A Compilation on Bahai Education Part 11

As to the organization of the schools: If possible the children should all wear the same kind of clothing, even if the fabric is varied. It is preferable that the fabric as well should be uniform; if, however, this is not possible, there is no harm done. The more cleanly the pupils are, the better; they should be immaculate. The school must be located in a place where the air is delicate and pure. The children must be carefully trained to be most courteous and well-behaved. They must be constantly encouraged and made eager to gain all the summits of human accomplishment, so that from their earliest years they will be taught to have high aims, to conduct themselves well, to be chaste, pure, and undefiled, and will learn to be of powerful resolve and firm of purpose in all things. Let them not jest and trifle, but earnestly advance unto their goals, so that in every situation they will be found resolute and firm.

Training in morals and good conduct is far more important than book learning. A child that is cleanly, agreeable, of good character, well-behaved-even though he be ignorant-is preferable to a child that is rude, unwashed, ill-natured, and yet becoming deeply versed in all the sciences and arts. The reason for this is that the child who conducts himself well, even though he be ignorant, is of benefit to others, while an ill-natured, ill-behaved child is corrupted and harmful to others, even though he be learned. If, however, the child be trained to be both learned and good, the result is light upon light.

Children are even as a branch that is fresh and green; they will grow up in whatever way you train them. Take the utmost care to give them high ideals and goals, so that once they come of age, they will cast their beams like brilliant candles on the world, and will not be defiled by l.u.s.ts and pa.s.sions in the way of animals, heedless and unaware, but instead will set their hearts on achieving everlasting honour and acquiring all the excellences of humankind.

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", Sec. 110, pp. 13536) [78]

"79: As to the education of children, exert every effort to further this; it is..."

As to the education of children, exert every effort to further this; it is of the utmost importance. So too, the education of girls in all the rules of righteous conduct, that they may grow up with a good character and high standards of behaviour. For mothers are the first educators of the child, and every child at the beginning of life is like a fresh and tender branch in his parents' hands. His father and mother can train him in any way they choose.

(From a Tablet-translated from the Persian) [79]

"80: The school for girls taketh precedence over the school for boys, for it is..."

The school for girls taketh precedence over the school for boys, for it is inc.u.mbent upon the girls of this glorious era to be fully versed in the various branches of knowledge, in sciences and the arts and all the wonders of this pre-eminent time, that they may then educate their children and train them from their earliest days in the ways of perfection.

If, as she ought, the mother possesseth the learning and accomplishments of humankind, her children, like unto angels, will be fostered in all excellence, in right conduct and beauty. Therefore the School for Girls that hath been established in that place must be made the object of the deep concern and high endeavours of the friends. The teachers of that school are handmaids close to the Sacred Threshold, for they are of those who, obedient to the commandments of the Blessed Beauty, have arisen to educate the girl children.

The day will come when those children will be mothers, and each one of them in her deep grat.i.tude will offer up prayers and supplications to Almighty G.o.d and ask that her teachers will be granted joy and well-being forever, and a high station in the Kingdom of G.o.d.

Name ye this school the Mawhibat School (The School of Bounty).

(From a Tablet-translated from the Persian) [80]

"81: Our hearts rejoiced at thy letter concerning a school for girls...."

Our hearts rejoiced at thy letter concerning a school for girls.

Praised be G.o.d that there is now a school of this type in ?ihran where young maidens can, through His bounty, receive an education and with all vigour acquire the accomplishments of humankind. Erelong will women in every field keep pace with the men.

Until now, in Persia, the means for women's advancement were non-existent.

But now, G.o.d be thanked, ever since the dawning of the Morn of Salvation, they have been going forward day by day. The hope is that they will take the lead in virtues and attainments, in closeness to the Court of Almighty G.o.d, in faith and cert.i.tude-and that the women of the East will become the envy of the women of the West.

Praised be G.o.d, thou art confirmed in thy service, art exerting every effort in this work and taking great pains; and so, too, the teacher in the school, Miss Lillian Kappes. Give her my most affectionate greetings.

(From a Tablet-translated from the Persian) [81]

"82: In past centuries the girl children of Persia were deprived of all..."

In past centuries the girl children of Persia were deprived of all instruction. They had neither school nor academy, no kindly tutor and no teacher. Now in this greatest of centuries the bounty of the All-Bountiful hath encompa.s.sed the girls as well, and many schools have been founded in Persia for the education of girl children-but what is missing from them is character training, and this despite the fact that such training is more important than instruction, for it is the primary accomplishment of humankind.

Praised be G.o.d, a school for girls hath now been established in Hamadan.

Ye who are the teachers thereof must devote more of your efforts to character training than instruction, and must raise up your girl children to be modest and chaste, of good character and conduct-and in addition must teach them the various branches of knowledge.

If ye follow this course, the confirmations of the All-Glorious Kingdom, in a great rolling swell, will rise and surge above that school.

My hope is that ye will succeed in this.

(From a Tablet-translated from the Persian) [82]

"83: In this holy Cause the question of orphans hath the utmost importance...."

In this holy Cause the question of orphans hath the utmost importance. The greatest consideration must be shown towards orphans; they must be taught, trained and educated. The Teachings of Baha'u'llah, especially, must by all means be given to them as far as is possible.

I supplicate G.o.d that thou mayest become a kind parent to orphaned children, quickening them with the fragrances of the Holy Spirit, so that they will attain the age of maturity as true servants of the world of humanity and as bright candles in the a.s.semblage of mankind.

("Selections from the Writings of 'Abdu'l-Baha", Sec. 112, p. 138) [83]

"84: Your letter hath come and hath occasioned the utmost joy, with its news..."

Your letter hath come and hath occasioned the utmost joy, with its news that, praised be G.o.d, in Hamadan a welfare and relief a.s.sociation hath been established. I trust that this will become a source of general prosperity and a.s.sistance, and that means will be provided to set the hearts of the poor and weak at rest, and to educate the orphans and other children.

The question of training the children and looking after the orphans is extremely important, but most important of all is the education of girl children, for these girls will one day be mothers, and the mother is the first teacher of the child. In whatever way she reareth the child, so will the child become, and the results of that first training will remain with the individual throughout his entire life, and it would be most difficult to alter them. And how can a mother, herself ignorant and untrained, educate her child? It is therefore clear that the education of girls is of far greater consequence than that of boys. This fact is extremely important, and the matter must be seen to with the greatest energy and dedication.

G.o.d sayeth in the Qur'an that they shall not be equals, those who have knowledge and those who have it not.(15) Ignorance is thus utterly to be blamed, whether in male or female; indeed, in the female its harm is greater. I hope, therefore, that the friends will make strenuous efforts to educate their children, sons and daughters alike. This is verily the truth, and outside the truth there is manifestly naught save perdition.

(From a Tablet-translated from the Persian and Arabic) [84]

"85: Thou didst write about the believers' daughters who attend the schools of..."