Austin, Texas, USA: The Texas State Board of Education is facing renewed calls to incorporate major religious observances such as Vaisakhi and Diwali into its social studies curriculum, amid concerns over inclusivity and student awareness.

The demand was raised by Tarnoor Kaur, a fellow with the Sikh Coalition, who emphasized that a lack of understanding about Sikhism and other religions often contributes to bullying in schools.

The organization had earlier objected to the omission of Sikhism in the draft curriculum, even as other religions were included. Following testimony presented on January 28, Sikhism was eventually added. However, concerns remain over the exclusion of key religious observances such as Vaisakhi, Diwali, Easter, and Hanukkah.

Addressing the board, Kaur stated that these observances are integral to understanding religious traditions and should not be treated as secondary topics. She also raised concerns about the removal of a section that previously included cultural and religious observances in the curriculum.

Highlighting the impact on students, Kaur noted that nearly 78% of Sikh students experience bullying, often due to a lack of awareness or understanding of their identity. She stressed that inclusive education could play a vital role in reducing such incidents.

“The State Board of Education has a responsibility to serve students from all backgrounds by ensuring that educational standards are fair, balanced, and thoughtfully developed,” Kaur said, adding that these standards have long-term implications for classroom experiences.

Kaur, a recipient of the Charles Butt Scholarship and a student at the University of Texas, shared her personal experiences of facing bias growing up as a Sikh in Texas public schools. She said that limited awareness among peers and teachers often left her feeling misunderstood.

She further emphasized that her experience reflects a broader issue, suggesting that incorporating religious observances into the curriculum could help foster greater understanding and inclusivity.

In a related development, the Iowa Board of Education recently included Sikhism in its social studies curriculum, making Iowa the 21st state to adopt such measures.