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 SECTION EIGHT

The Strands In Each Attainment Target

A setting out of the areas of study, for each Attainment Target, that will run through the entire curriculum, from the lowest age group to the highest, with references from the Writings to support their inclusion.

"Wherefore must the loved ones of God, be they young or old, be they men or women, each one according to his capabilities, strive to acquire the various branches of knowledge, and to increase his understanding of the mysteries of the Holy Books, and his skill in marshalling the divine proofs and evidences."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p8

Having established the kind of adults we want our children and youth to be, and having derived the three main goals or aims of our education system, we need to set out the areas of study that each Attainment Target is to contain.

 These areas of study are referred to as STRANDS because they run right through the curriculum from the lowest age group to the highest, in this case from 2½ to 16 years of age. They are so important that they must be taught to each and every age group, in the appropriate way for their capacity and need. This continuity, with built-in progression, is vital for the proper and balanced development of the children and youth being taught.

What follows is a systematic listing of the main areas of study under each Attainment Target, the STRANDS in other words, together with quotations from the Writings and Pronouncements of the Faith to support their inclusion.

ATTAINMENT TARGET ONE (AT 1)

The Acquisition of a Spiritual and Moral Character devoted to Sacrifice and Service.

This Attainment Target has four strands:

a) Spirituality

"O thou true Friend! Read, in the school of God, the lessons of the spirit ..."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p9

b) Morality

"Good behaviour and high moral character must come first, for unless the character be trained, acquiring knowledge will only prove injurious."

‘ Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p29

c) Sacrifice

"Bring them up to work and strive, and accustom them to hardship ..."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p22

"… may all your intentions center in the welfare of humanity and may you seek to sacrifice yourselves in the pathway of devotion to mankind."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá P.U.P. (1982) p54

d) Service

"These Bahá’í children are of such great importance to the future ... and the Cause alone can equip them to properly serve the needs of a future, war-weary, disillusioned, unhappy humanity."

On Behalf of Shoghi Effendi B.E. (1987) p58

ATTAINMENT TARGET TWO (AT 2)

The Acquisition of Knowledge and Understanding of the Laws, Teachings, History and Key Figures, Covenant and Administration, and Sacred Scriptures, of the Bahá’í Faith and other Divinely Revealed Religions.

This Attainment Target has six strands:

a) Laws

"That which is of paramount importance for the children, that which must precede all else, is to teach them the oneness of God and the Laws of God."

Bahá’u’lláh B.E. (1987) p3

"As to the children: We have directed that in the beginning they should be trained in the observances and laws of religion ..."

Bahá’u’lláh B.E. (1987) p6

b) Teachings

"The children who are trained in the world-embracing teachings of Bahá’u’lláh cannot but grow up to be a truly new race of men."

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi B.E. (1987) p58

c) History & Key Figures

" ... the instruction of boys and girls in the things of the spirit, the fundamentals of teaching the Faith, reading the Sacred Writings, learning the history of the Faith ..."

Shoghi Effendi B.E. (1987) p48

d) Covenant & Administration

"...The Guardian feels you should give more importance to three subjects, the Covenant which unites the Bahá’ís and preserves the Faith from any division; the Administrative Order, the child of the covenant, and the Plans ...which are the first fruits of the Administrative Order."

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi L of G (1983) p432

e) Sacred Scriptures

"Teach unto your children the words that have been sent down from God, that they may recite them in the sweetest of tones."

Bahá’u’lláh B.E. (1987) p6

 

"The Sunday school for the children in which the Tablets and Teachings of Bahá’u’lláh are read, and the Word of God recited for the children is indeed a blessed thing".

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p42

f) Other Divinely Revealed Religions

"There are also stories about the life of Christ, Muhammad and the other Prophets which if told to the children will break down any religious prejudice they may have learned from older people of little understanding.

Such stories regarding the life of different Prophets together with Their sayings will also be useful to better understand the literature of the Cause for there is constant reference to them."

