SEARCH ARTICLE

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.

18 Pages : 193-203

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2023(VIII-I).18      10.31703/gssr.2023(VIII-I).18      Published : Mar 2023

Development and Psychometric Evaluation of Life Skills Scale: An Indigenous Approach

    The word adolescence is used interchangeably with young people. This current research aims to formulate and evaluate an indigenous scale to assess life skills in adolescents. The scale was standardized in multiple phases including the search for relevant constructs and item generation, initial data collection and empirical analysis. Forty-six items were finalized through a committee approach for initial data collection. A sample of the current research was taken from the Peshawar division. Principal Component Analysis with varimax rotation was run. KMO and Bartlet Test of Sphericity were found significant (χ2 = 15060, p < .001). 38 items and six different sub-domains were identified. The Social and Emotional Competence Questionnaire (SEC-Q) and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale confirmed this new scale. (DASS). Validation was verified. Exploratory factor analysis checked factor loadings. Life Skills tool, an adolescent tool, is reliable.

    Life Skills, Decision Making, Creative & Critical Thinking, Self-awareness, Interpersonal, Coping
    (1) Abdur Rahman
    PhD Scholar, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (2) Asghar Ali Shah
    Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
    (3) Abdus Salam
    PhD Scholar, Department of Psychology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.

03 Pages : 22-29

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-I).03      10.31703/gssr.2024(IX-I).03      Published : Mar 2024

Critical Thinking Skills Development: An Analysis of Mathematics Curriculum 2006 (Grade-wise)

    The current qualitative study was conducted to analyze the mathematics curriculum across grade levels for students’ critical thinking skills development. Qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the document with the facilitation of NVivo software. As per the analysis, Grades I-III cover core math concepts at an introductory level using real-life examples presented concretely. Then grades IV-VIII revisit these same ideas with more depth and add logical reasoning. Finally (IX-X) and higher secondary (XI-XII) levels aim to build a rigorous conceptual understanding of complex mathematical topics like calculus, vectors, and complex numbers as well as non-routine problem-solving capacity utilizing proof techniques and technology tools like MAPLE software. The research results show that the curriculum is indeed effective for 21st-century skills development such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and technological literacy. Students who complete this systematic program will be prepared for advanced studies or careers that require mathematical proficiency.

    Critical Thinking, Mathematics Curriculum, Qualitative Content Analysis, Grade Levels, Logical Reasoning, Problem-Solving, Technology Integration
    (1) Muhammad Jamil
    Lecturer, Department of Education, Government College Women University, Sialkot, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (2) Noor Muhammad
    Assistant Professor, Department of Education, Ghazi University, Dera Ghazi Khan, Punjab, Pakistan.
    (3) Muhammad Aslam
    PhD Scholar, Department of Educational Training, The Islamia University, Bahawalpur, Punjab, Pakistan.

20 Pages : 230-242

http://dx.doi.org/10.31703/gssr.2025(X-I).20      10.31703/gssr.2025(X-I).20      Published : Mar 2025

Analysis of Critical Thinking Strategies and Problems Faced in English Academic Essays by Undergraduates of Professional Colleges in District Abbottabad

    This study seeks to examine the characters, difficulties, and challenges encountered by professional students in writing academic essays by exploring the strategies employed by undergraduates in writing academic essays. The sample comprised twenty students selected from four professional colleges located in Abbottabad. The research instruments utilized in this study consisted of a questionnaire about critical thinking strategies and English essay prompts written by the same students. A descriptive survey design was utilized for data collection. The statistical analysis was followed by qualitative analysis under the framework of Toulmin's Model of Argumentation. The analysis revealed that students encountered numerous difficulties when attempting to compose an academic essay despite possessing a rudimentary understanding. The findings of the study highlighted the impact of language and writing proficiency challenges on cohesion in academic essays. The findings suggested that students often find it challenging to incorporate higher-order thinking skills into their writing.

    Critical Thinking, Undergraduate, Strategies, Components, Problems, Academic Essay, Toulmin’s Model, Argumentation
    (1) Wagma Hameed
    M.Phil. Scholar, Department of English, Hazara University, Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.
    (2) Ghani Rahman
    Associate Professor, Department of English, Hazara University, Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.
    (3) Laraib Rahat
    Lecturer, English Department, Hazara University, Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.