Primary (Class 1-8) Teacher Training Diploma in
the Abiding Heart Education™️ Approach

Course details
Dates: 5 February 2024 - 22 May 2026
Duration: 2 1/2 years, 5 semesters, full-time course
Format: Online classes with teaching placements in the country of residence
Language: All classes and instructions are in English
Minimum requirement: High-school (completed class 12) final examinations: grade C or above in English, science and maths.
Monastic applicants: minimum 9 years of Shedra studies.
Desirable: Bachelor’s degree: minimum grade C+ or third class honours.
Teaching placements: Successful applicants must comply with all legislation in relation to school placements in their country of residence
Commitment: Assessment including attendance, class participation, written assignments, oral presentations, reflective practice, curriculum planning and teaching placements.
Award: Primary (Class 1-8) Teaching Diploma in the Abiding Heart Education™ approach
Course description
The Abiding Heart Education™ is a new approach to education that rests on contemplative traditions world view that is rooted in ancient wisdom. Fusing this worldview, meditation and application with Steiner/Waldorf methodology and developmental science we have created a unique children’s transformative experiential pedagogy that gives equal weight to the intellectual (head) affective (heart), and action (doing) domains. This new approach places the emphasis on developing wisdom and compassion that is to be lived in the class and in our personal life. Trainees will gain a good balance of theory and practical knowledge in teaching that is grounded in transformative experiential contemplative traditions worldview thus fostering their continuing inner development.
The curriculum draws deeply on the live experiential ancient wisdom traditions which emphasise applying the knowledge acquired in everyday experience in order to nurture an ongoing transformation. Students develop practical teaching skills based on child development theory and gain experience in creating teaching and learning resources in preparation for school placements and embarking on life as an Abiding Heart Education™ teacher. At the core of this two-year course is the practice of letting our minds rest, our hands create, and our hearts rejoice. The sense of wonder that nurtures young children is a capacity we all have, and although it may not always flourish in adulthood, we can reconnect with it and deepen our experience.
The course will empower primary teachers with the knowledge, skills, and understanding to create a nurturing and stimulating learning environment in order to support child development. Evidence shows that experiences of such positive learning environments support the development of self-esteem and confidence and increase the likelihood of children continuing in education.
Students will receive a theoretical and practical understanding of primary education based on Abiding Heart Education’s Transformative Experiential Contemplative learning approach. We will also include elements of the cultural heritage of the Himalayan region to demonstrate how the curriculum can be adapted to a specific culture. Teachers from other regions will learn how to integrate their own culture, language and tradition into this education approach and curriculum. The course content includes:
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The Abiding Heart’s Transformative experiential contemplative studies, which includes an engaging and life-changing study of contemplative studies rooted in ancient wisdom philosophy, meditation, and application;
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The Abiding Heart’s unique child development studies from birth to rebirth, bringing together contemplative philosophy and psychology; together with developmental science, neuroscience, and transformative experiential philosophy of education;
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The Abiding Heart Education Learning Approach: Contemplative traditions pedagogy, the transformative learning approach of Steiner and other contemporary philosophies of education leading to the understanding of the components of the Abiding Heart Education™ transformative experiential contemplative learning approach;
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Transformative experiential curriculum studies content and application for primary (class1-8);
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Transformative experiential contemplative curriculum studies content and application for primary (class 1-8);
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Curriculum development and lesson planning;
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From an unhealthy self towards a healthy self: Safeguarding and nurturing the wellbeing of children with Buddhism in mind;
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The compassionate wholesome practice of school organisation, management, and community building;
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Himalayan Buddhist arts, such as Thangka paintings, mani stone carving, and Charya dance;
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Artistic activities, such as drawing, painting, clay modelling, woodcarving, handwork, and stone carving;
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Teaching placements in the student's country of residence.
Structure:
The full-time training is a 2-year course and consists of a total of four semesters. The trainees will have 2 semesters each year:
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Winter/Spring Semester
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Summer/Autumn Semester
Each semester has:
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1-4 weeks teaching practice at a school
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1-2 reading weeks/self-study
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14-19 weeks of online lessons
New students must join the course during the winter/spring semester.
Students taking this training are required to attend all modules to receive a Teaching Diploma in the Abiding Heart Education™ approach.
Now that the pandemic is mostly behind us, students will have the option of attending in-person classes at the Abiding Heart Education Centre in Boudha, Kathmandu while those who so prefer may continue with online classes. The academic calendar will remain the same and we will offer a blended course to accommodate both online and in-person students. Please note, there is an additional fee of $300 a semester for in-person attendance.
Tuition Fee:
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Weekly instalments of US$65 (104 payments) or
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Monthly instalments of US$270 (24 payments) or
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Bi-annually (twice a year) instalments of US$1,550 (4 payments) or
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Annual instalments of US$3,000 (2 payments)
Additional processing charges per transaction apply.
Students are asked to cover the cost of arts and crafts materials independently.
* Limited financial aid is available for those in great need.
Please contact us at admissions@abidingheart.education for an application pack.
If you need further information, please contact admissions or use our admissions inquiry form.
Terms and Conditions apply. See our fee policy
Get to know small tasters of the rich primary curriculum we have developed over the past several years by clicking on the photos below: