Teaching science

Published December 5, 2014

I HAVE been wondering for a long time why science subjects in English, particularly at the intermediate and bachelor’s levels, are being taught in the mother tongue of the learners, or Urdu, or both of them.

When the suggested/prescribed books of science for students are in English, questions of the tests and assessments have to be answered in English. They are supposed to be taught in English, and not in other languages.

The medium of teaching cannot be in some other language but English. Adopting some other language would be like shirking one’s duty to the satisfaction of students.

I would like to request the higher authorities of the Higher Education Commission of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa to direct all the colleges to ask the professors not to use Urdu or Pashto, or both of these languages as a medium of teaching while teaching science subjects.

We complain against students for their weaknesses in English but when we as teachers have not familiarised them with the language during their learning/teaching in the colleges, how can they show better fluency and competence in English?

Mohammad Fayyaz

Charsadda

Published in Dawn, December 5th, 2014

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.