In a groundbreaking move for California, two Silicon Valley public schools will introduce Hindi as a global language in their curriculum. The decision, warmly welcomed by the substantial Indian American community in Fremont, aims to meet the demand for Hindi language education in schools. Fremont, with one of California’s highest concentrations of Indian Americans, has pushed for such inclusion.

The Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) Board, with a 4-1 vote on January 17, approved a pilot program. This initiative will integrate Hindi into the curriculum of Horner Middle School and Irvington High School starting in the 2024-2025 school year, commencing in August.

With Indian Americans constituting 65% of the student population in Horner Middle School and Irvington High Schools, the move addresses a significant demand within the community. The FUSD, encompassing 29 elementary, five middle, and five high school campuses, reflects the diverse student body.

During the board meeting, members, including Vivek Prasad, Sharon Coco, Larry Sweeney, and President Yajing Zhang, expressed strong support for the proposal. They emphasized its positive impact on student welfare and future opportunities.

Trustee Vivek Prasad stated, “I look at the demand, and I look at the value that this Hindi offering will produce for the community … for me, it’s a no-brainer.” Trustee Sharon Coco echoed support, expressing confidence that the success of the pilot could pave the way for other schools to offer Hindi in the future.

Trustee Larry Sweeney added, “I’m positive that it (pilot) will go to all high schools and all middle schools, and they will embrace it.” President Yajing Zhang underscored the commitment to serving student interests, particularly when there is evident demand for such classes.

Source: PTI