A unique institution in the lap of Himalayas
The International Sahaja Public School strives to provide academic excellence to children along with helping them imbibe timeless and valuable qualities such as innocence and wisdom through spirituality and meditation. This unique blend encompasses Sahaja Education and has been successfully practiced in the school since 1990. This school is home to nearly 250 full-time residential students from various countries. The school is located in the Himalayas, above Dharmshala in Himachal Pradesh, India. Its education is based on the teachings of Her Holiness Shri Mataji Nirmala Devi. It is affiliated with the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations which administers the Indian Certificate of Secondary Education and the medium of instruction is English. Apart from the regular subjects, children are also taught music, art, woodwork, pottery and sports.
The school’s mission is to create a safe and joyful environment in which a child can develop qualities such as spontaneity, righteousness, wisdom, compassion, fearlessness, inner peace and detachment. Following the teachings of Her Holiness Shri Mataji, under the careful guidance of the staff, the children revel in deep mediations, live collectively and learn group dynamics from an early age, thereby strengthening their inner sense of morality in a way rarely if ever seen in pupils from other schools. Because music is a strong instrument in spreading vibrations, special care is taken to teach Indian classical dance, dramatics and music.
The school is equipped with a general library, having around 3000 books. With the completion of the new academic block this will be developed further. There is also a video-cassette / CD / DVD library of academic aids, documentaries and general films considered suitable for young minds. There is a recreation hall where celebrations are held and students watch films.
As a residential school, food and lodging are provided for all students, teachers, administration and caring staff. There are 18 dormitories for the students, with a ratio of one caring staff per 8 children. The people in charge of the dormitories take care of all the disciplines of the daily routine: hygiene, laundry etc, overseeing the children as a parent would. For children new to the ISPS family, there is a mentoring system. All new children are given to the charge of an adult as well as a senior student, and they help them to settle into the school.
The school undertakes several excursions throughout the year. Some are treks which are taken by the older children from the school to places in the surrounding mountains. These trips usually involve one or two nights out of hostels. The younger children generally camp down by the nearby river on these weekends. There are also outings to water parks, museums and places of local interest. Occasionally the children attend Sahaja Yoga programs in nearby towns and villages.
There is a doctor resident in the school, who has a daily surgery and qualified members of the caring staff to help run the Sick Room. When necessary, children are taken to the Dharmshala Hospital for treatment. The dentist comes to the school for check-ups, and those requiring treatment attend the surgery in Dharmshala.
Thus, Sahaja education naturally embraces the academic spirit of international education policies as well as providing every child the precious magic of the days of innocence and purity. It is learning with a difference where the child is nurtured with loving care and is prepared to appreciate and face the realities of the outside world with confidence and success. Thus, wisdom is born.