Gilgit City Research Articles

Multi-hazard risk perception: An empirical study of the remote Gilgit city, Hindukush-Karakorum-Himalayan (HKH) region, Pakistan

The frequency and severity of disasters have witnessed a substantial increase in Pakistan. Gilgit city, located in the formidable Hindukush-Karakorum-Himalayan (HKH) region, like other mountainous valleys in the country, is under severe threat from the catastrophic consequences of disasters. The region has experienced frequent hazards such as floods, especially Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs), landslides, and earthquakes in recent times. Therefore, it is imperative for the local communities to comprehend and evaluate the disaster risks to prepare for unforeseeable circumstances. The current study, therefore, quantifies risk perceptions of Gilgit citizens in a multi-hazard environment through perceived hazard, disruptions, and impacts dimensions. The primary data is collected via household surveys using a semi-structured questionnaire. The paired sampled test and index analysis have been applied to determine the perceived risks in a multi-hazard environment. Results of the study reveal that most respondents perceived the impacts of floods/GLOFs on daily life activities as the highest in a multi-hazard environment. The findings of this study will be helpful for urban planners, environmental scientists, and decision-makers to formulate policies that will ultimately increase community resilience to cope with the impacts of multi-hazards.

Effect of Climate Change and Human Activities on Surface and Ground Water Quality in Major Cities of Pakistan

In this study, climate change and human impacts on water quality in five major urban areas of Pakistan, including Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Abbottabad, and Gilgit, were determined. Secondary data on various physical, chemical, and bacteriological water quality parameters were taken from published papers, reports, and theses. Surface and groundwater were the major sources of drinking water in these cities. The physicochemical parameters were total turbidity, pH, dissolved solids (TDS), sulphates, chlorides, calcium, sodium, HCO3, potassium, magnesium, nitrates, fluorides, arsenic, and hardness. The bacteriological parameters were total coliform, total faecal coliform, and total plate counts. The data revealed that pH, TDS, fluoride, chloride, HCO3, sodium, and hardness were above the limits in Karachi. MCB Market, Goth Ibrahim, and Malir Town were the main contaminated areas in Karachi. In Lahore, arsenic was found above the limits in all sampling locations. Turbidity, pH, HCO3, calcium, magnesium, and hardness were found above the limits in Peshawar. In Gilgit city, all physicochemical parameters were found within the limits except turbidity, which was 10 NTU in Nomal valley. Nitrates were higher in the water sources in Abbottabad. Bacterial contamination was found in the water of all five cities. Most of the studies revealed that this contamination could be human-induced. The improper disposal of solid waste, sewage, and animal waste and the excessive use of fertilisers deteriorate the quality of the water. Precipitation, a rise in temperature, and seasonal variation are climate variables that affect water quality and are responsible for major outbreaks of waterborne diseases. There is an urgent need for regular analysis, proper management, and proper treatment of drinking water before it is supplied to the local community in these cities.

Exploring Teachers’ Practices of Parental Involvement at ECD Level in Gilgit City

This qualitative study aimed to explore teachers’ practices of parentalinvolvement at the Early Childhood Education (ECE) level in Gilgit city.The study focused on applying Epstein’s fourteen parental involvementstrategies in the schools of Gilgit city. Data were collected from sixteenteachers using a convenient sample of four schools having four ECElevels. The findings were compared first, within the same school teachers,then across the school teachers against each question. Results indicatedthat teachers use diverse strategies for parental involvement to help theirchildren read, listen, and write. Strategies are also diversified in terms ofclass level and schools. The majority of the teacher’s design projects,assign home projects, make models, and color, cut, and paste differentcollections. However, there is a lack of awareness about making sureparents are effectively involved in the ECD level.

Institutional challenges in reducing disaster risks in the remote city of Hindukush-Karakorum-Himalayan (HKH) region, Pakistan

The number of disasters caused by climate change and extreme weather events has increased in recent decades. The Hindukush-Karakorum-Himalayan region is particularly susceptible to multiple hazards. This region's remote settlements further exacerbate the vulnerabilities and risks. Gilgit city is considered a highly vulnerable settlement in the region. This study examines the challenges that authorities face in mitigating disasters and climate change risks. Primary data for this study was collected through expert interviews using a semi-structured questionnaire. Thematic analysis was used to identify key institutional challenges in the city. The results show that authorities still use conventional methods for monitoring and analyzing data related to natural hazards. Land-use planning is greatly lacking in the region, making it even more vulnerable to disasters. Major institutional challenges include a lack of public participation, limited access to vulnerable sites, unavailability of trained and well-equipped human resources, budget constraints, weak land-use and building bylaws, and a lack of risk-based master planning. There is an urgent need to develop and implement climate-sensitive development and land-use plans in the region in order to minimize future climate and disaster risks.

