English Languages Education in Pakistan

Abstract

English is the languages of power and status in Pakistan. The ability to communicate in English is a prerequisite for all important jobs both in civil and military bureaucracy. While English has been retained as the official languages of Pakistan along with Urdu, the national languages: the state has failed to provide equal opportunities of quality education in English. Far from removing inequalities, the state has been responsible for creating parallel systems of education: one for the poor and other for the rich. Furthermore, there has been a power struggle between English and Urdu on the one hand, and between Urdu and the regional (provincial) languages. On the other hand. State-run government school impart education in Urdu or regional languages. and English is the medium of instruction in private expensive Schools. Consequently, quality education in English is a available to those who can afford it. Parallel systems of education have winded the gap between rich and poor in Pakistan, as more often than not, student from government-run institution cannot complete with students from private English medium institution. The state must do away with parallel system of education and provide equal opportunities of education and economic development to all its citizens.