First government Hindu school for UK

Similar schools for other faiths have been functioning in Britain, but this is the first time that a Hindu school funded by the British government has been set up.

After
three years of government approval and at a cost of 10 million pounds,
the school, named Krishna Avanti Primary School, opens its doors in the
London borough of Harrow, which has the highest Hindu concentration in any borough in the UK.

Naina Parmar, head of the school, described the development as “a huge step forward for Britains one million Hindus.”

She said: “We aim to create an effective, calm and happy learning environment where the vision and mission statements are ‘lived’ by combining the wisdom of Vedic teachings and exemplary professional practice.”

Beginning
with its first batch of 30 pupils, it hopes to gradually increase its
intake every year for pupils aged from 5 to 11. By 2014, it aims to
provide places for 236 pupils, including a nursery.

Teaching will include lessons in meditation, yoga
and Indian instruments such as sitar and tabla. The schools official
faith advisor is ISKCON UK, which provides advice on integrating
aspects of Hindu faith in the government approved school curriculum.

A
new, state-of-the-art school building with a meditation garden, an
amphitheatre for outside teaching and numerous green innovations – such
as a grass roof – is being constructed in Harrow, which will be ready
by September 2009.