Education Wing
Bal Vikas
Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas offers free weekly classes in human values for children: nine years, three groups and five simple teaching techniques.
What is Bal Vikas?
Bal Vikas is a structured nine-year programme of values education for children aged 5 to 13, divided into three groups of three years each. Classes are taken by trained Bal Vikas Gurus, free of charge.
It began as ‘Bal Vihar’, decided at the Third All India Conference at Prasanthi Nilayam in November 1969. In December 1971, at the Fifth All India Conference in Madras, it was renamed ‘Sri Sathya Sai Bal Vikas’, and the ‘Bal Vikas Teacher’ became the ‘Bal Vikas Guru’.
Nine years, three groups
Three groups by age
Each group lasts three years, and the way of learning grows with the child.
Group 1
Ages 5–7
Learning through doing and making
Group 2
Ages 8–10
Learning through making and thinking
Group 3
Ages 11–13
Learning through thinking and creating
Given by Swami
Five teaching techniques
Every Bal Vikas class uses the five techniques given by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba.
Prayer
Every class opens with prayer, which settles and focuses the mind.
Group singing
Singing bhajans and songs together brings joy, discipline and unity.
Story telling
Stories of great souls and saints plant values naturally in the mind.
Group activity
Games, plays and crafts teach children to work together.
Silent sitting
A few moments of silent sitting practise inner peace and attention.
“The Bal Vikas is the primary basis of the great movement to restore dharma (righteousness) in the world.”
In Madhya Pradesh
Bal Vikas across the state
Between 1 January – 27 September 2026, Bal Vikas classes in Madhya Pradesh ran both in neighbourhoods (residential) and in schools.
- Bal Vikas Gurusregistered
- 1,009
- Bal Vikas Alumniregistered
- 1,916
- Bal Vikas classes held2026 so far
- 341
- Children's participationattendance summed across activities
- 6,929
| Activity | Times held | Participation | Beneficiaries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bal Vikas Class (Residential) | 289 | 4,576 | — |
| Bal Vikas Class (School) | 52 | 1,591 | — |
Bal Vikas classes by type, 1 January – 27 September 2026.
Bal Vikas Class (Residential)
- Times held
- 289
- Participation
- 4,576
- Beneficiaries
- —
Bal Vikas Class (School)
- Times held
- 52
- Participation
- 1,591
- Beneficiaries
- —
Source: state office records as of 27 September 2026; approved activity reports only. Gurus and Alumni are registered membership figures. ‘Participation’ sums attendance at each activity; it is not a count of individual children.
Bal Vikas Gurus
Become a Guru
Bal Vikas Gurus: an offering of time and love
Bal Vikas Gurus are volunteers who are trained and then take a weekly class for children. If you would like to become a Guru, contact the Education Coordinator of your Samithi.
Find your nearest SamithiEnrol your child in Bal Vikas
Classes are free and open to children of every faith. Ask your nearest Samithi for the class time and place.