UK opens first state-funded Hindu school

London: Britain's first state-funded Hindu school opened its doors to its first batch of 23 students on Monday. The school will be ready in September 2009.

On Monday, the first batch of students - aged four to five years - started their term in a temporary building. For the one million strong Hindu community in Britain, this school is a significant step.

A parent of one of the students, Usha says, "For me, the priority was a vegetarian school. Also, learning more about our culture will broaden my child's mind. In a western country, he will anyway interact with the others."

Admission to the school will require a referral from a local temple to ensure that priority is given to practicing Hindu families. The students will study the national curriculum, but Hindu ethos and philosophy will be included into all aspects of teaching.

Students will have yoga and meditation classes as well as lessons on the Bhagwad Gita.

Head Teacher Krishna-Avanti School, Naina Parmar says, "Hinduism is to be lived and practiced, so we will teach them how to behave with others. Also yoga and breathing will be included in the curriculum."

There are sceptics who say faith schools are divisive. But Britain has over 6,500 faith schools of which a large majority are Church of England and Roman Catholic schools. There are plans to open another Hindu school in Leicester in the near future.

Source: http://www.ibnlive.com/news/uk-opens-first-statefunded-hindu-school/73660-2.html?from=search