Tamil Language Makes a Comeback in Fiji Schools After 80 Years

The Tamil language has made a significant return to the educational curriculum in Fiji after an absence of 80 years. This landmark development was announced on Wednesday at Penang Sangam School in Rakiraki by Palaniswamy Subramanyan Karthigeyan, the High Commissioner of India. The initiative is part of a Tamil language teaching program funded by the Indian government.

To facilitate this revival, two Tamil teachers from India have been assigned to Penang Sangam School and Sangam Primary School in Labasa. They will provide Tamil language classes to students and interested community members. This effort comes in response to the long-standing demand from the Fiji Indian community, particularly the descendants of the Girmitiyas, who migrated from Tamil Nadu to Fiji in the early 20th century.

Mr. Karthigeyan emphasized that reintroducing Tamil in Fiji is a milestone achievement. He indicated that the program, developed in collaboration with Fiji’s Ministry of Education and the Then India Sanmarga Ikya Sangam, highlights the significance of languages in preserving and nurturing cultural identities and fostering mutual understanding among diverse communities.

He also mentioned that Tamil, recognized as one of the world’s oldest classical languages, boasts a rich cultural and linguistic heritage and is spoken by over 80 million people globally. The High Commissioner encouraged the people of Fiji to embrace this opportunity to learn the language, aiming to strengthen cultural ties between India and Fiji.

Acknowledging the support from India, TISI Sangam secretary-general Gyaneshwar Rao expressed gratitude for the initiative, showcasing a united effort to revive this important aspect of cultural identity.

In a related activity, students at Penang Sangam School also engaged in a quiz competition organized by the High Commission of India, a part of the ongoing Bharat Ko Janiye Quiz contest.

This educational enhancement marks a hopeful step towards preserving cultural heritage and fostering a deeper connection between the Indian and Fijian communities, encouraging a future where language serves as a bridge to unity and understanding.