'HEART OF HINDUISM' TEACHING TOOLKIT LAUNCHED
(6 April 2006)

The Hindu Forum of Britain, in partnership with the London Borough of Harrow, is launching the country's first national Religious Education toolkit for teaching Hinduism in schools on 6 April 2006. The pilot project will see 72 schools in Harrow being presented with official RE toolkits, a multimedia resource pack containing a 160 page A4 book for teachers; a CD-ROM with stories, fact sheets, articles and web site links; an audio CD of worship extracts with introductory explanations; photo-cards; and schemes of work mapped to the QCA non-statutory framework.

The Hindu Forum of Britain has adopted the Heart of Hinduism multimedia resource pack produced by ISKCON Educational Services and Teaching Hinduism in Schools textbook produced by the Vivekananda Centre as its official RE toolkits. The two packs provide interactive resources for teachers and students of RE to enable better understanding of Hinduism The toolkits have been produced after considerable research and consultation with different sections and branches of the Hindu community in the UK.

Councillor Sanjay Dighe, Deputy Leader of Harrow Council, said: "Harrow has the highest percentage of Hindu residents in the country I am therefore very pleased that we are the first authority to roll out RE toolkits for teaching Hinduism to all our schools. This pack will help ensure that Hinduism is properly understood by our children."

Ramesh Kallidai, secretary general of the Hindu Forum of Britain said "the roll-out of the RE toolkits to schools across the country will ensure that Hindu traditions and beliefs are taught to children in an accurate and thought-provoking way. In particular, it will highlight the way in which the religion is practised in Britain."

ABOUT THE HINDU FORUM OF BRITAIN

The Hindu Forum of Britain is the representative umbrella body for British Hindus with formal membership of over 270 Hindu organisations from different regions and cultural backgrounds in Britain. At the core of the Forum's activities is a strong belief in the richness and diversity of the Hindu culture, its value system that encompasses respect for all beings and faiths, and a cultural heritage that facilitates community cohesion and coexistence.

ABOUT THE VIVEKANANDA CENTRE

The Vivekananda Centre co-ordinates many classes throughout the UK teaching Hinduism at GCSE and Advanced levels. The Centre provides resources such as revision notes, teachers guide notes and arrangements for school trips to temples and monasteries. The textbook Hinduism for Schools has been published covering the syllabus material for full GCSE on Hinduism as well as part of Philosophy of Religion Module at A/S level.

ABOUT ISKCON

ISKCON Educational Services offers support to the educational world in its study and teaching of Hinduism. They have produced (and helped produce) over ten publications on Hinduism and related topics; assisted the QCA in drawing up their 'Model Agreed Syllabuses' (1994), as members of the Hinduism Working Party; worked with the Hindu community to provide classical dance and drama presentations to over 50 schools each year.