Clean Planet Project, Zone 8

Education

Overview

Sathya Sai Education is based on Sri Sathya Sai Baba's philosophy and teachings, giving equal importance to spirituality, human values, character, and educational achievements. He guided and blessed the establishment of the Sai Spiritual Education (SSE) program, the Sathya Sai Schools (Schools), and the Institutes of Sathya Sai Education (ISSE) conducting Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) programs around the world. Currently, 28 ISSEs and 40 Sathya Sai Schools support educational activities worldwide.

In 2017, the Education Committee initiated an ongoing process for accreditation of all Sathya Sai Schools worldwide involving a self-review process followed by scheduled visits to the schools. Accreditation is a collaborative and iterative process to support each Sathya Sai School by acknowledging their excellent work and working jointly on areas needing attention.

This report briefly summarizes the educational activities in the SSSIO, ISSEs, and Sathya Sai Schools worldwide.

Zone 1

West Indies

The Sai Institute of Education West Indies (SIEWI) conducted the SSEHV Training Course for its three satellites, Trinidad & Tobago, Guyana, and Barbados, and teachers of Sathya Sai Schools in Trinidad.

Canada

History was made in sports when Sathya Sai School's "Trailblazers" displayed teamwork and won in an intermural sports match. A celebration, "Open House: A school Founded on Love," was held.

 USA

The SSE students of the Sri Sathya Sai Center of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, participated in a backpack service project in which they purchased, assembled, and delivered 25 backpacks filled with school supplies to the Wish Project for children in need.

Over 300 teachers and 50 facilitators attended a national online SSE enrichment program. Sai-Trek is a multi-regional quarterly program focused on the appropriate use of technology.

The ISSE-USA supports SSEHV Partnership Schools, Cedar Park, and Sapientia Montessori Schools. 

The ISSE provided two virtual SSEHV Introductory Workshops for 47 nurses, social workers, and other healthcare workers. Invited by the ISSE of Colombia, the ISSE-USA participated in a conference hosted by Ecuador.  

Zone 2A

Mexico

Training sessions were held for 20 SSE teachers, an SSEVH workshop for 28 teachers, and a seminar on "The Virtues of Teachers" was organized for 30 participants. Fourteen online SSE classes were conducted at the national level, combined with simultaneous parent workshops for five adults.

Dominican Republic

During the COVID-19 pandemic, SSE classes began for 20 boys and girls. It is heart-warming to note that a student with autism has experienced a marked improvement since attending the SSE classes and is very happy.  

Panama

A virtual workshop on SSE was held for 19 teachers and people from Panamá interested in SSE.

Zone 2B

Ecuador and Colombia

Two major international events on SSEHV and Education were held online in 2021, organized by The Ministry of Education of Ecuador, the National Board of Education in Values, the Sathya Sai Institutes of Education in Human Values of Ecuador and Colombia, and the Ecuadorian Network of Pedagogy.

Thirty-five teachers of the ESPAM University participated in a 30-hours virtual SSEHV training, a collaboration between Ecuador and Colombia.

Colombia

The Institute of Sathya Sai Education of Colombia developed a virtual Diploma Course in SSEHV for 180 teachers and community members.Thirteen sessions were designed for the staff of the Attorney General of Colombia in the Program of Social Prevention of Crime, which works with children and youth.

Ecuador

To reunite families after confinement due to COVID-19, the Sathya Sai School of Guayaquil organized a Sai Family Garden.

Peru

The Institute of Sathya Sai Education of Peru organized an online course titled "Excellence in the Application of Human Values" for teachers and the educational community.

Six virtual talks on Education in Human Values were offered through YouTube by the teachers from the Institutes of Sathya Sai Education of Colombia and Ecuador.

The Education Wing of the SSSIO of Peru held SSEHV workshops for children from the community on the theme "The Beautiful Flower of Mother Nature."

Venezuela

The ISSE-Venezuela's project "The Genesis of Life Seed" was implemented by teachers and children in the Complementary Sai School of Trujillo. Activities included the collection and cultivation of seedbeds and planting trees.

The Sathya Sai School of Venezuela, located in an impoverished rural area with many challenges, has continued its activities during 2021. The school addresses students' educational and social responsibilities through the SSEHV program.

