Students and teachers at Peden Hill Elementary School in Prince George are speaking up after an after-school Punjabi language program gained attention online.
The program has received mixed reactions on social media. While some users posted negative comments and criticism questioning why the school added a non-European language, others supported the initiative, calling it a positive step toward cultural preservation and community connection.
Despite the online response, school administrators and students say they remain focused on the program and its goals.
Student Manvansh Singh Sidhu also addressed the criticism, saying that while people have the right to express concerns, he will continue to support what he believes is right.
Prince George also has a notable Punjabi population. According to school administrators and students interviewed by OMNI News, more than half of the students at Peden Hill Elementary are Punjabi. Students say the program is helping them not only learn the language but also connect with their culture, values, and traditions.
Students Manvansh Singh Sidhu and Waris Singh shared their experiences with OMNI News.
“Many children in class are unable to speak Punjabi with their grandparents, while the grandparents often do not speak English. In such a situation, learning our mother tongue is very important so we can communicate with our family,” said Manvansh Singh Sidhu.
“I believe everyone should know their language. If we have the opportunity, we should take it,” added Waris Singh.
School principal Nicole Polhuis said the idea for the program came after several parents expressed concern that their children were losing touch with their language and culture.
“Punjabi language is not part of the local curriculum in Prince George. We focus on English, French, and the Dakota language, which is an Indigenous language,” she explained.
“But I thought there must be a way to still celebrate culture and focus on the language. So, we created an after-school program.”
The program runs once a week on Mondays from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. and has already completed three sessions.
Polhuis added that while many participants are from the Indian community, students and even adults from other backgrounds have also joined.
Punjabi teacher Kamaljeet Kaur Saini emphasized that the program is about more than learning a language — it is about strengthening family bonds.
“The most basic need is connection within the family, and language plays a key role in that. If we cannot communicate properly, it is not the children’s fault — it is because they were not taught the language,” Saini said.
“If we do not take steps now, the language may disappear within a few generations.” She further added.
Punjabi is one of the fastest-growing and most widely spoken South Asian languages in Canada. Many Punjabi families began settling in Canada centuries ago, and many are now in their third or fourth generation.
However, many community members are concerned that younger generations are becoming disconnected from their cultural roots and language.
In response, Punjabi language schools and programs have been established in several parts of the country, especially in regions with a significant Punjabi population. In areas where formal programs are not available, children often learn Punjabi through gurdwaras or community-led initiatives.
Currently, the program runs once a week, but school administrators say they are considering expanding it due to the positive response from the community.
Overall, the initiative is not just about language learning, but also an important effort to strengthen cultural identity, build intergenerational connections, and preserve heritage within the community.