اس طرح کے لوگ ہوں گے کم تمہارے شہر میں
کون سے آسیب کے سائے نے گھیرا ہے انہیں
زخمیان عشق شاید ہیں زیادہ اس لیے
عام لوگوں کی یہاں اب دسترس میں کچھ نہیں
پر فضا اس شہر کی آب و ہوا کوکیا ہوا
جس طرح کہ در بدر ہیں ہم تمہارے شہر میں
روز دیکھا موت کا عالم تمہارے شہر میں
ہر جگہ ہے بک رہا مر ہم تمہارے شہر میں
ارزاں اگر ملتا ہے تو بس غم تمہارے شہر میں
اس طرح گھٹتا کہاں تھا دم تمہارے شہر میں
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic threat, the Department of Education (DepEd) established the Basic Education - Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) to allow students to continue their education and teachers to conduct instruction in a safe working and learning environment. As a result, DepEd implemented the distance learning approach, including Modular Distance Learning (MDL), for the School Year 2020-2021. This paper investigated the practices, challenges, and coping mechanisms of teachers and students involved in the implementation of the MDL in Schools Division of Laoag City. This qualitative research utilized semi-structured interview guide to collect data from 20 teachers and 20 learners from elementary, junior high and senior high schools. Using the phenomenological study, data were analyzed and organized into themes. The study's major themes revealed that teachers and students began familiarizing themselves with the features of MDL but encountered challenges such as printing, distribution, and retrieval of modules, as well as monitoring of student progress on the part of the teacher and answering overloaded activities on the part of the students. They claimed, however, that they have unique coping mechanisms in dealing with the identified challenges by resolving issues independently and seeking help from family and colleagues. Finally, the Modular Distance Learning Adoption Framework (MDLAF) was developed and validated for teachers and students to effectively adopt MDL. The researchers recommended that relevant scaffolding such as capacity building, counseling and instructional support be provided to both teachers and students to effectively adopt different learning modalities such as MDL.
Citrus is one of the utmost promising fruit crops of Pakistan owing to its delicious taste and excellent aroma. Kinnow being an auspicious variety has a significant importance in the global market. Pakistan is facing a drastic reduction in quality of Kinnow mandarin due to improper postharvest management and hence severs losses regarding quality and shelf life which might be upto 40%. In this context laboratory experiments were conducted to enhance the storage life and quality of Kinnow on sustainable basis. Hence, the comprehenive research plan in which series of experiments were executed to optimize different oil coatings such as coconut oil, castor oil and sesame oil, aloe vera and neem extracts. In first three experiments results delineated that 30% coconut oil, 50% castor oil and 60% sesame oil proved best treatments to maintain quality related parameters TSS, total sugars, acidity, Vitamin C and maximum TPC, total antioxidants, (POD) peroxidase enzyme activity and (SOD) superoxide dismutase enzyme activity after 90 days storage. Results of experiment 4th and 5th showed that a minimum fruit rot of 6% and 9% was calculated when fruits were treated with 60% Aloe vera and 40% neem extracts, respectively in comparison to control having fruit rot (30%) during storage. Maximum total antioxidants, total phenolic contents, POD and SOD enzymatic activity along with other quality parameters were also showed better in fruits of same treatments among plant extracts. In experiment 6 oil coating doses were compared with commercial wax (fomesa wax) which showed that 30% coconut oil performed parallel to fomesa wax to sustain fruit quality parameters and prolong storage life of Kinnow fruit. Minimum weight loss (9%), total soluble solids (11.53°Brix) and maximum titratable acidity (1%), vitamin C (42.53 mg 100 g-1) were observed, however higher values of TPC (218.33 mg 100 g-1), total antioxidants (79.60%), CAT (17.40), POD (0.76 mg-1 protein) and SOD (125.28 mg-1 protein) enzyme activities were also found after 90 days storage. Findings regarding the comparison of plant extracts and fungicide (TBZ) indicated that 60% aloe vera showed similar results as synthetic fungicide (TBZ) and controlled fruit decay up to (6.25%).The fruits of same treatment were also showed better biochemical characteristics relating to fruit quality after 90 days storage. Finally, it was found that 30% coconut oil performed better than aloe vera extract 60% and synthetic fungicide. The fruits dipped in 30% coconut oil showed minimum weight loss (11.70%), fruit rot (5.83%), maximum juice content (42 g), biochemical parameters like TSS (10.90°Brix), TA (1.09%), vitamin C (40 mg 100 g-1), total sugars (16%), maximum total antioxidants (70% inhibition) and maximum enzymatic activity [catalase (18.10U mg-1 protein), peroxidase (0.79U mg-1 protein) and superoxide dismutase (133.93 U mg-1 protein)] of Kinnow mandarin fruits which were stored up to 90 days. It was concluded from the present study that prestorage treatment of 30% coconut oil was proved to be most beneficial to reduce decay losses and sustain the quality of fruit during 90 days storage.