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Revision as of 18:25, 6 November 2006 by NovaSTL (talk | contribs) (Restoring valid sourced criticism. Stop trying to remove negative information from the article.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)International Sahaja Public School in Dharamsala, India is a religious school operated by the Sahaja Yoga organization which was founded by Shri Mataji in 1970. The school itself was founded in 1990, its stated mission to "promote peace and wisdom in the education of children," and reinforces Hindu teachings. The school is located in the mountains, above Dharamsala in the Kangra district, near McLeod Ganj, at a height of more than 1700m. The curriculum is formally recognized by the European educational establishment, and graduates are able to gain admission to any university in Europe.
Overview
The school teaches around 250 international students annually. Subjects (as followed by the ICSE corriculum) includes standard courses plus English, German, Indian Classical Music (including instruments), and Indian Classical Dance (Kuchipudi, Kathak etc.)
The school has an Internet-connected computer lab, science lab, library, art and craft halls, music and dance rooms, and sport facilities including a gym, skating ramp, basketball field, cricket pitch, and soccer fields.
Students start as young as six, and though they may come from different religious backgrounds when they enter, are re-christened with Hindu names when they join the school, and invariably graduate as devout Hindus. Daily routines start and end with the sound of Hindu chanting, and before eating, children must place their hands over the food to "purge it of bad vibrations." The only dances and musics that are taught are Indian, and the Hindi language is compulsory. The only festivals that are celebrated are Hindu festivals, and they involve elaborate costumes and reenactments. Personal decorations in the children's rooms are discouraged, so that the only posters on the walls are those of the organization's founder, Mata Nirmala Devi. Modern entertainment is also discouraged, with the children only allowed to watch video cassettes of Sahaja Yoga and "suitable" classics. Students live at the school 9 months out of the year, receiving a three month break during the winter. Many say they like the environment, though others have said that after attending the school, they have trouble fitting in to "normal society", and feel that they end up as "misfits" or "religious freaks." Another parent complained that when his daughter returned from the school, that her "grades were very poor in reading, writing and maths, and when we picked her up on her annual holiday, she had lice and her clothes were tattered and dirty."
The school has a staff of 30 teachers, all of whom are required to be Sahaja Yogis, and participate in the twice daily meditations.
References
- 2006 ICSE Syllabus
- School's official website
- A School for tradition December 20, 2004, Indian Express
- "Shri Who Must Be Obeyed", July 13, 2001, Independent News
External links
- Introduction to ISPS, from the Sahaja Yoga website
- Testimonials from alumni (positive)
- Testimonials from alumni (negative)
- A school where students learn to give Article in the Tribune of India.