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Modern education has neglected concern for human values. It has
become a mere professional ground to convert man into a money
making machine. It triggers the sense of competition to acquire
position and money. The result is the erosion of moral values in
society. The present day education system has to bear the
responsibility for restlessness in man, Terrorism, corruption,
Social irresponsibility, and related such evils.
Great thinkers and sincere educationists have been pleading for
a serious change in the objectives of education. Education should
reassert its great responsibility of inculcating values in man. A
new revolution should bring a change in the present education
system and prepare itself to bring out a complete individual in
man with noble qualities and necessary skills to be self-dependent
and useful to the society.
Swami Vivekananda Said, "Education should combine the scientific
knowledge of the west with the spiritual wisdom of the east.
Education should be built on a spiritual foundation. Till then,
there is no salvation for the people. Only such education could
discipline the intellect, nourish fellow-feeling and develop
social responsibility."
The traditional Gurukula system of education transformed the
wholesome personality of the students and prepared them to lead a
better life as responsible and useful citizens who could
contribute to the welfare of the society. It developed great
levels of insight and moulded them as balanced individuals who
could understand and make use of the great energy that flowed from
their inner spirit.
Bhagavan Baba says, "The present educational system is polluting
the social organism with narrowness and crookedness. Education
cannot be got by merely mastering reading, writing and arithmetic.
What is learnt in the books must be confirmed and corrected by
practising it in social living. Then only learning is transformed
into true Education. He also says, "Promotion of human values
should become an integral part of education. Education should
strive to achieve national unity and national integration.
Teachers and educationists should shed narrow loyalties and serve
the society. By instilling human values in students and teachers,
India can become an ideal country and example to the whole world."
Value Education is effected in the School in two ways. The direct
method is to impart value oriented education, i.e., teaching
values through the subjects. This process enables a deeper and
practical understanding of values and their relevance to
day-to-day life. They are encouraged to make use of their
knowledge for the social good. The second and the indirect method
is to create a value-atmosphere in the School by virtue of the
various programmes, the example of the teachers, the
inter-personal relationships and all that the students feel and
experience in the School. The concept and execution of value
education shall result in giving vent to Bhagavans assurance,
Bhagavan Baba says, "Sai Educational Institutions shall produce a
generation of youth who will live ideal lives. They shall plunge
into the society with thirst for service as a spiritual duty and
proclaim the real worth of their humanness. Apart from subjects,
these institutions will impart instruction in ethical, moral and
spiritual codes and sadhanas. Virtues, purity of mind, adherence
to Truth, dedication to the Supreme, discipline, devotion to duty
these qualities will be fostered and promoted in these
institutions."
Value Education Assessment
Assessment of the value traits of the students is a combined
effort of the parents and teachers. The role of the parents is
played by the warden in case of residential students.
Value assessment is achieved through the Case Study Register &
Spiritual Diary.
Case Study Register
Every teacher maintains a case study register for his / her class.
A few pages are allotted for each student. The teacher closely
observes every student and registers his / her comments about the
students from time to time. Both positive and negative traits of
the students are carefully noted down and considered for a
cumulative assessment during the issue of progress card after the
examinations. The teachers role in maintaining the case study
register is very important and decisive in shaping the value
traits of the students.
Spiritual Diary
Every student is issued a diary or handbook. A detailed
description of the contents of the diary and the way it is
maintained shall throw light on its importance in integral
education. The diary is a record of all the personal information
and details of every student. Details about the parents, medical
information about the child, addresses and other important
information are noted in the first page of the diary. In the
second page, the students are instructed to paste the photographs
of their parents. The vedic quotations, "Mathru devo Bhava, Pitru
Devo Bhava and Acharya Devo Bhava" are printed so as to remind the
child to revere his / her parents and teachers every time when he
opens the diary.
In the next page, the student has to paste his own photograph and
spend sometime everyday to read the following statement about
himself.
About Myself
I am created in the image of God. My life is a journey towards
realising my innate divinity. I am proud that this culture has
given me the royal road to reach God. I shall practice unity of
thought, word and deed so that unity leads to purity and purity
leads to divinity. I shall love all and serve all to see God in
everyone. I shall strive for the blossoming of my complete
personality so that I shall become a worthy instrument in Gods
hands. Realising that God is my only and true support; I surrender
to Him and hold His hands so that He leads me in the journey of my
life.
The following pages contain information about the School, uniform,
details about disciplinary rules, instructions for parents,
schedule of examinations, important prayers, national anthem and
songs and the calendar of the School. Separate pages are allotted
for the communication between the teachers and the parents. The
spiritual diary is printed in the following pages.
The Spiritual Diary has several items classified under two
sections and date-wise columns against it. The teachers in the
School and parents or the teachers in charge of the students in
the Hostel mark their observations about the students regularly in
the spiritual diary everyday.
To be observed by parents:
Getting up early
Namaskar to parents
Morning prayer
Doing his / her works properly
Helping parents
Obedience to parents
Helping others
Speaking softly and sweetly
Not hurting anyone
Homework and studies at Home
Speaking Truth
Reciting prayers and slokas
To be observed by teachers:
Punctuality to School
Wearing proper uniform
Clean habits
Completing homework
Class observation
Adjustment with other students
Obedience to the teacher
Helping tendency
Disciplined behaviour
Interest in School activities
Interest in academics
Interest in extra-curricular activities
At the end of the Spiritual Diary, a page is allotted for the
students to fill up at the end of the academic year. The
self-assessment of his all round progress during that year is
asked for. Finally this is attested by the parents or teachers in
charge of the Hostel and the teachers in the School.
The School also spreads the message of Value education in several
other ways:
1. By organising inter-school cultural and sports competitions.
2. Organising a Seminar on Human Values every year inviting the
paper presentation by the students from several schools.
3. Conducting special orientation programmes for the teachers in
Value-based education.
4. Inviting the parents and others for the celebration of national
and religious festivals at the school. |