Workshop: Basic Course in Integral Education—Theory & Approaches

“We are here to open the way of the Future

to children who belong to the Future.” – The Mother

The National-level Integral Education Workshop for 2015, organized by the India Council for Integral Education (ICIE, an initiative of Sri Aurobindo Society), titled ‘Basic Course in Integral Education—Theory & Approaches’, began amidst intense preparation and anticipation. It was held at the Society House of Sri Aurobindo Society, from May 10 to 16, 2015, for teachers, principals, educationists and parents. With the usual last-minute drop-outs and interviews making it all the more interesting, the organizing team was ready to receive the participants and give them a warm and inspiring week.

The objective of the workshop was to introduce the principles and practice of Integral Education as envisioned by Sri Aurobindo and the Mother to participants, laying emphasis on creating a greater awareness and practical implementation.

Over the course of the next 7 days, the sessions focused on helping each visiting educator to unearth newer ideas and exploring the world of Integral Education through interactive sessions, activities, opening up to Nature, understanding oneself, music, art, craft, games, etc., interspersed throughout with personal touches from the facilitators. Most of the sessions were aimed at the whole group, whereas some sessions were specifically for kindergarten and primary teachers. All of them discovered, talked, discussed, sang, danced, played, queried, searched and researched, laughed and cried, and predominantly learned as they had never learned before. Each day brought some new activities, programmes, events, resource persons and experiences that enhanced their awareness and sensitivity towards education as a way of life and children as growing souls.

Just before the Workshop came to an end, a focused written feedback was collected. The participants wrote for each resource person and every session they had attended. Physically sitting and penning down their feelings collectively resulted in some very conscious feedback and suggestions, much of which was heart-warming and motivating for the organizers. It was a hugely satisfying experience to observe the teachers discard their old skins and consciously attempt to grow new ones. Each session held value for some participant and each participant held, brought value to some resource person.

Some were worried about how to return to their normal school lives, others were guilty of superficial teaching of concepts, some longed to go back and make a change but mostly every participant shared that they’d had a great time and that this workshop was transformational in many ways. Of course, the food and the warm hospitality got plenty of attention too!

All in all, the workshop was more than a learning experience, for the participants—it was transformational; for the organizers it was heartening and encouraging. The group itself this year seemed quite ready to take in what was being offered and that was a huge factor in energizing even the resource people. Bonds were created and inspiration was shared. It left a warm but permanent impact on majority of the participants.

It was just the beginning of something beautiful, for all the participants and in turn for the children who will be coming into contact with them!

You can download the full report, with photo-collage, here: http://goo.gl/cfmyRh