SEARCH ARTICLE

09 Pages : 84-94

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).09      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).09      Published : Mar 2020

Effectiveness of Accreditation in Assuring the Quality of Teacher Education Programs: Exploring the Case of an Underdeveloped Country

    This study examined the effectiveness of an accreditation mechanism for teacher education exclusively with a fragile higher education system in Pakistan. A quantitative research method was employed. Using the stratified technique, 614 participants from 24 higher education institutions were selected. Questionnaires were used to collect data from participants. The findings revealed that the standards of national accreditation council for teacher education (NACTE) cannot win wide acceptability and support of educators. The accreditation mechanism in Pakistan has emerged less effective in meeting standards of imparting modern, relevant and quality teacher education in the country. A comparative perspective to explore the factors affecting the effectiveness of accreditation in assuring quality teacher education in an academically underdeveloped country Pakistan is discussed at the end of this article. This study provides essentialities of accreditation in teacher education programs. It carries the value of graduate attributes that is a brand image in the quality of teacher education program development.

    Teacher Education, Program Quality, Accreditation, NACTE, Higher Education
    (1) Hina Jalal
    Student,Department of Education, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Muhammad Ayub Buzdar
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Bushra Naoreen
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.

22 Pages : 209-219

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).22      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).22      Published : Mar 2020

Redefining Quality Education: A Missing Entrepreneurship Perspective!

    This paper establishes a theoretical lens through which funding bodies can see the effectiveness of an entrepreneurial education program, from the perspective of institutional accountability. In this regard, quality notions; exception, fitness for purpose, perfection, transformation, and value for money are put to the investigation during semi-structured interviews. The interviewed data were analyzed qualitatively by employing discourse analysis. The findings of the research suggest that the notion of quality in the entrepreneurship program is a blend of value for money and transformation.

    Entrepreneurship, Quality Education, Value for Money, Transformation, Fitness for Purpose
    (1) Gohar Saleem Parvaiz
    Assistant Professor,Department of Management Science, Institute of Management Sciences Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
    (2) Arif Hussain
    Assistant Professor,Institute of Business Studies and Leadership,Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, KP, Pakistan.
    (3) Shams Ur Rehman
    Assistant Professor, Department of Business Administration,Northern University Nowshera, KP, Pakistan.

40 Pages : 390-398

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).40      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).40      Published : Mar 2020

The Competencies and Knowledge Entrepreneurship relationship in Higher Education Institutes: Examining the Moderating Role of Organizational Climate

    Higher education institutions, in the knowledge economy, have a significant role in encouraging innovation and ultimately accelerating economic growth by the creation and transfer of knowledge. This study concentrates on the construct of knowledge entrepreneurship in higher education institutions of the public and private sectors in Pakistan. It highlights the competencies required to enhance knowledge entrepreneurship in presence of an encouraging organizational climate. Using the dynamic capability theory, this study theorizes the essential role of Personal, Professional and social competencies of faculty members in Higher education institutions in creating and disseminating various forms of knowledge while the organization maintains support, encouragement, leadership and the vision to accomplish the same. Implications and areas for future research are highlighted for further expansion in literature.

    Knowledge Entrepreneurship, Personal Competency, Professional Competency, Social Competency, Organizational Climate, Higher Education Institutions.
    (1) Nida Kamal
    Senior Lecturer,Department of Business Studies,Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Bakhtiar Ali
    Professor,Department of Management Studies,Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Hina Samdani
    Senior Assistant Professor,Department of Business Studies,Bahria University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

52 Pages : 510-518

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).52      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).52      Published : Mar 2020

Awareness Regarding Environmental Education: A Qualitative Study Suggesting Practical Steps in Education Leading to a Green Pakistan

    Green Pakistan is a very famous slogan nowadays and one of the core objectives of the present government. This research focuses on the qualitative perspective on the need and significance of Environmental Education in Teachers Training programs to provide awareness to forthcoming teachers. Environmental Education is included in Millennium Development Goals by the United Nations. Recently the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been launched by the United Nations and subsequently, Pakistan has signed a treaty to fight against Climate Change and Global Warming. The researcher examined the modules which are to be incorporated in the syllabus of teacher education. The inclusion of modules apropos of Environmental Awareness in Teachers’ Training programs was recorded highly beneficial in numerous experimental studies all over the world and particularly in Pakistan in one of the doctoral-level research. The correlation among Millennium Development Goals, Sustainable Development Goals, and due to continuous learning process improvement in the Environment at local settings was established based on a qualitative study.

