é uma referência ao filme de crime, Viver e Morrer em Los Angeles, e também à música "Dixie". O enredo é algo similar ao filme de 1991, Cabo do Medo. Quando Chris vai na festa de Barbara, ele dá uma garrafa da marca de perfumes de Elizabeth Taylor e diz "Eu acho que isso significa que você cheira como bourbon e vicodin," referindo-se aos problemas de abuso de substâncias dirigidos à atriz. O episódio é uma paródia de Os Gatões, que teve suas filmagens no sul. A conexão mais notável inclui Peter pintando uma bandeira aliada e números em seu carro, e a cena em que Peter e Brian saltam pelos ares, tendo a voz de Waylon Jennings como fundo. Quando os Griffins se mudam para a nova casa, Jeff Foxworthy está no armário e aparece para contar uma piada. Jeff Foxworthy é um comediante do sul famoso por contar piadas sobre rednecks, particularmente aquelas que começam com ele descrevendo uma ação estereotipada, seguido de "Você deve ser um redneck."

Continuidade
Neste episódio, Peter insiste que ele e Brian pulem do carro através da janela. Após fazer isso com sucesso, Brian tenta realizar o mesmo, até descobrir que Peter deixou o seu vidro fechado. Mais tarde, no episódio "The Fat Guy Strangler", Peter está sendo estrangulado por um personagem. Brian joga um pedra em direção a ele, mas instantaneamente, acerta o rosto de Peter em vez do assassino. Peter diz a Brian que perdeu, para a ironia do cão, "Não, eu não. Isso foi uma vingança pela maldita janela quando eu tentei pular no General Lee."

Episódios da 3ª temporada de Family Guy
Episódios de 2001

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