The purpose of this study was to explore the challenges and possibilities in introducing, implementing and sustaining School Based Teacher Development (SBTD). It was a qualitative case study carried out in a private school in Karachi, which has already initiated, implemented and continued SBTD for the last eight years. Data were collected through interviews and observations, complemented by other relevant documentations. The participants were the principal of the school, who supervised the whole process, the headteachers for the secondary and primary section, who previously worked as PDTs, two pool heads and four teachers. The findings reveal that a school is a complex social setting and, therefore, initiating SBTD needs a thorough study of the school, so that the individuals involved in SBTD can prioritize the needs of the school and initiate change with a focus. For successful initiation of SBTD, a school requires to have skilled and knowledgeable human resources to facilitate the process. It is apparent from the data that an effective planning process involves the stakeholders, because when a plan is developed with shared goals and objectives then it facilitates the implementation and continuation process. Teacher empowerment is crucial in implementing SBTD, and the best way is creating opportunities in the school, which can encourage teachers to share their ideas and learn from each other. The model that the case study school used to establish SBTD is an evolving model, which started with the mentoring of two teachers by a PDT, but gradually, expanded as more PDTs and VTs joined the school after the completion of their courses. The findings show that to sustain SBTD the school provides a platform to the individuals involved in SBTD, with time allocation and necessary resources, both human and material. The study shows that possibility of introducing, implementing' and sustaining SBTD greatly depends on the leadership styles practiced in the school and the school's culture, i.e. how supportive they are with regard to SBTD activities. This study explores some challenges in the process of SBTD, such as lack of time, heavy workload, lack of adequate facilitation for all the teachers in the school and so on. Therefore, it suggests development of a long-term plan for SBTD and then short term plans with specific objectives, so that the process can start at a small level, moving systematically towards the attainment of the long-term objectives.
Youth is an integral part of any human society, particularly in an Islamic society. Youth is considered as a junction of past, present and future. Youth can play a positive and effective role against various evils which are prevalent in human society. Important aspects of utilization of youth may include the role of youth in religious, social, political, ethical and educational fields and in restructuring of society. All of these aspects have been discussed in this article, in the light of Islam. Moreover, it is an effort to motivate the youth for practical actions. For the well-being and progress of Muslim Youth and human society adoption of following measures are important and necessary: 1. To gain knowledge of the Revealed message (Shariah) and act upon it. 2. To gain knowledge from true and sincere Scholars (Ahl-eHaqq). 3. Self-accountability, which consists of following points: § Islah of Aqeedah and ideology § To perform good deeds (Amal-e-Salih) § Sincere repentance § Consciousness about purpose of life § Feeling gratified on adopting Islamic Shariah. 4. To have love or hatred only for sake of Allah.
The endorsement of ethno-botanical data from the under explored folk plant remedies represent an illimitable reservoir of novel compounds for drug discovery. Nature has always been the most imperative source of novel drugs against a number of unremitting and challenging health anomalies since antiquity. The present work was aimed to discover natural compounds from untapped natural source. After an extensive survey and information gathered by local vicinity, Rhus punjabensis Stewart (Anacardiaceae) plant was selected from Pakistan for investigation. For initial screening, a total of 22 extracts from leaf and stem parts of R. punjabensis were prepared by using total ‗11‘ different extraction solvent of escalating polarity. All these extracts were subjected to standard phytochemical and in-vitro biological evaluation. The phytochemical assays included standard chromogenic assays for the determination of total phenolic (TP) and total flavonoid contents (FC) and specific polyphenol quantification by RP-HPLC. Multimode antioxidant, antimicrobial, cytotoxic, antileishmanial, nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) and mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) detection assays were employed to assess the in-vitro biological prospective of the subject plants. All-inclusive, the results of initial screening were promising and led to the selection of R. punjabensis leaves as the most bioactive plant material for further appraisal. Briefly, maximum total phenolic and flavonoid contents were determined in the polar solvents extracts whereas, substantial amounts of gallic acid, rutin, apigenin and catechin were quantified in the moderately polar solvents extracts. A proficient antioxidant stature in terms of DPPH free radical scavenging (FRSA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and reducing power potential (RP) was also manifested by the moderately polar extracts of R. punjabensis leaves. A noteworthy antibacterial activity (MIC 1.11 µg/mL) against S. typhimurium. Sulphorhodamine B (SRB) cytotoxicity against human cancer cell lines (DU-145, IC50 value of 11.11 µg/mL), (HL-60, IC50 value of 10.82 µg/mL), and NF-κB based chemo-preventive proficiency was demonstrated by the ethyl acetate leaf extract.. All the extracts/fractions were tested for their anticancer and cancer chemopreventive activity by employing different independent assays. Overall the results of the initial screening were very encouraging and led to the selection of the most potent plant material for further investigation. Keeping in view the results of aforementioned assays, ethyl acetate was selected as the extraction solvent to proceed for preparative scale extraction. A total of 6 fractions were prepared from the crude ethyl acetate extract of leaves (863 g) by employing solid phase extraction as the fractionation technique. Bioassay directed isolation from active fractions using column chromatography led to the isolation of 5 bioactive compounds, n-hexane (n-hex), chloroform+n-hexane (n-hex+CHCl3) and ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fractions showed significant activities against tested bioassays. Structural elucidation of these compounds was conceded by infrared spectroscopy (IR), nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1D and 2D NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS). Compound 1 (RPPEC1) showed substantial antibacterial potential against S. typhimurium and B. bronchiseptica (MIC: 11.11 µg/mL) as well as antileishmanial activity (IC50 11.6 µg/mL). Compound 2 (PEEA-C2) demonstrated noteworthy cytotoxic activities against DU-145 and HL-60 human cancer cell lines with an IC50 value of 11.2 and 15.2 μg/mL, respectively. It also exhibited chemopreventive prospective in terms of inhibition of NF-κB (IC50 value of 19.4 μg/mL) and MTP (IC50 value of 28.6 μg/mL). Compound 3 (PEEA-C3) manifested noteworthy cytotoxicity against DU-145 cell line (IC50 value of 21.72 μg/mL). Compound 5 (RPEA-C5) demonstrated significant antibacterial spectrum against all the tested gram positive and gram negative strains while compound 4 manifested significant antibacterial activity against S. typhimurium (MIC 11.1 μg/mL) and cytotoxicity against DU-145 cell line (IC50 value of 29.5 μg/mL). The present study have been reported for the first time from R. punjabensis total five bioactive compounds were isolated, among them compound 4 (RPEA-C4) is a new compound.