    Environmental Education, Sustainable Development Goals, Teachers’ Training
    (1) Sohaib Sultan
    Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, Air University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Shehzad Ahmed
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, University of Okara, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Muhammad Imran
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.

62 Pages : 623-632

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).62      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-I).62      Published : Mar 2020

Factors Affecting Teachers' Practices in Implementation of Early Childhood Care and Education Curriculum in Public Schools

    The study was determined to find the factors that affect the teachers' practices in the implementation of the ECCE curriculum in public schools. The study was quantitative in nature, and a cross-sectional survey design was used. All the ECCE teachers in public schools formed the population of the study. The proportionate stratified random sampling technique was employed, and 278 teachers were selected as a sample of the study. The data were collected using the questionnaire on factors affecting teachers' practices in the implementation of the ECCE curriculum. The findings showed that there is a significant difference on the basis of experience as p (0.000) ? 0.05 and an insignificant difference on the basis of qualification and class size as p (0.000) > 0.05. The study recommended that teacher training institutes of early childhood care and education should induct the curricula that are activity-based, and schools may provide better learning conditions in ECCE centers.

    Teachers Practices, Curriculum Implementation, Early Childhood Care and Education
    (1) Raima Mubashar
    MPhil Scholar, Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Aroona Hashmi
    Assistant Professor, Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Fasiha Altaf
    Ph.D. Scholar, Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

11 Pages : 115-125

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).11      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).11      Published : Jun 2020

Analyses of Life Skills Development Practices in Secondary Schools of Islamabad

    The study was designed to make analysis for developing Life Skills practices in the secondary schools of Islamabad. It was descriptive survey study. All 1039 SSTs, all 146 principals of public secondary schools working under FDE at Islamabad were population of the study. Five hundred and seventy (570) SSTs; one hundred and forty (140) principals were selected by using stratified random sampling technique. A questionnaire having 36 items were developed by the researcher on five point Likert scale. Mean, Standard Deviation, and t-test, were applied to analyze the data. There was moderate level of practice of skill development in secondary schools. Male teachers were better performing in developing communication skills and critical thinking while female teachers were better for developing problem solving skills. Development of strategy and proper training of teachers and principals, by the government, for life base skill education was recommended.

    Life skills, Education, Communication, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving
    (1) Robina Rahat
    PhD Scholar, Department of Education, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University Nerian Sharif, AJ&K, Pakistan.
    (2) Ziarab Mahmood
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University Nerian Sharif, AJ&K, Pakistan.
    (3) Nazir Haider Shah
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University Nerian Sharif, AJ&K, Pakistan.

14 Pages : 149-156

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).14      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).14      Published : Jun 2020

An Exploratory Study to Measure the Environmental Literacy Level of Teachers Teaching at Secondary Schools in Punjab, Pakistan

    This study measured the environmental literacy (EL) level that the secondary school teachers in Punjab (Pakistan) possessed and found mean scores of various groups of teachers, demographically categorized, significantly different when assessed on scales of environmental literacy. Data collection was done by adapting a valid tool titled as Middle School Environmental Literacy Instrument and administered on 1626 teachers randomly selected from five out of 36 districts of Punjab through stratified random sampling technique. The EL level of teachers was assessed according to environmental knowledge, environmental dispositions, cognitive skills, and environmentally responsible behavior. The application of descriptive and complex inferential statistics showed moderate composite score of EL. Also moderate scores on individual scales were found with the exception of the scale on issue analysis. On this scale, the scores were high. However, scores of women teachers were higher than those of male instructors. The experience variable had not shown significantly different scores on EL.

