A few friends and I were discussing that if a Khalsa School opened up nearby that only enrolled Sikh students and had an equal standard of education as the other schools, would we send our children?
The obvious answer seemed to be…of course! Even if there was one hour each day that focused on Sikh History, Keertan or Gurmat, it would be way more than a weekly Sunday school or annual summer camp could accomplish.
Furthermore, with only Sikhs enrolled, I would imagine the instances of bullying due to the Sikh identity would be minimal. Seems like an easy choice, no?
Others in our group weren’t so sure. Some wondered how would going to an all-Sikh school prepare young Sikhs to enter high school, college, or even the workforce where the outlook would be much different. Would it be hard to adjust? Secondly, would going to Khalsa School tend to limit one’s social circle to just Sikhs and perpetuate the idea of us being an “isolated” community? Would our children “miss out” on the learning from interaction with students from diverse backgrounds and cultures? And lastly, if we are each to be ambassadors of the amazing principles of Guru Nanak’s way of life, should we not go out of our way to make sure Sikhs are represented anywhere and everywhere? Shouldn’t we take pride with “standing out” in a crowd?”
What do you think?
Now I’ve never attended a Khalsa School or know many people who have. Perhaps our Canadian readers or our sangat from Delhi, Punjab, or elsewhere can share their experience.
Did you attend a Khalsa school and were glad you did?
Did you attend a Khalsa school and wish you didn’t?
A few weeks back, I saw a video that made me think of a third alternative.
To be honest, I don’t know anything about this particular Khalsa Montessori School, but the video brought a concept to life for me…what if there was an integrated Khalsa School that had such a high level of academic standards and a wonderful reputation that Sikhs and Non-Sikhs had to be on waiting lists to attend (like we often are for Catholic schools). What if everybody in the community knew that the Khalsa School was the “place to go” for your child to be in a positive and nurturing environment built on the foundations of Sikh principles – Equality, Justice, Activism, Compassion!
Sure sounds like a place I would want to go to…I mean send my kids to 🙂
Spirit Of The Sikh 
February 23rd, 2011 at 7:44 pm
I went to a Khalsa School in Vancouver, and it was the best time of my life.. sure there was an adjustment period when I went to high school, but well worth the gurmat we learnt at the school.