EDUCATION THROUGH MOTHER TONGUE IN PAKISTAN: A CASE STUDY OF PAHARI LANGUAGE

Abstract

The importance of education is vital for all whether it is imparted in schools, universities or other institutions. However, it is still being debated which language should be used as medium of education at all levels: Should it be the official/national language or the mother tongue of the learners? In Pakistan English and Urdu are the two languages which are extensively used for teaching/learning purposes mainly because of their widespread acceptance. According to UNESCO's declaration, mother tongue should be used as medium in early childhood and primary education (UNESCO, 1953). The present paper also focuses on the need to impart knowledge and education through the indigenous language. The sample for this research was taken from Murree’s Pahari community which employs Pahari language for its day to day conversation. The sample for this study consists of five parents and five teachers. Through interviews, it was found out why people favored the use of mother tongue in education and how some of them opposed this idea. It was found out that most of the participants opposed the idea of Pahari being the medium of instruction because of its low social, economic and political value.