The Enigma of Medium of Instruction: The Case of Pakistan and India | Amjad Nazeer

The choice of language for educating our children, and whether to switch languages as they progress through higher education, remains a perplexing issue for educators, nationalists, and policymakers. This seemingly straightforward question becomes increasingly complex in today’s post-colonial, digital, and globalized world. In multilingual and multicultural countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, where numerous languages are spoken, each deeply tied to identity and culture, finding a solution requires careful consideration. Social activist and anthropology enthusiast Amjad Nazeer explores potential answers that balance the needs of parents, teachers, and linguistic nationalists while promoting rational, objective, and critical education. About the Speaker: Amjad Nazeer heads the Alternate Deployment Services, Islamabad. He is a social and public policy researcher as well as human and environmental rights defender. Currently enrolled in Ph.D Cultural Anthropology, he holds degrees in ‘Governance & Development Management (UK)’ and M.Phil. in ‘Human Rights Policy & Practice (Norway) and in Social Anthropology from Q.A.U. (Pakistan). He has produced a number of recognized research reports, booklets, op-eds, and news articles on various aspects of human cum environmental rights, minority rights, child rights, and education. Formerly, he has been associated with South Asia Partnership-Pakistan, Oxfam-Novib & Action Aid-Pakistan. His known works are: Education and Inequality, Single National Curriculum – A Critical Analysis, Education for All and International Financial Assistance (A Comparison of Bangladesh and Pakistan), Putting Education on Political Agenda, Siege of Multan – A Dramatic Retelling (Urdu), Arundhati Roy’s Ordinary Person’s Guide to the Empire (Urdu Translation), Local Governsment in Multan, Layyah and Bahawalpur etc. Drawing on his in-depth experience and understanding, he remains engaged in social research, delivering training, honorary lectures, talks and seminars in certain universities and on civil society platforms.