More schools will soon offer Hindi and Punjabi language studies at VCE.
Education Minister Ben Carroll in March announced language programs were rolling out at schools in Melbourne’s western, northern, and southeastern suburbs, backed by $3.5 million from the State Budget.
The language programs will be available at Cranbourne North’s Alkira Secondary College, Wyndham Central Secondary College in Werribee, and Mount Ridley P-12 College in Craigieburn.
“The establishment of Hindi and Punjabi programs at these three schools will make sure Victoria continues to be at the forefront of education in the nation,” Mr Carroll said.
The three leading schools can also provide professional learning support and resources for teachers of Hindi or Punjabi at other schools.
More than 20 languages other than English are taught at government schools but there are limited options for students to learn Hindi or Punjabi. These new programs will encourage more students to learn the two languages at a VCE level.
Studying languages other than English at school creates important links for multicultural Victorians with their heritage, while also improving literacy and communication skills.
Victoria has the highest Indian population in Australia and Census data says there are more than 170,000 Victorians who speak Hindi and Punjabi in our state.
