The government’s endeavour to strengthen cultural, economic and diplomatic ties with China have hit a stumbling block as private primary schools snubbed the decision to include Chinese language courses in their syllabi, terming the idea ‘too hasty’.
Private schools have unanimously rejected the decision by Sindh government to declare study of Chinese language compulsory from class VI in all schools of the province.
A survey of private schools in the city revealed that the management of these educational institutions have decided to stand up against the Sindh government if it tries to force the inclusion of Chinese language in the syllabi.
The schools’ administrations were of the view that the provincial government should have invited teachers, parents and school management before announcing the decision, which was taken in a hurry.
“If the chief minister does not give importance to Sindh Government Steering Committee for Education, it should be dissolved,” they argued.
Talking with Pakistan Today, All Private Schools Management Association (APSMA) Chairman Khalid Shah said the government should consult all stakeholders before taking such decisions. “The APSMA, in its Eid meeting, discussed this issue and decided to resist, if the government tries to force its decision.”
He said that it was discussed at the meeting that students are already studying three languages, Arabic, Sindhi and English, and if Chinese is also included, they would waste their time in learning languages only.
“We are preparing a report and will present it to the chief minister and senior education minister,” he added.
There is another option that the Sindh government, instead of declaring foreign languages compulsory, should declare them optional so that any student desiring to learn a particular language may go for it, said the APSMA chairman.
He also alleged that the government does not honour the decisions taken by the Steering Committee.
Private School Management Association (PSMA) Chairman Sharfuzzaman told Pakistan Today that if the government wants to strengthen ties with China, it should look for other avenues instead of imposing Chinese language upon school-going children.
“Chinese is a very difficult language that comprises over 1,000 alphabets. Several languages [variants] are spoken in China, and which [variant] will be declared compulsory?”
He said the Sindh government has already made Sindhi and Arabic compulsory from grade VI and the addition of Chinese will ‘destroy our education system’.
“If the government wants to impose any more foreign languages, it should be introduced in all provinces of the country,” said the PSMA chairman.
Speaking with Pakistan Today, PEAK Private School Management Association Chairman Haider Ali was of the view that if the government wants to promote Chinese language in the country, it would be better if it is introduced at the college level.
“If the government will try to force its decision, we will resist it,” he concluded.
Govt: shì de (yes); schools: bù shì (no)
