Sri Sathya Sai International Organization

Definitional Issues, Goals, and Objectives

What constitutes an Institute of Sri Sathya Sai Education?

• An Institute of Sri Sathya Sai Education (ISSSE) is part of a worldwide network of educational institutions, established to promote the principles and programs of Sri Sathya Sai Education in Human Values (SSSEHV) at primary, secondary and tertiary levels through both formal and non-formal channels of education including SSSEHV community education
• It is a legally constituted body with a Board of Directors/Governors duly recognized by relevant public authorities in the respective country, and operates on a non-profit basis
• The ISSSE is recognized by the Sri Sathya Sai World Foundation (SSSWF) and the Prasanthi Council

What are the goals and objectives of an Institute of Sri Sathya Sai Education?

Every ISSSE is expected to develop a mission statement reflecting the institute’s objectives and goals.  The key elements of the mission statement should include:

• Establishing a universal understanding of the spiritual principles underlying education, based on the teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba
• Ensuring the authenticity of Sri Sathya Sai Education based on the philosophy of Sri Sathya Sai Educare and the pedagogy of Integral Education
• Enhancing the quality of Sri Sathya Sai Education through continuous refinements in the curriculum, teacher training and development, standards setting, and quality assurance programs
• Enhancing the awareness, understanding and outreach of Sri Sathya Sai Education with the educational establishment in each country under the supervision of the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council 

Establishment of Institutes of Sri Sathya Sai Education in the Future

In line with the established policy of the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council, all SSSEHV programs and related institutions will remain under the administration of the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council.  Wherever possible, ISSSEs will act as the implementation arm of the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council in matters of SSSEHV delivery. 

Criteria for the Establishment of ISSSEs in the Future

ISSSEs will be established only after a case-by-case approval of the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council. 

In deciding on the establishment of an ISSSE, the following criteria will be considered, among others:

• The level of SSSEHV activities and programs in a country or in a region
• The establishment of a new Sri Sathya Sai School in a country, requiring professional guidance and oversight
• Recommendations of the Zone Chairman, who will take into consideration the recommendations of the relevant Central Coordinator and the Chairman of the Central Council or National Coordinating Committee

Transitional Measures

Following the establishment of a new ISSSE, the SSSEHV activities conducted by the Sri Sathya Sai Organization within a country will be transferred to the newly created Institute. Such transfer of responsibilities should be effected in a harmonious manner and according to a mutually agreed upon timetable.  The transition should be overseen by the Chairman of Central Council or Coordinating Committee, the Central Coordinator, the Zone Chair, and the Director of the Institute .

SSSEHV Coordinators

A newly established ISSSE may designate SSSEHV Coordinators within a country to oversee and coordinate SSSEHV programs in partnership/complementary schools and in communities as well as other activities of the Institute, as needed.

Functions of Institutes of Sri Sathya Sai Education 

In order to realize the goals and objectives outlined in section 1(b) above, every ISSSE will undertake training and other activities, consistent with available resources, which may be broadly classified under the following categories:

Training Activities  

ISSSEs will undertake training of teachers  and teacher trainers who are preparing themselves for, or are already teaching SSSEHV in Sri Sathya Sai Schools, partnership/complementary schools, and in community SSSEHV programs. Training of SSE teachers will be undertaken on specific requests from the Sri Sathya Sai Organization. Training activities will be undertaken in accordance with the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council Guidelines for Training Programs.

As capacity allows, ISSSEs may provide:

• Continuing support (in-service/professional development) for ISSSE trained Certificate holders
• Classes in which Sri Sathya Sai Educare is applied to parenting and parent care, subject to content specifications to be approved by the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council

Development of SSSEHV Educational Resources

All teaching and learning resources developed by ISSSEs, e.g. teacher’s guides, manuals and workbooks including lesson plans etc. should be consistent with the core syllabus for SSSEHV approved by SSSWF and Prasanthi Council.  All educational resources should also authentically reflect the core principles of Sri Sathya Sai Educare, based on the spiritual teachings of Sri Sathya Sai Baba. 

Professional Support to Sri Sathya Sai Schools  

An ISSSE, designated for this purpose by the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council, will be the chief resource base for professional guidance, support and oversight of one or more Sri Sathya Sai Schools.  Activities in this area may include:

• Providing technical support to SSSWF and Prasanthi Council in reviewing applications and determining the feasibility of new Sri Sathya Sai Schools
• Advising relevant authorities in the selection and appointment of members to a Sri Sathya Sai School’s governing body
• Providing guidance and oversight in the selection and appointment of the Principal and the teaching staff of the School
• Working closely with an established Sri Sathya Sai School’s governing body, and the school leadership, when appropriate, with a view to ensure that the school receives adequate professional guidance and support for its development on a continuing basis
• Developing and conducting in-service training programs for teachers
• Conducting periodic inspections for accreditation and for ensuring quality standards in meeting character and learning goals in Sri Sathya Sai Schools

