L-G raises concerns over neglect of Punjabi language

L-G VK Saxena expressed serious concerns over the inadequate promotion and development of the Punjabi language, citing a report of the Punjabi Academy highlighting that over 70 per cent positions of trained graduate teachers are vacant in Delhi government schools, Raj Niwas officials said.

The L-G emphasised numerous shortcomings in status report submitted by the Punjabi Academy under the Department of Art, Culture, and Language (ACL) and said there was a need for a thorough re-examination of the situation.

The report came in response to a representation made by the Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) to the L-G, which had flagged the poor condition of Punjabi education in the city, officials said.

The L-G Secretariat forwarded the concerns to the ACL Department, which subsequently submitted a report that Saxena termed “incomplete, inconclusive and unreflective of the whole picture with respect to the issues raised by the DSGMC.”

An official in the L-G’s office noted that the L-G has directed the Chief Secretary to undertake a comprehensive investigation into the matter, involving all relevant stakeholders.

One of the key concerns raised in the report was severe shortage of Punjabi teachers across Delhi government and MCD schools. According to the data, 752 posts of TGT Punjabi and four posts of PGT Punjabi are vacant in Delhi government schools. Similarly, several positions in MCD schools also remain unfilled, exacerbating the crisis, the official said.

The official said: “The ACL Department, in the first instance, should have sought details from the agencies concerned regarding the current vacancy position of Punjabi teachers and efforts made to address these deficiencies.”

“This acute teacher shortage has directly impacted the quality of Punjabi education,” the official said, adding it was hindering the development of linguistic skills and cultural understanding among students.

The Punjabi Academy has been struggling with reduced funding. Despite an allocation of Rs 27.28 crore for FY 2023-24, the academy could spend only Rs 19.99 crore. The budget allocation for the current fiscal was slashed by 17 per cent. The L-G observed lack of seriousness on part of the authorities in achieving the aim for which the Punjabi Academy was established. “This lack of focus adversely affects the promotion, propagation and development of the Punjabi language and culture in Delhi,” the L-G said.