The present study was based on a survey to explore the factors that are promoting students’ learning in Mathematics at secondary level. Twenty Mathematics’ teachers serving in public sector of district Lahore were selected purposively from 20 schools as the sample of the study. Structured interview protocol was used as a tool for data collection. The results showed that according to the teachers their students had less positive attitudes towards learning Mathematics because they feel it as boring and difficult subject due to lack of practice, lengthy syllabus and the medium of instruction, i.e. English. If students had weak base at primary level then they preferred to do cramming. That is the reason they face difficulty in conceptualizing many concepts of mathematics. The teachers also highlighted many topics which are difficult for students i.e. general concepts regarding algebra, geometry, set theory, base and number theory, etc. The study also suggested different factors which might promote students’ learning in Mathematics at secondary level.

Key words: Learning Mathematics, secondary level.

The motive of this qualitative study was to compare educational provisions and practices being adopted for persons having special needs in Pakistan, USA, England and France. While comparing various aspects of special educational practices, the focus of this study was to find a comprehensive picture for sake to make suggestions to improve existing setup of special Education in Pakistan. In this regard a systematic documental and content analysis was done to compare different aspects. After doing dense content analysis and discussion made by researcher; it was observed that approaches of Pakistan regarding educational provisions for Special Education needs (SEN) are insufficient and are in developmental stages; still plenty of improvements are required to meet international standards. Pakistan needs to improve legislation, infrastructure and mainstream approach for better facilitations. Timely adoption of emerging trends (e.g. inclusion) all over the world appears to be the most efficient way to fulfill needs of the persons with special needs.

Keywords: Special needs education, Comparison, Practices, Provisions

This research developed a new social tolerance scale in Urdu language, embedded in the context of Pakistan. Tolerance is the acceptance and respect of rights of others and is an essential element for the peace and coherence in a society. Unfortunately, Pakistan is facing lack of social tolerance. In this condition it becomes the need of hour to investigate the phenomenon of tolerance. The present study was planned to fulfill this need by developing a research instrument for the purpose. Extracted from review of related literature, six sub factors of tolerance i.e. gender, ethnicity, religions, religious sects, disability and caste were selected for the study. Using convenience sampling, data were collected from eleven schools using. The  Sample (n=813), comprised of 742 secondary grade students and their 71teachers The scale was validated through expert opinion and by applying exploratory factor analysis (EFA).The factors were extracted on the basis of Principal components. The rotation method used was varimax with Kaiser Normalization. The overall reliability of Likert-type scale with seventy seven statements is 0.85. The findings suggest that the developed tolerance scale is valid and reliable.

Keywords: Tolerance, Sources of intolerance, Measurement

The study was aimed at finding out the demographic determinants of high academic achievements of 12^th grade students. All the12^th grade students enrolled in public & private colleges and higher secondary schools affiliated with Board of intermediate and secondary education Sargodha were the population. A sample of 900 students was drawn conveniently from the two selected districts. Out of these 900, high achiever students securing 65% or more marks in HSSC part-1 exams were identified.  A questionnaire for students was used for data collection. Descriptive statistical analysis revealed that Majority of the high achiever students were male, 1^st or fifth in family order, were from educated and separate (nuclear) families, their fathers were government employees and has matric (SSC) qualification but mothers were either uneducated or had basic education. Their fathers’ income ranges from 10,000 to 30000 per month. They either do not spend time on play or play only cricket for only one or two hours. They do not take tuition and do not watch TV.

Key words: Determinants, High academic achievement, HSSC level students

Teacher education is the most favorite choice of Pakistani females. Gender disproportionality in teaching profession is very common issue in Pakistan and as well as in other parts of the world. The study was designed to figure out the reasons and factors affecting males and females to join the discipline of teacher education and teaching profession. The nature of the study is descriptive and quantitative. The population of the study is comprised all students of Islamabad Capital Territory, who have passed their higher secondary school certificate and completed their Bachelor degree in  the year 2014 . 25% of the total target population was selected as sample of the study through simple random sampling. The data were analyzed from Frequencies and percentages. The hypotheses were tested statistically by using t-test through Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16. Results of the study revealed that females’ students are more interested in teacher education programs and teaching profession as compare to male students.

Keywords: Disproportionality, Teacher Education, Gender

For the transmission of knowledge and skill, Language is an indispensable component.  Language is a key for transmission of knowledge and a source of communication.  The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of medium of instruction Urdu (L1) and English (L2) on students’ self-efficacy, towards learning at secondary level. One thousand five hundred and sixteen (N= 1615) 10^th grade students were randomly selected from 24 schools of both gender and locale on equal basis from those secondary schools where both medium of instructions are opted at secondary level. Self-efficacy scale was used as a research instrument. t -test was applied to analyze the data. The analyses revealed that medium of instruction have significant effect on students’ self-efficacy toward learning. Students learning through indigenous language show high self-efficacy as compared to second language learner at secondary level. On the basis of study the researcher recommended that Urdu the national language should be adapted as medium of instruction up to, at least, secondary level. The researchers also recommended that English should be used in specific schools by arranging talent sections to meet the global needs  

Keywords: Medium of instruction, first language L1, Second language L2, Students’ self-efficacy.