First insight into seasonal variability of urban air quality of northern Pakistan: An emerging issue associated with health risks in Karakoram-Hindukush-Himalaya region

There is a dire need of air quality monitoring in the high-mountain areas of Karakoram-Hindu Kush-Himalaya (HKH) region, particularly related to the recent activities undergoing the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). This study presents the first baseline monitoring and evaluation findings from Gilgit city, Gilgit-Baltistan. Hourly data collection for air quality parameters (PM2.5, NO, NO2, SO2, O3 and CO) were measured using air-pointer (recordum, Austria) from 1 Jan 2018 to 31 Mar 2018 (winter) and 1 Jun 2018 to 31 Aug 2018 (summer). Our findings depict PM2.5 health limits were crossed in the winter season, while NO, NO2 and SO2 remained below their health limits. O3 and CO showed a rising trend in summer months, crossing the 8-h health limits during the season. Seasonal correlation in meteorology found an inverse relationship between most parameters and temperatures; reverse was true for O3 and CO. In parallel, thermal optical carbon analysis filter-based sampling characterized air quality into mass concentrations of PM2.5, organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and various heavy metals. Filter-based PM2.5 correlated well with analyzer-based PM2.5 for all months that were studied, except February and March 2018. PM2.5, OC and EC were higher in summer as compared to winter, whereas higher heavy metal contributions were measured predominantly during summer. Health impacts were found to be above health limits for Ni in children only. Furthermore, principal component analysis-multiple linear regression (PCA-MLR) technique was applied to determine source apportionment, confirming the role of biomass burning in winters, and vehicular emissions in summers, highlighting the need for flexible monitoring of technologies/approaches, and communications among the various public, private agencies, and all relevant stakeholders.

WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT USING WATER QUALITY INDEX: A CASE STUDY OF HIGH ALTITUDE AREA, GILGIT CITY, GILGIT BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

The research aimed to evaluate the surface water quality of Gilgit city by comparingthe actual values of physio-chemical and microbiological parameters with that of the national standardsfor drinking water quality of Pakistan. A total of Sixteen surface water samples were gathered from thestudy area to analyze their quality. Multiple parameters including fluoride, hardness, pH, nitrite,nitrate, chloride, and TDS were mapped spatially using inverse distance weighting. To compute waterquality index, ArcGIS Model Builder and ArcPy were employed. The key informants interviews andfocus group discussions were also conducted to list the water-related problems. The findings of thewater quality index ensured the good quality of collected surface water samples using physicochemicalparameters but the occurrence of microbiological contamination in both rivers declared water unfit fordrinking. It showed that the water of the city is being contaminated due to anthropogenic activities.The mixing of wastewater into drinking water sources was also reported by the respective authoritiesand community. The residents also suggested to repair filtration plants as well as cover the waterstorage structures on an urgent basis. The study will be helpful to concerned departments of the studyarea to plan their resources and provide their services to the residents efficiently.

Inventory and Altitudinal Distribution of Plant Biodiversity Along the Nalter Expressway in Nalter Valley Gilgit Baltistan

The present study was conducted in 2020-2021 to record the inventory and altitudinal distributions of plants and biodiversity in Nalter valley. The study area is situated at 36 N and 74 E, with 27,206 ha area in the Karakoram highlands. It is 40km away from Gilgit city. The purpose was to explore the natural floral inventory, life-form structure, and the biological spectrum of the plant biodiversity. This study recorded 126 species belonging to 106 genera and 48 families. The life forms of the collected species were 40 Hemicryptophytes (H), 8 Therophytes, 50 Chaemephyte, and geophytes 3 species, and 25 phanerophytes. While the habit categories of the recorded flora were analyzed with the help of Theophrastus classification. The categories of the recorded flora were 88 herbs, 113 shrubs,9 subshrubs, and 18 trees which contribute to the flora of the study area. The phytosociological studies were also carried out to recognize the dominant taxa, habit category, and the dominant life form in the study area. For this study, we divided the study area into three stands. In each stand, we placed 20 quartets to recognize the dominant taxa based on IVI. The phytosociological studies provided the required information from each stand like dominant habit categories, life forms, and dominant taxa along the Nalter expressway.

