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succeeded beyond anyone's expectations - with over 50 registered high school students and over 70% attendance in any given class. "It is all about empowering them," says Pallavi Gala, the teacher behind the success of this programme. "Application of Jain philosophy on issues facing them in day-to-day life are discussed freely and without fear of any criticism."
• Getting greater parental involvement: Most Pathshalas are
constructive analysis.
conducted once a month, some twice a month. Hence, parental sought, change is an inevitable result of any critical but involvement is imperative for reinforcement and for enhanced learning. "Although we have the largest Pathshala perhaps in the world, my biggest challenge is to get greater parental involvement in Jain education. We want parents to help their children apply Jain philosophy in their day-to-day life," says Mukesh Doshi, Education Secretary, Jain Center of Chicago.
⚫ Resistance to change: Although Jain philosophy accepts change as inevitable, there is significant amount of resistance
to change in most Jain centres. "Change is hard because people overestimate the value of what they have, and underestimate the value of what they may gain by giving that up," says Nirav Shah, a young Jain from Connecticut.
Veena Teli's youngest class
Jain Education International 2010_03
The basic principles of Jainism are scientific and the truths presented in our scriptures are universal. However, their interpretation and thus applications have to be done in the context of time and space in which we find ourselves. Modern approach in Jain education may open new insight and direction. It may even go against tradition but it should not be taken as an attack on it. One should take it in the spirit that when truth is
All the material developed by the JAINA Education Committee is non-copyrighted and is available in an electronic form at www.jaina.com. Teachers' aid and interactive online Pathshala is available at www.anekant.org. There is also an e-group for Pathshala teachers. To join the group go to: groups.yahoo.com/group/JAINA teachers/
committed promoter of Jain values in North America. Sudhir Shah is one of the pioneering teachers and a highly
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Siddhachalam Community Service project, New Jersey
Level 3 class work on assignment
Pala
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