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_ _ School on Saturdays Saturdays aren‘t usual school days for children â€" then again, the Tamil Heritage Class, comâ€" prised of children ages three to 12 isn‘t a usual class. They don‘t learn the three Rs, they learn about the Tamil lanâ€" guage, culture and traditions, all closely entwined. What‘s more, they enjoy it. One‘ mother said her son wanted to go to an English school but after one Saturday morning with the Heriâ€" tage class he wanted to return the class which resembles a oneâ€" room schoolhouse. All ages are problem with overlapping or repeâ€" more quickly to the older stuâ€" provides a classroom at Victoria School in Kitchener, photocopyâ€" ing equipment, chalk and basic supplies. The class runs from 9:30 a.m. to about noon each Saturday. although one of the fat.herrsf,-R.S‘ Mani, has written several chilâ€" dren‘s books in that language. ‘"When I am the only teacher I worry in case the children get a limited viewpoint," Seevaratnam said. She would like the class to expand and be split into an older and younger group. As well, she Radha Nalliah diligently practises writing Tamil letters â€" there are 216 characters in their alphabet. She is employed by the Waterâ€" would like to arrange for visiting teachers to instruct the class in music, folklore, or traditional en their perspectives. Ponniah Nalliah, a grandfather of two students, was present at the class. Formerly a principal of a Tamil school he talked about the differences between the two back home, he said, adding that professional development days. ‘‘Teachers look after students," he stated. â€" His son was also present; he laughed and said his father spent more time with his students than his father had with him as a boy. His father agreed and said, "If teachers look after the student, he will grow up on his own. ‘"Discipline was more strict. We believed in the saying ‘spare the rod and spoil the child‘." Up to age five, he explained, children are "treated like princes and princesses and given everything they need." From age five to 18 they "are taught to obey, not to argue, and always to respect their elders." After they reach age 18 "they are friends." Teachers were not well paid and many tutored students to earn extra money but they were alâ€" ways treated with utmost respect. The Tirukkural is a book which fits in the palm of a hand. Within this tiny book is "the whole Tamil culture in a nutshell," Seevaratâ€" nam said. It contains 1,330 rhymâ€" ing couplets which spell out the basic human values and point out the direction people should take. Divided into three sections, the first discusses selfâ€"direction, the second deals with interâ€"personal relationships and exemplifies the actions of an individual within society, the third develops the philosophy about love and marâ€" We always taught the first two parts," Nalliah explained. Amidst general laughter among the adults he remarked, ‘"We didn‘t teach sex education." Students at the school he taught were required to learn a number of couplets yearly and incentives were given to encourâ€" age students to learn more. All parents believed that the Heritage Class "is very good," not just to teach children the language and alphabet (which has 216 characters) but to retain their identity as a group. It was pointed out that alâ€" though Tamil is spoken in most homes it is limited because not all learning takes place within the house. As an example one father said his son did not know the word for "carpenter" because it had never arisen in everyday conversation. The children have no difficulâ€" ties learning both English and Tamil. In fact, parents encourâ€" aged the practice because they didn‘t want the children to lose Report cards have recently been sent home from regular schools and the children did very well, Class is over and time for talking has just started. Aran Balachandran, Logan Nalliah and Jeecan Arumugam look like they are plotting mischief. this she didn‘t think they had problems either learning or inteâ€" grating. â€" "Academic achievement and advancement of their children are very important factors for Tamil parents," she said. Deo‘g:'Punnucwamy and Janaki Logendran concentrate on r game while Dilrukshan Thiagarajah looks on. Willingness by parents to rise NOW ON SALE sALL STOCICET: JAR JEWELLERS »« 501 Krua St., Kitchener in The Mail (excluding estate) 742â€"9366 early on Saturdays and drive from _ Waterloo, _ Cambridge, Guelph and Kitchener indicate the importance they place on teaching their children the Tamil culture â€" even as the children integrate into Canadian society. « PAGE 11