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There are 77 Vidyalayas all over India including the Chinmaya International Residential School (CIRS) in Coimbatore, Tamilnadu. Some schools are affiliated with the State Board Syllabus, and some with the Central Board. At least 25 schools have completed 25 years of service.
The schools stive for academic excellence. In many schools ethics is part of the normal curriculum. Some schools have vedic chanting classes and extra curricular activities which include Indian classical dance and music. Most schools teach Sanskrit as a compulsory subject. Geeta chanting competitions are held in schools. The total number of students in all vidyalayas is about 40,000.
Chinmaya Vision Program: A Comprehensive Educational Program For Schools Since last year the Chinmaya Vision Program is introduced in all Chinmaya Vidyalayas. This is a comprehensive educational program which integrates the best in our culture and philosophy with academic education, and aims at giving the future citizens of India a true vision of life to help them face challenges in a positive and dynamic manner, and heartily contribute to society. The child is the focal point of this program, which also embraces the school management, teachers and parents.
The Chinmaya Vision Program can be identified under four heads:
1. Integrated development of the child Physical development (physical fitness, nutrition, hygiene, health education et c.), mental development (to live in harmony with himself/herself and the world, handling emotion etc.), intellectual development (develop independent thinking e tc.), spiritual development (value education, philosophy, meditation, etc.).
2. Culture Culture is more than just art forms and festivals. A wide exposure to the various aspects of a rich culture, cultural awareness, and appreciation of the vast literary, artistic, and scientific heritage, explanations of myths and traditions, and cultural motivation through hobbies and projects.
3. Patriotism Citizenship, unity in diversity, etc. to created dedicated and committed citizens who take pride in serving the country.
4. Universal Outlook An appreciation, sensitivity and commitment to universal issues. Ancient Indians viewed the world in a holistic way, where every being from the unicellular organism to man has its own sacred place of pride. After years of mindless pillage of nature, the world needs to come back to this universal view of life. This helps the child to be a responsible citizen of the world.
The Teacher is guided into this program with the help of CVP Manual as well as Teacher's Orientation Workshops. Self-assessment scales enable him/her to check his self-worth and effectiveness. The Parent is gently drawn into the program through manuals, parenting workshops, child assessment, self-assessment, and expert advice. The School Management through its active participation can significantly help this program which aims at all-round 'man-making' education, and not just academics at the cost of other aspects of a child's development.
Swami Chinmayananda's vision of character molding and personality development as a mark of true education, integrates the Chinmaya Vidyalayas, and helps them evolve into schools with a tangible and lasting difference. The Chinmaya Vision Program is administered by the Central Chinmaya Mission Trust, Sandeepany Sadhanalaya, Saki Vihar Road, Mumbai 400 072 |
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