English as a medium of instruction in Pakistan: the non-issue

[Muhammad Ilyas Khan]

Time and time again one comes across writers who write in English against English as a medium of instruction (EMI) in Pakistani educational institutions. They argue that their argument is not against teaching English as a language but against its use as a medium of instruction. That, however, does not turn out to be the case as most often advertently or inadvertently they end up throwing the baby out with the bath water. (see full below):

http://mikhan7.blogspot.com/2011/08/english-as-medium-of-instruction-non.html

 

[atensari]

English as Medium of Instruction is a tool used by 5% privileged class "Mr. Browns" to protect their political and social monopoly over 95%.

 

[Muhammad Ilyas Khan]

And that is why we should not deprive our poor classes from getting access to English. If we want our poor classess to compete with the 'Brown sahab' in the national and international job market, we need to encourage and facilitate them to learn this langue of power.

English as Medium of Instruction is a tool used by 5% privileged class "Mr. Browns" to protect their political and social monopoly over 95%.

 

[atensari]

And that is why we should not deprive our poor classes from getting access to English. If we want our poor classess to compete with the 'Brown sahab' in the national and international job market, we need to encourage and facilitate them to learn this langue of power.

How ?

 

[Muhammad Ilyas Khan]

Well that's a big question. I will give you a parallel example. Access to computer technology is expensive and that is why only rich people and their children have access to such facilities in their educational institutions. The poor don't have those facilities. Consequently the rich get better jobs. That is the result of INJUSTICE in the society. The rich get richer, the poor, poorer. In a similar vein English language is a language of power and opportunity and the demand of justice is that the just like the rich, the poor too should have access to this language. Now HOW? Well, the answer lies in our national priorities and the system of justice. For that to happen our rulers need to change the priorities from making Pakistan a security state to a WELFARE state. That would ensure more money for fields such as EDUCATION. And that means a radical shift in our national political discourse. A difficult but ESSENTIAL thing that must happen if Pakistan wants to survive and prosper.

How ?

 

[atensari]

Well that's a big question. I will give you a parallel example. Access to computer technology is expensive and that is why only rich people and their children have access to such facilities in their educational institutions. The poor don't have those facilities. Consequently the rich get better jobs. That is the result of INJUSTICE in the society. The rich get richer, the poor, poorer. In a similar vein English language is a language of power and opportunity and the demand of justice is that the just like the rich, the poor too should have access to this language. Now HOW? Well, the answer lies in our national priorities and the system of justice. For that to happen our rulers need to change the priorities from making Pakistan a security state to a WELFARE state. That would ensure more money for fields such as EDUCATION. And that means a radical shift in our national political discourse. A difficult but ESSENTIAL thing that must happen if Pakistan wants to survive and prosper.

Do you think our rulers are stupid enough to provide equal educational opportunities to their voters as they have for themselves.

 

[Muhammad Ilyas Khan]

Yes they are stupid enough NOT to provide equal educational opportunities to their voter. The day they leave their stupidity away, the WILL provide those equal opportunities. They are stupid enough because by Not providing those opportunities, they are only enhancing the demise of this country and in the demise of this country the first victims will be its elite rulers.

Do you think our rulers are stupid enough to provide equal educational opportunities to their voters as they have for themselves.

 

[atensari]

Yes they are stupid enough NOT to provide equal educational opportunities to their voter. The day they leave their stupidity away, the WILL provide those equal opportunities. They are stupid enough because by Not providing those opportunities, they are only enhancing the demise of this country and in the demise of this country the first victims will be its elite rulers.

They do not realize this reality and are not ready to listen to anyone.