Introduction to SSE Curriculum
The concept of Educare is the basis of the Curriculum. It makes the classes child-centered and allows for experiential learning. The curriculum is extensive enough to cater to the various domains of the child, which are
- Physical
- Emotional
- Psychological
- Spiritual and
- Intellectual
according to the different age groups.
At each of these life stages, the child faces different issues. The curriculum identifies these issues to enable the teachers to plan the lessons.
Activities that interest the child are used as the basis to deal with the issues. For example, if the issue is “The purpose of school rules”, and the children are very interested in soccer or dance, then soccer and dance are used as facilitation tools to address these issues. Following the same example, as the child internalizes the purpose of rules (through the experiential learning), s/he gets to apply it in his external environment, whether it be in relation to his family, school, or friends.
This is the beginning of awareness-building. The Awareness expands over the ages, as issues take on more importance in the child’s life. The child forms an awareness of himself as an individual, and how that individual relates to community, society and the world.
Throughout the different stages of the SSE Program, education is based on four pillars:
- Learning to KNOW
- Learning to DO
- Learning to LIVE
- Learning to BE
It unifies worldly knowledge (what we can learn from around us) with self knowledge (what we can learn about ourselves in relation to what’s happening around us) which then creates a balance in the individual.
A low student-guru ratio allows the process to be well implemented. A team of gurus in a level work together to create and implement lessons, and communicate with the children and parents. Mentors, who are young adults, support the gurus in their work.
Other regular activities
The core curriculum is further strengthened by the following activities that involve students on an ongoing basis
- Project based learning – service activities and other projects.
- Leadership training, including NYAA projects.
- Musical training.
- Educational and motivational workshops.
- Youth development / Mentoring.
- Overseas Service and Learning Journeys.
How are SSE Gurus trained?
Workshops are organized regularly by our senior gurus who have been trained at the Thailand and Australian Institutes of Sathya SAI education. All SSE gurus have gone through such a training workshop or those occasionally conducted by foreign trainers from other Institute of Sathya Sai Education
New SSE gurus are attached to senior SSE gurus for observation for a long period of time (1-2 years) prior to becoming independent.
Essential qualities desired from the SSE guru are commitment and dedication – and ALL are excellent SSE gurus who are self-motivated to give their precious time for this program on a voluntary basis.
In the gurus training, we try to plant a seed or touch a heart. We do teach techniques and talk about theory and philosophy but mostly we try to touch the teachers’ hearts and make them realize the need for change in their classrooms and in themselves. This is the greatest thing that can happen.
“If we talk head to head, we get nowhere. We must go heart to heart.”
Mentor-Program
Young adults who have graduated from the program often come back to become SSE gurus. They are first attached to classes as mentors, for two years prior to becoming regular SSE gurus.