A Proposed Language Policy for Education in Pakistan

Abstract

The 72-year nascent history of Pakistan reflects a vacillating picture of language planning, policies and practices (for education) at all levels, that can, in turn, potentially pave the way for viable future (in the current context) only if reformed pragmatically. The present position paper attempts to explore and examines the pestilent plight of dated language planning, policies and practices for education in Pakistan. For that matter, strategies outlined and practices espoused have contributed the least to bring about a transformational change in language for the education system of Pakistan in a futuristic milieu. Thereby, resultantly, creating a language hodgepodge in the Pakistani education system. The existing research recommends the Bilingual Method of Comparative Language Learning and Teaching, in which both of the languages (e.g., Urdu and English) are coped with, creatively, so that both develop equally. Translation and Translation Studies would become integral to such an integrated method and approach. For that to happen, Pakistan largely needs English, to be materialized, as an Instrumental International Language (EIIL), rather than Literature or Linguistics. Thus, the said prospective way out may dissipate the existing dilemma of language policy in the education system of Pakistan—that lacks a workable and practicable means of instruction—for disseminating education as enlightenment. The existing study (while examining the aforesaid issue) pursues The Pakistan Futuristic Foundation and Institute (PFI), Islamabad, as an educational role model and mentor. Since the need and importance of language in education is seminal to the holistic-integrative growth and development of overall education system at all levels, that is why the researchers have probed and examined the current language impasse in education while observing, studying and experiencing it, objectively. In this connection, the current study is qualitative, experiential, holistic-integrative, and characteristically futuristic.