The Punjab State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT), has forwarded a letter to the universities in the state asking to provide them with Mandarin experts to train school teachers for enabling them to teach the Chinese Language to Punjab Government School students. The previous year, the Chief Minister of Punjab, Capt. Amarinder Singh announced to introduce the Chinese language in the schools as an optional language subject.
In June, SCERT sent a letter to all English and Social Studies teachers of the government schools to volunteer and send their names to get a trained in the Chinese language. SCERT has also told the teachers that there will be three main centres at Bathinda, Kapurthala and Mohali of the 6-months course where teachers from the government schools will be trained.
Mr Jarnail Singh, the director of SCERT Punjab has said that this is only a proposal. SCERT has received more than 100 letters from the teachers who have extended their interest in learning Mandarin. Many social studies teachers also teach Egnlish Language in Punjab Government Schools, this is the reason for appealing to them as well.
The letter sent to the Punjab Govt School Teachers has put light on the topic on the six months leave which will be granted to them for learning Chinese. In the six months, no stipend will be paid but they will get their normal salaries.
Mr Amarinder Singh, the CM of Punjab told the State Assembly that Mandarin is important to learn as China is one of the most significant neighbours of India and is very important in the sectors of commerce and cultural exchange.
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Mr Janail Singh said that the Punjab University faculties who are associated with the language have been sent letters for helping SCERT out for the conduction of Mandarin Course and the university has assured assistance. SCERT is yet to receive a reply from the universities such as Panjab University , Guru Nanak Dev University and Punjabi University as well.
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Prof. Paramjit Singh Judge of Guru Nanak Dev University hailed the project to be a very good initiative for the growing importance of China in terms of trade and diplomatic relations. He added that learning the Chinese language will be helpful for getting a job also. He concluded by saying that not only science and technology but language will play a pivotal role to shape the future.
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