According to Amma’s teachers, She was the brightest girl in Her class and never failed to flawlessly memorize a lesson. Amma says it was easy for Her to do so because She only had to read things once to know them by heart.
However, when Amma was only in the fourth standard, Her mother became ill, and She had to leave school in order to take care of all the household chores. From then on, it was Amma who made sure all Her brothers and sisters went to school on time and that each day they properly completed their lessons.
Today, Amma is the highest form of teacher — a Jagat Guru, imparting True Knowledge to the world. Amma has established a vast network of educational institutions that provide the most modern educations while imparting the traditional values of Indian culture.
Amma set up Her first educational facility in 1987 — the Amrita Vidyalayam primary school in Kodungallur, Kerala. Since then, the Mata Amritanandamayi Math has established more than 60 education facilities throughout India, including engineering, management, IT and medical schools. Today, the majority of these are part of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, or Amrita University.
Education for life and education for living — in Amma’s hands they have become one. About Mata Amritanandamayi Math Amma has inspired a vast network of charitable activities through the Mata Amritanandamayi Math. Please download our brochure detailing the Math’s various activities: Embracing the WorldFor its tsunami relief work, the United Nations has conferred “Special Consultative Status” upon Mata Amritanandamayi Math with the UN Economic & Social Council (ECOSOC).
Mata Amritanandamayi Math’s Educational and Charitable Activities Below are some areas that Mata Amritanandamayi Math is focusing in education.* Amrita Vidyalayam Schools – More than 56 schools across the country providing value-based education.* MAM Industrial Training Center for youth, Kollam, Kerala* Amrita Speech and Hearing Improvement School (ASHIS) for children, Thrissur, Kerala
* Amrita School for Visual Media Studies, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
* Extension Centre for artisan development in woodcarving and handicrafts,Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Vidyamritam
The ashram is providing full scholarships to approximately 40,000 children (ages 10 to 15) of farmers living below the poverty line. The children receive a stipend until they finish their education, subject to their performance in their studies. Motivational sessions and competitions in various literary, painting and pencil-sketching activities are also regularly held for these children. This scheme will be extended to cover 100,000 students.
Amrita Niketan (Orphanage)Located at Parippalli, Kollam, Kerala, this institution is dedicated to caring for 500 children from the most disadvantaged sections of society. These children, mainly from tribal areas, receive an excellent education at Amma’s Sanskrit Higher Secondary School, Paripalli.