Ruaha Educational Philosophy

1. Philosophy, Values & Guidelines for Decision-Making

Understanding the Nature of Human Beings . . . Soul is the dominant distinguishing feature of Man

At the heart of the philosophy of education embraced by Ruaha Secondary School is the understanding that the human reality has two dimensions: the physical and the spiritual. What distinguishes humans from animals is the soul with its powers of the intellect, emotions and the will.¹ Human beings fully realize their potential through the process of education.

We shall strive to:

• Emphasize the development of spiritual qualities in students
• Instill in students an understanding of their spiritual nature

Understanding the purpose of Life: To know and to worship God, to 'carry forward an ever-advancing civilization' and to be of service to the world of humanity.

Ruaha Secondary School emphasizes the need for students to reflect on the purpose and meaning of their lives and to understand that, in this world, our purpose is to come ever nearer to God and to utilize our capacities to the fullest in our work in service to society.³

We shall strive to:

• Expose students to Holy Scriptures about the purpose of life and encourage them to meditate on them to acquire a clear sense of their own individual identities and purpose
• Encourage students to participate in service activities at home, school and in the community
• Encourage students to develop and use their potential for the improvement of society

Understanding the purpose of Education: Material, Human and Spiritual education are all important but spiritual education is the most fundamental. Education is of three kinds:

• Material, which is concerned with the development and well-being of the body;
• Human, which deals with social order and civilization including such spheres as government and administration, economy and trade, industry and agriculture, sciences, arts and crafts; and
• Spiritual, which is concerned with the acquisition of spiritual qualities and moral values.

We shall strive to:

• Emphasize the moral education of students by developing and implementing a moral education curriculum based on universal moral values promoted by all major religions
• Encourage and assist students to acquire the following personal and social qualities and attitudes among others: love and affection; kindness and courtesy; generosity and hospitality, honesty and sincerity; truthfulness and trustworthiness; modesty and humility; fairness and justice; diligence, patience and perseverance; obedience and respect for authority; an attitude of service and self-sacrifice
• Encourage the holistic development of students by including a balanced program of material, human and spiritual education in the curricular and co-curricular activities.

2. Fostering Global Awareness and the Elimination of Prejudice

Ruaha Secondary School promotes the principle of the recognition of the oneness of humanity and the goal of the unification of the entire human race in one global society.

We shall strive to:

• Foster an understanding and appreciation of various religious, tribal, ethnic and cultural beliefs and practices with the aim of the elimination of prejudices of all kinds
• Teach the principle of the equality of men and women and ensure that girls are given every opportunity to develop their full potential
• Help students recognize the interdependence of all individuals and societies in one human family
• Assist students to acquire knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that prepare them for life in a global society
• Assist students to understand and assume their responsibilities and rights as world citizens

3. Releasing Human Potential and Striving for Excellence in All Things

Ruaha Secondary School encourages its students to aspire to 'excellence in all things,'⁵ and sees its role as that of empowering each student to achieve his or her personal best. We affirm the belief that 'all effort and exertion put forth by man from the fullness of his heart is worship, if it is prompted by the highest motives and the will to do service to humanity.⁶

We shall assist students to:

• Fully develop their intellect
• Understand and express emotions appropriately
• Develop sensitivity to the feelings of others
• Develop strength of will
• Become aware of their responsibilities towards themselves and society
• Have high aims and set realistic goals which challenge them according to their capacity
• Develop a positive attitude towards work and study
• Exert themselves to the utmost in all their endeavors

4. Acquisition of Knowledge, Music, Arts and Crafts

Ruaha Secondary School acknowledges that 'The first attribute of perfection is learning and the cultural attainments of the mind...⁷ The school, therefore, holds in high regard the acquisition of all branches of knowledge, and of music, arts and crafts.

We shall strive to:

• Expose students to a variety of arts, crafts and sciences
• Encourage students to develop understanding of the most important problems and complex needs of the time⁸
• Pursue learning which will result in advantage to man and bring important benefits to society⁹
• Emphasize the relationship between theoretical knowledge and its practical application
• Assist students to discover their natural inclinations and talents
• Encourage students to appreciate literature, visual arts, crafts and music

5. Development of Critical Reflection and Inquiry

Ruaha Secondary School upholds the principle of 'independent investigation of truth', hence we will endeavor to provide an environment that encourages individual initiative and creativity, expands consciousness and cultivates the active use of the mind.¹⁰

We shall strive to:

• Teach students to depend on their own reason and judgment
• Urge students to investigate reality for themselves
• Encourage instructional methods that
• Foster the attitude of experimentation and discovery
• Stimulate the ability for independent thought and investigation
• Enable students to reason and deliberate
• Encourage students to express their views and understandings
• Train students to take responsibility for their decisions, choices and actions
• Guide students to develop their own view of the world rather than passively absorbing the views and opinions of others¹¹

