Teaching Literature in 21st Century Pakistan

Abstract

The methodology through which literature is being taught poses significant impact on the young mind. This paper aims at studying pedagogical ways and means of teaching literature in Pakistan and attempts to explore the useful and pedagogically beneficial way of teaching literature. In the current scenario, it is necessary more than ever to see what impact teaching of literature is making on the young minds in the context of different ideologies being propagated through literature. Pakistan is a postcolonial state with the legacy of post-colonialism and is passing through the most critical period of its socio-political history where teaching of literature needs to be re-evaluated and re-adjusted for harnessing maximum benefit of teaching literature. The study discusses teaching of literature under the lens of teaching methodology provided by Freire, which stresses that teaching is done to liberate the minds of the young instead of simply making them banks, it may provide a better world view to our students to be more adjustable in the world community instead of getting alienated. The study suggests the need of change impinging on the shift from banking to liberating concept of teaching to help produce liberated minds to make our society more tolerant and a better fit in the comity of civilized nations.