SRI AUROBINDO INTERNATIONAL CENTRE OF EDUCATION
During the 1920s and 1930s,
the Mother's educational guidance was limited to instructing a few
individuals in French and offering general counsel in other courses
of study. At that time, children were not permitted, as a rule, to
live in the Ashram. In the early 1940s, a number of families were
admitted to the Ashram and instruction was initiated for the
children. On 2 December 1943, the Mother formally opened a school for
about twenty children. She herself was one of the teachers. The
number of pupils gradually increased during the next seven years.
On 24 April 1951, the Mother
presided over a convention where it was resolved to establish an
“international university centre”. On 6 January 1952, she
inaugurated the Sri Aurobindo International University Centre. The name was changed in 1959 to the Sri
Aurobindo International Centre of Education.
At present,
the Centre of Education has about 150 full or part-time teachers and
500 students, ranging from nursery to advanced levels. The curriculum
includes the humanities, languages, fine arts, sciences, engineering,
technology and vocational training. Facilities include libraries,
laboratories, workshops, and a theatre and studios for drama, dance,
music, painting, e .
The Centre of Education seeks to
develop every aspect of the individual, rather than to concentrate
exclusively on mental training. It employs what is called the “Free
Progress System”, which is, in the Mother's words, “a progress
guided by the soul and not subject to habits, conventions or
preconceived ideas.” The student is encouraged to learn by himself,
choose his subjects of study, progress at his own pace and ultimately
to take charge of his own development. The teacher is more an advisor
and source of information than an instructor. In practice, the system
is adapted to the temperament of teacher and student, and some still
prefer the traditional methods of education, utilising prescribed
courses of study with direct instruction by the teacher.
Sciences and mathematics are studied in French, other
subjects in English. Each student is encouraged to learn his
mother-tongue, and some study additional languages, both Indian and
European.
The Centre of Education does not award degrees
or diplomas, since it seeks to awaken in its students a joy of
learning and an aspiration for progress that are independent of outer
motives.
Page – 110, vol -12,
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I am perfectly sure, I am quite
confident, there is not the slightest doubt in my mind, that this
University, which is being established here, will be the greatest
seat of knowledge upon earth.
It may take fifty years, it may
take a hundred years, and you may doubt about my being there; I may
be there or not, but these children of mine will be there to carry
out my work.
And those who collaborate in this divine work
today will have the joy and pride of having participated in such an
exceptional achievement.
28 May 1953
Given at
the inauguration of the Sri Aurobindo International University
Centre.
We are not here to do (only a little better) what
the others do.
We are here to do what the others it
cannot do because they do not have the idea that it can be done.
We
are here to open the way of the Future to children who belong to the
Future.
Anything else is not worth the trouble and not worthy
of Sri Aurobindo's help.
6 September 1961
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Messages for the Annual Re-opening of
Classes
Another year has passed, leaving behind it its
burden of lessons, some hard, some even painful.
Now, a new
year begins, bringing possibilities of progress and of realisation.
But to take full advantage of these possibilities, we must understand
the previous lessons.
It is more important to know that all
accidents are the effect of unconsciousness. However, externally, one
of their chief causes is a spirit of indiscipline, a kind of contempt
for discipline.
It is left to us to prove, by a sustained and
disciplined effort, that we are sincere in our aspiration for a life
more conscious and more true.
16 December 1966
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