by Father Richard Burkhao
AURANGABAD, AUGUST 22, 2018: A half-day seminar was organised at Don Bosco Waluj, on August 21, for the Village Education Programme (VEP) teachers in order to train them to run the VEP more effectively.
Village Education Programme (VEP) is run by Don Bosco institutions, where teachers are appointed to conduct free tuition classes for academically weaker students from classes one to five.
At present, 17 teachers have been appointed from Gangapur Taluka in Aurangabad district, to conduct VEP in 20 different villages. The seminar began with a prayer by Father Richard Burkhao, administrator of Don Bosco, Waluj.
To make all the teachers feel at ease, Father Burkhao held an ice-breaker. The first session was conducted by Father Pratap Damor, Director of Don Bosco, Waluj. Father Damor explained the meaning of VEP and its functions. He also made suggestions about dealing with children, especially those weak in studies. It was followed by a Hindi action song by Fathers Damor and Burkhao.
The second session was conducted by Father Burkhao in which he explained the importance and effectiveness of education through VEP and the role of a teacher. He also threw light on the different types of punishments inflicted on children which should be avoided completely.
Father Burkhao concluded with Don Bosco's Preventive System of Education, its effectiveness and implementation. This was followed by a group discussion, in which four groups were given different case studies to discuss and present to the whole assembly.
Finally, four teachers who were part of the Village Education Programme in 2015 shared their experiences. All raved about the enriching time they had. They were sad, like the students, when the VEP was discontinued shortly. "I am so happy to know that the VEP is resuming because it gives me great joy and satisfaction to teach the weaker students of my village," Sangeeta Pandit, a 2015 VEP teacher, said.