Though the Punjab government gives students studying in government- run schools free books, most students have to buy the Urdu translations of math and science books as they have difficulty reading English.

“The books provided to me by the school are of no use to me because I cannot read in English,” said a 13-year-old student from Chakwal, Ahmed Ali, whose father bought him Urdu translations at the start of the year.

“Students in eight grade and below only have to buy Urdu translations of books for science and maths but nine and tenth graders have to buy four books- for maths, biology, physics and chemistry- from the market,” a teacher at a government school said.

Due to various reasons- such as bridging the widening gap between the standard of education in public and private sector schools- the Punjab government made all public schools English medium in 2011.

The phrase ‘English medium’ was added to the name of government schools on their main gate. This increased enrolment but hampered learning as many students could not even read in English. Therefore, the medium of instruction in the majority of these ‘English medium’ schools is still Urdu.

“We print 53 million books annually for students in public schools and these are provided free of cost,” Abdul Shakoor, director production of the Punjab Curriculum and Textbook Board told Dawn.

Printing these books cost Rs2.15 billion and most of these books are not even used as they are in English.

In Chakwal, which has been ranked 13th in a recent district education ranking by Alif Ailan, only two schools teach in English. The rest of the schools have divided their students into various sections so that those who can read in English are in section A and the rest in other sections.

Government High School Hasola, in a village some 40km from Chakwal City, has divided its 350 students in three sections in each class and only those in section A are taught in English. Only 150 out of Government Higher Secondary School Choa Saidan Shah’s 1,200 students are taught in English and just seven of Government Girls High School Danda Shah Bilawal’s 10th graders study in English.

“The people in remote villages are usually daily wagers and small time farmers and are illiterate. Their children even have difficulty speaking in Urdu, then how can they be taught in English,” a teacher said.

“A common opinion is that the best medium of instruction at an early age is the mother tongue. In government run schools in Punjab, emphasis is given to the mother tongue but it is also ensured that children learn different terminologies in science so they do not face problems at a later stage,” said Secretary School Education Department Punjab Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik

District Education Authority Chakwal Chief Executive Officer Abdul Waheed Raza said that earlier, parents preferred “English medium” private schools which had led to a decline in enrolments in public schools.

He said all public schools were therefore made English medium. He said though education is imparted in the mother tongue, the importance of English in Pakistan cannot be ruled out as the higher education in the country is in English.

“A lot of work is yet to be done because translating books written by foreign writers is not easy. Or, how does one translate software,” he asked.

Talking about the issue of students having to buy books translated in Urdu, Dr Allah Bakhsh Malik said there have been many complaints about this and that this year, books in both languages will be distributed.

In March 2014, the Punjab government decided to revert to Urdu but later stayed with English.

“If we revert to Urdu, it will not help because intermediate and graduation level books in all major subjects are in English,” Dr Malik said, adding that China has also started teaching in English in schools.

Talking to Dawn, renowned professor of physics and maths, Dr Pervez Hoodbhoy said primary education should be in the mother tongue.

“Other languages like Urdu and English should be taught from the sixth grade. The prime objective should be to convey knowledge to students. A language is nothing but a tool for communication,” he said.

Prof Hoodbhoy added that learning multiple languages at the same time should not be difficult for a child. “Teachers should have a firm grip on the language in which they impart knowledge though,” he said.

Published in Dawn, April 8th, 2018