The Universal Education curriculum is designed to help
children develop "the good heart", meaning the qualities
of kindness and compassion and a sense of respect and ethical
responsibility towards all beings. This is achieved by integrating
some specific elements with the standard subjects.
Standard Subjects
Standard subjects include: Hindi, English, Sanskrit, Urdu,
Mathematics, Science (Physics, Chemistry and Biology), Social
Studies (History, Geography and Civics), Yoga and Creative
Arts (Art, Craft, Music, Dance and Drama), The academic programme
is aligned with the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education
(ICSE) curriculum, which is one of the most widely recognised
in India, and senior students sit for national examinations
conducted by the National Institute of Open Schooling.
Meditation and Yoga
The practice of meditation and yoga provides the
foundation for mental and physical development. In particular,
meditation helps develop a peaceful state of mind, good
concentration and critical awareness.
Generating "the Good Heart"
Good qualities and ethical values are promoted through
the study of stories and biographies and the use of drama
and role play. Special empahisis is given to important historical
figures such as Gandhi, St Francis, Mother Teresa, Ramakrishna
and Shakyamuni Buddha.
Philosophy
To help the children gain a realistic understanding of their
relationship with the world the curriculum includes elements
designed to impart an understanding of the nature of the mind,
cause and effect, impermanence and interdependence. These
are introduced in special programme classes through age related
activities, discussion and debate.
Social Outreach/Work Experience
Senior classes participate in social work programmes such
as:
- Working at a local health clinic talking to patients,
doing massage, storytelling, singing and helping with
cleaning and other chores.
- Assisting at the annual "eye hospital" (which conducts
around 20,000 eye operations) by helping to look after
the patients and assist the nurses and doctors.
- Working at a local orphanage teaching the children art
and craft.
- Conducting environmental projects in villages to promote
effective waste management and tree planting.
Local Traditions
Special emphasis is given to fostering and maintaining
some of the local traditions that are crucial to the children's
sense of cultural identity. These include art, craft, dance
& music and indigenous approaches to health management.
Download a Copy of the Maitreya School Curriculum
The curriculum is in Adobe Acrobat PDF format (470kb)
