Socio-economic segregation of disadvantaged children between schools in Pakistan: comparing the state and private sector

The distribution of children in different school-types and regions in Pakistan suggests that access and opportunities in education are not evenly accessible for many children. Segregation at school level is an important concern for equity and social justice because the adverse effects of segregation increase the pre-existing gap in opportunities between rich and poor, preventing the disadvantaged children from equal access to better life and success opportunities. This paper presents an analysis of segregation by poverty and pupil performance between schools, with a comparison of private and government schools in Pakistan. The data obtained for this study is from the Annual Status of Education Report 2014 survey of households and schools. The analysis includes 27,979 children aged 5–16 years for whom the information could be linked with their schools, and parents’ socio-economic status. Segregation levels have been assessed using the Gorard Segregation Index. The results show that segregation by academic performance is higher than segregation by poverty, and segregation by poverty is higher in the private sector compared to government schools, whereas segregation by performance is greater in the government schools. A regional level analysis shows that segregation in urban areas is higher in both school types compared to rural areas. In addition to insisting on full attendance for children of school age, the government should work towards decreasing segregation in the state sector, perhaps also involving an increase in the number of schools maintained, and therefore reducing the need for cheap private provision.     

影响后冷战时代巴基斯坦对外政策的诸因素

巴基斯坦的外交政策受四大因素,即,意识形态方面的责任、历史遗产、经济方面的需求、地理方面的动因等的影响。冷战结束之后,在巴基斯坦与周边国家及美国等大国的关系中,上述四种因素分别发挥着程度不同的影响,并使巴基斯坦与各国的关系呈现出不同的发展势态。     

Does fear of terrorism influence psychological adjustment of academic sojourners in Pakistan? Role of state negative affect and emotional support

This study adopted the psychological and emotional perspective of terrorism and the way it influences the psychological adjustment of international students in Pakistan. We investigated the effect of fear of terrorism, state negative affect, and emotional support on students’ psychological distress. Low psychological distress represented higher levels of psychological adjustment. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire from 121 internationals students of 18 different countries enrolled in a public university of Lahore city with a mean age of 21.7 years. A two-stage analysis was conducted by variance-based structural equation modeling technique in SMART PLS 3.2 software. Adequate convergent and discriminant validity of the latent constructs were ensured, and no evidence was found for common method bias. The results of structural model revealed that fear of terrorism is a positive and significant predictor of student’s psychological distress, which is fully mediated by state negative affect. Emotional support was negatively related to psychological distress and moderated the relationship between state negative affect and psychological distress. Conditional process modeling using process macro revealed that emotional support also moderated the indirect effect of fear of terrorism on distress mediated by negative affect. A significant contribution of this research is to investigate fear of terrorism as a stressor in international student’s acculturation research. Negative emotional state plays an intermediary role in relating fear with psychological wellbeing of international students while emotional support can be a potent coping resource. Several implications, limitation and future research recommendations are also discussed.     

The idea of South Asia: a personal note on post‐Bandung blues 1

Abstract

This paper mainly discusses the transformation of the idea of South Asia in Post‐Cold War era.     

A national culture for Pakistan: the political economy of a debate

Abstract

This paper explores the relationship between (national) culture and state formation, arguing that the former is effectively a field of contestation where struggles over hegemony between various classes and social blocs are played out. Cultural nationalism has been the pre‐eminent form of nationalism in the twentieth century, particularly within the anti‐colonial and postcolonial contexts. Since this form of nationalism lends itself to moral regulation by ruling classes in a way that civic or political nationalisms do not (given its ability to produce and manipulate emotional affect) it becomes imperative to understand its relationship to power and to the project/process of state formation. This paper uses the case of postcolonial Pakistan as a lens through which to explore and analyse the complexities of this relationship during the early years of the Pakistani nation‐state. Using primary material – Constituent Assembly Debates and the texts of important intellectual debates on culture during this period – I show the different ways in which Pakistani culture was defined at this time, the politics and interests behind these various articulations, and their ultimate impact on state formation.     

Inherited Memories

ABSTRACT

This article explores the creation and transmission of second generation memories concerning the 1947 Partition of British India. The research is based on oral interviews with Punjabi families who migrated because of Partition and now live in Lahore and Delhi. It explores how Partition memories have been transmitted across generations within these families, and also examines similarities and differences between how the second generation interviewees from Delhi and Lahore remember Partition. It demonstrates that the second generation have not passively accepted everything that the first generation, or the state, has told them about Partition. The second generation's memories are also shaped by their age, nationality, religion and class, and the nature of contemporary politics.     

Book selection strategies in university libraries of Pakistan: An analysis

University libraries in Pakistan spend a large portion of their funds on buying books and these are still the most important part of libraries' collections. Selection policies and practices play fundamental role in developing a strong book collection. This study aims to explore the policies, methods and procedures of selecting books in the university libraries of Pakistan. Data for the study were collected following multi-method approach, through questionnaires and unstructured interviews with the university librarians and faculty members for the doctoral research by the present author during 2003 to 2004. The analysis of data shows that the factors affecting successful execution of the practice of effective selection include: overly dependence on the faculty for selection, constraints of faculty members as selectors, non-availability of selection aids, lack of awareness regarding online resources available for selection, etc. The study suggests some feasible ways to improve the situation. The findings and suggestions may be of value to the countries with similar situations in the developing world.     

University libraries in Pakistan and status of collection management policy: Views of library managers

In the emerging digital paradigm, the role of a collection management policy (CMP) has become fundamental for managing collections in university libraries. This paper mainly explores both the status of CMP in the university libraries of Pakistan and the opinion of university library managers regarding the need for a CMP in their institution. It also briefly narrates the development in the function of contemporary universities and their libraries in the country. The paper is based on literature review, experience, and opinions obtained from the respondents through a questionnaire consisting of open-ended and closed questions and interviews. The data were collected as part of this researcher's doctoral study [7]. The analysis revealed that almost all respondents were in favor of having a written policy but did not prepare such a document in the literal sense. The reasons of this status emerge as lack of basic know-how, practical training, etc. The study suggests continuing professional education and self-studies on the librarians part to improve the situation in this regard.     

International trends in health science librarianship part 12: South Asia (India,Pakistan and Sri Lanka)

This is the 12th in a series of articles exploring international trends in health science librarianship. This issue describes developments in health science librarianship in the first decade of the 21st century in South Asia. The three contributors report on challenges facing health science librarians in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. There is consensus as to the need for education, training and professional development. Starting in the next issue, the focus will turn to Africa, starting with countries in southern Africa. JM     

School built environment,gender, and student achievement in Pakistan

We investigate the relationship between school built environment factors including available water, toilet facilities, and electricity access, and Pakistani students’ achievement. Data from a representative sample of 72,843 students attending 5296 schools are analyzed using multilevel modeling. The findings suggest that ceteris paribus, built environment factors have statistically significant effects on achievement. The effects of several of these factors are moderated by student gender such that female students’ achievement is more likely to be affected by the of lack of water and sanitation facilities while male students’ achievement is more likely to be affected by access to electricity. Implications of the findings regarding built environmental effects on educational achievement are discussed.