The Punjabi community in the ACT has actively engaged with the Chief Minister to highlight the importance of Punjabi language education for their children. This initiative has garnered significant attention, thanks in part to the dedicated efforts of ACT Labor Candidate for Yerrabi, Ravinder Sahni, who successfully organized a petition to rally support for this cause.
A Collaborative Approach
If re-elected, an ACT Labor Government is committed to closely collaborating with the Punjabi-speaking community in Canberra. A key first step will be to conduct a comprehensive survey aimed at assessing student interest in learning Punjabi within public schools and identifying which schools currently serve Punjabi-speaking families.
The ACT Government will organize this survey thoughtfully, incorporating significant input from community members to ensure it meets the needs of both schools and families. By working together, we can create a survey that accurately reflects the community’s desire for Punjabi language education.
Next Steps: Implementing Language Education
After collecting and analyzing the survey results, we will engage with the community to explore the best ways to implement Punjabi language instruction in ACT public schools. Our approach will consider several key factors:
- Community Interest: Understanding the demand for Punjabi language classes is essential to ensuring that offerings align with community needs.
- Qualified Teachers: Identifying and securing access to qualified educators who can register with the Teacher Quality Institute will be a priority.
- School Capacity: We will assess how existing ACT public schools can adapt their language offerings to include Punjabi.
Additionally, our commitment includes examining successful models from other states and territories to inform our strategy within the ACT context.
Celebrating Diversity
The significance of Punjabi language education is paramount, especially for the Punjabi-speaking community, which represents the largest multicultural group in the ACT. With around 17,000 individuals from the Indian diaspora and approximately 5,000 Punjabi speakers, it is vital that our education system reflects and supports this rich cultural heritage.
ACT Labor is dedicated to ensuring that children in the community have access to strong language opportunities that enhance their educational experiences and foster a deeper connection to their cultural roots.
Moving Forward Together
In conclusion, we are excited about the potential to work together to make Punjabi language education a reality in ACT public schools. The voices of the Punjabi community matter greatly, and we are committed to listening and acting on your needs. Together, we can build a brighter future for the next generation, where every child has the opportunity to learn and celebrate their language and culture.
