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This paper applies Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) as well as data analysis to gain a better understanding of the existing perception on the education system. 45,278 tweets were downloaded and processed. Using a lexicon-based approach, examining the most frequently used words, and estimating similarities between terms, we detected that a predominantly negative perception of the education system exists in most of the analysed countries. A positive perception is identified in certain low-income nations. Men exhibit a more positive sentiment than women as well as a higher subjectivity in some countries. The countries that exhibit the most positive perceptions India, Canada, Pakistan, Australia, South Africa and Kenya are also those that manifest the highest subjectivity.

The critical need for national unity in Pakistan, particularly among the Pashtun community, while addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by ethnic, sectarian, and dialectal divisions. The study begins by providing a historical context that outlines the formation of Pakistan and the subsequent emergence of various identities that have often overshadowed a collective national identity. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the paper explores effective strategies for fostering unity, emphasizing the role of education in promoting awareness and understanding among diverse groups. It discusses the significance of political reforms aimed at creating an inclusive governance framework that respects ethnic diversity while prioritizing national interests. Cultural exchange programs are also highlighted as vital tools for enhancing interaction and cooperation among different communities. By embracing diversity as a strength rather than a weakness, this research advocates for an inclusive national identity that transcends ethnic boundaries. Ultimately, this paper aims to contribute to the discourse on nation-building in Pakistan, offering actionable insights for policymakers and community leaders to promote a harmonious society that celebrates its rich cultural tapestry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The governance of Pakistan has gone through paradoxes in last five decades which have slanted the normal functioning of an existing government mainly because of treacherous intentions involved. Governance is answerable for administrating the country's social and economic resources. This administration in turn requires a system of accountability and adequate reliable information for placement of revenues of country efficiently. Although the 18th amendment has provided a strong foundation for deepening of administration affairs at local level, the policy has not been fully implemented. This research paper aims to strengthen devolution at local level for essential administrative delivery functions closest to the citizens which would ultimately help to reassert better governing system. In this milieu, this research has focused on analyzing the functions of two main sectors of health and education in the post 18th amendment implementation phase. Another important aspect is the evolving role of religion and sectarian issue which has created hindrances for the effective policy implementation. The paper is descriptive in nature and has attempted to examine independent variable of Pakistan's administration is being compared with dependent variable of government through an inundated governance. The paper focuses on the research question of how a Pakistan's administration will fully decentralized to manage the affairs of country at closest possible citizenship level as there is a need for government to govern the "council of common interests for stronger inter-provincial coordination platform" for forging national consensus which can accelerate the process of development of Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the role of Madaris in Pakistan's educational system and their alleged connection to radicalization and extremism due to a lack of emphasis on critical thinking, morality, and exclusive religious epistemological sources. In contrast to the prevalent simplifications attributing their function to Madaris, this paper argues that the conventional general education system has also failed to prioritise morality and inclusive epistemology in its curricula. Therefore, it is essential to adopt a more nuanced approach to the analysis of the education system, and it is argued that a comprehensive approach that acknowledges both inclusive epistemology and morality is required for an environment conducive to the maintenance of sustainable societal harmony. The paper argues that by employing such an approach, students can appreciate diversity and diverse perspectives, develop critical thinking skills, and be better equipped to promote social cohesion and peace. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The "Global strategy on human resources for health: Workforce 2030" was adopted by the 69th World Health Assembly. Among its objectives is the strengthening of data on human resources for health, to inform evidence-based policy decisions. These data include the course completion and drop-out rates, to inform mechanisms that support recruitment and retention. Objective: This paper sought to evaluate trends in course completion and drop-out rates of health workforce students. However, original data were only obtained for pre-service medical students, but no other health worker occupational groups. Methods: A mixed method approach was employed to obtain data presented in this paper. A structured questionnaire was sent out to targeted medical training institutions, regulatory bodies, and National Medical Associations, supplemented by a web and literature search for existing studies or data reports. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 21.