Bahá’í Special Religious Education

Overview

Bahá’í Special Religious Education (Bahá’í SRE) has been offered in public schools across WA and Australia for over 25 years. Students of all backgrounds are welcome to attend. The programme aims to cultivate a greater appreciation of the oneness of humanity and focuses on the development of spiritual qualities such as justice, love, and truthfulness.

The curriculum

The curriculum, approved by the Education Department, has been developed by the Ruhi Institute, an educational institution whose purpose is to help people contribute to the progress of their communities. These materials are widely used in schools across Australia and around the world. Trained teachers use stories, memorization, and ‘hands-on’ activities like craft, drama, and music to teach the curriculum. This is often supplemented by The Peace Pack curriculum, which focuses on peace and unity.

Link to Curriculum: https://www.ruhi.org/materials/list.php

Student outcomes

The Development of Character

Lessons are structured around a particular spiritual quality (such as generosity, joy, and kindness) with the hope of contributing to the development of each child’s character in their early years. Great attention is given to developing habits and patterns of conduct including seeking knowledge, living in harmony, being a good friend, prayer, service, and consultation.

The Unity of Faiths

Another focus of Bahá’í education is to foster in students the understanding of the unity of all faiths. The later grades are intended to help students deepen their knowledge of the lives and teachings of God’s Manifestations, including Muhammad, Jesus Christ, Buddha, Krishna, Abraham, the Báb and Bahá'u'llah.

Independent Investigation of Truth

In this program, the emphasis is on developing children’s capacity to think independently and seek the truth. Bahá’í children’s classes do not seek to indoctrinate students; on the contrary, they are excellent opportunities for awakening in them a love for knowledge and an open attitude towards learning.

A Peaceful World

As the students go through the program, they will see themselves as peacemakers, developing spiritual qualities or virtues as well as skills and attitudes which are the foundations of peacemaking. In addition, they will see themselves as world citizens as they embrace the concepts of the oneness of humankind in all its diversity. They will understand that peace happens gradually, and each student will feel empowered to play a part in its establishment.

To learn more about the Bahá’í Special Religious Education, contact us here.