Alabama adds Sikhi to new social studies standards
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Arun Kumar- 0
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Becomes 20th state to include study of major Indian religion in their K-12 curriculum
By Arun Kumar
Alabama has Become the 20th state in America to include Sikhi — study of Sikhism, a major major Indian religion founded by Guru Nanak in late 15th century— in their K-12 curriculum.
The Alabama State Board of Education (ADE) has adopted new social studies standards that will include Sikhi as a part of their K-12 curriculum after a 15-year campaign by the Sikh Coalition.
This “significant victory” resulted from work by the Sikh Coalition undertaken alongside the Alabama sangat including initiation of a dialogue with the ADE in November 2023, the advocacy organization stated in a press release.
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“After a year of engagement with the Alabama Department of Education and the Alabama sangat, we are thrilled for Alabama to become the 20th one to include Sikhi in their social studies curriculum,” said Savleen Singh, Sikh Coalition Senior Education Manager.
“While we still have plenty of work to do around the country, ensuring that Sikhi can be taught in American public schools is one of the many ways that we aim to create safer and more inclusive classrooms for Sikh youth and a generational shift in Sikh awareness among all students.”
Local adoption and implementation of these standards will begin in the 2026-2027 school year. The Sikh Coalition will continue to work closely with ADE during this process.
Because of the Sikh Coalition’s efforts to ensure Sikh inclusion in state social studies standards across the country, more than 26 million students from coast to coast have the possibility of a more inclusive and holistic education, it said.
“We look forward to adding even more states to this list in the months and years ahead through continued advocacy alongside sangats” it said seeking donations “to continue to add Sikhi into social studies standards across the country in 2025 and beyond.”