In an atmosphere wherein the so-called English Medium Schools are growing like mushrooms across the country and institutions of graduation and higher levels are spreading like commercial chains, the question of education and medium of instruction has became a matter of serious concern for those who care for the healthy development of their future generations.
For whom development does not mean only the development of skill to earn money but development as social being, creator and preserver of culture and a politically citizen. As far as the question of mother tongue as medium of instructions in concerned I recall my school days where I saw more than one languages being used as medium in one and the same school. The reason was the late state of Hyderabad Deccan was a multilingual and multicultural entity. Apart from Urdu, Telugu, Marathi and Canari were recognised as medium of instructions in those areas where any one of these languages was used as means of communication. My relatives who lived in Telomgana could read and write only in Telugu.
By narrating the personal observation I, simply intend to point out that even before partition of the subcontinent the issue was settled and resolved on scientific bases. Even in Karachi, Marathi and Gujrati medium schools were functioning. It means the issues were not created by educationists and social scientists. Zubeida Mustafa has focused on the issue and as a trained researcher has discussed all the aspects. She not only relied on the printed material on the subject but has studied the phenomenon directly through personal observations and physical inspections. She says, "I am not a linguist nor an educationists. From my own experience of school visits, meeting teachers and talking to children of all socio-economic classes studying in different grades, I feel that there is something basically wrong in the approach adopted towards medium of instruction in our schools."
It is thus a feeling and concern as a person who worried about future of upcoming generations that had forced her to write this book which at best forms a basis for a meaningful debate. The book is worth keeping to read and re-read to properly appreciate the issues and develop an approach aimed at seeking some solutions.
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Book : Tyranny of Language in Education
The Problem and its Solution
Author : Zubeida Mustafa
Publisher : Ushba Publishing International, Karachi
Price : Rs 200
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