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) and Microsoft Excel 2010. Results: Eight previously published studies were identified originating from six countries, with course completion rates ranging from 84% in Pakistan to 98.6% in the United States of America, while the drop-out rates ranged from 1.4% in the United States of America to 16% in Pakistan. An analysis of pre-service medical students in Australia and New Zealand, revealed average course completion rates of 93.3% and 96.9%, respectively, and average drop-out rates of 6.7% and 3.1%, respectively. An analysis of pre-service medical students from Nigeria, revealed an average course completion rate of 88.3%, and an average drop-out rate of 11.7%. Data were not readily available for most countries targeted during the research, either because of lack of existing mechanisms for collation of required data or restrictions making such data publicly unavailable and inaccessible. Conclusions: Drop-out rate for pre-service medical students varies across countries with some countries recording higher drop-out rates, which raise significant concerns about the capacity of such countries to scale up production of human resources for health. Data that monitor both course completion and drop-out rates, and seek to provide insight into reasons for observed numbers, can inform mechanisms to address the causes of course drop-out and support student retention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education is the most prolific pillar of humanitarian response in emergency situations. During and after emergencies, education affords opportunities for the children, their families and communities to move towards the rehabilitation process and learn the required skills for leading a standard life. The paper is based on review of available literature and for this purpose, an extensive review of research articles, newspapers, books, and online material was carried out regarding need and importance of education during and after conflict. As the conflict between Swat, Malakand and FATA Merged Districts (MDs) started in 2007 and continued until 2010, the main focus of this study is on educational problems during the mentioned period. The study aims to explore the hurdles in the provision of education during the conflict in the study area. In addition, the study aims to learn about the problems faced by teachers during the conflict. The study concludes that conflict in the study area has badly affected the education sector by depriving children of education. The schools were closed and the teachers were issued threats, due to which the teachers left their houses and got shifted to safer areas. Girl schools and female teachers suffered the most as girls education was declared un-Islamic. The study recommends that education ought to be the top priority of both the government and private sectors during times of conflict and temporary schools should be established for continuous education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although STEM is an essential feature of 21st-century education and learning, there is a lack of awareness about it in Pakistan, especially at the K-12 and tertiary levels. Recently many initiatives have been launched across Pakistan to create more interest in STEM education. In order to assist in raising the level of STEM awareness in Pakistan, this study sought to examine the current state of research and identify recent contributions and gaps in the literature. A systematic literature review was conducted using 22 research papers from five renowned databases. Results produced limited research in this area, with the majority being descriptive and only four being interventional studies. Regrettably, no research explored the engineering component of STEM education. Trends indicate that STEM education research has experienced a downward trend in Pakistan. The observed decline may have occurred due to a lack of understanding among Pakistani researchers regarding the importance of STEM education. Additionally, we identified the current gaps in research on STEM education and subsequently provided recommendations for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emphasis on STEM education has gained the attention of activists to promote gender equality in the education field in the last few years. The objectives of the present research paper are: Why is there a need to address gender inequalities in STEM education in Pakistan? The second objective of the research is to highlight the obstacles that restrict women's access to STEM education in Pakistan. This research is qualitative in nature and based on the interviews of students enrolled in the faculty of humanities at the BS level in AIOU. Research gives directions to policymakers on how to increase women's enrollment in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using household surveys for 2008 and 2011, a multidimensional destitution measure is constructed for Pakistan's most populated province – Punjab. Using a non-monetary framework for dimensions of health, education and standard of living, the study paints a temporal picture of the extremely impoverished households in districts and towns, while highlighting the impact of the destructive 2010 floods. Results reveal the existence of pervasive destitution, with half of the multidimensionally poor households also identified as destitute. Destitution is higher for rural as compared to urban households, while the geography of destitution highlights its concentration in south-west Punjab, providing insights for targeted interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The right to education is crucial for solving gender inequalities in developing countries. Set against the backdrop of persistent gender disparities starting from primary education level in Pakistan, using capability approach, this article analyses gender inequalities in education in the Punjab province through the effectiveness of the Girls' Stipend Programme (GSP) on girls' educational opportunities using a mixed methods approach. The GSP, aims to increase female enrolment in public schools, and targets families from lower socio-economic backgrounds. The findings show that the GSP has led to short-term impact on girls' increased enrolment in middle schools, although issues of access to education such as physical safety, transition to secondary schools and the quality of schooling needed attention. The parental aspirations for girls' education is high particularly among mothers from lower economic backgrounds and main driver for female education but the larger question of the instrumental role of education in transforming gender inequalities is still pertinent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pakistan has extremely poor breastfeeding indicators: fewer than half of infants under 6 months are exclusively breastfed, only 20% of infants are breastfed within the first hour of life, and nearly half are never fed colostrum. The country's high infant morbidity and mortality is in part due to this suboptimal infant feeding. A network of lady health workers (LHWs) employed by the government facilitate maternal and child health programs, including breastfeeding support in their communities. This study describes LHWs' perspectives and experiences regarding breastfeeding. