Hindu Special Religious Instruction

What is SRI?

Special Religious Instruction (SRI) refers to religious instruction program to state government school students by authorized providers. SRI consists of weekly 30 minutes classes and the program material will typically vary according to year level. SRI is not compulsory; it is an optional class, which requires parent's written consent for their child to attend. SRI is also not taught in all schools. Check if there is a SRI program available at school.

Who is providing Hindu SRI?

Hindu Heritage Foundation of Victoria (HHFV) is the accredited sole provider of Hindu Special Religious Instruction (SRI) classes in state primary schools since 2010. Hindu SRI is administered by the multi faith secretariat of Religions for Peace Australia. Religions for Peace Australia (RfP Australia) is contracted by the State of Victoria, through the offices of the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, to oversee the provision of Hindu Special religious instruction in government schools.

Objective

The objective of teaching Hindu SRI in Victorian schools is to provide students an opportunity

• To learn about Hindu religion and heritage
• To learn from material designed for children in Australia
• To look at the world as one big family, respecting the principle of ‘’Unity in diversity”

These enable them to grow as confident and responsible citizens with attitude to lead a harmonious and balanced life. Hindu SRI in Victorian schools is based on the model followed in United Kingdom and NSW, taking into consideration the requirement of local Victorian Hindu community.

Hindu SRI in other countries

Hindu community is living in many commonwealth countries since colonial times. For example in the United Kingdom nearly four generations of Hindus are well settled. With the experience in UK, Hindu SRI program material was developed based on the book “Hindu Dharma – A teachers Guide”, a comprehensive guide to teach Hinduism to primary and secondary levels.

Role of HHFV as Hindu SRI provider

Traditionally teaching children religious values has been the responsibility of families. In India, with extended family system it was a regular and every day event to teach and follow religious practices. However, in overseas countries where both parents are working, teaching religious practices has become a community responsibility.

In Melbourne, the population of Hindus started to increase from late 1980s. The number of young families with both parents working is on the rise. Children with little or no religious knowledge, values and practices are caught up in the identity crisis and suffer the consequences. With this background, HHFV responded to deliver Hindu SRI in Victorian schools and is the accredited Hindu SRI service provider.

The Hindu SRI program material has the approval of Victorian Hindu Community.

About Hinduism

Hinduism is unique among the religions of the world in not having a beginning, a founder nor a central authority or an organisation. Hindus call their religion ‘Sanatana Dharma’ meaning ‘eternal spiritual path. Hinduism is a way of life and philosophy focused on seeking the divinity within.

Hinduism has a huge range of family, local and regional variations and a wide variety of different sects who worship different forms of God. The diverse deities, beliefs, doctrines and way of life of Hindus may appear contradictory and confusing to followers of other faiths. However, such diversity of religious practices is not considered inconsistent within Hindu faith. This diversity is taken into consideration in developing the program outcomes.

SRI for Parents

Why Hindu SRI

• Children learn from the teachings of Sanatan Dharma, irrespective which Guru or practices. The SRI material is taught to respect all ways of worship and is not associated with only one particular thought or way rather encourages children to learn from various sources.
• Hindu SRI program strives to contribute towards the enrichment of Australian society in shaping intellectually, philosophically and emotionally well-rounded future generation Australian Hindus.
• Children learn in a classroom environment at their regular school during school hours (week days) from a structured program material delivered by accredited instructors.

How Hindu SRI is offered

• Complements the multi faith environment of Victoria
• Teaches an all inclusive view of Hindu faith
• Classes are open to children of all background
• Delivered by trained and registered SRI Instructors
• Is at no cost to the school or parents
• Half an hour class each week during school hours
• School year is from March to November

The moral and spiritual development of a child is considered as an essential part of a child’s overall development, and the Hindu SRI classes raise awareness not only in students, but also in parents and teachers about the Hindu spirituality.

Who are the Instructors?

The instructors are volunteers from Victorian Hindu community who have received prescribed training and accreditation. The relevant legislation and DEECD policy requirements of SRI are adhered to in delivering Hindu SRI. This means that Instructors are required to:

• Be trained, accredited and approved before they teach
• Have completed Working With Children Checks
• Be teaching from an approved program material

Which schools offering?

