Which language?
THE medium of instruction in school is once again being hotly debated, not that the issue had ever been resolved. But now that the pro-mother language lobby has gained more…
Divisive language
Nearly a year ago when this COVID-19 crisis was taking hold, people across the world expressed outrage at the term ‘China virus’. It was important to condemn such divisive and,…
Language and instruction
I have to disagree with the opinion on language and the medium of instruction expressed by M Zeb Khan (‘Talking Language’, The News, January 28, 2020). The writer has identified…
Language report
EARLIER this month, The Citizens Foundation (TCF) released a landmark report on the language of education, probably the first document of its kind in Pakistan. Based on in-depth studies and…
Talking language
Like many other unresolved perennial issues in Pakistan, the question of which language to use as medium of instruction during the formative years of school-going kids remains unpacked and hence…
Language and the written word
Speech predates writing. Oral language is the essential language. Technically, the writing of a language is just a graphic representation of said language; and it can never represent all the…
Language of instruction
POLICYMAKING can be based on self-interest, whim, opinion, dogma or evidence. The choice we exercise says a lot about us. Take the language of instruction that is in the news…
Language puzzles: Part – II
The second half of the programme focused on the plight of native languages and asked if they were dying in Pakistan and what might be done to arrest that. There…
SNC and languages
Since the Single National Curriculum was made public by the incumbent government a rigorous debate has emerged, involving prominent experts in education and language policies. The critics deem the SNC…
Language of instruction
Almost every account of colonialism describes how the colonists planned to use education as a means of stabilizing and strengthening their rule. There was one system of education for those…