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 14 LHWs and used thematic qualitative analysis to code and analyze the data. Our research revealed that LHWs use their role as members of the community and involve influential members of the family to build trust. Frequent home visits beginning prenatally help them address misconceptions about infant feeding. While they have strong knowledge about the benefits of breastfeeding and the importance of colostrum, they demonstrate gaps in their knowledge regarding breast conditions, the safe preparation of human milk substitutes, the physiology of milk production, and supporting mothers who are separated from their baby. Future training should address these areas where LHWs lack knowledge to help mothers facilitate early and exclusive breastfeeding. With adequate training, LHWs are uniquely positioned to use their role as trusted members of the community to effectively counsel families on the importance of breastfeeding and support the clinical needs of women during the perinatal time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Selecting academic fields at university level reflects career interests, which must be aligned with vocational personalities to avoid job dissatisfaction in the future. Since no earlier studies were conducted in Pakistan to investigate the compatibility between vocational personalities and career interests of university students, the current study aims to address this knowledge gap for the first time in the country. The study also highlights the role of aptitude testing before being enrolled in a university. As a quantitative survey, the study administered the O*Net Interest Profiler on 1503 conveniently selected graduating male and female students at different universities in Pakistan, with the analysis of vocational personalities based on Holland's RIASEC codes. The results show that students of pure sciences, social sciences, architecture, fine arts, and psychology choose academic disciplines in alignment with their vocational personalities. Students of computer sciences, management sciences, electrical engineering, accounting & finance, and mathematics, however, do not select their academic fields in alignment with their vocational personalities. The studied male students were significantly more realistic, enterprising and conventional, whereas the female students were significantly more investigative, artistic and social. The study suggests that stakeholders should provide aptitude testing and career counseling at school and college levels to obtain the best human resources for the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The labor force is a crucial factor in conducting economic activities, especially in labor-surplus countries like Pakistan. In this study, we explore the impact of labor force participation (LF) on economic growth (EG), with an emphasis on how this impact depends on the levels of health and education expenditures. We analyze time series data from Pakistan spanning from 1980 to 2022, using ARDL (Autoregressive Distributed Lag), ECM (Error Correction Model) and Granger causality techniques for empirical analysis. The ARDL results indicate that LF significantly boosts EG, both in the short and long run. Furthermore, the estimations reveal that better facilities for health and education strengthen the positive effects of LF on EG. This suggests a complementary relationship between health, education, and LF in driving EG. Moreover, our findings highlight the temporal significance of health and education: Health plays a more crucial role in the short run, while education's impact is more substantial in the long run. Furthermore, the Granger causality results indicate that LF, health, and education significantly contribute to EG. It is advisable for the government to prioritize investments in the health and education sectors. This approach can empower individuals to actively and effectively participate in economic activities, eventually contributing to the overall economic output of the nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of the current study was to determine how the Overseas Pakistanis Ministry influences the educational resources that children of Pakistani expatriates residing in Pakistan have access to. The study's objective is to get a deeper understanding of the ministry's support networks in order to enhance the educational chances for these children. The study uses a case study approach to investigate the specific policies and initiatives implemented by the ministry to support the education of Pakistani expatriate children. These consist of financial help plans, career counselling, language assistance, cultural orientation, counselling, financial aid programs, and entrance support. The study also identifies gaps in the corpus of prior research on the topic. A needs analysis to identify the specific challenges these students face, ensuring that policies and programs are inclusive, conducting a thorough evaluation of the effectiveness of the current facilities and support services, and investigating the long-term effects of government initiatives on the educational and professional outcomes of Pakistaniimmigrant children living abroad are some of these gaps. These research gaps must be taken into account in evidence-based policymaking and program formulation to properly support the educational needs of this student group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study is to investigate the diversity in the laws and regulations and the cultural milieu in which corporations operate in the UK and Pakistan which led to the differences and similarities in CSR practices. This research aims to evaluate and compare the incorporation of term, definition, influence of religion, role of civil societies, governmental actions, spending, reporting, national strategies, visibility, spectrum, transparency, financial aspects, sustainable activities, awards culture and educational programs, legal and regulatory frameworks of CSR practices in two regions of the world namely the British isle, and Pakistan. This qualitative study is conducted through comparative research analysis. The study results revealed that CSR activities coupled with similarities and differences are shifting from philanthropy to sustainability, the CSR movement in most of the nations is yet to gain the mainstream acceptance as it enjoys in the developed countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this religiously diverse world, for a secure and conflict-free society, religious tolerance is an important phenomenon to prevail. Since youth of a nation serves as a powerful weapon to build a prosperous and peaceful society. The present research work attempted to explore the role of demographic characteristics of youth of Pakistan in religious tolerance. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, and data was collected from (N = 1651) young adults with range 18-35 years with the mean of 22.60 including boys (n = 667) and girls (n = 984) of four different cities of Pakistan. