Assalam-o-Allaikum / Kia ora,
Dear community members,
The “Education (Strengthening Second Language Learning in Primary and Intermediate Schools) Amendment Bill, Member’s Bill, 99—1” introduced in the New Zealand House of Representatives.
This bill aims to strengthen primary and intermediate schools’, including Communities of Learning, access to language learning through additional resources provided by the government to fund professional development, language specialists, and online resources. Under the bill, regulations will be made to identify at least ten priority languages, which will be set following nationwide consultation with communities.
The bill was introduced on 06/09/18, and the first reading was passed on 01/07/20. The passage of the First Reading of the bill is an important milestone. The bill is currently with the Select Committee, and the next phase will be the Second Reading. At this crucial stage, the Select Committee gathers information and prepares a report on the bill for the House, including recommending changes to the bill. In the Second Reading, the House debates the select committee report and votes on the bill.
Urdu is widely spoken and understood not only in Pakistan but also in other South Asian countries, a large number of which live in New Zealand. Introducing our national language Urdu at an early age in the school environment will have a lasting impact on our future generations. It is a rare opportunity for the Pakistani community to make its recommendations known to Parliament and to play its part in promoting the national language, Urdu, here in New Zealand.
Public submissions for “Education (Strengthening Second Language Learning in Primary and Intermediate Schools) Amendment Bill, Member’s Bill 99-1” are being accepted. The submissions are publicly issued and published on the Parliament’s website. Submissions can be written by anyone and help the committee understand what the public thinks about a particular issue. Submissions require only your name or the name of the organization. one day left in the submission of this bill, and the closing date is 28 January 2021.
The Pakistan Association of New Zealand (PANZ) recommends that the inclusion of Pakistan’s national language in secondary languages be given priority in New Zealand. Further calls on the community to take their voices to Parliament for the promotion of the national language Urdu.
Follow the link below to make your submissions.
https://www.parliament.nz/en/ECommitteeSubmission/53SCEW_SCF_BILL_80226/CreateSubmission
Shukria / Ngā mihi
Team #PANZ