The Baha’i Senior Secondary School, Saramsa, Sikkim dedicates itself to build capacity in individuals, communities and institutions to serve as agents of positive social transformation in the state of Sikkim.
The school is inspired by the principles and ideals contained in the writings of the Baha’i Faith. One such belief is that man has been created noble and has the ability to reflect the attributes of the Creator – qualities such as generosity, kindness, truthfulness, and sacrifice. Man’s higher, spiritual nature must gain ascendancy over the lower, material self. It is also recognized that the individual’s spiritual nature cannot be developed in isolation; rather one’s growth and development goes hand in hand with that of society – as qualities, skills and knowledge are acquired through participation in and contribution to the wellbeing of one’s community. Furthermore, work is elevated to the station of worship when it is performed with the intent to serve humanity, and when it is driven by a spirit of service characterized by humility and a striving for excellence.
A reading of the social reality of Sikkim makes one conscious of some pressing needs facing its communities at present. Among these issues are the moral laxity of children and youth, weakened family structures and relationships, and the increasingly common view of education serving solely as a means for attaining financial security. In order to meet these needs and concerns, the school must effectively draw on the general positive response, encouragement, and open-minded attitude of families in Sikkim towards the dire need for transformative moral education and character development programs for its children and youth. Furthermore, the institutional support provided by government authorities and other agencies to promote access to quality education in the state of Sikkim is a strength that must be harnessed. High student enrolment rates, high literacy rates, and the promotion of the girl-child are indicative of the strides that the state of Sikkim has made and will continue to make in raising education as the solution to addressing the various needs of society.
Education is a powerful vehicle to help one realize the vast potentialities inherent in humankind and to become productive contributors to society. The Baha’i writings state: “Regard man as a mine rich in gems of inestimable value. Education can, alone, cause it to reveal its treasures, and enable mankind to benefit therefrom.” As a fundamental right of every human being, if education adequately addresses the spiritual, intellectual and physical aspects of an individual’s life, it will develop man’s true potential allowing for the effective contribution to the wellbeing of society.
The Baha’i Senior Secondary School,Saramsa will work for the development and upliftment of the students in order to meet its goals and objectives. The school will engage in the following lines of action in support of this:
Consultation, action, and reflection on action, will be the mode of operation for the school in all its endeavours towards meeting its goals and objectives. Guided by the principle of organic growth, the school will increase the scope of its activities gradually and in proportion with the increasing capacity of its human, intellectual and material resources. All stakeholders driving and benefiting from the programs initiated and executed by the school are invited to participate in and contribute towards the success of its vision. The school will embrace, impact, and depend upon the collaboration and support of not only the faculty and families directly associated with the school, but also those individuals residing in the neighbourhoods around the school, the Baha’i institutions and agencies within its local boundaries, other educational institutions and non-profit organizations in the community, and relevant government bodies encharged with education-related oversight for the area.