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to collect data. Multiple hierarchical regression analysis indicated the significant and strong roles of attachment to sects and education in determining the religious tolerance of youth. The findings of the present study are helpful for the stakeholders to formulate policies to enhance the religious tolerance and minimize the negative impact of attachment to sect through education which may lead towards a tolerant environment. These findings can be very insightful for psychologists, sociologists, and religious scholars. The above-mentioned stakeholders can arrange seminars, and workshops to highlight the important factors that could lead to religious tolerance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID‐19 pandemic has brought about significant changes to the the learning process, prompted by the shift away from traditional physical classrooms to virtual ones. With unequal access to remote learning technologies, there are concerns regarding undergraduate students' academic progress. A primary survey was conducted to create a composite learning score to quantify learning losses. A significantly higher learning loss is visible among students belonging to families facing income losses during the pandemic, and public university students. We find that compared to India, students of Bangladesh and Pakistan are affected more severely in terms of learning losses. The article also measures the extent of psychological distress and academic demotivation related to online learning. We find that the same groups of students face higher psychological distress and academic demotivation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the study was to assess whether determinants of quality of life are different or similar for married and unmarried substance user men from Pakistan? A sample of 218 inpatient substance user men (M age = 27.73 & SD = 5.25; Married N = 116; Unmarried N = 102) was assessed on WHO-QOL assessing four quality of life domains. It was found that within subject differences across four QoL domains were significant with all participants reporting better physical, psychological, and social QoL than environmental QoL. Also, married compared to unmarried participants scored higher on psychological and environmental QoL domains. Furthermore, age and substance use duration were negative correlates but education and onset age were positive correlates of specific QoL domains. Interaction effects showed that age and substance use duration were stronger negative predictors of psychological and environmental QoL in married compared to unmarried substance user men. It was concluded that older and married substance user men compared to younger and unmarried substance user men and those with more duration were at a higher risk of poor QoL due to substance use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Constitution of Pakistan is a comprehensive document, that guarantees fundamental human rights to all Pakistanis. However, despite the guarantees the constitution provides, Horizontal Inequalities and disparities remain rampant in Pakistan. Article 25-A of the constitution of Pakistan guarantees free and universal education to all children aged 5 to 16 but with abysmal levels of literacy in areas of high absolute poverty and deprivation, education remains low on the list of priorities. This research explores the Horizontal Inequalities and disparity in education in three Saraiki ethnicity majority districts in South Punjab through discourse analysis of secondary data acquired from the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, in light of Constitutional guarantees. It also takes a deep dive into the reasons why people may consider education of their children a "non-priority" by taking first-hand accounts through in-depth interviews with respondents with one or more children out of school through qualitative thematic analysis. The results indicate that due to the lack of implementation of Article 25(A), ethnic Saraikis experience high levels of inequalities in education. Furthermore, it was found that poverty and lack of resources were the reasons behind low enrollment and dropout rates for the respondents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public and private sector are essential to materialize the national plans which are in the interest of the general public. The underlying study is concerned with the sustainability of governmental and private partnership, notably in Pakistan's education sector. The data is ranged from 1980 to 2022. For the estimation of results, Auto Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach is used. The variables considered in this study are: Private Education Expenditure (PED), Economic Growth (EGR), Government Education Expenditure (GED), Poverty (PVR), Population Growth (PGR), Inflation (INF), and Personal Remittances (REM). A mixed connection between public and private sector (PPS) in the education sector is found. In the long run, significant and positive relationship is found between PED and GED. However, in case of short run, the results are dissimilar. The policy recommendations urge the ongoing public and private sector investment in the education sector for the best interest of the nation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines Pakistan's youth, who comprise more than 64% of the population, and their capacity for change and the implications for the country's future. It examines the current demographic trends, problems like the lack of meaningful employment opportunities, education and skill gaps, unemployment, and the potential benefits of this demographic boom. To maximize youth potential as a catalyst for economic growth, social progress, and innovation and avoid the youth bulge becoming a sociopolitical strain, the article emphasizes the urgent need for strategic interventions and comprehensive reforms in education, employment, health, and civic participation. The study offers suggestions and measures to turn the growing youth population into a significant asset for national development and draws lessons from international examples, particularly China. To make the rising population of youth an asset for Pakistan, several measures are required. Firstly, investing in quality education is crucial. By implementing policies that guarantee equal educational opportunities for all young individuals, irrespective of their socioeconomic status, we can effectively provide them with the essential competencies and information required to navigate the challenges of the forthcoming era. This includes promoting technical and vocational training programs to address the needs of the job market. Secondly, creating employment opportunities is essential. The government and private sector should work together to generate jobs and promote entrepreneurship. This can be achieved through supportive policies, incentives for businesses, and fostering a conducive environment for innovation and growth. Lastly, focusing on healthcare and social services is vital. By prioritizing the well-being of the youth, we can address issues such as malnutrition, healthcare access, and mental health support. This will not only