Include life, teachings of Sikh Gurus in school curricula: Educationists

Educationists, laureates and social reformers of the region have demanded inclusion of detailed life histories, teachings and sacrifices of Sikh Gurus in the curricula of various schools education boards at the secondary level in the state.

The demand was raised during the concluding session of an international seminar on the ‘Impact of Life History, Teachings and Sacrifices of Guru Teg Bahadur’ by the Gurmat Sewa Society at Nirmal Ashram in Jandali village. Sewak Singh, educationist and Sikh scholar, chaired the seminar under the supervision of the chief of the Nirmaley Sect Gagandeep Singh Nirmaley.

Arvind Singh Dhoot, Prabhsimran Singh Khalsa, Kulwinder Kaur Ageta, Vedant Acharya Kamaljit Singh Shastri, Swami Gurvinder Singh, Paramjit Singh Suchintan, Preet Inder Singh Bedi and Suresh Jain were prominent among those who advocated the inclusion of detailed history of all Sikh Gurus in syllabuses of various school education boards governing secondary education in Punjab.

Once the youth start following and imbibing elements of lifestyles of Gurus covering various periods, it will become easier for the government to eradicate social evils, including drug abuse, violence, pollution and gender bias from the society, argued the enthusiasts.

Appreciating the enthusiasm shown by residents towards participation in events being held to mark the 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur, Gagandeep Singh acknowledged that educationists and laureates were unequivocal about the need of inclusion of detailed history of all Sikh Gurus in syllabus of students of all categories of schools in the state.

Gagandeep Singh Nirmaley said that scholars were upset that successive governments had failed to implement a uniform system of education and curriculum in all categories of schools functioning in the state. Nirmaley regretted that a number of times the authorities in different educational boards had removed chapters on Sikh history, kicking up a storm as part of the reaction of the people.

“Unfortunately, the level of study material on Sikh history and on the life of Sikh Gurus have been varying from one governing body to another, whereas inclusion of details about life, teachings and sacrifices of Sikh Guru should have been considered imperative for inculcating good habits, ethics and moral values in youths in general and students in particular,” said Gagandeep Singh, reiterating the demand raised by scholars on the occasion of 350th martyrdom day of Guru Teg Bahadur.

A book penned by Gagandeep Singh, ‘Sagal Srishat Di Chadar’, was released on the occasion and distributed among the organisers of various educational institutes.