Argentina

SSE children performed online puppet shows, such as "The Wise Child," inspired by Sri Sathya Sai Baba's teachings and stories from the book 'Chinna Katha.' They also learned about sacred places by studying the life of the Virgin of Lujan, the patron saint of Argentina, and the Virgin of Córdoba.

SSE children and youth were taught invocation prayer to Ganesha and four well-known Vedic chants.

The Institute of Sathya Sai Education of Argentina delivered several informative lectures online.

The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the Mahatma Gandhi Sathya Sai School for achieving the highest test performance in the jurisdiction. 

Every year the Mahatma Gandhi Sathya Sai School implements different projects which help students gain skills and competencies. The Educare Program was recognized for its educational and cultural contributions in local areas as well as in Buenos Aires, Mendoza, San Luis, Salta, and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. In 2009, the school was recognized as a Social Organization serving the community.

Brazil

The 16 ISSE-Brazil branches held the following programs during 2021:

The online SSEHV Course, "Human Values to Foster a Culture of Peace," was held in partnership with the Federal University. In collaboration with the "Estacao da Luz Association," the ISSE continued their involvement and SSEHV training for the Association Partnership School teachers – this partnership was initiated in 2004.

An online SSEHV Basic Course and SSEHV online workshops were organized for students of the "Rainbow Educational Institute" in Esplanada (Bahia).

Three EHV online courses and 33-weekly online "Deepening Study Group" meetings were held.

The Fifth Course of Human Values in Education was held.

The SSE training included a Teacher Training Course and a project based on Swami's book on stories. (Chinna Katha).

The Sathya Sai School of Ribeirao Preto won seven medals for its continued good performance at the nationwide "Olympics" on astronomy and astronautics.

Paraguay

In 2021, the Pre-Institute of Sathya Sai Education of Paraguay delivered online workshops on SSEHV.

Zone 3

New Zealand

SSE classes continued online during pandemic lockdowns. Training included an online child safety class and basic SSE-teacher training.

A values/sports event was held for SSE children and parents. SSE teenagers had an interactive session on 'The Five Elements and their attributes."

Other SSE activities included weeding in Sanders Reserve, Easwaramma Day celebrations, and collecting toys for the needy.

Australia

SSSIO Australia launched several virtual interactive projects: Sai Parenting Tips; Sai Positive Parent Care sessions; Healthy Parenting and Energy Parenting; and 'Pragmatism vs. Idealism – A GPS for Modern Day Parents'; 'Journeying from a Teacher to a Guru'; Train-the-trainer online sloka classes; and Online Child Safety session.

National SSE classes were conducted virtually for most of the year. Themes included "SAI – Master, Message & Messenger' and "Practical Spirituality." An SSE camp was organized in Western Australia.

Fiji

During the pandemic, SSE online classes were replaced by activity sheets sent to SSE parents, who sent back videos or photos of the children's activities.

Zone 4

Sri Lanka

The SSSIO Sri Lanka provided monthly financial assistance to 275 school children to continue their studies.

In the Eastern region, three Preschools in Karaitivu, 4th Colony (Weeramunai), and Nehrupuram are managed by SSSIO Sri Lanka.

Responding to a request by a Buddhist Priest from Balangoda (Central Region), a Preschool was built to accommodate 40 children.

Required school stationaries or equipment were provided to special-needs children and children from families below the poverty level.

Malaysia

The SSE/SSEHV programs and the Sathya Sai Primary School continued during the pandemic.

The World Cancer Day awareness program attracted the participation of 195 teenagers. They were encouraged to walk 1,000 steps daily to symbolize walking the challenging journey with cancer patients.

The Group 4 Education Wing, Youth Wing, and Sai Alumni conducted the Compulsory Annual Young Youth Leadership Program for teens of age 18.

For Swami's 96th Birthday celebrations, about 400 students submitted videos expressing love by enacting scenes from the epics Ramayana and the Mahabharata.

Philippines

SSE/SSEHV programs were held, and the Sathya Sai School continued its work despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ISSE continued faculty development programs for teachers. Yoga exercises and meditation techniques were taught. 

Thailand

Classes were held online for the SSE program and the Sathya Sai School.

Indonesia 

The SSE/SSEHV programs and the Bali Sathya Sai School continued serving children.

