Re-thinking Folkloristic Subjectivity as Queer Spiritual Discourse in Saif-ul-Malook
The intersection of folk narratives with queer spirituality presents an ontological displacement of subjectivity triggered by an inquiry towards the nature of identity. Decentering of identity to the extent of modification of the self into a trans-human relationship mediated through love between a fairy and a man is a queer spiritual experience which creates anti-normative spaces hitherto celebrated in folklores. This paper explores societal oppressive apparatuses fore-grounded in assertive religious discourse forcing people to seek reliance against such faith-based norms in folkloristic tradition and to create spaces where their sexuality is celebrated rather than condemned. Saif-ul-Malook is the folk narrative in the regional literature of Punjab by Mian Muhammad Bukhsh (1830-1907). It describes the love tale of a Prince with a fairy. Positioning queer subjectivities amidst a metaphysical worldview is an attempt of resorting to inner conflict of self through gender and sexuality. By separating spirituality as sociological discourse from discursive religious practices, our paper investigates queer spirituality in different folkloristic forms on experiential standards than that of belief systems.
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Queer Spirituality, Folkloristic Subjectivity, Trans-human relationship, Metaphysical World View, Empirical Praxis
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(1) Kaneez Fatima Sayeda
Assistant Professor of English , Government Graduate College (W) Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Kanza Umer Khan
Lecturer in English, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Asma Humayun
Assistant Professor of Punjabi, Government College University Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan.
Working Memory and Mathematical Performance: A Correlational Study
This study is intended to examine the correlation between working memory of students and their academic performance in Mathematics. Specifically, it was aimed to determine the degree of relationship between working memory capacity and academic achievement of students in mathematics studying at secondary school. A sample of 800 students studying in grade 10 was randomly selected from forty government and private secondary schools (girls and boys) situated in Hazara division, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Both Urdu and English mediums of instruction schools were included in the sample. The researcher used digits span backwards test (DSBT) to find out the working memory capacity of the students associated with their academic performance in mathematics. This study revealed that girls have outperformed boys very markedly in examination scores of mathematics at secondary level. Contrarily, boys have performed well in working memory capacity than girls at the secondary level. However a very small gender difference is observed in this study. It is also noticed that private secondary schools showed higher performance in examination scores of mathematics and in working memory capacity than government secondary schoolsl.
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Working Memory, Academic Achievement, Relationship, Mathematical Thinking, Secondary Schools
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(1) Naeema Mumtaz
PhD Scholar (Education), Department of Education, Hazara University, Mansehra, KP, Pakistan.
(2) Muhammad Saeed Khan
Assistant Professor, Department of Education, The University of Haripur, Haripur,m KP, Pakistan.
(3) Saddaf Ayub
Assistant Professor, Department of Education, The University of Haripur, Haripur, KP, Pakistan.
A Conceptual Framework on Customer Satisfaction: The Mediating Role of Corporate Image
This research study is intended to deliver a swift review of what is previously known about customer satisfaction and enhanced understanding of the factors of customer relationship management (CRM) in relation to customer satisfaction. By examining the literature of prior studies, this article requires enhanced understanding of customer satisfaction in international airline industry of Pakistan. The study delivers a conceptual framework to broaden the customer satisfaction and the influence of CRM factors comprising service quality, social network interaction, and relationship through solving customer problems, physical environment and trust. The mediating role of corporate image will further strengthen the connection of CRM factors and customer satisfaction. The research findings supplement the present literature of CRM by enhancing the understanding of the dimensions of customer satisfaction. The proposed conceptual framework makes an essential input to the current literature on customer satisfaction by addressing its theoretical and practical implications.
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Customer Satisfaction, Customer Relationship Management, CRM Factors, Corporate Image, Expectancy Disconfirmation Theory (EDT)
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(1) Muhammad Salman Azhar
PhD Scholar, School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia.
(2) Ismail Bin Lebai Othman
Associate Professor, School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia.
(3) Norzieiriani Ahmad
Senior Lecturer, School of Business Management, Universiti Utara Malaysia, Malaysia.
Relation of Occupational Stress and Job Satisfaction: A Study of Secondary School Heads in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
This paper examines the relationship between occupational stress and job satisfaction among secondary-school-heads in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A sample of only 402 secondary-school-heads (Male n = 260, Female n = 142) was selected with the help of multistage sampling technique. A descriptive and correlative design was employed. Two standardized tools were employed i.e., "Occupational Stress Index (OSI)" and Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ) for seeking the responses. Pearson's correlation and linear regression were employed to analyze data statistically. The findings exposed a strong inverse relation between occupational stress and job satisfaction. Furthermore, a substantial negative correlation between all the subscales of occupational stress and overall job satisfaction is also present. Eight subscales of occupational stress, i.e., role ambiguity, responsibility for persons, under participation, unreasonable group and political pressure, low status, strenuous working conditions, peer group relations, and unprofitability were found significant predictors and have negative effect on job satisfaction. So, the researchers recommend focusing reduction in the level of occupational stress among secondary-school-heads. Elementary and Secondary Education Department should have collaboration with policy makers to formulate rewarding and effective strategies for stress reduction for secondary school heads to have high spirit for yielding good outcomes.