Floristic Composition, Biological Spectrum and Distribution Pattern of Floral Biodiversity in Jalalabad Taisot Valley, Gilgit Baltistan

Jalalabad is a small village in Gilgit District in Pakistan, located around 20 km east of Gilgit city. Jalalabad village is one of the beautiful valleys located at 35°53.921 N latitude, 074°29.382 E longitude at an altitude of 1500. The present study was carried out from July-August 2021-2022 and was comprised of two main parts. The first part was floristic diversity, the second part was phytosociological studies. The collected specimens consist of (156) plant species that belonged to 119 genera and 49 families. The life forms of the collected species were 62 (72%) where Hemicryptophyte were dominant, 33 (22%) Therophytes, 14 (9%) Chaemophyte, 42 (27%) Phanerophyte and Geophytes were 4 (2%). The breakup of the habit categories shows that the herbs with 103 (66%) species were dominant to show the flora of the study area, followed by shrubs with 17 (10%) species which shows the flora of the study area. Subshrubs by 9 (6%) and trees 27 (22%) contained the flora of the study area. We studied three stands and in each stand, we placed twenty quadrate to recognize the dominant flora based on IVI. We recognized the dominant lifeform Hemicryptophytes and dominant taxa Thaymus linearis held at the highest value (64.259) based on IVI. The phytosociological studies provided all required information from each stand like dominant habit categories, dominant life forms, and dominant taxa in the study area.

POLARIZATION OF EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AS AN OUTCOME OF SECTARIAN CONFLICT IN GILGIT BALTISTAN

This paper aims to understand the institutional polarization in educational sector caused by sectarian conflicts and to explain the divided sectarian fabrics in Gilgit Baltistan. Quantitative method has been used. Data has been collected through two separate structured questionnaires from faculty and students from schools, colleges and university. All the three sects in Gilgit have private separate educational institutions found significant with sectarian conflict (P-V=.000). Moreover, Parents do not prefer to send their children to schools owned by other than their sects, also tested and found significant with sectarian conflict (P=.000<0.05). Additionally, Sectarian based educational institutions will further increase the gaps among all sects. Chi-Square test applied and found significant (P=.005<0.05). Private educational institutions have maintained their sectarian identity has been proved with sectarian conflict having a P-value of (P=0.001<0.05). The divisions are based on the creed of students and staff favor those belong to their sect in educational institutions of Gilgit city has a very strong association with sectarian conflict proved and the P-value is (P=0.001<0.05). A curriculum and plural system should be developed to minimize the negative effects of sectarian conflict in the region. Keywords: Sectarian conflicts, Educational institutions, Polarization, youth, Gilgit-Baltistan.

EXPLORING TEACHERS’ PRACTICES OF PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT AT ECD LEVEL IN GILGIT CITY

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore teachers’ practices of parental involvement at the ECD level in Gilgit city. The study had focused on the application of Epstein’s fourteen parental involvement strategies in the ECD schools of Gilgit city. Using a convenient sample of four ECD schools having four ECD levels, data was collected from sixteen ECD teachers (one teacher from each ECD level of each school). The findings were compared first, within the same ECD school teachers, then across the ECD school teachers against each question. Results indicated that various ECD levels are applying diverse strategies for parental involvement in order to help their children how to read, listen and write. Majority of the participants design project works, assign home projects, making models, coloring, cutting and pasting different collections. However, there is lack of awareness about how to make sure parents are effectively involved in the ECD level.

Assessment of Physicochemical and Bacteriological Parameters of Bottled Drinking Water Marketed in Gilgit City and its Vicinity

