Yashelin Education System

The Yashelin Education System, also known in Ivu as the Bezzerim, is the leading authority on education within all Yashelin communities. It is often considered one of the major cultural powerhouses which links all Yashelin together.
The Serayin, the Idin, the Tikiran - although the methodology and the scope has changed significantly over the years, every single Yashelin has experienced the Bezzerim in one way or another. Legally, one cannot ever be considered a true lanyin, an adult, without having passed through the highs and lows of the Bezzerim.
This document is not intended as a historical record of previous systems, which are a host unto themselves to describe. Rather, this is an overview of the most recent iteration of the Bezzerim. For more information regarding the content of this document, please refer to the Table of Content below.

Type

Educational System

Alternative Name(s)

Bezzerim

Language of Instruction

Ivu

Intended Audience

Yashelin of all ages, with an emphasis on younger people.

Supervisory Flock

Zezu Flock

Primary Location

Kotuye Library and Education Center

History

In the early days of Yashelin civilization, no one person received the same kind of education. Some of it was quality, some of it was less than desirable. The only assured education was that of reading, writing, and basic arithmetic, and the rest was to be taken via experience.
A little less than midway through the Ida's work creating the 5000 Idin Yashelin, Seri had had enough. They put order to the education of the young, in pursuit of an organized and fair way to introduce each new member of their society to the planet of Aravu. There were many lessons learned over the course of their mission. After nearly every new batch of Yashelin, Seri reviewed their processes and found something to revise.
The current Yashelin Education System was designed by an interdisciplinary team led by Seri and Bee under the auspices of the Ezekoru and each settlement's Citizen Advisory Board. It was created in response to the Ida's desire to begin creating Yashelin again, this time of the Tikiran variety.

Institutional Goals

The Yashelin Education System strives to...

1.

Ensure that all Yashelin have equitable access to a thorough, quality education.

2.

Instill a sense of pride in the past, present, and future of Yashelin civilization.

3.

Provide students with the knowledge, skills, connections, and other resources to become upstanding, confident lanyin.

4.

Cultivate educators who are dedicated to the intellectual development of their students and of themselves.

Basic Organizational Structure

The Yashelin Education System is a multidisciplinary effort, with each flock of Yashelin offering their perspective on what should and should not be taught to students.
The Council of Five, belonging to the Zezu Flock, are the ultimate decision makers regarding most aspects of the educational system.
Seri is of particular importance as the Serayin who built the Bezzerim from the ground up. They are in charge of ensuring that everyday operations run smoothly. They lead a team of certified educators from across all flocks of life.
These certified educators are the lifeblood of the institution. Not a single stone has been left unturned by them in their pursuit of providing the Yashelin with a quality, thorough education. While every educator is expected to teach at least one course, what they are most known for is their love of lesson plans and learning goals from every potential angle. A student is fascinated by cheese making? These educators will make sure they get to the bottom of it if they weren't already ready with one in preparation for the possibility.
Then, of course, there are their students. Students are of the upmost importance for the Bezzerim. Although they may at times feel like they have the least power of all, they in reality have much sway. With the exception of the prerequisites, they determine what is taught and what is not. Their feedback as the potential power to change the very fabric of the institution itself, let alone in a tiny classroom setting where one student may be the only person in the room with the educator.

A Student's Committees and their Purpose

Methods of Study

There are six main methods in which a Yashelin achieves a formal education. They may perform several at the same time. All Yashelin start out with classroom learning, then transition into other methods of study as they become ready. Each of the descriptions below include at least one example to give one an idea of what each stage may entail.

Classroom Learning

Students are expected to participate in regular classroom learning. Courses are primarily held by licensed educators at the Kotuye Library and Education Center, unless otherwise noted.
Courses are divided by subject and experience level. Even if only one student is interested in a course, the instructor is required to provide their service.

Example(s)

• Intro to Ivu Grammar
• Intro to Floral Design
• Medical Ethics

Exploration

Explorations are short term programs meant to give students the opportunity to explore their interest and develop their skills in a low stress, playful environment. These programs may take the form of informal walk-in tours or structured workshops.
With few exceptions, all institutions must provide visiting students with an exploratory learning experience if requested.

Example(s)

• A tour of a medical facility
• Learn the basics of how to bake bread at the bakery
• Help the ink and dye makers crush ingredients

Observation

Observations are one to twenty year long periods of guided learning. They are divided into Major (6+ years) and Minor (1-5 years) Observations.
Yashelin must be chaperoned at all times by a lanyin professional experienced in the subject matter.

Example(s)

Studying the basics of sewing for a year under the tutelage of an experienced seamstress.

