In Punjab’s Government Schools, Teachers and Students Learn Telugu Together

• May 28, 2025

In an unusual classroom twist, government school teachers in Punjab are finding themselves students once again—this time, of the Telugu language. As part of the week-long Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp 2025, launched under a directive from the Union Ministry of Education, both teachers and students from Classes VI to X are learning Telugu together.

The initiative, aimed at promoting multilingualism and cultural appreciation, has paired Punjab with Andhra Pradesh. While students in Punjab are learning Telugu, their counterparts in Andhra Pradesh are being introduced to Punjabi.

But what was envisioned as a student-centric activity has unexpectedly turned into a steep learning curve for teachers too. “We began with basic greetings and numbers—they’re simpler to grasp,” said Mandeep Singh, a teacher at Government Middle School near Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar. “With no prior training, we’re depending on YouTube videos and online resources to get by.”

Teachers across Amritsar and other districts have echoed similar challenges. Many admitted they had no background in Telugu and were improvising lessons as they went along. “We’re doing our best, but it’s difficult to teach folk songs or cultural nuances when we ourselves are unfamiliar,” said an English teacher from a government school in Amritsar’s walled city.

Despite the hurdles, some educators have gotten creative. A teacher from Majitha Road shared, “We converted Telugu numbers into Punjabi to help the students remember them better. We’ve also encouraged students to watch YouTube tutorials at home for extra practice.”

While the short duration of the camp—just seven days—raises questions about the long-term impact, the initiative has turned into a bonding experience between students and teachers, united by the shared challenge of learning a completely new language.

“It’s amusing, frustrating, and rewarding all at once,” one teacher laughed. “But then again, when have Punjabis ever backed off from a challenge?”