First state-funded Hindu School in London

London, Sep 16: Britain's first state-funded Hindu school opened for 23 students on Monday, Sep 15. The school will be ready in September 2009. Passages from Bhagvad Gita, yoga and teaching harmonium, 'mridanga' and tabla are some of the highlights of the curriculum.

Welcoming its first batch, Naina Parmar, head-teacher of the Krishna Avanti Primary School, said: "We have happy pupils in the Reception class who will be taught the basics of Hindu culture and values." "This is a huge step forward for Britain's 1.5 million Hindus," said Parmar. The first class in the Harrow-based school was taught by local teacher Sandra Clark.

The school will offer an education based on Hindu values and beliefs but lessons will follow the national curriculum. The school will have 236 pupiln and is expected to receive a large number of applications from Britain's 1.5 million Hindus, 40,000 of whom live in the London Borough of Harrow.

The school project, implemented by the Hindu charity organisation I-Foundation, will cost 10 million pounds. The school's official faith advisor is ISKCON UK, which provides advice on integrating aspects of Hindu faith in the government approved school curriculum.

OneIndia News