(L-R) Dharmesh Goradia, his daughter Vidhi Goradia, and wife Chaitali Goradia. (Supplied)

By Sheldon Spackman

Meeting With Government Planned

Local Hindus push for earlier inclusion in Draft K-6 curriculum

Jun 18, 2021 | 3:17 PM

Close to 50 people are expected to gather physically-distanced for a peaceful rally in south Red Deer on Saturday, June 19, calling for the province to include the Hindu religion along with other faiths as part of Grade 2 teachings in the government’s Draft K-6 curriculum.

The Hindu Cultural Society of Central Alberta says the rally will run from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. along 19 Street between 30 Avenue and 40 Avenue.

Board Member Dharmesh Goradia hopes the event will raise awareness about their concerns that Hinduism and their rich, Indian culture, is currently not included in Grade 2 teachings that presently plan to include students learning about Islam, Judaism, and Christianity.

“The government was kind enough and has granted us a meeting on June 22, so we will be represented from all across Alberta, starting in the north from Fort Mac, Grande Prairie, Edmonton, Red Deer, Calgary and Lethbridge,” says Goradia.

“We would like to thank government and Education for including us in Grade 6, along with other religions,” he points out. “It’s just a little bit of feedback we want to give government, that why we were not included in Grade 2 with other great religions from the world. So we are trying to send that message that maybe there was oversight from government or it could be another reason, we don’t know that. That’s why we’re meeting.”

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“We all strive for our country and especially our younger generations, to be more aware and aim for inclusivism of the different cultures and beliefs, which makes Canada one of the best countries there is,” adds Abhay Sonigara, President of the Hindu Cultural Society of Central Alberta.

Hinduism is considered to be the world’s third-largest and oldest religion with an estimated 900 million followers. Goradia estimates between 250-300 Hindus living in central Alberta .

Nicole Sparrow, Press Secretary for Education Minister Adriana LaGrange, says the new draft curriculum is the first in Alberta to include detailed information about the Hindu religion.

“While the current draft has students exploring ancient civilizations in Grade 2, world religions are not a focus in this grade. This content will be taught in Grade 6, with students learning about major world religions such as Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Buddhism and Sikhism.”

Sparrow acknowledges Alberta Education has met with multiple representatives from Hindu associations, and is planning to meet with the Hindu Culture Society of Central Alberta next week to hear their feedback.

“The draft curriculum is just that, a draft. All Albertans, including members of the Hindu community, are encouraged to provide feedback on the draft K-6 curriculum. This feedback will help refine the draft curriculum before it gets implemented across the province in fall 2022.”