In plain words
Teachers! If we want to win the children over, we must draw them close with Prema. If they do something wrong, we must tell them with good words. We must see that they do not do that wrong again. We must shape the children into ideal people. Then you will have done the country a great service.
Question: How is the ‘Educare’ programme to be conducted for children who live in slums?
Above all, you must try to clean up such places. For this you may take the help of the Seva Dal. It has been said, Cleanliness is Godliness. “Through uncleanliness your children get diseases. So keep your surroundings clean”: so you must tell them. In our school we must arrange ‘social work’ one day a week, go to such places and clean them. Then they themselves will come forward and say, “You need not do it, babu; we ourselves will do it”.
Question: How is enthusiasm for the ‘Educare’ programme to be roused in little children?
It is not possible to conduct the ‘Educare’ programme for little children. You can introduce ‘Educare’ at the college level. Before that, you must develop sacred feelings in the children's minds. You must teach them the lives of ideal men such as Satya Hariścandra and change their minds.
Question: How can we attract the children of those who are not devotees? How can we bring about a change in parents who do not put Swami's messages into practice?
The parents may be unaware of Sai Baba, but the children who come to our school will know. Through such children themselves we must teach the parents the good path and bring about a transformation in them. “Sai Baba is showing a very good path. I have become good only because I go to Sai Baba's school”: when the children say this, the parents form a good opinion of our educational institutions. Before they eat, the children pray, “Brahmārpaṇaṃ...”.