Singapore, February 28: The Singapore Sikh Education Foundation (SSEF) has taken a significant step in promoting the Punjabi language by establishing an online Learning Management System (LMS) based on an open-source platform. This initiative ensures structured lesson delivery and enhances accessibility for students learning Punjabi in Singapore.
Each year, approximately 500 students benefit from SSEF’s digital learning approach, where teachers record video lessons and compile them into Google Slides before systematically uploading them onto the LMS. According to Tabla!, a Singapore-based weekly publication, SSEF teachers have quickly adapted to digital platforms, using Google Meet to conduct live, face-to-face lessons.
SSEF operates the “SSEF Punjabi School,” which offers education from primary levels up to A-levels, as well as the “SSEF Kindergarten” for children aged two to six. The foundation incorporates interactive elements such as gamified spelling and grammar quizzes, storytelling videos, and other engaging activities to make learning Punjabi more immersive and enjoyable.
SSEF chairperson Gurdial Kaur emphasized the benefits of digital learning, noting that while some students initially struggled to adapt, many appreciated the flexibility it provided. “The ability to revisit lessons at their own pace proved to be a great advantage for many learners,” she stated.
The shift toward digital education was accelerated during the pandemic when schools worldwide transitioned to home-based learning. SSEF, with support from the Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA) and community groups like the Sikh Welfare Council, received funding for devices and LMS management, ensuring students had uninterrupted access to digital resources.
“This experience reinforced the understanding that technology must not only be seen as a temporary solution but as an essential long-term tool to enhance education,” SSEF highlighted in its 35th Anniversary publication.
Singapore is home to approximately 12,000 members of the Sikh community, and SSEF’s initiative marks a major step toward preserving and promoting Punjabi language education through innovative digital means