Online programs included a teacher's SSE workshop, an SSE exhibition, a Fathers' Day celebration, and the Group 4 graduation ceremony.

Singapore

SSE/SSEHV programs continued. About 170 SSE Children participated in an online competition for Guru Poornima celebrations. They wrote letters to Swami, compiled into a booklet as an offering to Swami.

In December, children packed food as gifts for 50 underprivileged families and distributed them with supermarket vouchers.

Zone 5

China

Due to the Covid restrictions on traveling to China, the SSEHV teacher-training program, conducted in partnership with four local universities, was offered online only. This SSEHV teacher training program has been offered for the last 19 years.

With the support of the ISSE HK, a pilot project to use artificial intelligence in teaching was explored to incorporate SSEHV strategies.

Zone 6

The Institute of Sathya Sai Education of South Europe (ISSE SE) organized its first online Course on SSEHV. A YouTube channel has been created to provide access to the recordings of all sessions.

A new ISSE SE webpage was launched on 24th April, Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Mahasamadhi Day, also declared by the SSSIO as Human Values Day.

Bosnia & Herzegovina

Children and adults participated in the online workshops held by teachers from Croatia and Serbia.

Croatia

SSEHV teachers from Croatia, Slovenia, and Serbia held a series of online presentations and workshops on human values called "The Path to YourSelf" and "The Wisdom of Living."

Greece

The ISSE SE conducted bimonthly lessons in the Centre for SSEHV in the suburbs of Athens. A ten-day Human Values Summer Camp was held on the premises of Sai Prema, near Athens. The event focused on the life and remarkable work of Mother Teresa under the theme of "The Fruit of Love and Service is Peace and Joy." Twenty-five children learned about her humanitarian work through inspiring presentations, videos, and interactive workshops. On the last day of the camp, a beautiful theatrical performance was presented, which was greatly appreciated by the parents and friends who attended the event.

Ireland

SSE teachers from Ireland attended a one-day SSE training program in the U.K. Special children's programs were held on the occasions of Sri Sathya Sai Baba's Birthday and Christmas. Group I children presented an online drama titled 'The Unhappy Crow' at the end of the first year of online SSE classes in June 2021.

Israel

Twelve people from Israel participated in the online SSEHV training program organized by the ISSE SE.

Italy

An online SSEHV training program for Italian educators and teachers, titled "Education in Human Values - A Path for Life," was organized by the Italian branch of the ISSE SE. Twenty-seven public school teachers participated in Unit 1 of this four-unit program which offered 10 hours of training and 10 hours of practical application in the classroom.

The SSSIO provided a series of focused study circles with special attention on 'The Value of Womanhood.'

Serbia

Several online SSEHV classes for children from the Balkan countries were held in cooperation with the SSSIO Croatia's educational wing, with two inspiring projects in the difficult times of the Covid pandemic.

Spain

A two-hour online workshop titled 'The Value of Love' was organized by the National Education Committee and the ISSE SE. The workshop offered an interactive session titled 'What makes my Heart Sing.'

Switzerland

Several SSEHV study circles were organized in Sri Sathya Sai Centers. Six public meetings on human values education were held in Geneva, including a joyful talents festival for children and young adults. Also, SSEHV lessons were presented in Zurich and Berne.

United Kingdom

The SSSIO offered weekly SSE classes online. Children participated in the online Easwaramma Day, Christmas, and the SSSIO Guru Poornima programs. In addition, an SSE Advanced Teacher Training course was conducted online.

Zone 7

The ESSE Institute provided online training sessions to teachers of three partnership schools (with 550 children) in Haiti, including weekly monitoring of human values lessons.

Estonia

In addition to the Self-Awareness Course designed for the public, three SSEHV trainers joined the online training program in Latvia.

Germany

The Sai Children's Channel offered monthly programs for families on the five human values. For Avatar Declaration Day celebrations, children produced a music video with the song 'God is in All of Us.' Parenting sessions based on Sathya Sai's teaching were offered online.

Regular working groups with teachers were based on the method of storytelling.

Latvia

The ESSE Institute conducted SSEHV courses for 15 inspired participants from Latvia and Estonia.

Several one-day online SSEHV seminars were organized for teachers of a Primary School

Lithuania

Monthly seminars were offered online to share spiritual insights and experiences on love and selfless service.

