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I was an ISKCON gurukula headmaster in Detroit from 1982 to 1984, and after that, up until 1996, I helped my wife to run the gurukulas in Detroit, and in Hillsborough, NC.
Currently, public schools in America have some major problems, and these problems are going to get worse, not better. These problems include a lack of disciple and a lack of respect for teachers, administrators, parents, and other adults. Lying, duplicitous dealings, lack of chastity, profanity, vulgarity, drugs, sex and violence are also problems in our public schools. The taxpayers are paying for it, so why are the taxpayers putting up with it? Given an opportunity for an alternative, I’m sure that many taxpayers/voters would support a change for the better.
My idea is for nonsectarian religious schools paid for by the taxpayers so that they are free, just like the public schools, but that are designed in such a way that even the most conservative/orthodox members of the major religions will not be offended by any of the schools’ policies/curriculum.
These schools would be different from the public schools in the following ways:
1. Separate schools for boys and girls.
2. Teachers are paid better, but will be expected to be the best possible.
3. Very conservative uniforms worn by all students.
4. Disrespect by students toward adults will not be tolerated.
5. Any sexual impropriety by an adult employee of the school will immediately be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
6. The school will be kept small enough so that there will always be a waiting list of students wanting to gain admission.
7. Students will be required to march in formation from one class to another and to the lunch room, study hall, assembly hall, etc.
8. Any student who cannot or will not “cut the mustard” will be expelled, and will have to go back to regular public school.
9. Classes on the philosophy/practice of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Hinduism/Hare Kṛṣṇa will be taught at all grade levels, and all students will be required to choose one of them.
10. All classes will be taught based upon the premise that there is one Supreme All-good, All-knowing God, the Creator and Controller of everything, that other’s possessions shall not be touched without the owner’s permission, that all others, including animals, shall be treated as we would like to be treated if we were in that particular body, and the boys would be taught that all women, other than one’s wife, shall be thought of and treated as one’s own dear mother.
11. All meals will be kosher vegetarian and will exclude meat, fish, eggs, caffeine, alcohol, garlic, onions, gelatin, rennet, chocolate, mushrooms, and vinegar so that no conservative/orthodox dietary principles of any of the major religions will be violated.
12. Lying, duplicitous dealings, lack of chastity, profanity, vulgarity, intoxicants, sex, violence, and gambling will be strictly forbidden.
How can the above idea be established? Support should be garnered from the leaders of all of the major religious communities. State and federal leaders and legislators should be lobbied. People should run for political office based upon a platform of starting such schools, and perhaps, simultaneously on the platform of encouraging faith-based home health care for the aged/infirm/disabled (http://pratyatosa.com/HomeHealthCare.htm).
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