Prevalence and Prevention Strategies of Violence in Special Schools: A Quantitative Survey

This study was carried out to identify the opinions of students with hearing impairment and their teachers about prevalence of violence in special schools. This research was quantitative in nature and descriptive research method was used to conduct the study. The population of the study comprised students with hearing impairment (SWHI) and their teachers working in public sector schools. Researchers selected 60 students with hearing impairment studying at elementary level (males= 23, females= 37). A sample of 100 teachers were also taken from schools working in Lahore. On the basis of literature review, two structured questionnaires with close ended options were developed. The estimated reliability of teachers’ questionnaire was Cronbach alpha 0.82 and of students’ questionnaire (Cronbach alpha 0.85). Researchers personally visited schools to collect data from students whereas data from teachers were collected through telephone and email. Frequency percentages, mean and standard deviation were used for data analysis. The results of the study indicated that most of students with hearing impairment used to experience non- verbal violence and feel scary before and after school time. Teachers reported that students used to threaten one another, damage school property or personal items. They used abusive language. Schools had taken many initiatives to create healthy and safe environment i.e, appointing security guards to control access to school buildings, increasing monitoring by applying rules and regulations and involving students in conflict resolving activities. However, training teachers, counselling, student tutoring and mentoring are required for healthy school environment

Job Satisfaction among University Teachers working in Private Sector in the Punjab Province of Pakistan: A Quantitative Investigation

Job satisfaction is a feeling of pride and worker success on the job. It is generally perceived to be directly related to both profitability and personal wellbeing. This study aimed to discover teachers’ perceptions about their job satisfaction based on the demographic characteristics of gender at private sector universities in Lahore district, Pakistan. The population of study consisted of all faculty members of all the private universities situated in district Lahore.  Sample comprised 300 Lecturers, Assistant Professors, and Associate Professors selected through proportionate stratified random sampling technique.  Proportion of male and female teachers was 179 and 129 respectively. A Likert type instrument was developed having 28 statements which were related to the factors of job satisfaction opportunity, organization, safety security, pay, working condition, policies practices, relationship with coworkers, relationship with supervisors, working environment, stress and work load. Reliability of the instrument was 0.781 which showed that the questionnaire was accurate. Findings of the study showed that male and female teachers had perceived equally towards all factors of job satisfaction, whereas no significant difference was found regarding opportunity, organization, pay, working condition, policies and practices, and relationship with coworkers between male and female teachers. It is recommended that universities, administrators, educational consultants, deans of universities should use strategic action for producing and sustaining job satisfaction among university teachers

Violence experienced by the girls with hearing impairment in the schools and its impact on their education

 School based violence is a type of youth violence that occurs within school premises. A students can be a victim, perpetrator or a witness of school based violence. The incidence of violence prevails more among girls with hearing impairment due to their communication and language problems. The main objectives of conducting this research were to explore the nature and type of violence experienced by the girls with hearing impairment studying in the schools of Punjab, highlight the impact of violence on their academic outcomes and to see the role of school administration for the rehabilitation of victimized girls. A qualitative research design was used to conduct the study. The population of the study consisted of girls with hearing impairment studying at secondary level in the schools of Punjab province. A sample of 17 girls with hearing impairment was purposively selected from the 17 schools of Punjab. Researchers took only those girls who had been victim of violence once and more in their life during school hours. An interview protocol was developed to take interview in-depth interviews from the victimized girls.  Based on the interviews, violence experience by the girls characterized into four themes including physical, psychological, sexual and verbal abuse. The study concluded that all types of violence effects on the overall personality and in particular on the academic performance of victim. The study highlighted that schools have not any formal system to deal the violence related issues. Study recommended for the empowerment of girls with hearing impairment to raise their voices against violence.  &nbsp

A Comparative Study of Prospective Teachers’ Attitude before and after Teaching Practice

The purpose of this study was to compare the prospective teachers’ attitude before and after teaching practice at master level. Research was quantitative in nature. Population comprised prospective teachers enrolled at Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan (Session: 2016-2018). Only those students, who had completed their teaching practice, were included in the study. The sample of this study was 200 prospective teachers of Institute of Education and Research, University of the Punjab, Lahore selected through simple random sampling. It is concluded by the findings that prospective teachers emphasized more on classroom management before and after teaching practice in terms of qualification and age. It was also found that no significance mean difference existed between male and female prospective teachers’ perceptions regarding attitudes towards teaching practice before and after teaching practice. Therefore it was recommended that duration of teaching practice should be extended to at least two terms for developing teaching skills in prospective teachers

The Status of Inclusive Education in Baluchistan: A Qualitative Investigation

The central purpose of this qualitative study was to investigate the existing condition of the inclusive schools working in the province of Baluchistan, Pakistan. Out of six divisions of Baluchistan, Quetta division was selected purposively. After conducting a survey, eight inclusive schools were taken as sample from the regular schools. An observation sheet containing the components of school ecology, instructional practices of teachers, curriculum adaptations, classroom management, infra structure of schools, and use of teaching aids in the classrooms was prepared. In eight schools, 48 observations (three observations in grade three and four each) were conducted. The results reflected that most of the children were at the mild level of disability and teachers were paying attention to special children but due to lack of training in deaf education and unavailability of assistive devices, the anticipated outcomes were not being obtained. The conclusions were drawn and recommendations to the Department of Education, Government of the Baluchistan were given for the improvement of inclusive set up