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi B.E. (1987) p52

"The method of instruction which ye have established, beginning with proofs of the existence of God and the oneness of God, the mission of the Prophets and Messengers and Their teachings, and the wonders of the universe, is highly suitable."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p30

ATTAINMENT TARGET THREE (AT 3)

The Acquisition of Skills appropriate to the Individual, Family, Social and Administrative Life of a Bahá’í.

This Attainment Target has four strands:

a) Individual Skills

"The latent talents with which the hearts of these children are endowed will find expression through the medium of music. Therefore you must exert yourselves to make them proficient; teach them to sing with excellence and effect. It is incumbent upon each child to know something of music, for without knowledge of this art, the melodies of instrument and voice cannot be rightly enjoyed. Likewise it is necessary that the schools teach it in order that the souls and hearts of the pupils may become vivified and exhilarated and their lives be brightened with enjoyment.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p45

"The Master used to attach much importance to the learning by heart of the Tablets of Bahá’u’lláh and the Báb. During His days it was a usual work of the children of the household to learn Tablets by heart; now, however, those children are grown up and do not have time for such a thing. But the practice is most useful to implant the ideas and spirit those words contain into the minds of children.

On behalf of Shoghi Effendi B.E. (1987) p52

"Thou didst write of afflictive tests that have assailed thee. To the loyal soul, a test is but God’s grace and favour, for the valiant doth joyously press forward to furious battle on the field of anguish, when the coward whimpering with fright will tremble and shake. So too, the proficient student, who hath with great competence mastered his subjects and committed them to memory, will happily exhibit his skills before his examiners on the day of his tests. So too will solid gold wonderously gleam and shine out in the assayers’ fire."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá S.W.A. (1978) pp181-2

"In this way, over a short period - that is three years - the children will, as a result of writing the words down, become fully proficient in a number of languages, and will be able to translate a passage from one language to another. Once they have become skilled in these fundamentals, let them go on to learning the elements of the other branches of knowledge, and once they have completed this study, let each one who is able and hath a keen desire for it, enrol in higher institutions of learning and study advanced courses in the sciences and arts. Not all, however, will be able to engage in these advanced studies. Therefore, such children must be sent to industrial schools where they can also acquire technical skills, and once the child becomes proficient in such a skill, then let consideration be given to the child’s own preference and inclinations. If a child hath a liking for commerce, then let him choose commerce; if industry, then industry; if for higher education, then the advancement of knowledge; if for some other of the responsibilities of humankind, then that. Let him be placed in the field for which he hath an inclination, a desire, and a talent."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) pp281-2

b) Family Skills

"As to thee, have for them an abundant love and exert thine utmost in training them, so that their being may grow through the milk of the love of God, forasmuch as it is the duty of parents to perfectly and thoroughly train their children.

There are also certain sacred duties on children toward parents, which duties are written in the Book of God, as belonging to God. The (children’s) prosperity in this world and the Kingdom depends upon the good pleasure of parents, and without this they will be in manifest loss."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p40

"According to the teachings of Bahá’u’lláh, the family being a human unit must be educated according to the rules of sanctity. All the virtues must be taught the family. The integrity of the family bond must be constantly considered and the rights of the individual members must not be transgressed. The rights of the son, the father, the mother, none of them must be transgressed, none of them must be arbitrary. Just as the son has certain obligations to his father, the father likewise has certain obligations to his son. The mother, the sister and other members of the household have their certain prerogatives. All these rights and prerogatives must be conserved, yet the unity of the family must be sustained. The injury of one shall be considered the injury of all; the comfort of each the comfort of all; the honour of one the honour of all.

