SURREY: A new Sikh private school in Surrey will fill the spiritual gap for Surreys Sikh community says the schools future president.

“People have bought houses. They’ve bought cars and they are still empty” Ripudaman Singh Malik said “To promote and save religion you have to start early in life.

A ceremonial sod-turning Sunday “marked the beginning of construction on the estimated $5million elementary and junior high school. It will house 500 students and is to be completed by September 1992.

Located at 69A Avenue and 124 Street the school is located in an area where the highest density of Sikhs in North America reside Malik said.

“After coming here they want 19 look after their coming generation. Is the best place for the school to be” he said.

Offering standard education ministry-approved curriculum the school will also feature studies in Sikh religion and music and the Punjabi language. About 30 new teaching jobs and to support staff positions will be generated.

Construction funding was raised entirely by donations of free labor materials and money Malik said.

“The response has been overwhelming” he said.

He said the Sikh community will also partially subsidize education costs. Other costs are offset by a 50% annual operating grant from the education ministry amounting 10 $2500 per child he said. Each family will then pay $50 monthly per child in attendance

Malik said the school will be open to all children especially those interested in Punjabi culture.

The Sainam Education Society which also runs the Vancouver Sikh School at Fraser Street and E. 43 Avenue will oversee the Surrey school. Many Sikh children currently commuting to the Vancouver school will soon attend the Surrey one he said.

Although both Hindu and Sikh children attend the Vancouver school Malik said no political troubles have arisen there. And he tide doesn’t foresee any problems arising at the Surrey school. “If we teach a seven-year-old child how to play a hymn that has nothing to do with politics. Our goal is just to teach.”

Article extracted from this publication >> February 7, 1992