The Punjab government today called for strict implementation of 'Punjab, Punjabi and Learning of Other Languages Act, 2008' in all schools of the state, failing which the schools will attract fine or cancellation of license.
Punjab Education Minister Daljit Singh Cheema instructed the concerned officials to implement the Act in all schools, irrespective of their affiliation, and sought a report from District Education Officers (DEOs) till November 20.
Cheema stated that all government and private schools of the state, irrespective of their affiliation to Punjab School Education Board, CBSE and ICSE, should ensure the teaching of Punjabi language from 1st standard and Hindi from 3rd standard as per the Act.
He said that the schools found violating the Act will have to face severe consequences.
"It has been brought to my notice that many schools of the state are indulging in violation of Punjab, Punjabi and Learning of Other Languages Act, 2008' and Punjabi from 1st and Hindi from 3rd standard are not being taught," Cheema said.
The minister said that the first week of November is celebrated as 'Punjabi Week' and on this occasion one should take the pledge of implementing the Act in letter and spirit.
Schools violating this Act would attract the fine of Rs 25,000 in the first month, Rs 50,000 in the second and Rs 1 lakh in the third month, he said, adding that schools violating this Act for a period of one year would attract cancellation of their affiliation.
Cheema said that after the DEO level report submission on the issue, the teams from the head-quarter would again conduct checks at the schools.
The minister, however, claimed that the Act is "not against English" but only stresses that equal importance and respect should be accorded to the Punjabi and Hindi language.
He instructed all the DEOs that implementing this act in their respective districts would rest squarely on their shoulders and no laxity in this regard would be tolerated.
