Around a decade ago, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Mian Shahbaz Sharif, made a significant change to the education system by switching the medium of instruction from Urdu to English. A survey conducted across 22 districts of Punjab highlighted some challenges with this decision. The findings indicated that primary school students faced difficulties in both English and Urdu, raising concerns about the effectiveness of the change. As a result, the government decided to revert to Urdu as the medium of instruction, with plans to implement this change by March 2020.
However, the question remains: will this shift back to Urdu be an effective solution? Is the medium of instruction itself a barrier to effective education? Given that Urdu is widely spoken, particularly in urban areas, and is considered a ‘mother tongue’ by many, there are still important factors to consider. The majority of the population resides in rural areas where languages like Punjabi, Saraiki, or other regional dialects are spoken. In such cases, the effectiveness of education might depend more on other factors beyond the language of instruction.
To enhance the standard of education, there are several alternatives to simply switching the medium of teaching. Some of these include:
- Revising the syllabus and content to ensure it is more relevant and engaging for students.
- Providing comprehensive training for teachers so they can communicate more effectively with students.
- Offering students opportunities to participate in co-curricular activities that complement their academic learning.
- Encouraging practical application of skills, helping students bridge the gap between theory and real-world scenarios.
- Integrating Information Technology into the curriculum, maximizing the potential of digital resources to enhance learning experiences.
If the government aims to ensure that education is more effective, there are many ways to achieve this without frequently changing policies. Instead of focusing on reversing past decisions, prioritizing a consistent, forward-thinking approach would be a more sustainable solution for improving education in Punjab.