Panjabi language school brings Sikhism alive for London youngsters

In a world where they mix daily with people of all religions and none, is there more that can be done to help Britain’s Sikh children to appreciate and follow their parents’ faith?  Sikhs Online’s Amar Dhanota, a mother of two, visits a renowned language and culture school in London and discovers that its staff believe that many Gurdwaras are not giving youngsters the lead that today’s complex society demands.

Ramgarhia Panjabi School is located in a purpose-built building at 231 Plashet Road, in Forest Gate, East London, adjoining the Ramgarhia Community Centre on Neville Road. It’s a four-storey building with eight classrooms, an assembly hall, computer room, library, staff room and school office – all of which is impressive enough. But it’s what goes on inside the building that sticks in the memory.

This Saturday morning school has close to 160 students on roll learning the Panjabi language, religion and culture, divided among six classes, ranging from the age of six up to 16. The school has a large catchment area and a waiting list of younger children is maintained to reassure parents that their children will be admitted at the earliest opportunity.

The school is remarkable for offering a Panjabi language teaching syllabus up to GCSE level. In fact, last year it had 15 students sitting their GCSEs of which three achieved the A-starred distinction! The GSCE programme is supported by grant funding from the London Borough of Newham (Community Language Programme).

But the school always affords religion and culture equal status to the teaching of Panjabi.

Operated under the umbrella of the Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara, it has a long history and it has been organised on solid foundations with a constitution, policies and procedures all designed to conduct its business effectively. The school has a hierarchy and staff roles and responsibilities are clearly defined to ensure the safety and well being of the children.

There are seven trained teachers, with a clear remuneration policy, and staff commitment is second to none. The school also has a list of supply teachers to accommodate any leave of absence. The school management consists of president, treasurer and secretary and communications with the parents are through termly and event letters, children’s newsletter and open days. There is a real buzz about the place.

But 2010, with its 160 students, is I learned, by no means a pinnacle year. The school, which was founded in 1982, had a student roll of 460 in 1999.

Why have the numbers fallen? Is the religion failing to win and hold the devotion of Sikh children, I wondered?

But this was not the case. According to the school principals the decline has been so marked because so many Sikh families have moved away from the Borough of Newham as their circumstances improved.

That and the fact that Gurdwaras in neighbouring boroughs have also started to provide language tuition. For practical reasons, many parents feel that it is more convenient for their children to be taught Panjabi in classes local to their homes, notwithstanding the fine reputation of the Ramgarhia Panjabi School.

The fall in numbers has not influenced the imaginative way the school develops and administers its lessons. A teacher training session is held every year to support and develop innovative teaching and learning methods. There is also a specific budget for new teaching resources.

Sikhs Online managing editor Manjinderpal Singh Matharu and I spoke to the School President Mr Tarlok Singh Sura and the Head Teacher Mrs Manjit Kaur Matharu about the school’s achievements and the importance of the Panjabi language within the Sikh community. And an open discussion with the students about why they attended the school was entertaining and enlightening.

The mission statement for RPS is to give language, religion and culture equal status. The staff believe that all three are vital for the development of proud young Sikhs. As such, the school curriculum is continually redesigned and evolved to encompass the three constituents.

When we asked some of the children to tell us how the classes were influencing their lives, they were clear and articulate in their identification of key attractions.

Bilingual skills help them to grow in religious awareness – understanding the significance of prayers, religious ceremonies, and sacred places – plus developing a greater appreciation of Sikh history, the Sikh way of life, and the symbolism of Kirtan. Many go to school in multi-ethnic Newham and they say that knowing about their Panjabi roots and gaining a deeper understanding of Sikhism helped them when speaking to children of other religions – and enabled them to understand and respect other religious beliefs. The school builds confidence so that the children can promote their religion and be proud to be Sikhs.

On the cultural side, the children learn to value deeper insights into Sikh traditions, celebrations, music, dance and poetry. They were very happy in their environment and said that attending the school had helped them make friends with whom they were able to relate.

The school itself “believes that having a good education helps prepare the children for an adult life that cherishes community and family values as well as giving them personal confidence, a sense of the their own potential as demonstrated by role models, and Sikh achievements around the world”.

RPS provides a conductive learning environment. There is a coherent curriculum for each class, with lesson plans advancing the syllabus. The school uses effective teaching strategies such as role play, discussions, and visual and audio and presentations.

