New Zealand’s first public School for people of Indian origin will be opened in Auckland in early 2014, if the current planning process moves on target.
It will also create job opportunities for qualified teachers in a number of subjects including English, Science, Arts and Mathematics.
South Auckland based Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand will own the School and its affiliated properties but will establish an independent structure to manage its day-to-day affairs.
The Society, which owns Sri Kalgidhar Sahib, stated to be the largest Gurdwara in the South Hemisphere, has already received donations, loans and commitments up to $860,000 towards the cost of the Project.
It is confident of completing various jobs on schedule.
NCEA & languages
Spokesperson Daljit Singh said that the School will occupy 2500 Sq mts of land, adjacent to five-acre grounds for sports and other facilities.
“The School will cater to students from Year 1 to Year 8, including Primary and Intermediate sections. It will follow the New Zealand curriculum conforming to the NCEA (National Certificate of Educational Achievement),” he said.
Mr Singh said that with 50 classrooms, the institution will create opportunities for students to learn a number of Indian languages including Hindi, Punjabi, Gujarati and Urdu.
It would also encourage students to play a variety of games such as Soccer, Cricket, Volleyball and Kabaddi.
Community funding
“While a government-funded school costs the taxpayer $10 million or more, the new Indian School will be financed by the community. It would combine the fine traditions of New Zealand and India and be smoke and dope free,” Mr Singh said.
He said several members of the community have provided cash donations and non-interest bearing loans for three years.
Among them are Baldev Singh Mann who has donated $100,000 and provided $50,000 as interest free loan for three years, Daljit Singh ($15,000 and interest-free loan of $20,000), Jagjit Singh Kang ($11,000 and $20,000) and Jaswant Singh ($5000).
“In addition, 26 persons have pledged interest free loans of $20,000 each, while three others have offered $50,000 each as non-interest bearing loans,” he said.
The Supreme Sikh Society of New Zealand will appoint a Project Manager to coordinate various activities relating to the construction of the School, including coordinating with the central and local governments, contractors and suppliers.
“We hope to obtain resource consent and complete construction of the School by the end of 2013 and commence classes from early 2014,” Mr Singh said.
