Education and Human Values in New Zealand

[Guest guest]

by Richard J WallisInstitute of Sathya Sai Education, New Zealand

The Sathya Sai Education in Human Values Programme first started in New Zealand

some 20 years ago when Jeanie Peel, inspired by Sathya Sai's education

programme, started an Education in Human Values (EHV) class from her home for

the children of the local area.

Since then it has spread to a number of schools and five community groups. One

of the schools is Rongomai Primary School in Otara, which is a disadvantaged

suburb of Auckland (our largest city). A group of volunteers began going to the

school once a week to give a values class. Connie, one of this remarkable team,

went on a walking frame and the children adored her, reflecting the love that

she poured out to them.

It was from this group that the Sathya Sai Preschool grew. The primary school

realised the value of Preschool Education and asked us and two other groups if

we would start a regular early childhood centre at the school. We started a

'Play Centre' and later applied for registration for it to become a 'Licensed

Pre-school'. In New Zealand, the main difference is that the latter are much

more accountable to the Ministry of Education, with more stringent requirements

on staffing and regular inspections by the Ministry of Education Review Office

(ERO). We are fortunate that we receive a government subsidy, which helps us

meet the cost of staffing. Our first ERO Review last year was outstanding and

the inspectors commented, "You mention values such as Love in your Charter.

When we see the interaction between the teachers and the children and the

children with each other, we understand what you mean."

The Preschool has two sessions, one in the morning and one in the afternoon,

with some children staying the whole day. At present it caters for 25 children

per session. A recent grant from the Ministry has enabled us to double the size

of the existing building, which is owned by our Institute of Sathya Sai

Education, although sited in the Rongomai Primary School grounds. The extension

will eventually enable us to cater for 40 children per session and to have more

on a full day basis.

It is a delight to see how quickly these children, almost all of whom are from

Maori or Pacifica origin, blossom in the loving, values-based teaching

environment. Poor behaviour patterns in new children coming to the centre

quickly melt away and their true self shines through, sparkling in the eyes and

expressing itself in radiant smiles.

Last year I asked the then Rongomai Primary School Principal, 'Beverly, is the

Sai Preschool having a beneficial effect on the school?' Beverly replied,

'Richard, not only on the school but on the whole community.'

One of the main driving forces behind this exceptional project is our Teaching

Principal, Jeannie Peel, the lady who started that first EHV programme in her

home some 20 years ago.

It is now well accepted in New Zealand that early childhood education sets the

foundations for the child's life long learning patterns. In my mind, it is also

the best age to introduce Human Values. The child's true nature has not yet been

thickly covered and once this is awakened, the child will blossom, achieving his

or her potential in his or her own unique and wonderful way.

 

Source:

Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (UK) Newsletter - August

2004http://www.sathyasaiehv.org.uk/Newsletters/Aug04/email.htm

 

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