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…
A question of language
The recently unveiled Single National Curriculum (SNC), albeit subpar, addresses the question of ‘what’ will be taught in schools. While that public debate is still ongoing, the focus of the…
The myth of preserving a language
The myth of preserving a language has its roots in the idea of ‘nationalism and cultural superiority’ which is common to all postcolonial societies. When a language is deemed as…
Campaigning for languages
Pakistan is often seen as, and rightly so, a hard country for campaigns. Campaigns, whether on human rights, education, civil liberty, constitutional rights; on environment, culture or languages often face…
Language for the middle class
I want to begin by stating the assumption that this article assumes there is value in 'selling' socialism to the middle class in Pakistan. The reason the word selling is…
Language myths
A MAJOR debate on education has been sparked by an announcement from Islamabad that a uniform curriculum for the country — from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to Karachi — will be introduced.…
As outlook darkens, central banks think hard about their language
As central banks stock up on policy ammunition in the face of a worsening global economic outlook, they are having to reassess one of their most delicate weapons - the…
