HYDERABAD, Aug 25: A majority of educationists and intellectuals participating in a seminar on "English education for primary students" supported a government decision to introduce English as a subject at the primary level.

The seminar organized by the Sindhi Language Authority on its premises here on Tuesday was largely attended by writers, poets, educators and intellectuals of the province.

Speaking on the occasion, Sindh Minister for Education Hameeda Khuhro said that people of Sindh were in favour of introducing English at primary level and, therefore, the trend of sending children to private schools was increasing.

However, she said, the poor people could not send their children to private schools and they were taught in government schools. As such, the government had to look after the interest of the under-privileged, she added.

She did not agree with those elements who held the opinion that with the introduction of English in primary education, the Sindhi language would suffer. Ms Khuhro insisted that if they had confidence and command over their mother tongue, there was no need to be scared of English.

The chairman of the Sindhi Language Authority, Dr Mohammad Qasim Bughio, explained aim of the seminar and said that before formulating its recommendations on the issue, the SLA considered it necessary to seek views of the educators, scholars and writers.

Abdul Qadir Junejo said that their was no harm in learning major languages of the world but mother tongue should not be neglected. Vice-Chancellor of the ISRA University Dr Asadullah Qazi said that English should be introduced as a medium of instruction. He said that they were residing in a global village where English was an effective medium of communication. Dr Nabi Bux Khan Baloch said that it was purely an educational issue and should not be politicized. He said that mother tongue should form the foundation of primary education.

However, Taj Joyo opposed the introduction of English language at primary level and said that Sindhi language had remained the medium of education for hundreds of years and produced renowned scholars.

He proposed formation of a Pakistan Language Commission to make decisions on the language issue. Ibrahim Joyo argued out that from primary to matriculation, a student was required to study four languages namely Sindhi, English, Urdu and Arabic, which, in his opinion, was wrong. He said that primary education must be imparted in mother tongue.

Professor Qavi Ahmed said that either the available technical literature of the world be got translated in Urdu and Sindhi languages, which would require huge funds, or English be adopted as a medium of instruction.

Professor Saeeda Bashir, principal, I.H. Zubairi college, said that facility of teaching English from primary level must be provided in the schools of rural areas.

Ms Tehmina Soomro, principal, Beacon School System, Hyderabad, said "we must be realistic and accept the reality that English is essential for acquiring latest knowledge". Others who spoke on the occasion included Yousuf Shaheen, Mohammad Raheem Vighio, Idrees Jatoi, Dr Habibullah Siddiqui and Dr Inayat Prem.

The seminar adopted a resolution calling upon the government to appoint a language commission for determining the phase-wise teaching of Sindhi, English, Arabic and Urdu and to offer recommendations whether or not English should be taught from primary level.

It recommended that the Sindhi language be made compulsory in all the private schools and introduced as an official language in all the government offices, universities, revenue board, courts, police stations and literary institutions.

It further proposed that books on technical subjects be published in Sindhi, teachers appointed on the basis of merit and a teachers' commission appointed. The seminar also called for bringing about improvement in the educational system and ensuring transparency in examinations and results.