Punjabi Parents and English Education

Summary

Forty Punjabi families known to the author were selected for interview, and parents’ views sought on several aspects of their children's education and schooling. These interviews were tape‐recorded and later transcribed and, where necessary, translated into English. The picture which emerged was an encouraging one: this group of families was, on the whole, satisfied with the English schooling (though ignorant of the school curriculum); favoured the retention of their language and culture; expressed strong faith in teachers and believed in their professionalism; valued education for its own sake; and had a realistic view of the prejudices which their children were going to face in the job market. However, they would have liked teachers to be more strict and demanding, set homework regularly, and check and monitor children's progress more frequently and on a realistic basis.