improve their quality of life but also enable them to contribute effectively to the development of the nation. By implementing these measures, Pakistan can harness the potential of its growing youth population and transform them into an asset for the country's progress and prosperity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Educational Challenges is the property of H.S. Skovoroda Kharkiv National Pedagogical University and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Millions were affected by COVID-19 school closures, with parents and schools caught unprepared. Education is expected to play a role in creating equal opportunities, so transferring schooling responsibilities to families may have increased learning inequalities generated by family backgrounds. We examined the time students spent on home learning and explored the role of the schools' distance teaching provision in explaining differences traditionally attributed to parental education, eligibility for free school meals, ethnic background and single parenthood. Using the Understanding Society COVID-19 dataset, we found children who received free school meals, single-parent families and children with parents with lower formal education qualifications and Pakistani or Bangladeshi backgrounds spent significantly less time on schoolwork. However, schools' provision of offline and online distance teaching and homework checking significantly increased the time spent on learning and reduced some inequalities, demonstrating the policy relevance of digital preparedness to limit learning loss in school closures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study provides a gender analysis of public sector budgets in education sector of Punjab for the period of 2016 to 2018 from the preprimary to secondary level. The research methodology is based on review of secondary information and data, key informant interviews, stakeholder consultations, and a review of budgetary process. It helps in systematically approaching our research questions. The study finds gender disparities in budgets for the public education sector with key focus on reconfiguration of budget process. The gender lens should be introduced at a very early stage where budget call circulars are being sent to the departments concerned. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article investigates the impact of men's migration on expenditure by left-behind households on children's education, focusing on the gendered distribution of this expenditure. Using longitudinal survey data of rural households in Pakistan, the effect of men's migration on the share of households' education expenditure spent on girls is estimated using the fixed-effects model (FEM). Results suggest that in households from which men migrate for periods longer than six months, the share of education expenditures spent on girls is up to 31 percent higher than that of the average household in the sample. There is no evidence of a significant impact on households' total education expenditure due to this migration. Overall, in households where men are absent, the distribution of education expenditure tilts in favor of girls. A possible mechanism behind the increase in girls' shares is the greater participation of women in household decisions in the absence of men. HIGHLIGHTS In Pakistan, rural households from which men have migrated have higher expenditure on girls' schooling. Men's outmigration plausibly expands women's participation in household decisions. Women's role in expenditure decisions may improve and increase investments in girls' education. Higher participation of women in household decisions potentially reduces gender inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheating in examinations across the globe is an issue of growing concern. This study argues that the culture of cheating in exams in Balochistan has reduced the efficiency of human resource and has resulted in producing students with high qualifications but less potential in the province. Therefore, it is very important to explore the factors contributing to cheating in exams and to suggest a course of action to mitigate the menace it poses. A quantitative research method was employed for this study. Similarly, statistical techniques such as correlation and logistic regression were conducted for statistical analysis and explanation of the study using SPSS. Theoretically, the study is inspired by rational choice theory. The findings of the study show a significant relationship between personal, institutional, and situational factors. Personal factors that contribute to cheating were found to be students’ desire to excel, low GPA, and slow learning. Institutional factors include the weak administrative role of institutions, poor academic policies, overload on students, and weak performance of the teachers. Situational factors such as the poor management strategy of the examiner, time pressure, and technological tools were found to be instigating students towards cheating. The study suggests that an appropriate exam hall setting, effective monitoring, concept-oriented exams, and a strong honor code can decrease cheating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Education has wide-ranging benefits to both the individual and wider society. This article investigates the consequences of terrorist incidents on whether households can further their children's schooling. Using both the Global Terrorism Database and Pakistan's Social and Living Standards Measurement, we find that persistent exposure to terrorism significantly reduces the likelihood that parents will continue their children's education. The result suggests, that for every million people, an increase in terrorist incidents causes 26,501 fewer children to continue their education at the primary school education level. We also examine the results by various demographic segments and types of terrorism attacks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study's primary objective is to investigate the impact of stressful living environments and extreme weather conditions on youth's education. For the fulfillment of this objective, the unique and latest methodology, such as second-generation unit root, cross-sectional ARDL, and the Westerlund approach are used on panel data taken from India and Pakistan. The cross-sectional dependency test is also employed to determine the internal correlations between cross-sections. The results indicate that there are long- as well as short-run relationships between variables. This study helps to develop policies to manage natural disasters, as well as provide the theoretical background to reduce the stressful living environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nowadays, we are living in the modern era of technological revolution and globalization, where people are giving more priority to proper