HYDERABAD, Nov 6: There was free, indigenous and vibrant educational system in Sindh before the advent of British.

This has been established by Professor Chand Bibi Sultana, director, Pakistan Study Circle, University of Sindh, in her PhD dissertation titled “The education system in Sindh during the British period”.

Giving a presentation on her work at the Sindh University capmus on Thursday, Prof Chand Bibi, said prior to the British rule there were some scholars and poets who were repositories of learning and it was common to employ an Akhund (tutor) and allow children of people with insufficient means to share the benefits of education.

She said there was free boarding and lodging and students were provided books without any charge.

She said primary education was imparted in Maktabs (schools) where a child was taught to read and write in Sanskrit, Arabic and Persian.

She said the modern system of education had failed to produce the same results as the indigenous educational system did in the past.

She said English replaced Persian in 1839 AD as the official language as well as the medium of instruction in the sub- continent.

The scholar recalled Lord Macaulay made attacks on the entire body of literature in Arabic, Persian and Sanskrit and advocated the introduction of English as the medium of instruction at higher levels and as the official language of the British Empire in the subcontinent.

She said as during the British period, formal education system in the province was significantly improved but the major beneficiaries of the government education policy were Hindus and Muslims lagged far behind with low literacy rate due to their narrow vision.

Speaking on the occasion, the vice-chancellor, University of Sindh, Mazharul Haq Siddiqui appreciated the presentation and research work of scholar.

He advised the scholar to incorporate all suggestions made by various scholars about the research work.

Prof Ghulam Hussain Khaskheli, Dr Abida Tahrani, Prof Siraj Jamal Siddiqui, Prof Shuhab Mughal, Prof Parvez Pathan and other scholars asked questions.