Multivariate Analysis of Rotifers Community from Safari Zoo Lake Lahore, Pakistan

Rotifers are zooplanktons that react more sharply to the environmental changes. Objective: To better understand the community composition of rotifers in Safari Zoo Lake, Lahore, PakistanMethods: wecollected 16 water samples on monthly basis, dividing lake into four major sites: northern, southern, eastern, and western sites. Each of these was further subdivided into four locations, for a total of 16 sampling sites. A total 23 rotifer species were recorded from the lake with Brachionus calyciflorus having maximum abundance. A species abundance curve was plotted between months and number of species of rotifers indicating their lowest and highest abundance through the study period. Results: A Cluster Analysis yielded three main groups of closely related species including species like Brachionus quadridentatus, Synchaeta stylata and Brachionus calyciflorusetc. We used a Principal Component Analysis (I and II) to study variation in the rotifer community on a seasonal basis and among sampling sites. A biplot of Principal Component Analysis (PCA I) reflected the relationship of rotifers with the months. Some of the species showed a positive positive relationship, while others showed negative one. PCA II was plotted between months and physico-chemical parameters showing their negative and positive relations. Conclusions: We conclude that a lesser replacement of fresh water, increased density of waterfowl, reptilia and solid waste left overduring boating has resulted in eutrophication of lake leading to overall low diversity of rotifers observed

Exploring Accelerated Learning Curriculum Implementation in a Private School in Kabul, Afghanistan

This study aims to explore the implementation of accelerated learning program (ALP) curriculum in the context of a primary school in Kabul, Afghanistan. The ALP has come to be seen as one of the possible solutions to catch-up with the lost time/opportunities for the Afghan youth who missed out on education due to wars and related force migrations. For the purpose of the said inquiry, qualitative research paradigm was selected within which case-study research strategy was the main methodology. In this regard, the data was collected through document analysis, semi-structured interviews and classroom observations. Findings of the study reveal that the ALP curriculum was rationalized and designed to provide appropriate education to the disadvantaged children of the country. Implementation of the ALP curriculum was reported to have contributed towards providing educational opportunities to disadvantaged children. The ALP curriculum basically was found to be extracted from the national curriculum (which was designed for the regular schooling), and hence was made-up of some selected portions of the regular curriculum. These curricular selections were arranged in a manner to complete the primary level in 2 and half years, instead of six years (normal). The pedagogies used in the classrooms were mainly: activity-based teaching, role play, and writing skills development. The ALP implementation also faced certain challenges. One of the main challenges toward implementation of the ALP was the selection of its content from the national curriculum which was originally designed for regular schooling. Given the ALP timelines (shorter relatively), the content selected seemed difficult to 'fit' within the ALP schedule. Similarly, the pedagogies used in classroom settings, had their origins in the national curriculum, and therefore there was some misfit with the overall ALP learning goals. The study recommends that there is a need to design an alternative/separate (tailor-made) curriculum for the ALP classes that could effectively meet the needs of the ALP curriculum. The study further suggests that the Ministry of Education could consider the ALPs as alternative programs to achieve the missed educational opportunities of the nation's youth. The study also encourages the Aga Khan Education Service, Afghanistan, to include awareness of the challenges and possibilities regarding the ALP, as reported in the study, to inform the development of the ALP for their settings.