education to compete among the top countries and to achieve something in their lives. Education improves a person's abilities and creativity, which in turn have a positive effect on the development of a nation's or an individual's economy and also play a productive role in it. The traditional approaches are based only on statistical measures and are not capable of figuring out the most significant socioeconomic factors affecting the performance of a student. Keeping in mind the significance of socioeconomic status (SES) in improving the performance of a student, this study analyzes the important socioeconomic factors that affect the performance of a student in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. We developed our own dataset by collecting data from 100 different schools (both government and private) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, consisting of more than 5550 students who were given a proper questionnaire survey. The created dataset consists of a total of 18 features and a target class. In this research, we used different statistical and machine learning (ML) methodologies to identify the most crucial elements that significantly affect the academic achievements of a student and have a strong correlation with the target class. To select the most prominent features from the dataset, we used two different feature selectors (FCBF and relief) and measured their performances along with ML models. To measure the significance rate of each ML algorithm using the full and selected feature space, we used different performance measures such as accuracy, precision, recall, sensitivity, specificity, etc. The experimental outcomes show that the feature selection algorithms significantly improve the performance of the classification models by providing more relevant features that have a strong association with the target class. This study also offered some advice for decision-makers, particularly in the respective education sector and other authorities, to develop specific solution strategies, plans, and initiatives to address the issue. It is envisioned that the suggested scheme will help the residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, in particular, obtain a high-quality education that can help pave the way for an educated and developed Pakistan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a leading public health threat, which is exacerbated by the high and inappropriate use of antibiotics. Consequently, there is a need to evaluate knowledge regarding antibiotic use, AMR and the readiness to implement antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) among final year medical, pharmacy and nursing students in Pakistan. This reflects the high and increasing rates of AMR in the country, and students as future healthcare professionals (HCPs). A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1251 final year students from 23 public and private educational institutions in Punjab. The majority of the surveyed participants possessed good knowledge of antibiotic use, AMR and the potential causes of AMR. The most common sources of the information on antibiotics were smartphones (69.9%), peers (35.9%) and medical textbooks (30.6%). However, most surveyed participants were not fully prepared to participate in ASPs. They knew, though, how to reduce AMR by educating HCPs about appropriate prescribing, implementing ASPs and improving laboratory facilities. There was a significant association between antibiotic knowledge and causes of AMR with sex, family income and student type (p < 0.05). Being a student at a public sector university (OR = 4.809; CI = 3.261–7.094; p < 0.001) and age (OR = 0.524, CI = 0.327–0.842; p < 0.008) were among the key factors impacting students' training on ASPs. Educational curricula must be improved to include more information about appropriate antibiotic use and ASPs, along with sufficient training, workshops and clinical rotations in the final year, to fully equip students by graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rural poverty is often discussed in combination with spatial inequality where rural poor face worse problems with diverse remedies in comparison to urban poor. The present study aims to find out area-level effects and possible determinants of rural poverty based on data from the Rural Household Panel Survey of Pakistan Round-1 (2012). The multilevel binary logistic model is used to integrate concurrent individual and district-level variables to explore area-level effects on poverty. A two-level multilevel model is used for the analysis of the poverty status of 4804 respondents nested in 19 districts. Individual-level variables included in the model are education, socioeconomic status, and spending behaviour. It is found that approximately 60% of individuals of the overall population were found poor, and district-level effect accounts for 7% variations in poverty. A particularly significant ratio of poor is found for people who attained deeni madrassa/religious education or no education at all. Poverty existence is significantly associated with spending behavior and socioeconomic status. The persons with relatively middle/high socioeconomic status and successful educational achievement but a lacking attitude toward spending money are considered poor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the study was to determine the association between parenting styles (authoritative and permissive) and students' self-efficacy (LSE), selfregulatory learning (SRL), and academic accomplishment orientation of secondary school students in Punjab, Pakistan. The study also investigated the effect of digital learning as a moderating variable in the relationship between SRL and academic achievement oriented, as well as between learner self-efficacy (LSE) and academic achievement among secondary school students. The study was conducted with (N = 720) secondary school students of Punjab Pakistan. In the current research cross sectional design was used, and multistage sampling was used to draw a sample from the population. The results from the study, it is found that the authoritative parenting style has a weak association with LSE and a strong association with SRL. Permissive parenting styles have low associations with SRL and have a high association with LSE as compared to authoritarian parenting. Furthermore, when compared to students from permissive parenting, secondary students from authoritarian parenting have higher SRL and a higher academic achievement orientation. Results revealed that that digital literacy significantly moderate with LSE to influence the academic achievement orientation, while digital literacy significantly interacts with SRL to highly influence the academic achievement orientation of secondary school students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Literature provides rich