The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of the teachers and students regarding classroom assessment practices at under graduate (Honors) level in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa. Learn to grasp assessment, not merely as a device for student evaluation, but as an imperative strategy for everyday classroom learning and has a significant effect on improving students learning and skills. So, if concern is the change in students learning then there is a need to see the assessment with new eyes. The study was designed with the objectives, to bring on record the views of teachers and students about the use of classroom assessment practices in improving learning and developing skills, to pinpoint classroom assessment practices helpful in improving student learning and skills, to identify the problems faced by teachers in the implementation of classroom assessment practices and to provide suggestions for the extended utilization of classroom assessment for learning as a central component of the instructional procedure. To obtain quantitative and qualitative data in the study, mixed research study approach was used which employed a survey questionnaire with 35 items and interview contained 20 items grouped under three broad categories. For collection of data a multi-stage sampling technique was used. Five public sector universities were the sample universities, out of which two disciplines Natural and Social Sciences were taken as in the sampling frame. In next step of sampling stage 02 departments were selected from each disciplines using simple random sampling technique. Similarly in the further step from each department, 20 students and 01 teacher were also selected randomly. The total sample includes 400 students out of which both were male (215) students and female (185) students and 20 teachers including 12 male teachers and 08 female teachers. To analyze quantitative data, statistical procedures were run by using SPSS version 22.0. Firstly, the perceptions of students regarding the use of assessment for learning and about the effectiveness of prevalent classroom assessment practices i.e. assignments, activity based assessment practices, presentations, quizzes and portfolio were analysed by using mean and percentage. Secondly, the data was collected through five point Likert Scales which was further put to analyses for inferential purposes and applied different tests with respect to objectives of the study. Multiple Regression test of Variable of Interest, Assessment for Learning and different Types of Assessment Practices was applied to pinpoint the most effective assessment practice in the light of students‟ perceptions, which resulted in a significant difference. Furthermore, Independent Sample Kruskal Wallis test resulted in not any significant difference when was used to know the relationship among the students view of different institutes for the use of different classroom assessment practices. Addition to these, the nonparametric test, Independent Samples Mann-Whitney U test was used to find out the difference between the respondents of Natural Sciences and Social Sciences of different classroom assessment practices for improving students learning and skills and also between genders of institutes which resulted in not any significant difference. As far as qualitative data analysis is concerned, thematic approach was used. The results from the interview of teachers were recorded, transcribed, coded, and then themes were developed and documented all by making transcripts, along with taking memos by the researcher. The study resulted in that most of the students and almost all of the teachers were highly satisfied with the use of different assessment practices for the purpose of improving their learning and developing skills. The data reflected that according to the students the use of various classroom assignments was highly effective in improving their learning among the prevalent assessment practices. While in the views of teachers the use of presentations was highly effective in improving students learning and developing skills. Over-all the data reflected a broad consensus that assignments, presentations and group assessment activities were pinpointed as highly effective, while, quizzes as of minimal use and not preferred, so for as portfolio is concerned it appeared as a less known and limited in practice. Though the result of the study favoured the use of assessment for learning, but along with both quantitative and qualitative data highlighted upon the management and implementation issues and challenges in the implementation of different classroom assessment practices. It was bring forth by the data that main challenges in the appropriate implementation of assessment practices is time management, lack of latest technologies and classroom equipment, rigidity and lack of authority on the part of classroom teacher in assessment criteria and the most of all, the lack ofrelevant professional developmental skills. The data asserted for the providence of opportunities to the teachers for their professional development and to cope with modern world needs through in-service refreshing courses, workshops and seminars etc. There is a need to link research with practice in order to facilitate learning and over-all development of students.It is recommended that all teachers should be trained for the implementation of AFL or may be provided by regular assistance. The suggestion was given for the establishment of an assessment reform center for the launching of AFL at all levels of education system.
آئی ہجر دی لمی رات میرا دل دلیلاں وات ہر ویلے شیطان ابلیس دشمن بیٹھا لا کے گھات تیری یاد ستاندی اے آوے جد موسم برسات اکھیں تکدیاں رہیاں نیں پر کر نہ سکے دل دی بات بُھکھ دنیا تے ننگیاں کردی سب توں وڈی ایہہ آفات شادی دا ہُن ویلا آیا گھڑا وجائو، نال پرات دل حنیف دا انج کردا اے پڑھدا رہاں نبیؐ دی نعت
Pakistan is a country where the expansion of the industrial sector is necessary, and in this process, the relative significance of the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) sector cannot be overstated. SMEs comprise approximately 90% of total businesses in Pakistan; nearly 80% of the workforce other than the agriculture sector is employed by the SMEs; and approximately 40% of GDP is contributed by the SMEs.1 Though, the growth of SMEs is constrained by financial and other resources that is not faced by Large Scale Manufacturing (LSM) sector. From the facts and figures presented in this paper, it can be concluded that SMEs perform a dynamic role in the growth of all the related sectors of the economy. This study empirically analyzes the effect of innovation and activities of SMEs on economic growth of Pakistan over the span of 19732017. The study concludes that the activities of SMEs do influence the economic development of Pakistan.
Balance diet is a basic factor in livestock productivity. Uneven and unbalanced dietary pattern is considered a major restriction for livestock development in Pakistan because it leads to decrease milk production, reproductive performance and growth rate of cattle. Livestock productivity can be increases by probiotics supplementation in cattle feed because they have ability to survive harsh gut environment, enhance digestion, improve microbial balance inside the gut and subsequently enhance milk production and growth rate. Cattle gut is rich source of probiotic species. There is still insufficient knowledge on indigenous probiotic species of livestock gastrointestinal tract. The present experiment was conducted to isolate and identify probiotic bacterial species from cattle gut at molecular level and to determine their probiotic potential. 35 pure bacterial strains were isolated from 30 fecal samples of healthy lactating Sahiwal cow. These strains were identified on the basis of morphological (colony morphology and gram staining), biochemical (catalase and oxidase test) and molecular characterization. Three strains (PBC-3, PBC-6 and PBC-9) were selected as probiotic strains based on their enzymatic potential (cellulolytic, amylolytic and proteolytic ability) and survival ability to low pH. These isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecalis (PBC-3), Pediococcus acidilacticii (PBC-6) and Pediococcus pentosaceus (PBC-9) by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results of present study illustrated that these three bacterial strains (Enterococcus faecalis , Pediococcus acidilacticii and Pediococcus pentosaceus) showed best probiotic potential and can be use in cattle feed in future.