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Alabama adds Sikhi to social studies standards
The inclusion of Sikhi in schools promotes cultural awareness, reduces bullying, and empowers the Sikh diaspora.
Alabama becomes 20th state in the U.S. to incorporate Sikh education. / Unsplash
In a historic milestone for the Sikh diaspora, the state of Alabama has officially approved new social studies standards that, for the first time, include Sikhi in the K-12 curriculum. The approval, finalized on Dec.12 positions Alabama as the 20th state in the U.S. to incorporate Sikh history and culture into its educational framework.
For the first time, Sikh history, culture, and contributions will be taught as part of Grade 8 World History and Geography and Grades 9-12 Human Geography, with implementation set for the 2026-2027 school year.
The effort to include Sikhi was spearheaded by the Sikh Coalition, a U.S.-based advocacy organization, in collaboration with the Alabama Department of Education and local Sikh community members.
“These new standards will ensure that Sikh students in Alabama see their community and history reflected in their classrooms,” said Savleen Singh, Sikh Coalition senior education manager. “We would like to thank the Alabama Department of Education for being very open to our suggestions, ultimately including Sikhi across multiple grade levels and courses.”
The inclusion of Sikhi is part of a broader overhaul of Alabama’s social studies curriculum — the first comprehensive update in over a decade. The 165-page draft also introduces expanded elective options and mandatory Holocaust education, reflecting a broader push for more inclusive and comprehensive history instruction in the state’s public schools.
The changes come against a backdrop of recent debates over “divisive concepts” and the banning of critical race theory in Alabama's K-12 education.
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