International Research Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities

DETERMINANTS OF STUDENT RETENTION IN NON-FORMAL EDUCATION CENTERS: A CASE OF SINDH PROVINCE

Abdul Fatah Jokhio, Dr Najmonnisa Khan , Dr. Suneel Kumar — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

The aim of this research is to examine the roles of teacher-student interactions, academic self-efficacy, and extracurricular activities for student retention in Non-Formal Education (NFE) centers in Sindh, Pakistan. The study followed a quantitative methodological approach. The study covered 558 students enrolled at different NFE centers across numerous districts of Sindh. Simple random sampling was exploited in selecting the respondents. Data were gathered via a 5-point Likert-type scale questionnaire. The data was analyzed using PLS-SEM given the complexity of the model. The result indicated that academic self-efficacy has a negative and insignificant effect on student retention. However academic self-efficacy has a positive and significant effect on student satisfaction. Extracurricular activities have a positive and significant effect on both stent retention and student satisfaction. Student satisfaction has a positive and significant effect on student retention. Whereas, teacher-student interaction has a positive and insignificant effects on student retention. Teacher-student interaction has positively significant effects on student satisfaction. Moreover, switching barriers has negatively and significant moderates between student satisfaction and student retention. Student satisfaction has positively and significant mediates between teacher-student interaction, academic self-efficacy, and extracurricular activities with student retention. Therefore, interventions for increasing student mixing may encourage extracurricular activities and hence better retention in NFE centers; and switching barriers must be very carefully managed to ensure that they pander to satisfaction-based retention and not hinder it.

FARMERS' PERCEPTIONS, INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE, AND RISK ASSESSMENT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER SCARCITY IN ARID NORTHWEST PAKISTAN

Dr. Muhammad Yousuf , Dr. Abdul Rahim Changezi — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigates how small-scale farming communities perceive and respond to water scarcity and climate change in Pakistan’s arid Pishin Lora Basin. Through household survey with 264 famers, the study finds that almost all farmers have observed climatic changes at local level. Their understand of climate change is often shaped by religious and cultural beliefs, mostly attributing such changes to natural cycles and divine will, rather than activities of humans. Such perceptions influence their actions: mostly take little responsibility or capability to play their role in mitigations. Digging more wells and going deeper for water is their main strategy to address water shortage which is an unsustainable and short-term solution. With little formal education and more focus on informal community networks for information, they have limited access to scientific knowledge and advanced climate-resilient agriculture techniques. The study elaborates a significant gap between local experience and scientific strategies of adaptation, arguing that effective climate policy needs to minimize this gap by integrating indigenous knowledge with scientific insights and focusing on deep-rooted perceptions to enhance community resilience.

CAPITALISM, CLASS, AND CLIMATE: AN ECO-MARXIST ANALYSIS OF MOHSIN HAMID'S MOTH SMOKE AND UZMA ASLAM KHAN'S TRESSPASSING

Mahnoor Nasir , Taimur Khan , Faiza Ihsan — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 00:00:00 +0000

A balanced eco-system is very essential for a healthy human life. Growing urbanization and industrialization are disturbing the balance of eco-system through pollution and global warming. This paper examines the interconnection between capitalism, ecological damage and class inequalities in the context of Pakistan as reflected in Mohsin Hamid’s Moth Smoke and Uzma Aslam Khan’s Tresspassing. The eco-Marxism theory of John Bellamy Foster serves as a theoretical framework for this research which states that capitalist economic system negatively impacts both humans and their natural environment. Both the texts criticize capitalism and highlight the resulting environmental challenges and class struggles leading to an eco-Marxist discourse on social and environmental justice. The analysis reveals how both the authors address the effect of capitalist practices on the environment and marginalized communities which will contribute to a deeper understanding of the socio-environmental framework of contemporary Pakistani society. By foregrounding eco-Marxist themes, this study aims to invite readers to reflect on the urgent need for more equitable and sustainable systems that honor both social justice and ecological balance.

THE MODERATING ROLE OF COMPUTER-ASSISTED AUDIT TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS (CAATS) IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FORENSIC ACCOUNTING AND MONEY LAUNDERING PREVENTION IN PAKISTAN’S BANKING SECTOR

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This study aims to explore the influence of Forensic Accounting (FA) on Money Laundering Prevention (MLP) with the moderating effect of Computer-Assisted Audit Techniques and Tools (CAATs) in the National Bank of Pakistan. The quantitative research design was used, and data were gathered from 264 employees in audit, compliance, and internal control jobs using a structured questionnaire. IBM SPSS and Hayes' PROCESS Macro were used to analyze the data. The results show that there is a significant negative relationship between FA and MLP, and money laundering reduction with stronger forensic accounting practices. Additionally, the moderation analysis showed that CAATs significantly enhance the effectiveness of forensic accounting in combating illicit financial activities. The findings provide valuable insights for strengthening anti-money laundering frameworks and improving the integrity of the banking sector.

ACADEMIC STRESS AND SCHOOL VIOLENCE AMONG SECONDARY SCHOOL CHILDREN: A MIXED-METHODS STUDY IN PUNJAB, PAKISTAN

Dr. Ghulam Sughra , Dr. Sufi Amin — Mon, 30 Mar 2026 00:00:00 +0000

This convergent parallel mixed-methods study examined the association between academic stress and violent behaviors among ninth-grade students in public secondary schools in Punjab, Pakistan. Data were collected from 90 educators and 90 students across 45 public sector schools in Jhang, Sargodha, and Chiniot. Educators completed structured questionnaires on perceived causes of student academic stress and observed violent behaviors, while students completed self-report measures and participated in semi-structured interviews. Descriptive results showed that homework load (M = 4.19, SD = 0.79) and examination pressure (M = 3.97, SD = 0.97) were the most strongly rated academic stressors. Abusive language (M = 3.74, SD = 0.99), emotional abuse (M = 3.44, SD = 0.96), and slapping (M = 3.17, SD = 0.93) were the most frequently reported violent behaviors. Educator-rated academic stress was strongly and positively correlated with educator-rated violent behavior, r(88) = .71, p < .001. In a cross-sectional linear regression model, academic stress significantly predicted violent behavior, B = 0.77, SE = 0.08, beta = .71, t(88) = 9.43, p < .001, R² = .50. Student self-reports showed a weaker but significant stress-violence association, r(88) = .29, p = .005. Qualitative findings identified oppressive workload, examination and parental pressure, punitive teacher behavior, absence of co-curricular outlets, and stress-induced aggression as central themes. The findings suggest that reducing excessive academic pressure, improving classroom management, and strengthening school-based support systems may help reduce violence-related behaviors in secondary schools. Causal claims should be avoided because the design was cross-sectional.