Minor Studies

Minor studies are fifty year long opportunities for a student to expand upon their experiences in previous explorations and observations.
Students must petition both of their committees with a list of at least ten different potential minor studies. The committees will make the required community connections for them.

Example(s)

Shadow a painter and learn their trade in detail.

Major Studies

Major Studies are 100-year deep dives into a subject. There are two kinds, one that targets a strength and the other a weakness.
Major Studies of Interest are determined by the student, who approaches their potential tutor on their own. These studies are often laid back, similar to a minor study but performed for a longer period of time.
Major Studies of Concern are determined by the student's committee. If a committee notices gaps in the student's experiences thus far, they are likely to assign them to study in those areas. These studies are often highly regimented to ensure that the student feels safe while also receiving a quality education.

Example(s)

Major Study of Interest - A student who is fascinating by the planet of Araki's biodiversity petitions Areta Maikir to study under ver.
Major Study of Concern - If a student has notable difficulties with engaging in community activities or is otherwise withdrawn or shy, a committee is likely to assign them to Shu, a member of the Council of Five and the organizer of most Yashelin festivals.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships allow students to explore their personal interests in depth via a deep dive into an entire flock's body of work. This is the most immersive study for students, who are treated akin to a new flockmate for 200 years.
They are also often a student's first attempt to determine which flock they belong to their flock. As such, students are traditionally expected to petition a Serayin personally in order to receive an apprenticeship.
Serayin are discouraged from rejecting potential apprentices for similar reasons. If a Serayin has concerns about the student, it is most common for the Serayin to negotiate and develop an agreeable plan with a student.

Example(s)

A student with a strong interest in the making of inks, paints, and dyes wishes to study with the Shushani Flock, so they petition Uri.
When they learn that they are in Coran's Peli Flock, not Uri's, they repeat the process again. After their apprenticeship is over, they petition Coran. This process continues either until the student decides to settle down or they have found their flock.

Mali Education Structure

Education for mali, or children under the age of 1000, is divided into two parts: Exploration and Experimentation. Major goals for the mali who pass through this part of the educational system include:

1. Provide the building blocks for mali to become fully integrated and well educated members of their communities.
2. Promote the growth of individual awareness of their thoughts, beliefs, needs, and desires.
3. Teach mali how to make connections with members of the community, on their own and with assistance.
4. Prepare mali for a long lifespan by instilling values such as patience and temperance.
5. Integrate Yashelin youths to their new society and culture.

Mali Educational Stages

Exploration

Exploration focuses on mali who are between the ages of 0 to 500 years of age. This coincides roughly with the creation of the Yashelin and the growth of their first fully mature feathers.
This age group is encouraged to seek out low intensity educational opportunities outside of the home via the first two types of study, exploration and observation, which is more fully explained in the section above.
In addition to the above studies, they are also expected to attend formal in-person courses administered by a registered educator starting at the age of ten years old.
The Exploration stage of a Yashelin mali's education is overseen by the similarly named Exploration Committee.

Experimentation

The experimentation phase of a mali's education is comprised of mali between the ages of approximately 500 to 1000 years. At this stage in their lives, they are typically ready to tackle longer term projects and, with help, have the experience and sense of self to choose their own projects.
Yashelin in the Experimentation stage of their education are able to take all types of study. They are required to take the following studies: two Minor Studies, two Intermediate Studies, and one Advanced Study. They also must also continue to attend in person courses. Although they are encouraged to continue seeking out exploratory and observational opportunities, it is no longer required.
The Experimentation Committee convenes at the time the mali achieves 500 years of age. It largely takes over the official function of the Exploration Committee, who are still encouraged to participate in the life of the mali and collaborate with the Experimentation Committee.

Kipiri Education Structure

Discovery

Now that a mali has become a kipiri, they get to experience freedom from structured education. Instead, they are permitted to pursue their interests according to their own passions and desires. Some immediately enter into their flock's fold, while others continue to take various study methods. Extra deep studies in a variety of different flocks and workspaces are common.
During this educational stage, an emphasis is placed on the youth's spiritual health because this is the time in their life when their spirit begins to strengthen into its adult form.

Reflection

The reflection stage of educational development is a 1000 year period between youth and adulthood for a Yashelin. If the student is already a lanyin but going through the stages again, this is the stage which marks the end of their studies. While life continues mostly in the same manner as it had for the previous years, students are expected to take on various special rituals and tasks given by their community.

Becoming a Lanyin: Continuing Education

Education does not stop once a Yashelin reaches the lanyin stage of life, or adulthood. Yashelin have an exceptionally long lifespan. They are expected to continue learning throughout their lives as a matter of practicality, at minimum, because they must adapt for their own sake (and the sanity of those around them).