This study analyzed physicochemical and bacteriological parameters of packaged water sold in Gilgit city and its vicinity. Samples from source, market, and after the process were collected randomly from three different companies and analyzed from April 2017 to May 2017. Bacteriological parameters include Escherichia coli and Enterococci; it was further examined with conformity tests. The investigated physical parameters included (pH, Turbidity, Conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids). Some important chemical parameters like Total phosphorous and Total Nitrogen were assessed through a spectrophotometer. The results revealed that the Physicochemical parameters fell within WHO tolerable limits, pH ranged from 7.0 to 8.4, TDS were observed from 260 ppm to 40 ppm, Electrical conductivity was found between 91 μs-510 μs, Turbidity varied from 0.03 NTU to 0.52 NTU. The Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus range from 0.09 mg/L to 2.09 mg/L and 95 mg/L to 540 mg/L. The bacteriological parameters were unsatisfactory as some of the samples were contaminated with the E. coli and Enterococci. The maximum value for E. coli was 288 CFU/100 ml, and that of the Enterococci was 267 CFU/100 ml, which strongly violates the WHO specifications for bottled drinking water quality. Based on our findings, the Bacteriological examination of some samples is classified under the high-risk category since they are found to be unsafe for drinking. It is recommended there should be strict monitoring and surveillance of bottled water quality; sources should be protected, and awareness should be given to the public regarding its quality.

AN INVESTIGATION INTO RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENTS' ATTITUDE AND ANXIETY TOWARDS RESEARCH AND THEIR RESEARCH SELF-EFFICACY AT A LOCAL UNIVERSITY IN GILGIT-BALTISTAN, PAKISTAN

This study aimed to explore relationship between students' attitudes and anxiety towards research, and their research self-efficacy at a local university in Gilgit city. A sample of 102 students of a teacher education department responded to a 30-items written questionnaire. Results indicated more than 50% students showed positive attitudes and high research self-efficacy towards research. Whereas less than 50% students showed anxiety towards research. It was found that in the programs where research is mandatory students showed higher positive attitude towards research, higher self-efficacy towards research and higher anxiety towards research than the programs in which doing research is optional. Results further indicated a positive strong correlation between students’ attitudes towards research and their research self-efficacy. A positive weak correlation was found between attitudes towards research and anxiety towards research. On the contrary an inverse weak correlation was found between students' anxiety towards research and their research self-efficacy. Future researchers can conduct similar studies taking a reasonable large sample on anxiety towards research and research self-efficacy. Keywords: self-efficacy, attitude towards research, anxiety towards research, university, relationship

PERCEPTIONS OF EXPERIENCED AND NOVICE TEACHERS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF LESSON PLANNING FOR EFFECTIVE LEARNING IN PRIVATE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS OF GILGIT CITY

This study intended to explore the perceptions of novice and experienced teachers about the importance of lesson planning for effective learning in selected private elementary schools in Gilgit city. A qualitative approach focusing on case study was used to conduct this study. The researchers collected data by using in-depth semi-structured interviews. The study revealed that novice and experienced teachers both realized the importance to lesson planning. It was revealed that lesson planning contributes to students learning. Although teachers use different formats to plan their lessons. Moreover, it was found that novice teachers regularly develop their lessons in detail on the other hand experienced teachers do not regularly plan their lessons in detail. Teachers' workload was one of the hurdles in planning lesson. On the basis of the findings it was recommended that teachers should develop lesson plans for their classes because it provides guideline and teachers can teach effectively which ultimately improves students learning. Keywords: Perceptions, novice teachers, experienced teachers, lesson planning, private schools, Gilgit city

TEACHING BELIEFS AND PRACTICES OF TEACHER-EDUCATORS TEACHING IN B.ED. HONS. ELEMENTARY AT A PUBLIC SECTOR UNIVERSITY IN GILGIT CITY

The purpose of this research study was to examine the teaching beliefs and practices of teacher educators teaching in B.Ed. Hons regarding elementary program in a public sector university in Gilgit city. Within qualitative research, case study design was employed to conduct the research study. Ten teacher educators were selected from within a total population of seventeen teacher educators teaching in the B.Ed. Hons. Elementary program was selected through convenient sampling technique. Research tools included descriptive interview questionnaire, and document analysis. Findings of the study revealed that teachers seemed to believe in variety of teaching strategies and emphasized on giving feedback to students along with other formative and summative assessment strategies. Findings indicated effect of teacher preparation programs in changing teachers' beliefs and practices. However, there appears to be inconsistency in teachers' beliefs and practices. Future research should explore the variation between beliefs and practices. Key Terms: Pedagogical beliefs and practices, Teacher educators, Elementary programs, Public university, Teaching learning

