Return Migration to Pakistan during COVID19 Pandemic: Unmaking the Challenges

In order to contain the spread of corona virus (COVID-19) disease, strict border closure measures have been taken globally. Migrants and refugees are affected across the globe due to such measures. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the economic recession escalated across the globe which is expected to have serious implications for the migrant workers and laborers. Potohar region was selected to explore implications of return migration from abroad, but the fieldwork halted immediately due to the pandemic outbreak. Since the data on Pakistani migrants is dispersed and scant, it was nearly impossible to stick to the locale for returnees. Therefore, the data for this study was collected qualitatively using exploratory methodology. In-depth interviews were conducted using interview guide as a tool of research. The paper is based on analysis of the narratives based on the experiences of the returnees especially. It sheds light on the state of the stranded Pakistani migrants who have been returning or awaiting repatriation due to layoffs. It delves into long-run and short-run challenges due to return migration, in Pakistan which highly depends on remittances from abroad. Challenges created by sudden end to remittances, entrepreneurial setups and returnees’ reintegration in the society need immediate attention. It is recommended that the state should support and monitor the migrants living abroad, ease out issues in repatriation of the laid off workers, pave way for investment, offer insurance plans, reduce reliance on remittance flow and engage them in Public Private Partnerships for sustainable reintegration.

Developing Strategy for the Administrative Control of High School Principals

It was a descriptive study, which described facts and characteristics of the given population and area of interest systematically, factually and accurately. A clear purpose, rationale and statement of objectives with research questions were given. A set of research tools were developed and pilot tested. Data were collected from different sources and made meaningful with the help of tables and figures that were further validated by using statistical measures. The sample included 08 Provincial Level Education Officers (25%), 54 District Level Educational Officers of 8 districts (33.3%), 08 Executive District Education Officers (33.3%), 16 District Education Officers (33.3%) both genders, 32 Deputy District Level Education Officers (33.3%) and 80 Principals, (5 %) randomly selected throughout the province. The data were obtained through the tools of questionnaire; interviews and literature review. Two sets of questionnaires with almost the same items were developed for fielding to the District Level Education Officers and principals of government high schools. The statements of questionnaires were based on the indicators drawn from the review of literature after ensuring their relevancy to the problem of the study. The interviews were held with eight Provincial Level Education Officers on prescheduled dates and times. The data were given both quantitative and qualitative treatment. The outcome of the study revealed that there were no uniform indicators for monitoring, supervision and control of the work and responsibilities of high school principals. The principals, district and Provincial Level Education Officers were not given proper job specifications and resultantly they overlapped the roles and responsibilities of one another, which caused mismanagement. There was partial implementation of educational policies. The study found that although there was strict implementation of financial rules, the academic and professional norms did not receive that much consideration. Mobility of the majority of the principals and district level officers to higher positions was based on seniority from teaching cadre without any prior training in managerial and administrative skills. Communication gap was identified among provincial, district and school level education officers. There was also unnecessary political intervention in recruitment, transfers and in the implementation of rules and policies due to which effective control was not possible. There was no proper system for incentives and disincentives, rewards and i punishments. The study made recommendations including, but not restricted to, formulation of a strategy for effective control of secondary school principals; required the principals to first develop vision and then translate it into implementable objectives; suggested training in administrative, managerial and leadership skills of principals as well as district and Provincial Level Education Officers for effective performance of their roles. The need for effective coordination between the principals and District Level Education Officers in curricular and co- curricular programmes was also emphasized. It was proposed that the school-based objectives should be in line with the strategies of the national education policy. Further, the relevant provisions of the policy ought to be properly conveyed to the school principals for making a uniform approach in developing their respective institutional policies that will also form basis for the evaluation of the performance of principals. It was also suggested that frequency of evaluation should be on quarterly basis. The indicators for the evaluation of performance of the principals should be uniform, clear and comprehensible and also based on measurable and observable metrics. In order to make these indicators effective, they should align with objectives, standards and needs of the districts to match school context. The study recommended a viable strategy for the control of high school principals, working in public sector.