evidence of the role of economic development, environmental quality, and psychological stress' prevalence on the deployment of human efforts in criminal activities. This study explores the role of HDI, CO2, and Prevalence of Depression against total, violent, and nonviolent crimes in Pakistan between 1990 and 2017. Analysis based on ARDL bounds testing model which proposes that human development, environment quality, and sound mind leads to a decrease in the involvement in criminal activities. The intensity of effects is different for total, violent, and nonviolent crime rates. Government should focus on development expenditures coupled with improving the quality of the environment and mind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In most developing countries like Pakistan, the gap between rich and poor has widened over time. This polarization in the society hinders economic growth and acts as a barrier for development and well-being. The proportion of income distribution varies across the population sub-groups in Pakistan. Therefore, it is important to study the income distribution effects across the four provinces of Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: This study attempts to explore the root causes of income inequality and its changes in a dynamic context across the four provinces of Pakistan over a decade (2005–2006 to 2015–2016) by using a regression-based inequality decomposition method. Findings: Age, gender and higher education are the most prominent factors explaining the level of inequality across the four provinces of Pakistan. Higher education enhances the level of inequality in all provinces but contributes negatively to its changes except for Balochistan. Skilled agricultural and fishery workers in Balochistan have contributed significantly to reducing the level of inequality over the decade but not to its changes. Healthy contribution of the unpaid family workers in economic activities has reduced the level of inequality in Punjab and Balochistan and contributed positively to the change in income inequality. Employer or self-employed workers enhance the level of income inequality but contribute negatively to its changes for Punjab and Balochistan. Originality/value: To date, inequality literature on Pakistan focuses on economic growth and poverty. A handful studies focus on the determinants of income inequality in a static context. This study goes beyond the static decomposition tools and attempts to explore the determinants of inequality in a dynamic context. Peer review: The peer review history for this article is available at https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-09-2021-0573. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contribution: This study compares the outcome-based education (OBE) system with the traditional teaching–learning methods. A detailed analysis regarding the effectiveness of these techniques at Riphah International University (RIU), Faisalabad Campus is presented. Background: Education is becoming more demanding in terms of students’ learning. In the same way, teaching methods are becoming more systematic and outcome-oriented. Pakistan has turned out to be a full signatory of the Washington Accord, and Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) has directed all engineering institutions to implement the described OBE system. Intended Outcomes: The aim of this work is to investigate the advantages and drawbacks of both teaching methods. Also, it reveals the strengths of the OBE system to improve future students’ learning. Application Design: The analysis is performed by considering the student’s feedback, average learning scores, letter grades, and overall class impact as the main driving factors toward the comprehensive system’s evaluation. The data for two consecutive batches under OBE and non-OBE systems is collected and compared. Reliability and validity tests were also performed for the data validation. Findings: The overall transformation from non-OBE to OBE has proved the new educational system superlative in student learning, subject delivery, and teaching technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Objective: To explore the perceptions of the dental faculty regarding the changes required with regards to subjects, the teaching methodology, assessment and innovative recommendations in Pakistan. Study Design: Qualitative Research Project. Setting: Riphah International University, Rawalpindi. Period: February 2019 till July 2019. Material & Methods: In which 13 dental faculty members with post graduate degrees in Medical/Dental Education in addition to the Dental Specialties were selected via a purposive sampling technique for semi-structured one to one interview. Data was collected from 8 various institutes. The protocol for thematic data analysis was utilized. Explanatory, exploratory and interpretative approaches of content analysis were employed to screen out prominent and relevant concepts and emergent themes. Results: Participants reported that many new subjects need to be incorporated. A uniform curriculum all over the country is required. The content of subjects needs to be aligned to the needs of the community. Need analysis is to be carried out at regulatory body level for what sort of General Dentists are to be produced in the country who can later work in other parts of the world, if they desire. Conclusion: Course content needs to be is aligned with rest of the world and community. Teaching and Learning Strategies should be reevaluated with the present day needs of the curriculum. Curriculum must be patient centered and inculcate the local needs of the community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Social science disciplines have consistently been viewed for granted when contrasted with the physical sciences in the academia of Pakistan. The key objective of this research was to analyze the progress in the Social Science Education in terms of curriculum development, faculty increment and HEC policy Priority through content analysis. The Academic Dependency Theory was used for theoretical underpinnings. The qualitative research paradigm was used for this study. The relevant secondary data was gathered from books, articles, diaries, Bureau of statistics surveys, and other chronicled records of HEC and broken down appropriately. Applicable published and non-published information from 2003 to 2019 was chosen arbitrarily, of which approx. One hundred fifty articles were taken as sample. According to research findings, higher Education in Pakistan was designed without a solid policy and methodology. As a result, social science disciplines faced numerous challenges, including the defenseless instructional program development, a scarcity of skilled labor, dubious research frameworks, and inappropriate research projects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2009, Pakistan