I belong to the privileged few who have done their O/A-levels. Upon joining Karachi University for my undergraduate degree, I was appalled to realise that many of my classmates could not even read and write simple English.
This is no exaggeration, but the bitter reality. Our local educational system thrives on the system of rote learning, and students can easily pass exams without actually educating themselves. It is no wonder then, that even after completing twelve years of education, these students do not even possess the rudimentary skills of the English language. This is a matter of grave significance, because at the undergraduate level, students have to read publications, journals and researches written in the English language. For these students, coping up with the requirements of the undergraduate syllabus is an uphill battle. They are by no means incompetent or incapable; they just have an unfair disadvantage of not being taught properly at primary and secondary level.
In this globalised world, English is a language one must master. It is a great failure on part of our local education boards that they are unable to hone in their students the basic language skills. The curriculum, teaching method and examination approach must be upgraded immediately, right from the primary level so that students can have a strong foundation in the English language.
KHADIJA MUSTAFA
Karachi