UK's 2nd Hindu school to admit non-Hindus also

Nevada (US), Dec 30 (ANI): Proposed Krishna-Avanti Primary School (KAPS) in Evington (Leicester, East Midlands, UK), when it opens in September, will be based on "Hindu ethos" but will admit pupils of non-Hindu faiths also, according to reports.

With continuous growth, this second Hindu state school in United Kingdom (UK) plans to provide 420 places for 4-11 years old children by 2018. It is being modeled on the first Hindu school of UK-KAPS in Edgware (Middlesex), which is reportedly hugely popular and has five applicants for every one place.

Set in five acres, this new "Free School" (no fee charged to parents) will reportedly provide state-of-the-art facilities, including the latest IT and sports equipment, as well as a brand new vegetarian kitchen.

According to earlier reports, besides outstanding academic opportunities, new school aims to provide a spiritual and moral framework while reflecting Hindu values. It plans to follow the national curriculum but also wants to reflect on Hindu culture and heritage. Leicester is reportedly home to the largest Hindu community in Europe outside London.

Applauding efforts to launch the second Hindu school in UK, well known Hindu statesman Rajan Zed has urged the Hindu community worldwide to open more Hindu schools outside India.

In a statement in Nevada (USA) today, Zed, who is president of Universal Society of Hinduism, said that such schools would help Hindu children to strengthen their spiritual and moral roots and enlighten interested non-Hindus about the concepts and philosophy of the oldest and third largest religion of the world.

Such schools would go a long way in nurturing Hindu virtues among our children and give them a spiritual identity. Moreover, these could help counter the misinformation about Hinduism prevalent in the West and promote Sanskrit, Rajan Zed added.

London based educational charity "I-Foundation", which opened the voluntary aided KAPS in Edgware in 2008, is behind this new school and is also planning to open primary and secondary schools across North and East London with similar focus. Its aim is to help children realize their spiritual, moral and academic potential in an environment centered on loving service to Lord Krishna. I-Foundation is the promoter of Hindu state education in the UK with Nitesh Gor as its Board Chairman.

The already existing KAPS claims to be one of the most eco-friendly schools in the country, nurtures character and conduct consistent with Vaishnava virtues, provides opportunities to practice yoga and meditation, and is vegetarian. Naina Parmar is the Head Teacher. (ANI)

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