1908. Teaching Institutes
"…this is essentially an activity aimed at deepening the knowledge of the friends to prepare them for active participation in the teaching work. In some countries it may continue to be an activity conducted either in local Bahá’í Centres or possibly housed in hired quarters, like most Summer Schools. However, in other countries, and particularly in mass teaching areas, it may have to be a modest structure acquired or erected in the rural areas where the majority of the believers reside rather than in capital cities, to obviate transportation expenses for those attending."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to all National Spiritual Assemblies, May 14, 1964: Centers of Bahá’í Learning, p. 19)
1909. Institute Should be Centre of Complex Activities
"Your Institutes should not only be seats of Bahá’í learning but also centres from which mass teaching and consolidation work over a large area must be inspired and conducted. The Institute is not merely a building, nor solely a place where Bahá’í classes can be held for a few days. It should be the centre of complex activities which systematically assist your Assembly in the achievement of its goal in teaching and consolidation."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of India: June 23, 1966)
1910. Subjects to be Taught
"The material to be taught is prepared ahead of time, presented in simple language, and translated into the vernacular…
"The subjects taught usually consist of Bahá’í History, Laws and Teachings, and the Administrative Order. Special emphasis is laid upon living the Bahá’í life, the importance of teaching, prayer, fasting, Nineteen Day Feasts, Bahá’í elections, and contribution to the Fund."
- (From Suggestions on Operation of Teaching Institutes': enclosure in letter dated 24 December, 1964, from the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala: Centers of Bahá’í Learning, p. 19)
1911. Issuing Diplomas Discouraged—Sometimes they are Misused
"We have also noted that you intend to give graduation diplomas to the friends who attend the institutes. Your desire to acknowledge devoted attendance at the institutes is most commendable, but we feel it would be preferable in future to give a suitable gift, such as a book, rather than a diploma. From experience in other areas of the world we have learned that such diplomas sometimes are misused by their recipients. For this reason we have discouraged their use."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to the National Spiritual Assembly of Guatemala, October 27, 1965: Ibid., p. 20)
1912. A Teaching Institute at Present is a Function and not Necessarily a Building
"We greatly appreciate your desire to serve the Cause and at the same time honour the beloved Hand of the Cause and wonder whether more feasible plans would appeal to you. For instance, you might consider establishing a fund to maintain Bahá’í tutors in villages, who would teach not only reading and writing but the elements of the Faith as well. We have always stressed to those National Spiritual Assemblies which establish Teaching Institutes that at the present time such an Institute is a function and not necessarily a building and there are many places where such educational work can be pursued if a number of teachers can be supported. On the other hand, we have no idea of the size of the principal you have in mind for your endowment and wonder whether a very simple school where not only children but adult literary classes could be held, would meet your intention."
- (From a letter of the Universal House of Justice to an individual believer, April 18, 1971: Ibid.)
