Sri Sathya Sai Education - International Sri Sathya Sai Organization

Council and the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation
with Dr. Michael Goldstein as their indomitable
Chairman. Arising from the need to examine the
workings and relationships of the Sri Sathya Sai
Organisation and Swami’s Educational Programmes,
the Council set up a task force for the former under
the chairmanship of Prof. Venkataraman, Ex-Vice-
Chancellor of the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher
Learning. The Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation set
up another Task Force under the Chairmanship of
Dr. Pal Dhall, an eminent scientist and educationist,
followed by the establishment of the Education
Committee under the Chairmanship of Kalyan Ray,
a retired and distinguished United Nations Officer.
The outcome of the work of the Education
Committee was the production of the book titled
Global Overview of Sri Sathya Sai Education, and the
production of drafts of guidelines for the structure
and function of Sri Sathya Sai Institutes and Sri
Sathya Sai Schools.
The Sathya Sai Model
Swami has not just given us the contents
and processes of His education as embodied
in the concepts of Educare, SSE and SSEHV,
but has provided us with two models for their
implementation:
1. He is a paragon of virtues - a model of excellence
in the practice of Human Values. He loves all and
serves all – students, teachers, parents and the
world. As an educator, He only explains and
inspires but never complains. Qualities such as
these are the guiding light which all levels of Sathya
Sai Educators are expected to emulate if our schools
and institutes around the world are to make the
desired impact, in the communities in which they
operate.
2. The second model is concerned with Teaching –
on using the medium and language of instruction, as
starters. During the inauguration function of the Sri
Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning (SSSIHL),
He proclaimed:
“This University will not be imparting in its
Botany Course merely a knowledge of trees in
Nature; we will spread the knowledge of the Tree
of true living.
It will not be imparting the knowledge merely of
economics; the knowledge of theistic ethics too will
be included.
It will not be merely teaching Chemistry
(Rasaayana Shaasthra); it will also unravel
the mystery of “Raso vai sah,” the Supreme
Embodiment of nectarine sweetness, the Atma.
It will teach not only the science of the material
world (padaartha); it will also teach the science
of the non-material world (paraartha). It will not
differentiate the material from the non-material
or treat the non-material as irrelevant to the
material.
We have decided that this shall be the uniqueness
of the University.
This will not, like other Universities, adopt a few
faculties and burden their alumni with degrees,
which they can present as begging bowls while
clamouring for jobs.
This University will confer on its alumni the
courage and confidence, the knowledge and the
skill, to shape their careers by their own efforts,
standing on their own feet and relying on their own
strength.
So, we have proposed that spiritual education is to
be integrated harmoniously with the teaching of
ethical, physical and metaphysical sciences in this
University.”
This is indeed integral education, the model,
the guiding principle for all of Swami’s educational
institutions and programmes, including our Schools
and Institutes; and, this Conference in particular.
We should emulate this model and must follow.
Three Examples of Personal Encounter
With Products of Sathya Sai Education
1. Participants at the Conference of eminent
educationists organised by the Sri Sathya Sai Institute
of Higher Learning held at Puttaparthi were hosted
at the Shanti Bhavan and we were lovingly cared for
by selected students of the Institute. After dinner
one night, I approached two students for some fruits
for my dessert; they looked at each other and one of
them told me to go to my room, and the fruits will
be served. About fifteen minutes later, there was a
knock at my door and when I opened it, I saw one
of the students with a small basket of assorted fruits,
beautifully arranged and covered, and he said, “Sir,
37