Hindus term religious instruction in New Zealand schools “inappropriate”
Hindus feel that current religious instruction in New Zealand primary schools is inappropriate.
Hindu statesman Rajan Zed, in a statement in Nevada today, said that instead of focusing on just one religion; all major
religions, including Hinduism, should be taught in New Zealand primary schools. The existing religious instruction
focused on and favoring one religion was unfair and discriminatory to Hindu children, children of other religions and
no-faith.
Zed, who is President of Universal Society of Hinduism, pointed out that opening-up the New Zealand children to major
world religions and non-believers’ viewpoint would make them well-nurtured, well-balanced, and enlightened citizens of
tomorrow. It also made a good business sense to know the beliefs of “others” in a global community. Moreover, students
should have knowledge of the entire society to become full participants in the society.
Rajan Zed urged New Zealand Ministry of Education to have objective religious education in schools, giving equal
coverage to major religions and non-belief. Human Rights Review Tribunal should also seriously look into this issue.
Highlighting only one religion in increasingly diverse, plural and multicultural New Zealand schools was improper; thus
disrespecting the rights of children and parents of other faiths and no-faith. Pushing one religion on all was simply
wrong and unacceptable, Zed added.
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