A Literary Analysis and Authentication of Honor and Dignity (Al-‘Izzah Wa Al-Karamah) in Sīrah Perspective

Islam endows men and women with “Human Honour and Dignity” (al-‘Izzah wa al-Karamah) and provides them with directions and guidelines to protect each other’s rights with respect and honour. This research paper demonstrates the protection of honor and dignity as a significant tool of life. The denotation of “honor” and “dignity” according to the Qur’ānic and prophetic perspective has been focused in this research. In the preservation of human personal honor, dignity and other rights, Shari’ah evidences from Qur’ān and Sīrah are explored with the perspective of highlighting the emphasis on Shari’ah on this aspect of religion, which is also one of the dimensions of Maqaṣid al-Shari‘ah as well. The paper ends with the note that human beings should endure the "best moral and ethical values" of mercy, faith, compassion, justice, piety, empathy and also with the fear of abusing one’s honor and status in the society.

Processes Used by the Governing Body for Retaining Teachers

This study explores the processes used by the Education Board of Faezan Girls' School (pseudonym) for retaining the teachers. In not-for-profit private schools of Pakistan, governing bodies/education boards are mainly responsible for governing academic and administrative affairs. This study argues that school governing bodies can retain teacher for a longer period by using different processes. Strategic planning is required to plan and implement those processes. Within the qualitative research paradigm, case study method was found viable in answering the research question. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with the participants from the board, the principal of the school and teachers. Some documents were also analyzed for the purpose of triangulation of data gathered from the research participants. The findings of the study inform that first of all, it is important to find out the teachers' reasons for leaving the school. The study has also illustrated that governing body can retain teachers by providing them better financial incentives, giving them a token of appreciation, creating a friendly environment in school, and setting a certain criteria for selection of teachers. Commitment of teachers to work in their not-for- profit community school and expertise of members and officials of governing body in the field of education also helped in implementation of the processes to retain teachers. The study has shown that the Education Board faces various challenges while implementing the processes to retain teachers. In this case, marriages and childrearing are the main reasons for the current 21% teacher turnover. The school governing body is looking forward to address the child rearing issue by establishing a child care centre in the school. This research is distinctive, because it investigated an area that has not been researched enough in the developing countries' context. This study recommends further inquiry into school governing bodies and teacher retention issues in Pakistan.