Times-SAI essay-writing, poster-making competition to be held on April 14 at ISG

[Guest guest]

Times-SAI essay-writing, poster-making competition to be

held on April 14 at ISG

MUSCAT — The open essay-writing and poster-making competition under the theme

‘Spreading the light through human values 2005’, organised by the Serve And

Inspire (SAI) Group and the Times of Oman, will be held at Indian School Al

Ghubra on April 14. The mega event is the third edition of the competition. The

SAI Group, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, has sent invitations

to 151 schools of different categories such as Omani Arabic, Omani bilingual,

Community and Special Education schools in Oman. The topics for both

poster-making and essay-writing are ‘Kindness is goodness’ for ages 6 to 9

years (Group A), ‘Nature is the best teacher’ for ages 9 to 12 years (Group B),

‘Watch your words’ for ages 12 to 15 years (Group C) and ‘Service to community’

for ages 15 to 18 years (Group D). The participants will be given 90 minutes

for essay-writing and 120 minutes for poster-making. Each school can send a

maximum of three entries each for poster-making and essay-writing per age group

(in all a maximum of 24 entries from a school). Any school that has not received

the communication may contact the Times of Oman office reception and collect the

entry forms. Additional copies of the entry forms, if required, can be

photocopied. The duly-filled forms (routed only through the schools) should

reach the organisers before March 31, the closing date. No entry fees will be

charged either to the students or to the schools. The organisers will provide

the participants with foolscap ruled papers with roll numbers for writing the

essay and A3 size white sheets for poster-making. Other materials required for

writing/drawing have to be brought by the participants. First, second and third

prizes will be awarded in every age group, for each category of school viz.

Omani Arabic, Omani bilingual, International Community and Special Education

for poster-making as well as essay-writing. In addition, consolation prizes

will also be given. All the participants will be awarded certificates. The

winning entries will be exhibited to the general public on the awarding

ceremony day. The venue, which is Indian School Al Ghubra, is located near the

Al Maha filling station which is between the Al Ghubra and Athaiba round

abouts, across the highway facing the Grand Mosque. The development of

character is the real purpose of education. Students who are thoroughly

introduced to the five universal human values viz. Truth, Right Action, Peace,

Love, and Non-violence grow into nobler human beings with a well-balanced

personality. This has been the objective of the Sathya Sai Education in Human

Values (SSEHV) programme. Conducting competitions based on human values such as

this greatly nurture and facilitate the blossoming of values from within a

child. The participants do research on these topics, by going through many

books, by listening to the guidance of their teachers and parents and by

discussing with their class-mates and friends. During this process they

continuously contemplate on the human values and such positive thoughts are

reinforced in their sub-conscious minds. This helps them grow into nobler

individuals which is a great gain for the society and the nation. The

organisers of this competition are the Serve And Inspire (SAI) Group, a

dedicated team of people involved in Service projects such as blood donation

camps (recognised by the Ministry of Health as a group involved in spreading

the awareness of blood donation and participating over the last 19 years),

health awareness and education campaigns for the needy. The SAI Group has

derived inspiration from the Sathya Sai Education in Human Values and its

International Institute of Sathya Sai Education in Thailand and conducted

seminars on human values themes such as on Peace, Right Conduct, Non-Violence,

Value Parenting etc. with speakers derived from various walks of life and

backgrounds. They have conducted many workshops in co-operation with the

Ministry of Education on “Role of teachers and Inculcation of Human Values” the

most recent being held at MoE Training Centre, Salalah.

sourced:

http://www.timesofoman.com/newsdetails.asp?newsid=12992&pn=local