Exploring gender-wise, sector-wise, and grade-wise difference among secondary school students’ reading habits

This study was conducted to examine students’ perceptions regarding reading habits and to explore gender-wise, sector-wise, and grade-wise differences in secondary school students’ reading habits. The students (N=538) who participated in this cross-sectional survey were selected through a non-proportional stratified random sampling technique from district Lahore. The researchers developed a questionnaire comprised of four subscales (perceptions, purpose, preferences, and problems in reading) to measure students reading habits. They ensured the validity of the instrument from experts and calculated the reliability that was Cronbach’s alpha=0.802. Data were analyzed by using different statistical techniques (mean, standard deviation, and independent samples t-tests). The results of descriptive statistics indicated that students gave more preferences to reading than perceptions about reading, the purpose of reading, and problems in reading. However, the least contributing factor was problems in reading. Whereas the findings of independent samples t-tests showed a significant difference in students’ perceptions about reading habits based on gender and class. However, an insignificant difference was found in students’ perception of reading habits based on sector-wise (public and private) schools. Books of students’ interests may be provided in libraries to encourage them to read. Moreover, teachers may also arrange more reading activities to enhance students’ reading skills

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor: Role of Teachers in Career Counseling of Students at Higher Education Level

China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) is a blessing for Pakistan and China. China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) appears as a major ‘Prosperity Tool’ which can help Pakistan to overcome its economic problems. CPEC has been researched up till now in various trade and commerce fields but its most important linkage with education was hard to find. This study was aimed to identify the role of university teachers in developing awareness and providing guidance and counseling to their students regarding career opportunities existing in the projects of CPEC. All the teachers of public and private universities of city Lahore were the population of the study. A sample of 150 teachers was selected randomly from different departments of two public and two private universities of city Lahore. A self-developed and validated instrument was used to identify the role of teachers. Reliability index (Chronbach Alpha) of the instrument was α= .82. Results showed that teachers were playing their role to make students aware of the CPEC projects. They were also providing counseling informally to their students at higher education level regarding the career opportunities existing in the CPEC projects. There was no significant difference found in the role of teachers in providing career counseling to their students at higher education level about CPEC projects with respect to their gender, residential area, type of university, designation and years of working experience. It was recommended that universities should arrange seminars, workshops, conferences, panel discussions and brainstorming sessions for the sensitization of their faculty members so that they could create awareness among their students regarding CPEC and take measures for their career counseling

Violence Inflicted on Students with Disabilities in Special Education Institutions at Public Sector: A Remedial Inquiry

The central theme of this investigation was to explore types of violence being inflicted on students with disabilities (deaf, blind, mentally retarded and physically handicapped) enrolled at primary grade level in private and public sector Special Education Institutions in Punjab-Pakistan. A sample of randomly selected 5 districts (Lahore, Gujranwala, Okara, Pakpatan, Rawalpindi) out of 36 districts of Punjab was taken. A conveniently available sample of 68 special education teachers (male: 22, female: 46) including 20 Senior Special Education Teachers (SSET) and 48 Junior Special Education Teachers (JSET) was taken to collect data on a self-developed and validated questionnaire with statistically significant reliability index (Cronbach Alpha: 0.85) containing 30 statements on violence on five point Likert type scale (from strongly disagree to strongly agree). The data were collected personally and with the help of research assistants. Data were analyzed on SPSS version 21. Descriptive analysis was run to find frequency distribution of responses, percentages and mean score. Independent sample t-test was employed to find difference in responses of special education teachers on the basis of gender. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was run to find difference in the opinions of special education teachers on the basis of their age, qualifications, and teaching experience. There was statistically substantial variation in the responses of special education teachers based on their qualifications. There was not statistically significant difference among the responses of special education teachers on the basis of their gender, age and teaching experience. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations to Punjab Special Education Department were made

Financial Autonomy for Unemployed and Disadvantaged Adolescents with Disabilities through Punjab Vocational Training Institutions

The central focus of this quantitative exploration was to know the awareness level of poor and disadvantaged students with disabilities (hearing impaired, visually impaired, physically handicapped and mild mentally challenged) about demand driven skill training provided by Punjab Vocational Training Institutions. A sample of 105 students with disabilities (male and female) enrolled in elementary and secondary level special education schools and centres located in Lahore division were selected through simple random sampling technique. A self developed and validated questionnaire (Cronbach Alpha 0.92) on five point Likert scale was used to elicit their responses. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. ANOVA was employed to find difference in awareness level among the students of four disabilities, t-test was used to find difference on the basis of gender, type of schools (public & private), and locale (urban & rural). No significant mean difference was found on the basis of gender. There was a significant difference on the basis of type of schools and disabilities. Recommendations were made to Government of the Punjab, Punjab Special Education Department, and private sector to increase employability through the enrolment of students with disabilities in Punjab Vocational Training Institutions