Preface: history of sub-continent

The demand for a separate homeland from India was the first step taken to distinguish the importance of religion as well as keeping alive language of Muslims that was Urdu. All the invaders whether they were Turks or Mughals implanted their mother tongue upon their subjects. When Pakistan came into being it also had two major languages as their official lingo Bengali in East Pakistan and Urdu West Pakistan. This major fiasco later proved to be the bone of contention between the two parts of Pakistan and resulted in separation of East Pakistan to emerge as Bangladesh after 1972. Language plays a key role in building a nation and it is a vital factor in keeping it united and proud.
At individual level it is quite visible to see the language playing and dividing people into sections and creating stereotypical images. A recent study conducted by an NGO (AGHS-legal Aid Cell) shows the decline of local language and sudden preference shift to English language thus dominating our national language Urdu. The language mostly spoken in Punjab is the Punjabi language but surprisingly the trend shows that Urdu has replaced the local lingo in the past years due to the various reasons provided for it but main reason for its decline is the social and cultural boycott by the people of it being thought of a “Paindo” status attached with it. Punjabi nowadays is considered a language only spoken by the servants or ill-literate people.
The English speaking class is considered superior and therefore commands more respect and power than any other language. It highlights and prioritize certain professions and a quota of seats are reserved for only English speaking people thus lowering the chances of any other person who has the same qualifications but the medium of communication is other than English. It not only classifies the qualification of a person but also conveniently restrict his chances of progress in general.
Language barrier also affects the psychological aspects of a person as he believes that speaking his mother tongue is shameful and not acceptable and hinders in his growth and utilizing his skills at his fullest capacity. It also marrs and scars his self esteem and lowers his self confidence. To rise above his status quo he needs to excel in the Beaurocrats language to adopt and portray their attitude, mannerism and life style.

As our history pertains that language has divided nations it is easily observed as Pakistan is further divided into four provinces where its people speak four other languages besides Urdu.   Urdu as national language is taught in all the government education institutions. Education system in Pakistan is based at two levels Government based institutions and Private education systems that is based on mostly British and American education. At the government schools syllabus is in Urdu language making it easier for the masses to understand in all the provinces. The recent trend shows that since media has spread its wings English is fast becoming popular due to different social, economic and cultural reasons. In the last ten years or so English medium  or private schools have sprung up all over the country like wild mushrooms. This means that people believe that getting educated in a foreign language gives them an advantage to better job opportunities and higher living standards as well as raising their chances of going abroad. It has also opened up society to explore new avenues and changing values and age old customs and beliefs.
The class difference is also visible at provincial level where the local languages are much more powerful than national language. In Sindh, Balochistan and Pakhtunkwah formerly known as NWFP uses the medium of education and communication is their respective Sindhi, Balochi and Pashtu languages. It is also encouraged and promoted from social and cultural level. Whereas only in Punjab province Punjabi is neither taught nor socially encouraged at all levels of society. Therefore their medium of communication is either Urdu or English.
The changing global conditions and means of communications have also touched Pakistan. The media has strongly played a part in expanding vision and views of its spectators. The masses have been exposed to an array of colors of different cultures and countries. It has brought them to the world of consumer goods and accessible marketing strategies. Taking them farther away from their language and introducing them to selfishness and greed. All this contributes to lack of unity and faith in people as individuals and as a whole society.
This acceptance of new ways and means to live their lives has drastic effect overall behavior and our cultural values. People who are not able to achieve, feels frustrated and it promotes violence and anarchy in the society. The issue of language is such that it has taken the whole nation at a point of disintegration and disinterest. Pakistan is facing the darkest hour of its history hour as its national language as well as our provincial and local languages are on the verge of extinction. People of Pakistan are caught up in their own web of identity crisis based on linguistic dismemberance.

By: Zainab Shahid

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PARALLEL INSTITUTIONS-LESSONS NOT LEARNT

Before I begin to discuss the topic, let me ask: what is the basic purpose of an educational institute? Most would simply reply “Umm…to educate?”
Although there is no disputing this answer, there is a great deal of ambiguity. The sole aim of a school is to guide its students regarding when, where and how they should focus their energies in order to aid them to prepare to face the world that lies ahead. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, we have been made to interpret that education and guidance should only be confined to academics-this is the backbone of school failure.
Coming back to what I said earlier, when you hear the word ‘energy’, something such as an energy drink or anything related to power will come to your mind. Now what will happen if, for instance, a gas was to be trapped into a cylindrical shaped container? It would simply accommodate itself according to the shape of the object. But, if the container is open, the gas would immediately escape. Moreover, if we cool the gas while it is in the container it will change into liquid and if we reduce the temperature further it will transform into a solid.
Similar to the molecules of a gas, children between the ages of 13 to 19 are full of energy: distracted easily, starved for motivation and entertainment, short of guidance and ready to be shaped.
Passively, schools have begun to emphasise on ‘As and A*s’ to the extent where it has not only reduced time for co-curricular activities, but has also given rise to two fatal consequences: demotivation and tution centres. Frankly speaking, these have further resulted in the decline of our educational standards. Yet, what is most astonishing is how we have permitted these flaws to become a prominent part of our educational system.
Now make no mistake here, I have no issues with expensive academics but I am highly against the quality provided in turn for the hefty sums paid. The question is how one can judge the quality of education when it cannot be smelled, tasted or even touched? Ask yourself two things: are you able to understand most of the material taught to you at your institute or do you feel the need to take tuitions after school hours despite the hard earned money your parents are spending on you.
Conclusively, the first failure of our schools is based on the following reasons regarding students: they are overly pressurized and not given time to do anything but rote-learning everything at school; they are unable to understand what they are taught at school; they have not been motivated enough to study at home or at school. In short, they have not been guided when, where and how they should focus their energies on.
In any case, all the reasons lead to one aftermath: inadequate interest in education and loss of focus. Academies and centers which are actually meant to help exploit the students: they take advantage of students by acting as a medium for socialization. A rare sight at the academies is that you will see some distracted students smoking just outside the building and no one will be willing to report to their parents. The academy owners know the right environment to attract the students to their academies.
I certainly hope that all the text above has some impact on you and has enabled you to acknowledge an almost invisible virus aimed at destroying our future. Just a request; open up your minds and eyes-at least to the obvious problems of our society.

SYEDA ANUM ALI

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