The Netherlands

The SSEHV/SSE trainers organized online workshops on Unity of Head, Heart & Hand, Unity in Diversity, and Unity of Faith.

The course "Holy books" was given in Amstelveen, collaborating with an SSEHV trainer and several local faith community leaders.

Online children's classes have taken place every fortnight in Amsterdam and Groningen.

An online class on mantras was held once every fortnight. On Swami's Birthday, the participants chanted the 108 holy names of Swami.

Poland

The Theatre Studio in Poland has been operating for 14 years in three Cultural Centers near Warsaw, offering education through theater. The summer performance "The Earth is our Mother" taught children to learn the wisdom of ancient ethnic groups and how they took care of the earth and respected all the elements.

Young children performed a traditional Christmas play.

Sweden

The SSSIO National Education coordinator conducted SSE training for Centre coordinators. Participants shared thoughts and experiences using examples of human values in family and at work.

Zone 8

The 19th Zonal SSE Conference titled 'Oneness with God is True Education' was held. Six zonal workshops were conducted.

The 6th Zonal Conference and Festival for adolescents was titled "Doing Good, Saying Good, Seeing Good, Being Good – These are the Qualities of a Worthy Leader." The youth gave talks on leadership based on examples from the lives of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, Mother Teresa, and the great Russian commander A.V. Suvorov.

Participants from seven countries attended the "Clean Planet" eco-project, caring for the local landscape and providing food to the needy.

The ESSE Institute and the Zone 8 Campus hosted 23 different SSEHV workshops in Russian-speaking countries.

Azerbaijan

SSE and SSEHV lessons, five workshops for aspiring SSE teachers, and a family camp were held.

Belarus

Twenty-five SSEHV lessons were given, and five SSE workshops were held.

Kazakhstan

Fifteen SSE classes and ten Human Values classes were conducted. A National SSE Conference and on-the-job professional development courses based on human values were held.

Russia

SSE classes were conducted, and SSEHV lessons were given. SSE Conferences and seminars were held in seven regions. Nine workshops were held for parents.

Four family camps and one children's festival were organized during the summer.

Ukraine

Four SSE classes and 58 SSEHV classes were conducted, including four SSEHV classes for kindergarten children with developmental disabilities. One family camp was held with participants singing bhajans and talking about universal human values. Another family camp was held on the theme "Journey into the Mysteries of Nature" for the public.

Zone 9

South Africa

The ISSE South Africa created a partnership with the Newcastle and Chatsworth Sathya Sai Schools. A graduation ceremony was held for the foundation phase learners at the Newcastle school. Study Skills workshops were held at the Chatsworth School, and a go-green initiative was started. Students represented the Zone in the international Christmas drama with a dance presentation.

Madagascar

Students at the Sathya Sai School of Madagascar completed their primary examinations. The students received blankets. Students in higher classes were offered computer courses. Students were also given medication against the infection with the parasite Bilharzia (schistosomiasis). A newsletter was distributed to all students.

Kenya

Despite the pandemic, the Sathya Sai School of Kisaju performed well, with eight classes in primary and four classes in secondary school. This school has boarding facilities and presently serves 200 students, of whom 85% are boarders. Teachers stay on the school campus in a rural area.

The Sathya Sai School at Uthiru, located in Nairobi, is running well, overcoming many challenges, and currently has 180 children enrolled.

Nigeria 

The SSSIO Central Trust of Nigeria manages the Sathya Sai School of Nigeria based on Sai principles. The teachers are well trained in SSEHV. The school has eight classes, from nursery to sixth Grade.

Ghana

The Sathya Sai School of Ghana has classes for Kindergarten, Nursery, Primary, and Junior High School, with a principal, 18 teachers, and 237 students.

Uganda

The SSSIO Uganda Trust is in the process of taking charge of the Sathya Sai School of Uganda. The school has seven classes, two teachers, and 310 students. The Zonal leadership provides guidance and support for running the school.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Despite many challenges, the Sathya Sai School, Kepusha, and Sathya Sai School, Kasanza, are running well. Many students perform community service with SSSIO volunteers.

Benin

Enrollment at the Sathya Sai School of D'Abomey continues to increase with increasing administrative, teaching, and sports staff.