Students’ progress is monitored via homework and end-of-term examinations and there is a code of conduct. All students wear a uniform and school starts with an assembly where they meditate and sing Shabads. All aspects of the assembly are conducted by the children, including Shabads and Ardas. Assembly is an important event used by the staff to exchange useful information about the religious and cultural events, local events and important national news affecting the Sikh community.

Parents Teachers Association

All Staff

The school has a Parents & Teachers Association (PTA), who are responsible for the upkeep of the library and computer room, as well as producing newsletters and arranging extra-curricular activities for the children.

Staff encourage their students to speak to them about concerns or problems – vital in addressing any religious issues such as bullying, where the children may not feel able to speak with their parents. The school staff have undergone recognised training related to child protection.

To celebrate its 25th anniversary two years ago (2007) the school staged a cultural extravaganza, where the children entertained with a variety programme organised at Newham Town Hall. Parents, religious leaders, community leaders and many local councillors attended, and the day was a great success.

RPS students are renowned for their accomplished performances over the years. They have performed at many religious functions, cultural events (India’s 50th Independence Anniversary) and special events (Diwali) and the evidence is readily available in the school photographic albums. The children are also well known for the annual ‘Sewa’ programme in which all they prepare, cook and serve all the food. The stage is handled by the students, including Simran, Kirtan and Ardas. The local Sangat regards the school’s ‘Sewa’ programme as one of the most satisfying activities in the calendar year.

We asked staff whether they felt that today’s UK parents are not so interested in teaching their children Panjabi, and what affect that would have on the Sikh community.

This was  the interesting response: RPS has many keen parents who support the school wholeheartedly. Other parents express an interest, but their commitment is low, as they find they are too busy with their own preoccupations. Some parents are only interested in their children attending Panjabi class and not in the quality of education, so any school serves their purpose. Parents who are unable to read and write Panjabi sometimes feel they are not well prepared to support and influence their children. RPS has offered to run the language classes for such adults many times in the past but the actual number has never reached double figures required to make it a cost-effective venture.

The school says that very few functions in UK Gurdwaras are specifically aimed at young people, as many Gurdwaras have not developed the resources or strategies to engage with them effectively.

The staff believe a lack of focus on the younger generation in the Gurdwaras also contributes to young people drifting away from religious life. The majority of the Gurdwaras’ religious functions and activities are aimed at elders and the committed congregation, they suggest. The management committees lack coherent organisation, drive, patience and fortitude to build and progress activities for the young to mould them towards the religion.  An occasional special programme is a form of a lip service; what the young people require is platforms for dialogue, opportunities to practise religious activities and a chance to engage in succession management.

For Ramgarhia Panjabi School, language skills are important and age is a critical factor in acquiring these. Staff say it is better to capture the children at a younger age as older children take much longer to settle down in the School. After a certain age children are more reserved or embarrassed. Older children can find it more difficult to learn because of these inhibitions but without the deeper understanding that the homeland language brings they can be temperamental about later involvement in religious activities. They can also be more easily disheartened by pressure from their peers outside Sikhism.

RPS will be pleased to talk to parents or Gurdwara leaders about ways in which Sikhism can be taught to make it more relevant and enjoyable for young minds. RPS can provide help with teaching aids and resources to other schools.

It believes imaginative early teaching is imperative to ensure the health of congregations and the future well-being of the religion and culture. It says skilful teaching of the Sikh religion and culture, let alone the Panjabi language, does not feature well in most Gurdwaras. It is essential to focus attention on these key issues to mould our young at the earliest opportunities.

I found myself sympathising with this view of lack-lustre teaching. As a young person I was taught, like fellow students, by a priest at the Gurdwara. But we did not follow lesson plans, were simply issued with religious books to read and left very much to our own devices.  Skilful teaching of the Sikh religion and culture, let alone the Panjabi language, did not come into the picture. From what I hear, temples in London rarely distinguish themselves in this respect to this day.

RPS is very keen to invite young children to the school and the recruitment process is ongoing. If you would like your child/children to receive the best possible Panjabi language education then contact RPS for further information. The school is also interested in parents who want to learn computer skills.

The school contact details are as follows:
School President: Tarlok Singh Sura 020 8554 7953  (evenings)
Head Teacher: Manjit Kaur Matharu 020 8590 5419  (evenings)

Ramgarhia Panjabi School, 231 Plashet Road, London, E13 OQU
Telephone 020 8552 2490 (Saturdays)

Ramgarhia Sikh Gurdwara, 10-16 Neville Road, London, E7 9QX
Telephone: 020 8552 9494  (evenings)

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Lucky Dhillon visits Ramgarhia Panjabi School
Read the story and see pictures here

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