Imparting Human Values - Article on 15th August 2004

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Article published in The Star, Malaysia, http://thestar.com.my/

Sunday August 15, 2004

URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2004/8/15/education/8597559&sec=education

 

 

Imparting human values

BY S. INDRAMALAR IT is quite common to hear children talk animatedly about

computer games, television series or pop idols, but community service, caring

and sharing? At the recent Sathya Sai Educare Awards ceremony, graduating

students of the Sathya Sai Central Council of Malaysia's Education in Human

Values (SSEHV) programme shared their experiences. Tharshini Arumugam said:

“I was only eight when I started attending the classes. Thanks to the

programme, I have learnt to listen to my inner voice or conscience, and this

has helped me to differentiate between right and wrong. The programme has also

developed my leadership skills as I am now better able to focus on my school

work and everything else that I do.” Another student, Anusha Aravind, 17,

agreed. She said: “The classes have helped me in many ways. For instance, I

have learnt to mix with people and to work as a team through participating in

the class activities. The moral values taught have also helped me to see the

importance of (community) service, the value of sharing and caring, and the

need to accept people as they are. “More importantly, I have learnt to be

patient, to have self-confidence and be positive about things,” she added.

 

ALL AGLOW: Anusha (centre, with parents) feels she has internalised good values

from the SSEHV programme.

The two were among 48 children to receive “scrolls” for successfully completing

eight years of value-based training under the SSEHV programme. Of the 48

students, 10 received best student honours for exemplary overall conduct.

The event also saw eight teachers receiving Lifetime Exemplary Teachers Awards

for having served tirelessly on a voluntary basis to teach SSEHV classes. On

hand to present the awards was AmBank Group Chairman, Tan Sri Azman Hashim, who

was presented a special award for his active contribution to society. The SSEHV

programme is aimed at children between the ages of seven and 15. Weekly classes

focus on instilling basic human values such as truth, right conduct, peace,

love and non-violence in children, to make them realise how these values are

essential in character development. Through lessons and activities such as

dramas, debates and service activities, children learn how to deal with

everyday situations without compromising on basic values. The children are also

taught to believe in God and to follow the religion of their birth or choice.

Lest people expect the programme to miraculously “transform” their chidren,

former SSEHV student and now a teacher in the programme, Anushia Jegathevi,

said the programme basically laid a foundation for children to start their

lives with. “The programme teaches values and skills. However, every

individual has the right to choose to either follow the values taught or veer

off in another direction,” she said. Another former “graduate” Ayishwariya

Menon agreed, adding that often, the benefits of the class are only felt years

later. “For me, it was not until after I had spent a year in England that I

really understood what the programme was trying to teach me. In England, I was

on my own and no longer under the watchful eyes of my parents. I had to be

independent and responsible for my actions. In this liberal age, it is

sometimes hard not to bow to external pressure but somehow the lessons I learnt

when I was 10 helped me make the right decisions. They were etched a little too

well to forget,” said the 19-year-old who is currently studying biomedical

engineering at Imperial College in London in the United Kingdom. Parent Tan

Dea Dy said: “I found the SSEHV most useful in providing spiritual guidance for

my children. It has given them an inter-cultural perspective as they mix and

discuss issues with children of other races. “Sometimes we thought they were

not paying attention but we later realised that they were slowly imbibing the

values taught. Once, when he was still in secondary school, my son Chung Zen

stood up for a classmate who had been punished for an act he did not commit. We

were proud that he knew the value of righteousness,” she said. Tan’s three

children are still currently attending the classes. The Council was

established in 1983 and is a non-sectarian and non-profit organisation

dedicated to the promotion of human values and selfless service. SSEHV

programmes have been conducted throughout the country for more than two

decades, with more than 5,000 children and young adults having gone through the

programme to date. Classes are conducted free of charge at various centres and

venues nationwide. For more information, contact the Sathya Sai Academy at

03-2274 4827. Do You

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