SPEAKING ENGLISH: Despite being an English graduate, I could not speak the language fluently. I used to forget words during conversation with my cousin and would feel embarrassed. Our teachers had taught us English in Urdu, and, as students, we did not practise speaking the language much during our entire four-year course. However, after graduation, only one month of continuous speaking practice with my cousin made me a fluent speaker. Speaking English is not as difficult as we think, but it requires practice, patience and dis-cipline. The authorities concerned should improve the undergraduate curriculum.
Usama Hayat
Abbottabad
STRESSED STUDENTS: The alarming incidents of suicide among students expose a serious gap in our education system. Although schools, colleges and universities emphasise academic achieve-ment, they overlook the emotional wellbeing and psychological resilience of the students. A student’s intellectual calibre cannot be measured by a mark-sheet, and a single examination should not determine their sense of self-worth. Yet, parental expectations, fear of failure, social comparison and the stigma attached to poor grades can make academic set-backs feel unbearable. Educational institutions should introduce a compulsory course on stress management and emotional wellbeing. Students should be taught how to cope with failure, regulate emotions and manage anxiety.
Dr Farooq Ahmad
Islamabad
FILTHY HOSPITAL: I recently went to the Chandka Medical College in Larkana to visit a patient, but could not stay because of the foul smell and filthy environment there. The last time I had visited the hospital was back in 2023. The conditions then were far better than what they are today. Reportedly, millions are earmarked annually for the hospital, but no improvement can be seen in facilities. The hospital is frequented not only by the people of Larkana, but also by patients from far and wide. Those at the helm of affairs must look into the matter.
M. Shoaib Hassan Bhutto
Larkana
Published in Dawn, November 4th, 2026
