Spiritual Education of Children

The first meeting of the Baha'i Education Committee of the community of Marion was held at our house tonight.
It was very exciting for me to be part of the Education Committee of this huge Baha'i community. I had missed serving on committees since we moved from our previous Baha'i community a year ago.
Needless to say, that little Mona was also present at the meeting. She was comfortably seating on my lap, pen in hand, scribbling on my note book and commenting and giving her opinions as soon as she felt it necessary to do so!! Everyone seemed to enjoy her company though! lol...

We had to elect for a secretary for the committee 4 times!! Yes you read that right!! 4 times!!
The first 3 times were a tide between the previous secretary and myself. So at the 4th round of voting, the previous secretary remained secretary and I became her assistant!! lol.
On a serious note though, there is so much to be done in the area of spiritual education of our children. There is already a Baha'i Sunday School (Baha'i Children Classes) running, where a few other kids from other neighbouring community attend (in total 30 kids attend the Baha'i School and they are divided into 5 classes of different age groups). The only thing is that the school is on only for 2 hours twice a month. This is evidently not sufficient considering how important the spiritual education of children is.
The committee had previously tried and tried again to open the Baha'i School on a weekly basis, but due to fewer participation of students, reluctance of parents to bring their children on the excuse that Sundays are family days, and of course the lack of resources - no teachers = no school; which all of this combine has reduced the chances of maintaining the Baha'i School on a weekly basis.
This year the emphasis will be on "the importance of spiritual education of our beloved children". In hope that this will help the parents and community members grasp how urgent and important it is to have Baha'i School at least on a weekly basis and also to have their support and generate more resources. Teachers are so needed.
I sincerely hope that we do achieve this goal, as this matter really has high priority in my opinion. Prayers are most welcome!

Below is an extract from the document entitled "Foundations for a Spiritual Education"

The Nature, Purpose, and Outcomes of Spiritual Education

1. Spiritual Education is the Indispensable Foundation of All Other Knowledge. A spiritual education in which children come to know and remember God and to recognize His Manifestation is the purpose of all knowledge and provides the context for its proper application.
2. Spiritual Education Must Be Systematic and Ongoing. Educational programs for children must be well-planned and organized, sequential, and continuous.
3. Spiritual Education is the Foundation of Human Happiness. Without a spiritual education children cannot achieve happiness in this world or the next.
4. Spiritual Education Involves Striving to Attain a Balance between material, intellectual, and spiritual education.
5. Children’s Education Begins with Training in the Principles of Religion so that each heart will be attracted to the love of God. This love of God will be the cause of their obedience to divine law and their avoidance of wrongdoing.
6. The Purpose of Spiritual Education is to Bring into Being a New Race of Men. Spiritual education causes the highest level of spiritual potential to become manifest in human beings. Without a spiritual education man succumbs to the lower nature. The purpose of education and training is to strengthen the spiritual aspect of the human reality so that it will overcome the material, or lower, nature.
7. The Purpose of Spiritual Education is to Teach Children to Have High Aims toward which they steadfastly progress.
8. Human Action. Unless education results in the appearance of spiritual characteristics and virtues, it is useless, even harmful. Yet, if a person achieves both spiritual radiance and intellectual excellence he becomes noble and luminous.
9. Education is a Universal Law whose Purpose is Service to the Principle of the Oneness of Humanity and the Establishment of the Unity of Humankind. The Oneness of Humanity is a fundamental principle of Bahá’u’lláh’s teachings. Consciousness of it is a primary purpose of all Bahá’í educational programs. This universal law is essential to the unity of humankind.
Summary:
The Bahá’í writings establish the essentially spiritual focus and character of Bahá’í education. The purpose of spiritual education is to help children develop and manifest inherent spiritual attributes and qualities. Such an education is essential for all children. Ensuring that it is provided is the responsibility of every Bahá’í. The development of divine qualities is crucial to the progress of human civilization, its unity, and the realization of true human potential.