Minutes of the Meetings 24/11/2010, Wed

Minute of the Meetings

Date: 24/11/2010, Wednessday

Agenda: To start school and gurukul for devotees’ children

Meeting lead by: H.G.Savyasachi das

Savyasachi prabhu explained the need of the school for devotees’ children.

He also explained what Srila Prabhupada wanted and why he wanted?

Many devotees were present and they participated in discussion and contributed their suggestions.

Later there were subsequent meetings with him and others for details.

1. Can school be started?

As many devotees were ready to send their children and to save them from bad influence of modern education, it was decided that it will be started as soon as possible, may be by April-11.

2. Who can join school?

Any devotee’s child can join who do not have television at their home.

3.  Where to start school?

Considering cost factor, it seemed wise to take permission from temple authorities to start there. Also temple atmosphere, deity darshan, goshala, play ground are additional advantages.

4. Who will send their children?

Nartak Gaurang das (Mukund)

Tribhanga Anand das (Varshita, Nitika)

Nilesh Joshi (Krishna)

Ramesh Sharma (Madhavi)
Vijay Krishna das (Vaishnav, Harilila)

5. What should be age criteria?

3-5 yrs & 5-8 yrs for all. Above 8 for girls.

6. Will school & gurukul be same or different?

School will be from 3-8 yrs then gurukul only for boys.

7. Will there be co-education?

There will be co-educatio till 8 yrs. Then boys will go to gurukul and girls will continue school (yet to be thought in detail).

8. Who will teach?

Harini dd, Jigna Bhatt, Mrigakshi dd, Bhavabhakti dd

9. Who will manage?

Dipika Joshi, Jigna Bhatt

10. Who will make syllabus?

Jigna Bhatt, Dipika Joshi, Harini dd

11. Is prasadam cooking for children needed?

Childre will bring from home.

12. How children will reach school? What will be transportation facility, if needed?

Either on their own or school can arrange at their own expenses

13. How much should be fees?

About Rs.700. Some concession up to Rs.400 may be given to those who cannot afford. It will differ from case to case.

14. Whether teachers be paid?

It should be voluntary. However, they may be paid Maximum up to Rs.1500 if they need. They need to spend minimum 3 hrs.

15. What books should be included?

All GSEB & CBSE books with proper discrimination from spiritual point of view. Objectionable chapters or teachings should be removed.

Apart from these, there will be Panchatantra, Hitopadesh, Aeshops’, Akbar-Birbal, Nyay shastra, Chanakya niti, Vaishnava stories by Bhakti Siddhant Saraswati Maharaj.

Also basics of culture of different world civilizations and history.

16. Should there be someone permanent to look after children?

If someone is ready to give full time, he is welcome. Otherwise Dipika Joshi and other teachers will take care and manage among themselves.

17. Is residential school possible?

Until age up to 8 yrs, there will not be residential school. Children should stay with their parents. After 8 yrs there will be residential gurukul for boys only

18. What languages will be taught?

As many languages as possible. Eng, Sankrit, Guj, Hin, Bengali, other languages.

19. What is the need of learning languages?

Sankrit, Bengali for literature study & English for Prabhupada’s books.

English also for better communication for outside world and other local languages for better local communication.

Some rhymes from ISKCON, Pune books will not help in learning language. But to teach them, Bhakti Vikas maharaj be consulted.

All boys and teachers should speak only one language for which the period is. E.g. in English class, all should speak in English only.

 If there is any doubt or discrepancy, members are requested to write their views. Incase of any confusion or many opinions about principle, H.G. Savyasachi prabhu and H.H. Bhhakti Vikas Swami Maharaj’s authority will be final.