Book Review Tyranny of Language in Education: The Problem and its Solution

Abstract

The question of medium of instruction has always perplexed our intelligentsia and all those who are concerned with education and educational policy making. The Constitution of Pakistan resolved this issue through its Article 251 which laid down a clear cut policy whereby Urdu was declared as the national language of the country and it was made binding on the state to make arrangements for Urdu to be adopted as the official language within fifteen years from the commencing date (which was 14 August 1973). Subject to this, the same article holds that English language may be used for official purposes until arrangements are made for its replacement by Urdu. A third sub-clause of the article holds that without prejudice to the national language, a provincial assembly may prescribe measures for the teaching, promotion and use of a provincial language in addition to the national language. The fifteenyear space given by the constitution for Urdu to be adopted as official language ended in 1988. Twenty-four years after the lapse of that time frame and thirty-nine years after the adoption of the constitution, things remain where they were. Urdu has not been made the official language, a status solely enjoyed by English. Provincial assemblies did make legislation regarding their languages; reforming the entire education system in a manner that provincial languages are given their due role remains a distant dream.