Diwali is a major festival celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists around the world. Often called the festival of lights, it symbolises the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The word Diwali comes from the Sanskrit term Deepavali, meaning a row of lights. During the festival, people decorate their homes with diyas, small oil lamps, candles, and colourful rangoli patterns, and often share sweets, gifts, and meals with family and friends. Fireworks and celebrations are held to celebrate joy and hope.
For Hindus, Diwali marks different stories depending on region and tradition for many, it celebrates the return of Lord Rama, Sita, and Lakshman to Ayodhya after 14 years in exile, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. For Sikhs, Diwali coincides with Bandi Chhor Divas, celebrating the release of Guru Hargobind Ji and 52 princes from imprisonment. For Jains, it marks the moment Lord Mahavira attained spiritual liberation.
At its heart, Diwali is about light, reflection, renewal, and community values that resonate within education and inclusion. It reminds us that everyone carries their own unique light, and when we celebrate and learn from one another, we bring our communities together and create a sense of belonging. Diwali offers schools a meaningful opportunity to nurture this belonging, curiosity, and inclusion within the classroom.
Celebrating Diwali in schools helps to build empathy and understanding among pupils of different faiths and backgrounds. Challenge stereotypes by exploring the rich diversity within South Asian cultures and faiths. Encourage intercultural dialogue, where pupils learn from one another’s traditions and experiences. When children see their culture acknowledged, it lets them know, you belong here.
Introduce children to the stories behind Diwali through books, videos, or guest speakers from the local community. True inclusion goes beyond the classroom it extends into the community. Diwali offers a wonderful opportunity for schools to strengthen relationships with families and local communities. Inviting parents or carers to share stories, traditional crafts, or songs enriches learning and shows that their knowledge and culture are valued. This builds trust and dismantles barriers between school and home.
Sharing multiple perspectives is important when teaching about Diwali as it is celebrated by Hindu’s Sikhs, and Jain’s. It is important that the children understand that Diwali means different things to different people. Children who celebrate the festival will experience it in different ways. Faith, culture, family tradition, language, and even levels of observance can vary widely. Some may celebrate at home quietly, while others may be part of large community gatherings. Recognising these differences helps schools move beyond a single story and fosters intersectional inclusion by acknowledging that identity, faith, and culture is layered and unique. When teachers invite pupils to share what Diwali means to them, it turns a cultural celebration into a learning experience rooted in empathy, curiosity, and respect.
In schools, exploring the symbolism of light and using the theme of light overcoming darkness can be used to spark reflection and creativity. Taking the time with the children to consider what light represents in different cultures can be a great way to discuss differences and similarities, building connection and inclusion in the classroom. Poetry writing, art projects, circle times or assemblies can be used to explore this theme further. Building in reflection time into these activities can create space for pupils to reflect on what they have learnt and develop respect for other cultures
When planning any cultural celebration, it’s important to avoid tokenism. Inclusion is about weaving cultural recognition into the everyday fabric of school life, not just a one-day event. Schools must think about how they can ensure this learning continues beyond Diwali and that multiple learning opportunities around Sikhism, Hinduism and Jainism are built into the school year. Incorporating students and the wider community into the planning is also important, as when pupils feel part of the planning and see their identities reflected in the process, the celebration becomes meaningful, not performative.
When schools celebrate Diwali with openness and respect, they send a message that everyone’s culture has a place here. By recognising and celebrating Diwali, schools don’t just mark a cultural event, they create moments of connection where every pupil feels seen, valued, and part of something together.
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