Peace Education in Schools – Avvai Home Girl’s Hr. Sec. School (VII Std) 7th session

Nov 4th, 2024, Monday – Avvai Home Session

Attendees: Class 7 Session-7
Speaker : Dr. S. Kulandhaisamy
Observers : Ms.Sridevi & Ms.Indhumathi
Timings: 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

The session began with Dr. S. Kulandhaisamy emphasizing six rules, “Simple things to realize bigger things.” The first and second rules were discussed for about 20 minutes.

RULE 1: When someone talks, listen with your whole being. (Meditation)
RULE 2: If you want to speak, interrupt respectfully and exercise your right to talk. (Satyagraha)

The art of raising hands instead of shouting in groups was practised throughout the session.

*Learnings*
What does listening and interrupting respectfully do for children? Learning and practicing this at an early age can foster a habit of listening attentively and then responding thoughtfully. This could help resolve household conflicts, such as those between spouses and siblings, and improve communication in workplaces and even in larger forums like our Parliament. 😊

*Question 1:* A purse was thrown into the classroom, and students were invited to approach it, allowing their reactions to be observed. They were then asked, ‘What would you do with this purse?'”

*Observations:*
1. Many students said they would open it, look for a phone number, and return it to the owner.
2. Pick up the purse and return it to the police.
3. Not pick up the purse as it doesn’t belong to them.
4. If unable to find the owner, hand it over to the police.
5. If unable to find the owner, use the money to buy food for those in need.
6. Take the purse and use the money.

*Question 2:*
The speaker asked if it was right or wrong to keep the purse.
Students responded that it was wrong as it wasn’t their purse.

*Question 3:*
The speaker asked what helped them decide if it was right or wrong.

Most students were unsure, but one student replied that her conscience (மனசாட்சி) helped her decide.

Here, the speaker introduced the first Ashram vow of Gandhiji : TRUTH.
For Gandhiji , one’s TRUTH is one’s INNER VOICE

*Question 4:*
The speaker asked, “For some, conscience suggested picking up the purse, while for others, it did not. Since both are based on conscience, which guidance would you follow?” One student responded, “Follow the conscience that benefits everyone and does not bring guilt.”

Here, the speaker introduced the second Ashram vow of Gandhiji : AHIMSA.
For Gandhiji , AHIMSA is that INNER VOICE which benefits everyone without hurting others.

*Question 5:*
The speaker asked, “If someone scolds you, which leads to a fight, and they hit you, how would you react?”
Students responded that they would scold and hit them back.

The speaker encouraged them to reflect on whether it’s acceptable to scold or hit back simply because the other person did, and to share their thoughts in the next session. The session ended with a prayer.

In this session, the students were introduced to the first two Ashram vows of Gandhiji 1.TRUTH 2.NON-VIOLENCE.