Over 1,000 students are currently learning the language
ISLAMABAD: Post-CPEC deal there has been talks on making learning mandarin, the Chinese language mandatory in schools from elementary level. In fact, this has already been implemented in a school in Islamabad. Over 1,000 students are currently learning the language. It is understood that with CPEC in full swing and Chinese influence in the world, not just Pakistan, learning mandarin will only be beneficial in times to come.
However, the real question remains that in a country where there are local languages of four different provinces and an official language, Urdu, which still is finding it hard to sustain its place in society, how important is it learning a complete foreign language?
The almost 200 million diverse population of the country lags behind in adopting and understanding Urdu. This is because more than half of the population prefers conversing in their local languages and the remaining believes in speaking fluent English. In such a situation, instead of trying our best to strengthen the official language, why are we willing to spend our time, money (employing Chinese teachers to teach the language) and resources (changing curriculum) on mandarin?
Urooj Waqar
Published in The Express Tribune, May 22nd, 2017.
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