Diploma course aims to certify teachers of Tamil

TEACHERS of Tamil will, for the first time, be able to formalise their qualifications.

This is thanks to efforts by the South African Tamil Federation and the International Movement for Tamil Culture.

At a cultural conference in Chennai, India, last year, the two organisations raised the issue of assisting Tamil teachers to further their studies, said Phoomoney Naidoo, president of the federation.

Following discussions, it was decided that the Thamizh Academy Sri Ramasamy Memorial University — based in Tamil Nadu, India — would offer a one-year correspondence course .

“As of next year, the courses — which start in January and end in December — will be available to Tamil teachers interested in pursuing their studies in the language,” said Naidoo.

She said the biggest challenge Tamil teachers faced was not having their qualifications formalised.

“There are a number of qualified Tamil graduates who are teaching in private and public schools at present, but only a few have accredited qualifications.

“The idea is to bring in Indian graduates to assist in tutoring our teachers to complete their diploma course, which will be recognised internationally. After completing the course, Tamil teachers will be certified,” said Naidoo.

The course costs R100 for admission and R7 500 for tuition fees.