DAMMING HUNZA RIVER BY MASSIVE ATTABAD LANDSLIDE, STORY OF A RISK MANAGEMENT INITIATIVE FROM HUNZA, PAKISTAN

The mountainous region of northern Pakistan is seismically active as Indian plate is subducting beneath the Eurasian plate. Various geological phenomena are active due to the mountain building and landslides are one of the most destructive natural disasters in the Karakoram range. The northern part of Pakistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, falling in this region is no exception to that. Attabad was a remote village situated on the right bank of Hunza River at a ground distance of almost 125 km from Gilgit city. The area falls into Darkut-Karakoram metamorphic complex composed of granites, granodiorite, and gneiss. A devastating landslide occurred on 4th January 2010, as mode of circular failure which blocked the Hunza River forming a lake behind. The debris material hit the opposite rock cliff, due to narrow gorge the landslide mass travelled downstream 1.5km with huge debris surges, hitting 8 houses in lower Attabad which came under rubble and 19 people died. Aga Khan Agency for Habitat previously FOCUS Pakistan developed an inventory of active landslides across the KKH in Hunza in 2000-2001, however this landslide was not identified. Later in 2002 after the Astore earthquake initial cracks developed at the top of the slope. The 8th October Kashmir earthquake destabilized and U-shaped demarcation appeared across the slope. Anthropogenic activities like irrigation of lands, seepage of water from rain and snow melt water further destabilized the land. Finally, an earthquake in November 2009 in Hindukush region triggered the landslide and brittle failure occurred on 4th January 2010.

Gender-based emergency preparedness and awareness: empirical evidences from high-school students of Gilgit, Pakistan

ABSTRACT School emergency preparedness must be enhanced to save the lives of children and reduce adverse impacts on the school education system. The gender dimension of school-going children can help understand and assess the dynamics of vulnerabilities in school settings. This paper quantifies gender-based knowledge about emergency preparedness for a crisis. Gilgit city, a multi-hazard prone area in Northern Pakistan, was taken as a case study area. Slovin’s sampling method was employed to estimate the minimum required sample size. The data was collected using structured questionnaires, and a total of 486 samples were collected, with 238 girls and 248 boys. Emergency preparedness and awareness indicators, chosen through literature, were classified under four components, i.e. emergency circulation and evacuation, support and assistance, communication, and search and rescue. A five-point Likert scale was used to map the indicators, and an index-based approach was used to quantify emergency preparedness. Statistical tests were used to examine gender-based differences among emergency preparedness and its components. Results show that both genders exhibited low awareness, whereas a significant difference in communication, and search and rescue component. There is an immediate need to launch awareness campaigns and training in schools for effective disaster risk reduction.

The Response of Land Surface Temperature to the Changing Land-Use Land-Cover in a Mountainous Landscape under the Influence of Urbanization: Gilgit City as a case study in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region of Pakistan

With growing urbanization in mountainous landscapes, the built-up areas dominate other land use classesresulting in increased land surface temperature (LST). Gilgit city in northern Pakistan has witnessed tremendousurban growth in the recent past decades. It is anticipated that this growth will exponentially increase in the nearfuture because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiatives, as this city happens to be thecommercial hub of the northern region of Pakistan. The objective of present study is to explore the influence ofland use and land cover variations on LST and to evaluate the relationship between LST with normalizeddifference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), and normalized difference built -up index (NDBI) values. This study is carried out on data from Google earth and three Landsat images (Landsat 5-TM, Landsat 7-ETM, and Landsat OLI_TIRS-8) during the period from 1992, 2004 and 2016. Land use/coverclasses are determined through supervised classification and LST maps are created using the Mono -windowalgorithm. The accuracy assessment of land use/cover classes is carried out comparing Google Earth digitizedvector for the periods of 2004 and 2016 with Landsat classified images. Further, NDVI, NDBI, and NDWI mapsare computed from images for years 1992, 2004, and 2016. The relationships of LST with NDVI, NDBI, andNDWI are computed using Linear Regression analysis. The results reveal that the variations in land use and landcover play a substantial role in LST variability. The maximum temperatures are connected with built -up areas andbarren land, ranging from 48.4°C, 50.7°C, 51.6°C, in 1992, 2004, and 2016, respectively. Inversely, minimumtemperatures are linked to forests and water bodies, ranging from 15.1°C, 16°C, 21.6°C, in 1992, 2004, and 2016respectively. This paper also results that NDBI correlates positively with high temperatures, whereas NDVI andNDWI associate negatively with lesser temperatures. The study will support to policymakers and urban planners tostrategize the initiatives for eco-friendly and climate-resilient urban development in fragile mountainouslandscapes.

