HYDERABAD: Scientific aptitude of boys studying in Urdu medium schools is lesser than that of boys studying in English medium schools, finds a study by a faculty member of the Department of Education and Training at Maulana Azad National Urdu University (MANUU).
Dr Mohd Moshahid, who conducted the study says, “I have been to almost all Urdu medium schools in Hyderabad over the years as our students often go for teaching in these schools.
The conditions in these schools is pitiable with poor infrastructure and manpower. The blame is not just on the government but there is a lack of enthusiasm among teachers as well.”
Dr Moshahid further said, “It is a fact that mostly socioeconomically backward families send their children to Urdu medium schools. Few students and parents in these families are serious towards acquiring good education. So, there is a need to promote interest regarding education and science in particular among these students.”
The study was conducted in five government-run secondary schools, each of Urdu and English medium in Hyderabad consisting of a total of 178 students.
The students were given Scientific Aptitude Test Battery, a questionnaire to test there reasoning, numerical ability, science information and science vocabulary. Once the scores were obtained, it was observed that there was significant difference between the scientific aptitude of Urdu and English medium schools.
Girls of Urdu medium better than boys
The study threw out an interesting fact: the girls studying in Urdu medium secondary schools are no less than the girls studying in English medium schools. While it was seen that there is not much difference statistically between the scientific aptitude possessed by the girls and boys of English medium schools, the difference was significant when test results were compared of girls and boys studying in Urdu medium schools.
Dr Moshahid says, “Most of the girls do help out only at home and do not work outside. As they stay home for more hours than boys, they also end up spending more hours on studying.”