The Sri Sathya Sai Higher Secondary School in Puttaparthi was inspired and initiated by Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba, who is regarded as its life, soul, motivation, and ultimate goal. The school was formally established on June 15, 1981, under His direct guidance and loving care, with the mission of molding young minds and fostering character development alongside academic excellence. It is a fully residential English-medium school for boys and girls, affiliated with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE), offering education from Class I to XII. The school has two wings: the Primary wing has classes 1 to 7 for boys and 1 to 12 for girls. And a separate wing for boys, classes 8 to 12. Both wings are independent buildings with separate hostels and infrastructure. The institution functions as a vital educational limb of the Sri Sathya Sai System of Educare, and is guided by the educational philosophy that “education should be for eternal living, not for mere survival.

Swami later declared in his 60th Birthday Divine Discourse in 23d Nov 1985 “ In order to fill the college with properly trained boys, I willed the Higher Secondary School”

On a gentler note, Swami’s Higher Secondary School sits between the playful vatsalyabhava Swami has towards His Primary school students and the guide He is to the Institute boys. It’s where a lot of firsts happened, and then became commonplace… Christmas Carol singing, Blessing of exam hall tickets, Science and Photography exhibition, Teacher’s Sports Meet, to name a few. These, among many other mesmerising stories make the School a special place.

School Prize Distribution Ceremony

Each year, after the Sports Meet, Swami would come to personally give certificates and prizes to students.

On one occasion, as Swami entered the auditorium and walked towards the stage, students kneeling reverentially on both sides of the walkway, offered rose petals at His Lotus Feet as He walked. Swami was deeply touched! During His discourse, He lovingly remarked, “No one has ever welcomed Me, throwing rose petals in this manner. I am pleased with the way you have welcomed me.”

Once, the backdrop had a globe. Swami noticed that this globe was slowly rotating. When He asked how it was moving, the boys showed him a small table fan, discreetly placed at an angle. Swami smiled and remarked humorously, “I thought that fan was meant for me!” His gentle humour filled the hall with joy.

The First Teachers’ Sports Meet 1985

As they would every year, once, the teaching staff took a beautiful handmade card to seek Swami’s blessings to commence schoolhouse events. Swami blessed, and gently asked, “Sports activities are not only meant for students. Why can’t teachers have a Sports Meet?”

Teachers replied, “Swami, if You permit, we shall organise sports events even for teachers.”

Swami immediately agreed and said, “After morning bhajans, I will come at 10 o’clock. You may organise the Teachers’ Sports Meet.”

In those days, Shanti Vedika hadn’t yet come up. Swami graciously sat in a temporary shed, surrounded by students, clapping, encouraging, and blessing the winners with padnamaskar. He watched events like – running race, three-legged race, lemon-and-spoon race, musical chairs, and breaking the pot.

School Science and Photo Exhibition

Swami, throwing a dart! He, of course, hit the centre every time! Smiling, Swami said, “You see, Swami is always perfect.”

Every year, students and staff enthusiastically organised a Science and Photography Exhibition, and invited Swami to inaugurate it. With immense love and grace, Swami would come to the school campus, cut the ribbon, and inaugurate the exhibition. He would then move from one classroom to another, patiently observing each exhibit.

Swami, playing a student-made Xylophone!

Swami inspecting a solar powered water heater in the lawns outside the Higher Secondary School building.

Swami visiting a classroom to see pictures on display.

In one of the rooms, a student had displayed a burglar alarm model. When Swami came to the boy, he explained that the alarm beeps if an object is removed. Then demonstrated the same. He then humbly invited Swami to try it. When Swami lifted the object, there was no sound.

The student grew anxious, and re-checked all electrical connections. Tested it again. The alarm worked. His confidence restored, he asked Swami to try once again. Yet again, there was complete silence. The boy stood confused, wondering what had gone wrong with his model.

Swami then looked at the boy with infinite love and said with a gentle smile, “I am not that kind of thief. I am a Chitta Chora. I do not steal things; I steal hearts.”

The entire room burst into smiles as Swami blessed the student!

Junior boys hostel inauguration

Swami inaugurated the junior boys hostel in July 1995.

Swami’s visit to the Junior Boys Hostel – 2002

These pictures are from 26th February 2002, where Swami spoke to the boys at His Junior Boys Hostel’s dining hall. The students of the Higher Secondary School had offered a Gratitude Program at the Mandir on the previous day (25th February). They appealed to Swami to visit the hostel.

To their pleasant surprise, Swami said, “Tomorrow, 9/9:30, I’ll come.” In anticipation and preparation, no one at the hostel slept that night! Swami visited, and blessed everyone!

During a chartered flight from Bangalore to Madurai, after everyone had settled, Swami got up and distributed gold coin chocolates.

Swami derived a lot of joy from Dramas presented by His boys . Clicked in 2006.

For collecting prasadam for distribution, boys would go inside the interview room. This blissful picture was clicked during one such time around 1993!