Ontario promoting new learning resources on Sikh heritage

 
#IndiraNaidoo-Harris, #HarinderMalhi, #Sikhhistory, #TheOntarioLibraryAssociation,   #OntarioElementarySocialStudiesTeachersAssociation, #TheOntarioArtEducationAssociation,  #SikhHeritageMuseumofCanada,   #TheOntarioAssociationofGeographicandEnvironmentalEducators, 

Ottawa, Feb 22 (Canadian-Media): Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education, joined by Harinder Malhi, MPP for Brampton-Springdale and Minister of the Status of Women, announced this week at Sandalwood Heights Secondary School in Brampton that Ontario is developing new resources on Sikh history and heritage to help students  understand Canada's diverse history and people, media reports said. 

“I firmly believe that Ontario’s publicly funded education system must support and promote diverse perspectives. Through these resources, students will now have the opportunity to deepen understanding of Sikh heritage and the contributions of the Sikh community to Canada. These tools will help students further their knowledge of global issues and Canadian history,” said Naidoo-Harris

Indira Naidoo-Harris. Image credit: Facebook page

The voluntary curriculum-linked resources are reportedly being developed by: The Ontario Elementary Social Studies Teachers Association, The Ontario Art Education Association, The Ontario Association of Geographic and Environmental Educators, and The Ontario Library Association in partnership with the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada.

The Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada is located in Mississauga, Ontario, and is a Canadian organization celebrating the unique history, culture and legacy of Sikh Canadians.

It is dedicated to advancing and promoting knowledge, understanding and preservation of the cultural and religious life of Sikh people in Canada through quality museum exhibits, lectures and special programs.

A new voluntary curriculum-linked resource is reportedly being developed in partnership with the Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada, to support learning in a variety of subjects and courses for elementary and secondary students.

“The learning resources related to Canadian Sikh history and heritage are an important first step towards a more equitable, inclusive and representative education system in Ontario. Sikh pioneer contributions towards nation building are over 100 years in Canada and these resources in part will reflect that legacy,” Pardeep Singh Nagra, Executive Director, Sikh Heritage Museum of Canada was reported to state.

​The resources will reportedly be distributed through the subject associations’ networks in spring 2018 coinciding with the Ontario's designation of April as Sikh Heritage Month in 2013.

“The introduction of this curriculum is vital to understanding part of the Sikh community’s contribution and presence in Canada. These tools are part of our government’s ongoing journey towards providing students the knowledge they need to further navigate the diverse world they live in,” Malhi reportedly said.

Topics that would be covered will reportedly be: Sikh celebrations in Canada and diverse viewpoints on maintaining cultural practices; Sikh perspectives on global warming and climate change; The history of Sikh pioneers in Canada and human rights.

These tools will reportedly enable all students to embrace Canada's history and diversity,  develop transferable skills, such as critical thinking, and increase their understanding of global issues.

(Reporting by Asha Bajaj)​