introduced a subsidized biogas program to disseminate clean and affordable energy in rural areas. However, the adoption rate did not appear as expected. Therefore, the present study aims to examine the determinants behind the non-adoption of biogas digesters. Detailed information via a structured questionnaire was obtained from biogas adopters and non-adopters, and analyses were performed in two levels. Initially, the study used the multinomial logit regression to elicit the non-adoption behavior. Results depicted family size, risk aversion, cook education (women), kitchen (inside the home), home structure, and non-availability of inputs as significant factors behind non-adoption. Detailed analysis also revealed that the factors like the age of household head, area of the house, cook education (women), location of the kitchen (inside the home), and the distance of the house to the bus stop (minutes) lead towards the potential adoption of biogas. The study also investigated the potential factors behind the long-term sustainability of biogas digesters with the help of binary logit. The results depicted that the kitchen's location (inside the house), cook education (women), training, and subsidy significantly and positively impact the biogas plant's probability of being functional. Based on these results, the study suggested that policymakers increase women's education in rural areas, provide a subsidy to reduce costs and risk, and arrange training for adopters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent environmental research has found that people with higher incomes and in more developed countries are more willing to pay (WTP) to protect their environment than people in developing countries. Based on this assumption, the study investigated Pakistani citizens' attitudes toward environmental protection, precisely their willingness to pay higher prices and taxes to preserve the natural environment. The research was carried out in three Punjab cities (Hasan Abdal, Wah, and Taxila) and four KPK cities (Abbottabad, Havelian, Mansehra, and Haripur). The selected cities are home to knowledgeable people who work in various universities, schools, hospitals, medical colleges, and nearby industrial estates and have a sense of environmental protection and can understand the healthcare issues related to environmental damages. The survey was divided into two sections: one about the participants' socio-demographic information and the other about people's willingness to pay higher prices and taxes to protect the environment. Four hundred and sixty-two people took part in the survey, and the data were analyzed using the bootstrap regression approach. The results show that gender has a detrimental impact, although population density and education positively impact a country's willingness to pay for environmental protection (WTPEP). Women are more likely to engage in pro-environmental behavior than men, resulting in disparities in their perceptions of male and female respondents in the study. People who live in crowded places tend to pay for environmental protection because of population density, healthcare difficulties, and air pollution. The respondents are well-versed in the externalities of environmental pollution; they are hopeful about paying for a better healthcare environment. Other criteria, such as the respondent's income, health status, total pollution level in the country, and per capita income, enable respondents to pay for environmental preservation to achieve long-term sustainable growth. The government must embrace air quality regulations and empower its citizens by offering better healthcare services since they are enthusiastic about paying higher taxes and fees to protect the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If historical shocks influence educational outcomes, how long does the effect last, and does it differ among ethnic groups? This study answers these questions by exploiting the historical experiment of partition—that is the splitting of the British Raj into India and Pakistan—and by presenting a theoretical model that explains the trade-offs such a shock uncovers for different ethnic groups that have to decide between assimilation through education and maintaining their ethnic specificity. We use different rounds of Pakistan social and living standard measurement (PSLM) survey and analyze the educational outcomes of the grandchildren of partition (i.e., whose grandparents were born during the partition). We show that the scar from partition is long-lasting, as the present generation is still living under its influence. More importantly, our results reveal the different adaptation strategies of ethnic and cultural groups in the long run. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the current study was to investigate relationships between certain dimensions of religiosity and psychological capital (PsyCap) in the Christian, Hindu, and Muslim secondary school students in Pakistan. Extrinsic, intrinsic, quest religious orientations, and the behavioural dimension of religiosity were adopted as independent variables. The PsyCap served as a criterion variable. Fifteen hundred secondary school students affiliated with the Christian (n = 371), Hindu (n = 505), and Muslim (n = 624) communities participated in the study. Three measures, including the New Indices of Religious Orientation Revised, Behavioural Measure of Religiosity and Psychological Capital Questionnaire were used to collect data. Results demonstrated a significant contribution of independent variables in explaining variances in the criterion variable in the three groups of students. However, the impact of each dimension of religiosity on psychological capital differs among the Christian, Hindu, and Muslim students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this digital age, Pakistan can create a progressive and positive image by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI). Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration presents an opportunity to digitalize various fields, spur innovation, and advance Pakistan's sustainable development. Pakistan, like many emerging nations, has a number of issues that impede its development into a strong and sustainable state. However, there is a chance to use the rapid technological breakthroughs, notably in AI, to get around these challenges. By analyzing case studies, different startups and wide scholarly exploration, this article examines the likely interventions of AI in public sector such as cultural diplomacy, healthcare, education, governance, technology transfer, and economic development. Pakistan can reconstruct its infrastructure, enhance service delivery, and eventually become a technology-driven country by implementing ethically informed AI-driven solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]