Curriculum Developed for Sikh Grade School Children

June 8, 2006

Source: SikhNet

http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/news.nsf/NewsArchive/A6E090C268B5C6EF87257186006EA06C

On June 8, 2006 SikhNet reported, "Upon determining a void in Sikh education, activists, educators, and researchers from around the country have joined forces to develop the first comprehensive resource for elementary school students. 'These lesson plans are the first product to emerge from a two-year young project,' said Harinder Singh, executive director for the Sikh Research Institute. 'The project, entitled "Sojhi" (previously known as GPS), is a venture that seeks to improve the effectiveness of Sikh education worldwide.' 'Sojhi' was initiated in October, 2004 after feasibility studies and surveys seeking to understand community needs were conducted with Gurmat and Punjabi Schools in California. In April of 2005, Naindeep Singh developed a set of standards and goals for students from Kindergarten to 12th grade. In addition to securing over 15 sponsorships, the collective efforts also laid the foundation for three separate phases – elementary, middle, and high school. The first of the phases, a compilation of lesson plans for elementary school students will be released and available for purchase to non-sponsors at the upcoming Sikh Education Symposium in Washington DC on June 17. 'The event on June 17th will mark the unveiling of our first resource package, which includes 300 lessons in Boli (Language Arts) and Virsa (Sikh Heritage), as well as techniques on teaching, and administration for Gurmat and Panjabi Schools worldwide,' said Sojhi Project Coordinator Jasmine Kaur."