Saiier in Auroville future education with the quest of who am I Trichy students experience new education system

Press Release- Translated into English

Auroville: Education as an Inner Quest – “Who am I?” Journeying Toward the Future through SAIIER. The Experience of Trichy Students Shines as a New Light for Indian Education.

Tamil Nadu – An education that can shape life is essential for the next generation. A syllabus alone is not enough – true education must build a complete human being with purpose in life, right attitude, and values. This is exactly what Auroville’s SAIIER (Sri Aurobindo International Institute of Educational Research) has been practicing.

Trichy Students Gained Direct Learning Experiences

Students of Srimad Andavan College of Arts and Science, Trichy recently visited SAIIER and experienced a profound journey of learning that went beyond their expectations.

• At the Solar Kitchen, they witnessed sustainable cooking and understood the idea of self-reliance.
• At the Auroville schools, they saw child-centered learning in action.
• At STEMLAND, they explored science, mathematics, and technology in hands-on ways.

All of this revealed to them that education does not happen only in books – it happens through body, life, and consciousness together.

SAIIER’s Educational Foundation: Human Unity and Inner Quest

For SAIIER, education is viewed as an inner journey. Students are asked:

• “Who am I?”
• “Why do I live?”
• “What is my role?”

Differences are not erased here – they are accepted. Each learner is encouraged to walk their own path. Through an integrated approach that fosters human unity, self-confidence, and diverse capacities, students are nurtured to grow.

Five Pillars of Development – SAIIER Approach

• Practical Projects – Learning by doing
• Meaning & Purpose of Life – Inner awareness
• Physical Education – Martial arts, yoga, sports
• Self-thinking & Guidance – Honest self-expression
• Personal Research Projects – Curiosity-driven journeys

Together, these build resilience in students, preparing them to face challenges with confidence.

Triple Challenge Framework – A Revolutionary Shift from Conventional Exams!

SAIIER is now pioneering a new initiative that could reshape the Indian education system – the “Triple Challenge Framework.”
This moves away from conventional board exams (10th & 12th grades), which provide shallow evaluations, and replaces them with holistic, growth-based assessments.

From 9th to 12th grade, students take on three challenges each in the three dimensions – Body, Vital, and Mind. The challenges are self-designed by the students themselves – for example, a half-marathon, organizing a team sport, performing a dance, or conducting a science project.

“The Board exam is just one challenge! We must also shape the mind and personality through others,” says a member of the SAIIER research team.
“Knowledge and information are already in our phones – but only if we nurture mind and character can we truly be ready for the future.”

This framework has now been developed up to the stage of recommendation for the Ministry of Education, Government of India – aligning deeply with the vision of NEP 2020.

Holistic Growth – The Triple Challenge Framework

This framework evaluates students’ growth across Body, Vital, and Mind, linking academic knowledge with direct life activities. Students shaped through this approach will be prepared not only for exams but also for life itself.

Preparing Students for the Age of Artificial Intelligence

In today’s digital age, SAIIER’s aim is to ensure that students do not become tools of technology, but instead learn to use tools with consciousness.
AI, technological thinking, and 21st-century skills are integrated with awareness, helping students grow into thoughtful learners.

A New Model – Four Days of School + One Day of Practice

At SAIIER, the weekly model is: four days of classes + one day of practical experience. This balance helps students prepare both for life and profession.

Dr. Jayanti S. Ravi, IAS (Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Gujarat & Secretary, Auroville Foundation) has been a key driving force behind these transformative shifts.

She has actively promoted student exchange programs and linked SAIIER’s work with the implementation of NEP 2020.

Broadening Training Opportunities

Through video conferences from the Auroville Secretariat, she directly interacted with students, urging:

• “Take the goodness of Auroville back to your own towns.”
• “Return for training in the field you love.”

In Conclusion…

SAIIER is not a school for exams – it is a journey for life.
The education here shapes students into individuals who go beyond textbooks and understand the path of life itself. Students do not just prepare for examinations – they prepare to design their own lives.