The Punjabi Language Education Association (PLEA) is urging parents in Surrey to pick Punjabi over French. In a press release last week, PLEA said Surrey School District has sent notes to parents of six elementary and four High Schools asking them to make a choice between Punjabi and French for the upcoming school year beginning in September 2023.  

By DESIBUZZCanada Staff

SURREY – The Punjabi Language Education Association (PLEA) is urging parents in Surrey to pick Punjabi over French.

In a press release last week, PLEA said Surrey School District has sent notes to parents of six elementary and four High Schools asking them to make a choice between Punjabi and French for the upcoming school year beginning in September 2023.  

Here are the schools in question: Beaver Creek Elementary, Chimney Hill Elementary, Green Timbers Elementary, Newton Elementary, Strawberry Hill Elementary and T.E. Scott Elementary.

The four high schools are: Enver Creek Secondary, Frank Hurt Secondary, Princess Margaret Secondary and Tamanwis Secondary.

Students from grades five to eight are expected to take one language, other than English. From grades 9 to 12, the language requirement is optional ‘

PLEA has been promoting Punjabi language instruction in BC’s public schools, colleges, universities and community. PLEA strongly believes that getting our children interested in their mother tongue Punjabi at an early age is extremely beneficial to them. Not only in their communication skills but also in staying connected with their heritage. As such, PLEA would like to urge parents of grade four students of these six elementary schools to choose Punjabi for their child and return the forms to their child’s school as soon as possible. 

For the four high school students too PLEA urges them to sign up for the Punjabi classes as soon as possible. 

For further information they can contact the district office or me (Balwant Sanghera) at 604-836-8976 or Sadhu Binning at 778-773-1886. Thanks.