    Environmental, Education, Literacy, Secondary, School, Teachers.
    (1) Saira Taj
    Assistant Professor, Research and Evaluation Department, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Tahira Kalsoom
    Assistant Professor, Research and Evaluation Department, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Moafia Nader
    Assistant Professor, Department of Professional Studies, Lahore College for Women University Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.

19 Pages : 202-209

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).19      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).19      Published : Jun 2020

Analysis of the Impact of Investment in Education in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa During 2001-2015

    It is a descriptive study that used a mix method of research. The data were collected from primary and secondary sources. The type of sampling technique followed in this study was first to select the clusters and then selecting the specified number of respondents from each selected cluster. First the respondents were categorized as principals and teachers of schools, colleges and Regional Institutes of Teachers Education and key informants at the provincial level. Then purposive sample was drawn from clusters of those subjects who could provide useful information about the study. In order to suggest a remedy for the solution to these problems it was recommended that both access and quality should be improved making the education affordable for all concerned. It was recommended that the issues of absorption and marketability of graduates at different levels of education should be addressed in the national policies.

    Impact, Investment in Education, Allocation, Expenditure, Priorities.
    (1) Saira Begum
    PhD Scholar, Department of Education, Sarhad University of Science and Technology, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
    (2) Mohammad Iqbal
    Director, Department of Education, Sarhad University of Science and Technology, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.
    (3) Niaz Muhammad Aajiz
    Assistant Professor, Islamia College University, Peshawar, KP, Pakistan.

27 Pages : 284-292

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).27      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).27      Published : Jun 2020

Perceptions of Educational Environment in Punjab Degree Colleges

    The present investigated the level of student support services' current condition of libraries and the level of safety in degree colleges of Punjab by sampling 65 teachers and 120 students. A survey with 15 questions divided into three areas in educational environment and was posed to two cohorts of the above sample. The first are of the survey contained 4 questions on support services, 4 questions on libraries and 7 questions on safety were completed by the teachers and the students (see below for details). Percent agreement-disagreement scores were collected to assess how teachers and students perceived degree college environment. Results suggested teachers and students did not differ much on their assessment of colleges and agreed (56%; disagreed: 23%) student support, libraries and safety were adequate in their educational environment.

    College Safety, Degree Colleges, Educational Environment, Library Strength, Student Support Services
    (1) Ghulam Sughra
    PhD Scholar, Department of Education, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University Nerian Sharif, AJ&K, Pakistan.
    (2) Ziarab Mahmood
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University Nerian Sharif, AJ&K. Pakistan.
    (3) Nazir Haider Shah
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Mohi-ud-Din Islamic University Nerian Sharif, AJ&K, Pakistan.

35 Pages : 370-381

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).35      10.31703/gssr.2020(V-II).35      Published : Jun 2020

Teachers' report on Status of Communication with Hearing Impaired Children in Special Schools of Punjab: An Evaluation of Current Linguistic Competence of HIC

    Development of communication skills in children with hearing impairment (HIC) is one of the major goals of rehabilitation for these children. Information about current trends and communication status of HIC is a prerequisite for communication skill-building plan development. For the exploration of the current communication status of HIC studying in public special education institutes of Punjab, a survey was conducted. Two-stage cluster sampling was used to get data from teachers working in 30 randomly selected institutes. A self-developed questionnaire (Cronbach alpha, 0.8) was mailed to get data. SPSS was used for quantitative analysis of data obtained from 107 questionnaires containing information about 886 HIC studying in the special schools. Sign language was found as a common mode of communication. Those using an oral mode of communication were at the word level. The aural approach of teaching was getting acceptance from the teachers. Provision of hearing aid and improvement in speech therapy services were recommended.

    Communication, Children with Hearing Impairment, Special Schools, Punjab, Special Education Teacher
    (1) Hina Noor
    Lecturer, Faculty of Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
    (2) Farkhunda Rasheed Choudhary
    Assistant Professor, Faculty of Education, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Tariq Javed
    SST, Federal Government Public School No. 2 (Boys), Tariqabad, Rawalpindi, Punjab, Pakistan.