At Peden Hill Elementary School, Principal Nicole Polhuis introduced the initiative in response to concerns raised by parents who feared their children were gradually losing touch with their Punjabi heritage. With nearly 40 percent of the school’s population identifying as Indo-Canadian—many of whom speak Punjabi at home—the program was designed to support both language retention and cultural identity.
The response from students was immediate and enthusiastic. Mehnoor Dhaliwal, a Grade 4 student who already speaks Punjabi at home, shared that the program made her feel more included and appreciated the opportunity for all students to learn the language together.
Launched in April, the classes are held once a week and are led by Kamaljeet Saini, an educational assistant who moved to Canada from India in 2023. Saini, a fluent Punjabi speaker, emphasized the importance of the program in bridging generational gaps. She noted that many children primarily communicate in English, making it difficult for them to connect with Punjabi-speaking grandparents.
The program currently includes students from Grades 4 and 5, along with participation from some school staff. Encouraged by early interest, the school is considering expanding the program to additional grade levels in the coming year.
While the initiative has been praised by many within the community, it has also sparked debate online. Some critics questioned the inclusion of non-European languages in Canadian schools, arguing that educational focus should remain on widely used global or business languages. Others expressed concerns about cultural accommodation and integration.
Despite the backlash, demographic trends highlight the growing significance of Punjabi in Canada. According to Statistics Canada, Punjabi is now the fourth most spoken language in the country, having seen a 49 percent increase in speakers between 2016 and 2021.
As Canada continues to evolve as a multicultural society, initiatives like this reflect ongoing efforts to balance cultural preservation with broader social integration—an issue that remains both relevant and, at times, contentious.