The Response of Land Surface Temperature to the Changing Land-Use Land-Cover in a Mountainous Landscape under the Influence of Urbanization: Gilgit City as a case study in the Hindu Kush Himalayan Region of Pakistan

With growing urbanization in mountainous landscapes, the built-up areas dominate other land use classesresulting in increased land surface temperature (LST). Gilgit city in northern Pakistan has witnessed tremendousurban growth in the recent past decades. It is anticipated that this growth will exponentially increase in the nearfuture because of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) initiatives, as this city happens to be thecommercial hub of the northern region of Pakistan. The objective of present study is to explore the influence ofland use and land cover variations on LST and to evaluate the relationship between LST with normalizeddifference vegetation index (NDVI), normalized difference water index (NDWI), and normalized difference built -up index (NDBI) values. This study is carried out on data from Google earth and three Landsat images (Landsat 5-TM, Landsat 7-ETM, and Landsat OLI_TIRS-8) during the period from 1992, 2004 and 2016. Land use/coverclasses are determined through supervised classification and LST maps are created using the Mono -windowalgorithm. The accuracy assessment of land use/cover classes is carried out comparing Google Earth digitizedvector for the periods of 2004 and 2016 with Landsat classified images. Further, NDVI, NDBI, and NDWI mapsare computed from images for years 1992, 2004, and 2016. The relationships of LST with NDVI, NDBI, andNDWI are computed using Linear Regression analysis. The results reveal that the variations in land use and landcover play a substantial role in LST variability. The maximum temperatures are connected with built -up areas andbarren land, ranging from 48.4°C, 50.7°C, 51.6°C, in 1992, 2004, and 2016, respectively. Inversely, minimumtemperatures are linked to forests and water bodies, ranging from 15.1°C, 16°C, 21.6°C, in 1992, 2004, and 2016respectively. This paper also results that NDBI correlates positively with high temperatures, whereas NDVI andNDWI associate negatively with lesser temperatures. The study will support to policymakers and urban planners tostrategize the initiatives for eco-friendly and climate-resilient urban development in fragile mountainouslandscapes.

Sectarianism at workplace in Gilgit

ABSTRACT This paper is part of a broader research that was carried out to explore and determine the scope and nature of sectarianism as perceived and experienced by employees in their workplaces in Gilgit-Baltistan. This region has experienced intense sectarian strife over last two decades, claiming hundreds of lives in the process. The region’s capital city Gilgit in particular has seen violent clashes between the two major sects of Islam – Sunni and Shi’a .Using the framework of organizational theory with a specific focus on the concept of informal organizations, this research attempts to provide empirical evidence of the existence and manifestation of sectarianism at the workplace in Gilgit city. Main themes that emerged from the qualitative interviews conducted with employees working in public sector organizations included; prevalence of sectarianism, nature of sectarianism, and the balance formula. Preliminary findings suggested that sectarianism did exist in the selected organizations operating in Gilgit. The sectarianism in public institutions have posed challenges in terms of the governance and administration of the province. This issue has also found traction in the debate surrounding constitutional rights as the two major sects – Sunni and Shi’a – foresee the governance models of Gilgit-Baltistan through a sectarian-tinted lens.

Perceptions of Teachers about the Role of Parents in Developing Reading Habits of Children to Improve their Academic Performance in Schools

<p> <em>This study aimed to explore teachers’ perceptions about parental role in developing reading habits of children to improve their academic achievement. The study was conducted in one of the private schools of Gilgit city situated in the Northern part of Pakistan. Using a case study approach to research within the qualitative design, semi-structured interviews were used for data collection, which enabled the researchers in capturing qualitative experiences, opinions, beliefs and perceptions of purposefully selected research participants. The data were analyzed using thematic analysis approach and emerging themes were represented in the form of figures to provide a clear understanding. The study confirmed that reading habits, for example, out of school reading and reading for pleasure, have influenced academic performance and parental role is pivotal in developing children’s interest in reading because healthy reading activities can help them to develop critical thinking and analytic skills. This could also develop their vocabulary to a great extent. Consequently, children exhibit improvement in their overall academic performance. The findings confirmed that if parents focused on reading improvement of their children in early ages, they could better develop reading as a routine activity. The study recommended that parents should play an active role in developing attitude towards reading by providing reading materials and creating a reading friendly environment at home.</em></p>