In a hectic and globalised 21st century, the languages we share and the relationships we build are crucial. Our children should be at the forefront of this as ambassadors for the UK, communicating and working together with other young people across the globe. But in recent years, the resources the UK has dedicated to ensuring our young people learn the languages of dynamic and growing economies, such as India, hasn’t been adequate, and even more worryingly, is putting the study of languages like Gujarati at risk all together. The UK needs to properly resource the study of languages like Gujarati, ensuring we have the qualified teachers, examiners and classrooms available so languages can thrive and young people can get the education they deserve.
Local people active in the running of weekend community schools where the teaching of Gujarati is an important activity approached me to warn me that the exam board is once again planning to stop offering exams in Gujarati. That’s why I recently launched an open letter to the government, calling for the teaching and examination of Gujarati to be protected. Within only a few days, hundreds and hundreds of people from across the UK have signed the letter demonstrating the strength of support for the teaching of Gujarati. From Harrow to Orkney, Southall to Cornwall, people want their voice heard and I’m determined to ensure the Conservative Government hears it. Forty years ago, we could get by with a little bit of French or maybe even German, but the world has radically changed in the 21st Century, and if young people in Britain aren’t able to converse in vital languages from superpowers such as India, Britain will lose out. Gujarati is the first language of Prime Minister Modi and was one of the remarkable Mahatma Gandhi's languages too. It’s the language of families with strong links to India from across the UK and is part and parcel of the rich web of family and trade ties between the UK and one of India's great states.
Over 5,000 have already got involved with the campaign, but if you haven’t already, feel free to sign the open letter at www.gareththomas.org/save_gujarati or even pass the link on to friends, family or neighbours who might want to help save the teaching of Gujarati.
