Mount Laurel, NJ — September 09, 2025 — The New Jersey Department of Education (NJDOE) has officially incorporated instructional materials on Sikh American History into the state’s K–12 social studies curriculum, marking a significant step towards inclusive education. This initiative aligns with Assembly Resolution No. 172 and existing diversity and inclusion mandates, which call for the representation of Asian American and Pacific Islander histories in public school instruction. The Sikh Youth Alliance put together these slides in collaboration with the NJ DOE Division of Learning and Standards. The slides provide a comprehensive overview of the Sikh faith, its history, and its core principles, ensuring that New Jersey’s diverse student population sees itself reflected in the classroom.

Bhupindar Singh, the Outreach Lead for the organization, goes on to say that the newly released slides, titled Integrating Sikh American History into K–12 Social Studies, provide educators with culturally responsive strategies and historical context to teach students about Sikhi and the contributions of Sikh Americans.

New Jersey is home to one of the largest Sikh American populations in the United States, with approximately 100,000 residents identifying with the faith. Despite this, Sikh students have historically faced higher rates of bullying and discrimination in schools. The inclusion of Sikhism in curriculum addresses a long-standing need to educate students about one of the world’s major religions, which is often misunderstood or overlooked, says Jaspreet Singh, Community Development Director.

Sikh Youth Alliance conducted an electronic survey of 522 students in 2023 after traveling to different Sikh places of worship and noted that Sikh kids had not learned anything or learned very little about Sikh history in NJ classrooms. In line with the current social studies standards and by embedding Sikhi content into the curriculum, NJDOE aims to foster greater understanding, respect, and inclusion among students of all backgrounds.

The instructional materials provide educators with the tools to present information accurately, including historical overviews, civic engagement examples, and guidance on how Sikh beliefs and values intersect with broader American narratives, helping to dispel common stereotypes and misinformation. This initiative benefits not only Sikh students, who will feel validated and seen, but all students, who will gain a richer, more accurate perspective on the identity, history and heritage of the Sikh community.

The development of these resources was a collaborative effort between the NJDOE Division of Learning and Standards and Sikh Youth Alliance. The educators participated in the “Learning Lounge” webinar conducted by Ardaman Singh, Education Director, where she highlighted best practices for integrating Sikh history and identity into classroom discussions. The curriculum supports New Jersey Student Learning Standards by encouraging students to explore themes of diversity, tolerance, and cultural heritage from an early age.