It is difficult to understand a point of view which has originated very far
from where one grows up - be it about eating habits (not eating, cows, pigs,
dogs, bugs) or free sex or polygamy or polyandry or opposition/support for
abortion/abstinence or even morals and social structures like religion and
education of the society.
The little I have seen of Indian education is that all students study the same
thing at school - even about culture , ethics, morals --since all schools have
to have government accreditation and have to follow government mandated
curriculum (the only exceptions are some old, colonial era schools which have
accreditation to the British era board ICSE run mainly by Indo-British progeny
- Anglo Indians)
All other Indians in schools hundreds of millions study the same old thing -
that all religions are equal (since they do are in the eyes of the government)
and no religion can be shown in negative light (especially if the religion is
practised by minorities - means by those comprising less than 50% of
India's/state's population - which means Muslims, Christians, Buddishsts,
Sikhs, Parsis, Jains , Jews, Bahais etc - everyone except Hindus. Thus, one
cannot write about any negative socio-religious practices of any faith except
Hinduism. One cannot mention the violent fights between various religious sects
in any faiths (wesern ones esp) one cannot mention anything about position of
women in faiths other than Hindu faith (since all other faiths are minority and
thus as per Indian constitution protected from ridicule -even if based on truth)
Now in US atleast there are plenty of schools who do not follow any secular
ideals -- here is one example - which allows only Christians to become teacher
- practicing Christians - that is no adultery, no free sex etc - which I do
support .But is far from secular (atleast to one like me who has grown under
Indian brand of secularism)
However, government run US schools are not allowed to teach religion - Bible
can be taught but only as a literary text though teachers can volunteer to
organize religious study classes as extra-curricular activity even in top govt
school in US -- which might surprise a lay Indian educator or curriculum
developer
:
This is from the "mission" statement page which even Catholic schools in India
cannot put on their website (like the one did my grade 5-12 from ) -since they
to have to follow secular ideals - no student can be expected to only follow
this or that ......
MissionXYZ Christian School exists to educate students to the glory of God by
pursuing excellence for mind and heart.
ObjectivesWhile the mission of the school is quite clear, it is carried out
specifically through the accomplishment of institutional objectives. These
objectives can be organized into the three basic areas of knowledge, character
and service because XYZ is committed to intellectual formation, spiritual
development and cultural engagement. Based upon the biblical teaching about a
renewed mind and transformational, living faith, it is our expectation that the
knowledge students possess and the way they think will shape their character.
And this character will be manifested in the kinds of lives they live.
These institutional objectives speak for themselves:
As an academic institution committed to intellectual formation and the
biblical truth that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom, XYZ
purposes to impart to its students a proper knowledge of God, themselves and
the world in which they live.
As an academic institution committed to spiritual development, XYZ purposes
to shape the character of its students according to the teaching and example of
Jesus Christ as set forth in the Holy Scripture.
As an academic institution committed to cultural engagement, XYZ purposes to
instill in its students a commitment to an intentional and obedient life of
service in the Church and society, by Gods grace through the power of the Holy
Spirit.
These objectives are the guiding markers for evaluation and modification of
existing curriculum and programs, as well as the development of new programs
and offerings. They focus our efforts on every aspect of a students life:
upward, inward and outward. They also communicate clearly that XYZ is a
Christ-centered academic institution. It works in conjunction with family and
church and is not a replacement for either. In fact, the accomplishment of
these objectives, and indeed the fulfillment of the schools mission, is
facilitated when the student is receiving consistent and proper direction,
encouragement, and support from family, church, and school.
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Statement of FaithWe believe the Bible to be the only inspired, infallible,
authoritative Word of God. The truths of the Christian faith are found in the
Bible. The Apostles and Nicene Creeds are historic statements of Christian
faith and summarize these truths. XYZ Christian School affirms these creeds.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus
Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of
the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and
buried; He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He
ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father
Almighty; from thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church*, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life
everlasting. Amen.
The Nicene Creed
I believe in one God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all
things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of His
Father before all worlds, God of God, Light of Light, very God of very God,
begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things
were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, and was
incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made man, and
crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried, and the
third day He rose again according to the Scriptures, and ascended into
heaven,and sitteth on the right hand of the Father; And He shall come again
with glory to judge both the quick and the dead; Whose kingdom shall have no
end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceedeth
from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son together is
worshipped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And I believe in one
catholic and apostolic church; I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of
sins, and I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to
come. Amen.
*Note: The words catholic church in this creed do not refer to the Roman
Catholic church but rather express the belief in a universal church, which the
Son of God, through His Spirit and Word, out of the entire human race, from the
beginning of the world to its end, gathers, protects, and preserves for
Himself.
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School VerseFor God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his
light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Christ. - 2 Corinthians 4:6
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School HymnMay the Mind of Christ My Savior (Tune: St. Leonards) May the mind
of Christ my Savior Live in me from day to day,
By His love and powr controlling All I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly In my heart from hour to hour,
So that all may see I triumph Only through His powr.
May the peace of God my Father Rule my life in evrything,
That I may be calm to comfort Sick and sorrowing.
May the love of Jesus fill me As the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing- This is victory.
May I run the race before me, Strong and brave to face the foe,
Looking only unto Jesus As I onward go.
May His beauty rest upon me As I seek the lost to win,
And may they forget the channel, Seeing only Him.
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Students' Prayer
Eternal God, the light of the minds that know Thee,
the joy of the hearts that love Thee,
and the strength of the wills that serve Thee;
grant us so to know Thee that we may truly love Thee,
so to love Thee that we may fully serve Thee,
to the honor and glory of Thy holy name, through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Umesh Sharma
Washington D.C.
1-202-215-4328 [Cell]
Ed.M. - International Education Policy
Harvard Graduate School of Education,
Harvard University,
Class of 2005
http://www.uknow.gse.harvard.edu/index.html (Edu info)
http://hbswk.hbs.edu/ (Management Info)
www.gse.harvard.edu/iep (where the above 2 are used )
http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/
http://jaipurschool.bihu.in/
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