164 schools to take part in essay, poster competition

[Guest guest]

164 schools to take part in essay, poster competition

MUSCAT — Some 164 schools will participate in the Times of Oman — Open Essay

Writing and Poster-Making Competition, to be organised

by the Serve And Inspire (SAI) Group, under the theme ‘Spreading the light

through human values 2006’ on April 13, at the Indian School Al Ghubra. “Thanks

to the encouragement given by the Ministry of Education, the event has grown

from 38 schools in 2003 to 164 schools this year and the participating schools

include 70 Omani Arabic schools (Cycle two and Secondary) nominated by the

Ministry of Education, 56 Omani bilingual schools, 33 international schools and

five special education schools,” said a press release from the organisers.

Schools can send a maximum of five entries each for poster-making and essay

writing per age group (in all a maximum of 40 entries from each school) for

this event which is conducted without any participation fee either from the

students or schools. The last date for the schools to send the entries is March

31. The Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSEHV) programme based on the five

universal human values viz. Truth, Right

Action, Peace, Love and Non-violence focuses on the development of character and

of the full human potential of every child. The event derives its inspiration

from the principles of SSEHV and so value-based themes have been chosen for

essay writing as well as poster-making. Announcing the themes well in advance

helps the students to gain from the guidance of their teachers and parents as

well as discussions with their peers. This process benefits all concerned. The

focus of each topic is as follows: Group A (6-9 years) Help the Needy: Children

should be taught to “feel” for others, specially those who are less fortunate

than them. Helping others in whatever way possible should be impressed in their

minds from a young age so that it eventually becomes a habit. This help does not

refer to acts of giving money or material things alone. A kind word, a

thoughtful act — all these can go a long way in bringing a smile or a cheer for

those who are needy. There are many

ways in which a child can reach out and serve those in need in our society. What

is required is a heart full of love and tenderness which is capable of giving

and forgiving at all times. Group B (9-12 years) Unity is Strength: United we

stand, divided we fall is not a mere saying. A single stick when bent breaks

easily but not so a whole bundle. The value of staying together should be

clearly explained to a child as it requires great strength even to work

together. It calls for love, understanding and harmony. It also needs to go

beyond the qualities and differences of individuals so that one can participate

and work collectively as a group. Group A (12-15 years) Charity Begins at Home:

An act of giving can be called charity. It can be done in many ways but what is

important is that the home where the child lives should be the starting point. A

child learns to care and share, even as he grows up in the warmth and security

of his surroundings with members of his

family. Only when he practices these skills at home can he extend them to his

school and society at large. What he does not practice at home will not come

easily elsewhere. So practice first and preach later. Group D (15-18 years)

Water is Life: History tells us that all major civilisations of the world since

the dawn of humanity came alongside rivers or other water bodies. In most

cultures water is held sacred and called the source of life. Yet man does not

hesitate to pollute seas and rivers, all in the name of modernisation and

development. We must also remember that though man can remain hungry for quite

a few days, he cannot remain thirsty for so many days. We should constantly

remind ourselves that every drop of water saved, can quench someone’s thirst.

Children have to be taught the importance of conserving water and preserving it

for posterity. In other words, be water wise and water efficient. Creativity,

content, technique and efficacy of

conveying the theme will be the criteria of judgment. A three-member team (two

from the community and one from the organisers) will evaluate each entry

independently. It would be ensured that the judges do not know the identity of

the participants. The judging for each category of school viz. Omani Arabic,

Omani Bilingual, International and Special Education would be separate i.e. the

students from one category of school would be competing within the same category

only. The decision of the judges will be final and binding.

 

 

©2006 Times of Oman Links to articles from newspapers, journals, magazines

related to Bhagavan Sri Sathya Sai Baba:

http://www.saibabalinks.org/saibabainthemedia.htm