At present Hindu SRI is offered only in few of Victorian government primary schools. To find out if Hindu SRI is offered at your child's school, contact the school or HHFV.

What does Hindu SRI teach?

The program material contains age appropriate lessons covering year levels 1 - 6.

Hindu SRI outcomes

The philosophy and the practices of Sanatana Dharma set guidelines to material and spiritual way of life under four sections Dharma (righteousness / values), Artha (acquiring wealth guided by Dharma), Kama (enjoyment of wealth guided by Dharma) and Moksha (liberation). These four aspects set the framework for the program material and the outcomes are in line with these aspects.

In the primary classes, stages I, II and III, the focus is mainly given on basic concepts, religious symbols, celebration of festivals and values. The depth of the concepts is extended throughout the primary years.

The following are examples of term wise outcome for stage I.

For later stages concepts like creation theory in Hinduism, concept of time, Bhagavat Gita are introduced. Finally moral values, family and social responsibilities are discussed. Prayer with Sanskrit chanting and meditation are integral part of all Hindu SRI classes.

Content outline

• Stories and concepts from Ramayana, Mahabharata, Bhagavat and Panchatantra
• Sanskrit slokas
• Significance of Hindu festivals and practices

Is Hindu SRI compulsory for my child?

Hindu SRI is not compulsory.

Parents must consent for their child to attend SRI classes at school by completing the CFMD141 Consent Form and use this consent form to select the faith that they wish their child to be taught. The consent forms are available from the school or can be downloaded from the website of the Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEECD). The school will ask parents to complete the consent form when they enroll their child or when SRI is introduced at the school. Schools also require parents to complete SRI consent forms on a yearly basis.

Do you want to be a Hindu SRI Instructor?

Hindu RI program is open to everyone in Victorian Hindu community and interested people can contact HHFV. Parents of school age children are also welcome to consider Hindu SRI Instructor role at their child's school or at other schools. The time commitment required is no more than 30 minutes per week. To register click here

SRI for Schools

Hindu Heritage Foundation of Victoria (HHFV) is the accredited sole service provider for delivering Hindu Special Religious Education (SRI) in Victorian state schools. This program is offered at no cost to the school or the parents.

Hindu SRI Instructors are:

• Trained, accredited and approved before they teach
• Completed Working With Children Checks
• Deliver from an approved program material

HHFV seeks the cooperation of state schools to facilitate the Hindu SRI, either by a request from parents, and/or contacted by HHFV in relation to introducing Hindu SRI.

HHFV will work with schools to schedule weekly classes and be the single point of contact.

Contact 0423 297 666 or [email protected] for further information.

SRI for Instructors

Why should I be a Hindu SRI Instructor?

At present Hindu SRI is offered only in few of Victorian government primary schools. There is a great need for accredited Hindu SRI Instructors. For many children, Hindu SRI is the only opportunity to learn about the basics of their faith, its values and practices in a structured way.

HHFV requests community members to be part of this Vidya Danam (knowledge donation) project. Please note that it is not a paid position but a voluntary role to offer as service to the Hindu community and Australian society.

How do I become a Hindu SRI Instructor?

SRI Instructors need to:

• Have an understanding of Hindu Dharma
• Be able to communicate in English
• Prepared to teach 30 min class per week during school hours
• Have the ability to teach and engage students in a classroom environment

In return, SRI Instructors will receive an enriching experience of teaching children about their religious beliefs and values. By doing so, they will play an important role in positively shaping the next generation of Australian Hindus.

Hindu SRI Instructors need to have:

• A completed Working with Children Check
• Accredited by HHFV
• Approved by the Department of Education

A registered Hindu SRI Instructor can take Hindu SRI class at any Victorian government school where it is being offered. HHFV will provide Instructor training, placement and lesson material.

The program material is "teacher friendly" and designed so that it can be easily applied by the Instructors. The lessons are structured, easy to teach and are appropriate for the assigned class.

To register your interest, click here to download the form

---