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Relationship; Occupational Stress; Job Satisfaction; SecondarySchool-Heads
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(1) Qaiser Suleman
PhD Scholar (Education), Institute of Education & Research, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
(2) Ishtiaq Hussain
Associate Professor, Institute of Education & Research, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
(3) Saib Shehzad
Associate Professor, Department of Education, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan, Mardan, KP, Pakistan.
A Qualitative Analysis of the Support and Conflicts of the Novice-Expert School Teachers
Novice-expert school teachers' conflicts and support significantly contribute to the working relationship, teaching performance and retention. The present study aims to phenomenologically analyze novice-expert school teachers' experiences of mutual support and conflicts and how it helps their professional development. Seven expert and seven novice teachers were purposively selected from private and public schools from a district located in Punjab, Pakistan, who were interviewed to gain an insight into the phenomenon. The collected data were transcribed and analyzed employing thematic analysis guided by the selected qualitative approach. It was revealed from the themes and sub-themes that novice teachers get support from the expert teachers, and they developed self-confidence and techniques to manage a classroom, solve students' problems and adjust themselves in the school successfully. The study implies that the conflicts between novice and experienced teachers can be resolved through promoting mutual understanding, cooperation, and communication.
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Novice-Expert Teachers, Support, Relationship, Conflict, School, Classroom Management, Confidence
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(1) Nazia Noor
MPhil Scholar, Department of Educational Research & Assessment, University of Okara, Okara, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Syed Abdul Waheed
Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Research & Assessment, University of Okara, Okara, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Nadia Gilani
Assistant Professor, Department of Teacher Education, University of Okara, Okara, Punjab, Pakistan.
Relationship of Teachers' Commitment and Turnover Intentions at the Secondary Level
The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between teacher's commitment and turnover intentions among the teachers working in secondary schools in the district of Lahore. The data was collected through a self-design questionnaire from 235 male and female teachers of Lahore who were selected by simple random method of sampling. Graphs correlations t-test and one-way ANOVA were used through the SPSS software package for the data analysis. Findings indicate no significant relationship exists between teachers' commitment and turnover intentions. However, it is found that the teachers’ Commitment among the females is higher than that of the male teachers and the teachers’ turnover intention among the male and female teachers is the same. It is recommended to increase teachers' commitment and decrease turnover intentions in Lahore by providing incentives and rewards.For turnover intention, it is recommended that teachers' jobs should be permanent.
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Relationship, Teachers' Commitment, Turnover Intentions
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(1) Muhammad Iqbal
Associate Professor, Division of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Shamim Ullah
Assistant Professor, Institute of Education Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Rizwan Ahmad
Assistant Professor, Division of Education, University of Education, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
Effect of Professional Learning Communities on Student Achievement at the Secondary School Level
The study examined the effect of professional learning communities (PLC) on the achievement of students. PLC is about developing collaborative learning among colleagues to enhance the performance of an organization within a specific environment. Student achievement has defined the performance of students which can be evaluated with the help of tests. Data were gathered from SSTs (N=890) involving three districts (Sheikhupura, Kasur, and Lahore) through a multistage sampling technique. The study adopted the Professional Learning Communities Assessment (PLCA) scale to examine the PLC which was developed by Olivier et al. (2010). Student achievement scores were obtained from their respective schools based on BISE results of 10th grade. The study found that teachers strongly agreed that they were part of PLC in their institutions. The study also found a moderate and significant relationship between both PLC and student achievement (r=.71), and a 41% variance in student achievement could be explained with the help of PLC. Overall, female teachers were found better than male teachers, while urban teachers were better than urban teachers for being part of PLC. The recommendations were also added to the given study.
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Supportive and Supportive Leadership, Collective Learning and Application, Target Oriented, Supportive Conditions–Relationships, Shared Personal Practice, Supportive Conditions-structures
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(1) Muhammad Akram
Associate Professor, Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(2) Saira Taj
Assistant Professor, Department of STEM Education, Faculty of Education, Lahore College for Women University, Lahore, Punjab, Pakistan.
(3) Muhammad Irfan Malik
Lecturer in Education, The Islamia University of Bahawalpur, Bahawalnagar Campus, Punjab, Pakistan.