Evolution in Integral Education (IEP 2005 - 2006)

Integral Education Program this year was very special and very different from what it was last year. As one watched, it was like a beautiful program unfolding on the television. And one was just a character in the program, acting under the influence of a Divine director.

IEP 2005-2006 began with 17 children, 5 of whom were returning students from last year. Right from the start, a certain beauty could be seen as coming from within the children, and it was fascinating to watch them work and play together, both in their home and extended groups.

As the program evolved, several changes took place and new activities were conducted. One change from last year was the introduction of home groups with four children per group. Each group had its own fixed facilitator, such that each child could interact more closely with their facilitator. Another change was the integration of the education program, such that the children had a wholesome view of integral education, in contrast to the by-parts activities that we had introduced previously.

There were also more outdoor activities this year. One remembers what Sraddhalu said about a child assimilating what he learns when he plays. Each two hour lesson was planned with half an hour of play time, where the children and facilitators tackled physical and team building games. There were also several outdoor activities, notable among them the cycling trip to Pulau Ubin in September 2005, the night walk in December 2005 and the tree top walk, which will be organized in June 2006. Back by popular demand was of course the "Big walk", a 14 kilometer endurance hike which was held for the 4th time in March 2006.

Reflecting, it is very clear that The Mother’s hand can be seen in the way the IEP 2005-2006 was run. Several new aspirants have joined our facilitator team and it seems so right to meet on Sunday afternoons to spend a couple of hours of activity with the children. Sometime over the year, it has become clear to me that IEP is The Mother’s project and She runs it the way She wants it run.