Surrey organization brings Bhangra into B.C. high school curriculum as provincially approved credit
The Royal Academy of Punjab Society has won provincial approval to offer Punjabi Folk dance as a Grade 10, 11, and 12 elective credit—a decade-long effort to formalize dance education.
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After a decade of advocacy, Surrey's Royal Academy of Punjab Society has secured approval from the B.C. Ministry of Education and Child Care to offer Punjabi Folk dance (Bhangra) as a provincial external credential for Grades 10, 11, and 12. Eligible students can now earn elective credits toward their B.C. Dogwood Diploma.
Hardeep Sahota, the academy's general manager, began the work toward formalizing Punjabi Folk Dance education in 2012 when he became certified through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association. He developed a syllabus for the dance and began working with the B.C. Ministry of Education. An initial program was created in 2016 but was eventually shut down.
Years later, while reviewing old emails, Sahota discovered the ministry was accepting applications again. He returned to the process with years of additional experience and a more developed curriculum. The expanded educational syllabus he created brings together the history and cultural education of Punjab with the dance itself, aligned with the province's existing dance curriculum.
"We had to follow a lot of steps to make sure that it aligns with the grade 10, 11 and 12 curriculum," Sahota said. "Building that connection took us a long time because a lot of people consider Punjabi Folk Dancing as just an entertaining dance."
Sahota noted the deeper educational structure behind the movements, including their history and meaning. "There is a systematic theme with each move, how it needs to be danced, what is the history behind it, there's a lot of components involved in it," he said.
While B.C. students have previously earned credits through ballet, jazz, contemporary, and hip hop, Punjabi folk dance had not had the same pathway. The Royal Academy of Punjab Society is the only academy in the world with full-time staff dedicated to this work, Sahota said. For Surrey's South Asian community, the credential offers students a way to learn about their cultural history while earning credits toward graduation. Sahota emphasized the program is open to anyone interested in learning Bhangra, regardless of background.
At a glance
What new course credit is now available in B.C. high schools?
The Royal Academy of Punjab Society has secured provincial approval to offer Punjabi Folk dance (Bhangra) as an elective credit for Grades 10, 11, and 12 students in British Columbia. Students who take the course can earn credits toward their B.C. Dogwood Diploma.
How long did it take to get this program approved?
The Royal Academy of Punjab Society spent a decade advocating for the program. Hardeep Sahota, the academy's general manager, began working toward formalizing Punjabi Folk Dance education in 2012, with an initial program created in 2016 before it was shut down.
Who can take this course?
The program is open to any Grade 10, 11, or 12 student in British Columbia, regardless of background. Hardeep Sahota emphasized that while the credential offers South Asian students a way to learn about their cultural history, the course welcomes anyone interested in learning Bhangra.