6. Discipline and Order

Ruaha Secondary School affirms that for students to feel secure and happy and to ensure their moral and intellectual development, the school must be not only a place of freedom but also of 'utmost discipline and order...'¹²

We shall strive to:

• Prohibit the use of caning or vilification of students ¹⁷
• Ensure that the climate for the administration of justice exists within the school, including such elements as fairness, impartiality, objectivity, detachment, wisdom and moderation
• Use reward and punishment appropriately; 'the basis of world order hath been established upon these twin principles' ¹³
• Place emphasis on the fact that 'love and kindness have far greater influence than punishment upon the improvement of human character' ¹⁴
• Teach students good character and moral principles ¹⁵
• Use admonition, explanation and good counsel before resorting to punitive measures ¹⁶
• Teach students respect and obedience to those in authority

7. Universal Participation: Openness in Communication and the Decision-Making Process

Ruaha Secondary School holds the belief that participation by all in the decision-making process promotes unity of thought, purpose and action, and makes possible the attainment of common goals. It further will enable the school community to work together, to encourage and support each other and to coordinate efforts for the good of all.

We shall strive to:

• Include the principle of universal participation in the school's instructional program
• Encourage students and staff to become actively involved in the life of the school and identify with its aspirations and undertakings
• Ensure that staff, students and parents are treated with due respect and that concerns expressed by any party are given serious consideration
• Provide students, parents and staff with opportunities for consultation before decisions affecting them are made
• Ensure that decisions are made, to the extent possible, through consensus reached in meetings of staff or students using principles of consultation

8. Students as Active Agents of Their Own Learning

Ruaha Secondary School affirms that the student should be a collaborator in his own growth and the development of the community.¹⁸

We shall strive to:

• Involve students in the educational process in such a way that they can gradually 'learn how to learn' and take responsibility for their own learning
• Encourage students to acquire disciplined learning habits and skills in goal setting
• Train students in the use of resource materials
• Facilitate student interaction with both teachers and peers
• Encourage and promote peer tutoring
• Provide opportunities for students to make decisions and carry out cooperative activities
• Provide opportunities for students to practice consultation

9. The Teacher as an Example

Ruaha Secondary School believes that teaching is the most important of all professions. We view the role of teacher as that of training souls, developing human potential and facilitating the learning process.

The teacher shall strive to:

• Form a partnership with students in a shared learning process, demonstrating by their example that they too are learners.¹⁹
• Facilitate the learning process of students by acting as guides, consultants and sources and suppliers of information and materials.
• Practice patterns of behavior that create a climate of encouragement in the classroom.
• Demonstrate confidence in the capacity of students to achieve a high standard of social, moral and academic conduct.
• Help students to feel valued, respected and appropriately challenged.
• Demonstrate concern for the students' growth and development and discuss in confidence each student's strengths and weaknesses.
• Attain a thorough knowledge of sciences and arts.²⁰
• Be distinguished for high standards of conduct and general excellence.²¹
• Manifest spiritual qualities as an example to the students.²²
• Approach his/her service with a pure motive, having concern for the best interests of students.
• Function as a team with other teachers.²³
• Support teacher-parent collaboration for the benefit of the student.

References

1. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 235
2. Bahá'u'lláh, Gleanings from the Writings of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 215
3. Universal House of Justice, To the People of the World, p. 24
4. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Some Answered Questions, p. 7
5. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Quoted in Bahá'í Education, p. 263
6. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Paris Talks, pp. 176 - 177
7. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 35
8. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Secret of Divine Civilization, p. 106
9. Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 168
10. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá'í Education, p. 265
11. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Foundations of World Unity, pp. 76 - 77
12. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 137
13. Bahá'u'lláh, Tablets of Bahá'u'lláh, p. 66
14. Shoghi Effendi, letter on his behalf quoted in Bahá'í Education, pp. 300 - 301
15. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 136
Bahá'u'lláh, quoted in Bahá'í Education, pp. 247 and 300
16. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 125
17. Bahá'í International Community, The Teacher's Situation: The Determining Factor of Quality
Education for All. Statement submitted to "World Conference on Education for All: Meeting
Basic Learning Needs," 5 - 9 March 1990.
18. Bahá'í International Community, New Delivery Systems 2 (See above statement)
19. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá'í Education p. 273
20. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, quoted in Bahá'í Education p. 273
21. 'Abdu'l-Bahá, Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Bahá, p. 139.
22. Waite, A Charter for Bahá'í Schools, p. 10.

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