ISLAMABAD: The Federal Directorate of Education (FDE) has decided to introduce six-month courses to teach at least one foreign language to almost 1,500 students at select schools, with the help of the National University of Modern Languages (Numl) and the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC).

The students will be taught German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese languages after school hours with funding from NAVTTC.

According to an MoU signed between the three stakeholders, the agreement would pave the way for introducing foreign language courses in schools. Federal Education Minister Dr Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani attended the MoU signing ceremony.

The education ministry said that the languages would be taught at the “select schools/colleges” in the federal capital. The ministry said this initiative would equip students with foreign language skills, enhancing their global prospects and fostering cultural understanding.

FDE in collaboration with Numl and NAVTTC to introduce German, Chinese, Korean and Japanese languages

“This initiative marks a significant milestone in our efforts to modernise education and empower our youth,” said Education Minister Dr Siddiqui. He said that FDE, NAVTCC, and Numl were committed to working together to make this initiative a success.

When contacted, Education Secretary Mohyuddin Ahmad Wani said that the language courses were essential for students to obtain jobs abroad, adding that six months would be sufficient for students to learn about the fundamentals of a new language. “For the first time, we are going to introduce these foreign languages. Perhaps, these students will earn graduate degrees in these languages in future,” he hoped.

To a query, Mr Wani said that those colleges, which also have a school section, have been directed to get feedback from students for admission in these languages courses, which will be offered after their regular timing.

“Every year we will offer these courses to 1,500 students from class 8 to 12,” he said and added that for this year, if more than 1,500 students showed their interest in these programmes, then the FDE would introduce criteria; otherwise, all applicants will be given a chance.

He said that one student could get admission in one language programme, adding that Numl will start this programme the third week of this month. The secretary said that Pakistani students were good in Urdu and English and they had some knowledge about Arabic as well but they were ignorant about the said four languages.

Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2024