Professional Support to Partnership/Complementary Schools and Other Public or Private Schools in Relation to SSSEHV

Such support may include:

• SSSEHV training to teachers, including in-school demonstrations, based on specific requests
• Providing general guidance, advice and support to the school leadership and the teaching staff with regard to the introduction of SSSEHV through curricular and co-curricular activities
• Enhancing awareness and understanding about the philosophy of Sri Sathya Sai Education and its pedagogy among educationists in school districts through seminars, workshops etc.
• Where a SSSEHV program is proposed to be adopted based on a whole-school approach, the ISSSE should develop a Memorandum of Understanding with the partnership/complementary school, describing the support to be provided to the school and the obligations of the partnership/complementary school to implement the SSSEHV program

Establishing SSSEHV Partnerships with Other Educational Institutions  and Public Bodies  

ISSSEs may establish contact, raise awareness on SSSEHV and develop partnerships where appropriate, and with the approval of the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council, with other educational institutions such as teacher training colleges, universities and local or national authorities for public education for the promotion of SSSEHV in educational institutions and communities.

Research Activities  

ISSSEs may undertake research activities with a view to improve the understanding of how Sri Sathya Sai Education contributes to sustainable social, economic, and environmental development, and global peace.  

Technical Support to SSSWF and Prasanthi Council  

ISSSEs may be called upon by SSSWF and Prasanthi Council to provide specific support in promoting Sri Sathya Sai Education and ensuring the highest quality standards expected of Sri Sathya Sai Education institutions.  Inter-alia, these activities may include:

• Appraising proposals for new SSSEHV programs, including community SSSEHV programs
• Investigating any complaint received with regard to any SSSEHV programs or related institution from a public authority or members of the community
• Representing SSSWF and Prasanthi Council in conferences and meetings organized by an educational institution or a governmental body or by a non-governmental organization;
• Translation of educational resources in regional languages

Governance and Management of ISSSEs

ISSSEs carry a major responsibility for implementing the policies laid down by SSSWF and Prasanthi Council for the delivery of Sri Sathya Sai Education.  The effectiveness and efficiency with which SSSEHV is delivered in schools and communities will ultimately depend on this quality of support and guidance.  Good governance of ISSSEs is therefore essential for the orderly development of Sri Sathya Sai Education. 

The SSSWF is directly responsible for all SSSEHV programs. The legal status of an Institute will be approved by the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the historical background of an Institute and the laws of the land governing such institutions. 

In all cases, ISSSEs should function in close partnership with their national Sri Sathya Sai Organization and their respective Zone Chairperson. The leadership of an SSSEHV Trust or equivalent corporate body–described below under Financial and Asset Management–shall work in close association with the ISSSE Director, ISSSE Board of Directors/Governors, and the Board of Directors/Governors of the Sri Sathya Sai School, if one exists.

Human Resources

The Director of an ISSSE should possess professional excellence, leadership qualities and appropriate state/national educational qualification and experience required by relevant public authorities for due recognition of the Institute.  Above all, the Director of an ISSSE should be well versed in the spiritual principles underlying education as given by Sri Sathya Sai Baba and should lead by example.  The appointment of the Director of an ISSSE and its Board of Directors/Governors should have the approval of SSSWF and Prasanthi Council.  

All members of an ISSSE, including the professional staff engaged by the Institute, should possess necessary qualifications and experience in their respective areas of work and should be conversant with the principles of Sri Sathya Sai Education.  They should demonstrate a commitment for spiritual transformation and should be willing to undergo further training as may be necessary. 

Financial and Asset Management  

All ISSSEs should operate on a no-profit basis.  Where training and other activities undertaken by an ISSSE is charged at actual cost, this should be kept at the lowest possible level. 

Securing funds and other resources for an ISSSE should be accomplished strictly adhering to the guidelines of the International Sri Sathya Sai Organization.

All assets of an ISSSE should be held by an SSSEHV Trust, or an equivalent corporate body as permitted under local laws, which has been approved by the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council.  The leadership of a SSSEHV Trust or equivalent corporate body shall work in close association with the ISSSE Director, ISSSE Board of Directors/Governors, the national Sri Sathya Sai Organization leadership, and the Board of Directors/Governors of the Sri Sathya Sai School, if one exists.

Planning, Programming and Budgeting

Every ISSSE is expected to prepare, in a timely manner, an annual program of training and other activities for the following year, and an accompanying budget of costs, so that an adequate balance is ensured between programming priorities and allocation of funds. The following principles should guide the programming and budgeting exercise:

• Priority setting in the programming exercise should be based on the expected effectiveness of an activity
• All ISSSEs, being non-profit entities, should strive to provide all professional services free of cost, with minimum charges to cover the production of resource material and logistics

All ISSSEs are expected to submit the annual program proposal for the following year and an accompanying budget to the SSSWF and Prasanthi Council.  Such submissions should be made at least three months ahead of the commencement of the academic year. A report of ISSSE accomplishments in the prior year should accompany such submission.