Denizens of alien worlds: A survey of students and teachers at Pakistan's Urdu and English language-medium schools, and madrassas

Abstract

This Research Note surveys the major types of schools in Pakistan. These are Urdu language-medium schools, madrassas (Islamic seminaries) and elite English language-medium schools (both cadet colleges and private institutions). These schools are divided according to the medium of instruction and curriculum, as well as on the basis of socio-economic class. While the English language-medium schools cater for the middle, upper-middle and upper classes, the Urdu language-medium schools are aimed at the lower-middle and working classes, and the madrassas provide education for poor, marginalized or very religious people. The expenditure by society and the state on these institutions perpetuates class divisions in Pakistan. Alarmingly, the world view of the students of these institutions, especially the madrassas and private English language-medium schools, is so polarized on issues of militancy (regarding Kashmir) and tolerance (of religious minorities and women) that they seem to inhabit different, and violently opposed, worlds. In the future, this may be a source of social instability, internal conflict and violence in Pakistan.