Integrate values with academics, say experts
Mrudu Naik
Thu Sep 29 2011 09:17:34 GMT+0400 (Arabian Standard Time) Oman Time
Moral factor: The Ministry of Education has plans to develop each
individual child in an integrated manner with regards to their spiritual,
social and emotional well being.–Jun Estrada/TIMES OF OMAN
MUSCAT: The cornerstone of any education system lies in its human values
programme and the Ministry of Education in Oman seems to best illustrate this
by embarking on a unique journey as it holds 40 workshops for 40 schools here.
To commemorate the occasion of the 40th Year of the Renaissance, the SAI
Group of Oman, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, is conducting 40
workshops (10 have already been done) of four hours each on ‘Integration of
Human Values in Teaching’, for teachers of 40 Omani schools.
The workshop was declared open at a function by chief guest Dr Madiha
Ahmed Al Shaibani, the minister of education.
Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali, editor-in-chief of Times of Oman and
chairman of MPPH was the guest of honour at the event.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ahmed Al Ajmi,
said, “The philosophy of Ministry of Education places great emphasis on
developing each individual child in an integrated manner with regard to their
spiritual, social and emotional well being. We hope the link formed between
Serve and Inspire group and MoE will continue to benefit all the children in
the Sultanate of Oman regardless of nationality.
“We hope that the values we learn at these workshops will stay with us
for the rest of our lives.”
Congratulating the organisers, Essa bin Mohammed Al Zedjali said, “It is
a wonderful initiative and the students and teachers of Oman will benefit
immensely from the workshops. Times of Oman has been associated with the SAI
Group, who have been conducting ‘Spreading the Light through Human Values’
essay writing and poster making competition on human value themes for various
schools in Oman since 2003.
This initiative has grown into a huge success. Similarly, I am sure
teachers and students will benefit immensely through these workshops which give
equal importance to both academic and spiritual aspects of education through
the introduction of human values, as exemplified in the concepts of truth,
love, peace, right-conduct and non-violence.”
G. B. Choithram Jethwani, member of Sri Sathya World Foundation and
Regional Central Coordinator, Region 94, Gulf and Middle East, also graced the
occasion.
Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) programme has been
successfully adopted in 165 countries and on the basis of which the workshop
for the teachers has been designed. Institutes like The International Institute
of Sathya Sai Education in Thailand, The Institute of SAI Education in Zambia,
United Kingdom, Australia, and Latin America serve in training the trainers to
help the generation imbibe values.
Speaking on ‘The importance of Value Education and Overview of SSEHV
model’, Sanjay Sahni, a prominent educator from Bangalore, said, “Value
education is of critical importance not only to our country alone but to the
entire world.”
Sahni said, “We have to give our young the roots of our tradition,
cultural value which sustained our civilisation.
“We also have to give our young the capacity to dream the ability to feel
that the sky is not the limit for their achievements.”
He also pointed out that the teachers must help the children become
“humans” first.
“All your efforts should not make them become learned monsters,” Sahni
noted.
Global peace
Quoting Shri Satya Sai Baba, well known speaker Nimesh Pandya from Mumbai
said: “If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the
character, If there is beauty in the character, there will be harmony in the
home. If there is harmony in the home, there will be order in the nation. If
there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.”
He said the problems that the world is facing today is the crisis of
character in man.
“Unity of thought, work and deed is important and this is what is lacking
society,” Pandya said, while stressing on the need for integrating value
education with the conventional academics.
A song based on human values rendered by students of Dorat Al Khaleej Pvt
School was also a highlight of the event.
A V Manohar gave the welcome address and a short film on the humanitarian
projects of Sri Sathya Sai Baba, founder of SSEHV Model, was screened.
Sudha Krishna presented an overview of the 40 workshops. Nina Mutok from
Al Huda Private School shared her impressions of the workshop. Teachers of Al
Ibdaa Pvt School presented a group activity on the theme ‘Adherence to Traffic
Rules’.
Viswanathan proposed a vote of thanks.
The schools where the workshops have already been completed include Dorat
Al -Khaleej Private School, Al Wataniyah Private School (National Private
School), Madinat Sultan Qaboos Private School, Ahmed bin Majid Private School,
Mawaleh School Private School, Qurm School Private School, Al Ibdaa Private
School, Al Wattayah Private School, Al Huda Private School and Dar Al Hanan and
Al Manhal Private School.
The workshops consist of carefully woven modules describing the need for
human values and the teacher’s role in shaping up the children, followed by
interactive sessions and practical demonstrations through group activities.
The focus is primarily on how best the human values can be integrated in
the curriculum using simple, but striking techniques. This value based project
will ultimately benefit the school children and the community at large.
Teachers who attend the workshops receive a certificate of participation
issued by the Ministry of Education and SAI Group, Oman.
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