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p46

"It is highly important for man to raise a family. So long as he is young, because of youthful self-complacency, he does not realise its significance, but this will be a source of regret when he grows old …In this glorious Cause the life of a married couple should resemble the life of the angels in heaven - a life full of joy and spiritual delight, a life of unity and concord, a friendship both mental and physical. The home should be orderly and well-organised. Their ideas and thoughts should be like the rays of the sun of truth and the radiance of the brilliant stars in the heavens. Even as two birds they should warble melodies upon the branches of the tree of fellowship and harmony. They should always be elated with joy and gladness and be a source of happiness to the hearts of others. They should set an example to their fellow-men, manifest a true and sincere love towards each other and educate their children in such a manner as to blazon the fame and glory of their family."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá Family Life (1982) p397

c) Social Skills

"If a person be unlettered, and yet clothed with Divine excellence, and alive in the breaths of the Spirit, that individual will contribute to the welfare of society ..."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá B.E. (1987) p32

"The supreme need of humanity is co-operation and reciprocity. The stronger the ties of fellowship and solidarity amongst men, the greater will be the power of constructiveness and accomplishment in all the planes of human activity. Without co-operation and reciprocal attitude the individual member of society remains self-centred, uninspired by altruistic purposes, limited and solitary in development like the animal and plant organisms of the lower kingdoms." ‘Abdu’l-Bahá PUP (1982) p338

"And thus when contemplating the human world thou beholdest this wondrous phenomenon shining resplendent from all sides with the utmost perfection, inasmuch as in this station acts of co-operation, mutual assistance and reciprocity are not confined to the body and to things that pertain to the material world, but for all conditions, whether physical or spiritual, such as those related to minds, thoughts, opinions, manners, customs, attitudes, understandings, feelings or other human susceptibilities. In all these thou shouldst find these binding relationships securely established. The more this inter-relationship is strengthened and expanded, the more will human society advance in progress and prosperity. Indeed without these vital ties it would be wholly impossible for the world of humanity to attain true felicity and success."

‘Abdu’l-Bahá The Compilation of Compilations (1991) pp 509-510

d)Administrative Skills

"With regard to your activities in connection with the training and education of Bahá’í children; needless to tell you what a vital importance the Guardian attaches to such activities, on which so much of the strength, welfare and growth of the Community must necessarily depend. What a more sacred privilege, and also what a weightier responsibility than the task of rearing up the new generation of believers, and of inculcating into their youthful and receptive minds the principles and teachings of the Cause, and of thus preparing them to fully assume, and properly discharge the weighty responsibilities and obligations of their future life in the Bahá’í Community."

Shoghi Effendi B.E. (1987) p55

"Young men and women in the Faith must be deep and thoughtful scholars of its teachings, to that they can teach in a way that will convince people that all the problems facing them have a remedy. They must grasp the Administration, so that they can wisely and efficiently administer the ever-growing affairs of the Cause; and they must exemplify the Bahá’í way of living. All this is not easy - but the Guardian is always greatly encouraged to see the spirit animating such young believers as yourself. He has high hopes of what your generation will accomplish."

Directives from the Guardian (1973) pp 84-5

Thus a framework of the whole curriculum would look like this:-

 

Curriculum for the Bahá’í Education of Children 2½ - 16

- - - - - - - - - A T T A I N M E N T - - - - - - - - - T A R G E T S - - - - - - - - -

Curriculum Framework

developed by

Trevor R.J. Finch

© 1996 NSA Bahá’ís UK

AT 1
The Acquisition of a Spiritual & Moral Character devoted to Sacrifice and Service

AT 2
The Acquisition of Knowledge & Understanding of the
Laws, Teachings,
History & Key Figures,
Covenant & Administration,
and Sacred Scriptures
of the Bahá’í Faith &
other Divinely Revealed Religions

AT 3
The Acquisition of Skills appropriate to the Individual, Family, Social & Administrative Life of a Bahá’í

 

STRANDS è

ê KEY STAGE

a) Spirituality

b) Morality

c) Sacrifice

d) Service

a) Laws

b) Teachings

c) Hist & KF

d) Cov & Ad

e) Sac Scr

f) Oth Rel

a) Individual

b) Family

c) Social

d) Admin

0.
2½ - 4 years
Nursery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1
4 - 7 years
Infant

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.
7 - 11 years
Junior

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.
11 - 14 years
Lower Secondary

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.
14 - 16 years
Middle Secondary
(G.C.S.E.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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